BLOC Stealth Multi-Lens Sunglasses £45

At a glance Good value eyewear, with three interchangeable lenses ideal for all year round use.

Tested by
Jonathan Manning, tester for The Bike List

Value

Performance

In any selection of eyewear it's hard to separate fact from fashion. The fact is that there are many good brands making lenses that will look after your eyes. The fashion dictates that some of us will pay hundreds for a stylish design and a neat little logo.

The BLOC Stealth fall into the former category, where function allied to a sensible price makes for a compelling sales pitch. They come with three, interchangeable lenses, dark, yellow and clear and it's easy to switch between the three at the start of your ride. With 100% UVA and UVB protection the dark lenses have shielded my eyes all summer from the sun's harmful rays, including high altitude days in the Pyrenees.

Now autumn is here the yellow lenses add contrast and (magically) light to the view ahead, while sheltering my eyes from the dust and grit carried on the breeze, and with the clocks about to change I'll be using the clear lenses for commutes in the dark. The lenses do steam up at standstill, but quickly clear when I'm on the move.

So for core eye protection the Stealth's scratch and impact resistant lenses perform admirably for a price that would barely cover the cost of a case and cleaning cloth from certain other brands.

But it's not all good news. The arms, for instance, have a gloss finish and fit too loosely to grip the side of my head, instead perching over my ears. This places full responsibility on the moulded nose pad to hold the glasses in position. To be fair, in over 2,000 miles of cycling they have never slipped off, even when sweat has been pouring down my brow, but they don't inspire the same hold-in-place confidence you'd enjoy with an Oakley-style design. The angle of the lenses is also rather wide, and I found large gaps between the lower edge of the lens and my cheek, when I'd prefer a tighter wrap-around.

I'd also appreciate a hard, protective case, rather than the soft sleeve that doubles as a cleaning rag. It means I keep the two lenses not in use in my sock drawer, when it would be useful to have them with me at the start of sportives and audaxes.

Buy from www.chainreactioncycles.com

BLOC says:

The lightweight Stealth is a BLOC legend. It's a vital part of any kit bag providing demanding athletes the ultimate in performance and protection. Moulded nose pads prevent slipping and improve comfort, control and performance. A comfortable lightweight flexible frame for high-speed pursuits. Perfect for skiing, cycling and shooting with maximum peripheral vision. 3 interchangeable lenses let you adapt to all sports and all weather conditions. The three lenses supplied are:

Clear - Category 1. Used at night or in low light conditions protects against foreign particles and wind penetration.
Citrus - Category 1. A high definition lens ideally suited to low light conditions.
Brown - Category 3. Our brown lenses are excellent at cutting glare, working very effectively in varying light conditions and helps to reduce eyestrain.