Rapha has launched its all-new eyewear collection, with four frame styles adapted for different types of rider, from the racer to the espresso sipper, via the adventurer.
The latest range is made up of two sets of Pro Team glasses (one with a full frame, one frameless), the Classic glasses and the Explore shades.
Rapha says the standout technical feature of its glasses is the ROSE lens technology. Standing for Rider Optimised Surface Enhancement, Rapha says this uses a base lens colour that enhances light level differences, allowing riders to spot road hazards more easily, as well as increasing light and dark contrast to help the eyes adapt more quickly (for example, when entering tree cover or tunnels).
All the sunnies are made in Italy and the lenses also come with what Rapha calls “military grade anti-fogging” treatment to the inside of the lens. This, according to Rapha, means that you can breathe directly on the lens and it won’t fog up.
(Editor's note: Rapha has sent us all three sets of glasses to review and a quick breathe-on-the-lens test results in some fogging, but it does seem to clear quickly. Anyway, you're unlikely to spend much time breathing directly on to your lenses – if you're wearing your glasses over your mouth, you're wearing them wrong – so we'll find out how effective this is on the road.)
That aside, you also get a hydrophobic coating on the outside surface, so rain and spray should bead up and roll off. And the Pro Team Full Frame and Explore models get vent holes in the lens to improve airflow and cooling.
Rapha Pro Team Full Frame glasses
Rapha says the wrap-around style of the Pro Team Full Frame glasses is designed for stability and a wide field of vision, with the high-top rim apparently helping when riding in the drops. Big sunglasses are very much en-vogue, of course.
As with all the new Rapha shades, the Pro Team glasses combine a Grilamid frame (that's a type of high-strength plastic) with extra-grippy sidearms and two swappable nosepieces. There are slot vents along the top edge and sides of the lens.
Rapha offers three different lens options – pink blue, black mirror and purple green – with light transmission between 10 per cent and 21 per cent, matched to four different frame colours, including a Rapha Cycle Club edition.
Also part of the deal is a clear lens, to swap in for low light or night riding.
- Frame/lens options: white/pink blue, black/black mirror, dark navy/purple green, RCC edition black/ pink blue
- Light transmission: black mirror lens – 10 per cent; purple green lens – 15 per cent; pink blue lens – 21 per cent; clear lens – 100 per cent
- Weight: 30g
- Price: £120 / €145 / $165 / AU$210
- Buy the Pro Team Full Frame glasses from Rapha
Rapha Pro Team Frameless glasses
The Pro Team Frameless sunglasses are designed to ensure there’s no obstruction to your peripheral vision. Again, the lenses are oversized for coverage when in the drops.
Like the framed version, the frameless model has Grilamid sidearms with snap-lock hinges and sticky temple grips, plus two size options for the nosepiece. You don't get a clear lens with these.
- Frame/lens options: white/pink blue, black/black mirror, dark navy/purple green, pink/black mirror
- Light transmission: black mirror lens – 10 per cent; purple green lens – 15 per cent; pink blue lens, 21 per cent
- Weight: 28g
- Price: £110 / €135 / $150 / AU$195
- Buy the Pro Team Frameless glasses from Rapha
Rapha Explore glasses
Next up, the Explore glasses are designed for longer rides and off-road use.
Here, the lens extends downwards and there’s no lower edge to the frame, so you can see what’s under your wheels, according to Rapha.
Plus, there’s a removable strap, so you don’t lose them if you have an off.
The lens offers the same tech as the Pro Team glasses, as well as an anti-scratch treatment and plenty of vents for working hard on slower terrain.
Like the Pro Team Full Frame, the Explore model comes with a second clear lens to get you home once the sun goes down at the end of your ride.
- Frame/lens options: dark green/bronze, brown/black mirror, dark navy/purple green, white/pink blue
- Light transmission: bronze lens – 12 per cent; purple green lens – 15 per cent; pink blue lens – 21 per cent; clear lens – 100 per cent
- Weight: 32g
- Price: £130 / €155 / $180 / AU$230
- Buy the Explore glasses from Rapha
Rapha Classic glasses
Finally, Rapha's Classic glasses take design cues from the sunnies worn by the pro riders of yesteryear – think Coppi and Anquetil – and are designed to look stylish at the cafe stop as well as when riding.
The latest design is lighter than Rapha’s original version.
There are five frame options and two lens colours: black mirror with 10 per cent light transmission and rose with 20 per cent. You can fit a prescription lens if you need to.
- Frame/lens options: black/black mirror, black transparent/rose, green transparent/rose, brown/black mirror, pink transparent/black mirror
- Light transmission: black mirror lens – 10 per cent; rose lens – 20 per cent
- Weight: 24g
- Price: £90 / €110 / $125 / AU$155
- Buy the Classic glasses from Rapha
