SunGod Airas sunglasses review

The SunGod Airas are the brand's lightest cycling sunglasses to date, at a featherweight 27g for the frameless option. They look pretty sharp, too, thanks to the retro shield lens shape with its modern silhouette.

I’m also impressed that you can choose your preference for everything from the frames and lenses to the logo and temple-tip colours, at no extra cost.

Don’t panic, though, this doesn’t mean months of waiting for your new shades – my pair came within 48 hours of placing my online order.

SunGod Airas spec details

We all know that decent lenses are the most important thing when you’re flying down a long, dappled descent or puffing your way up a never-ending hill in the glaring sun. The Iris photochromic lens I tried was excellent, and a match for the best cycling sunglasses from more established brands such as Oakley and Rudy Project.

The high-quality, 65mm-deep 8KO lens is shaped so it stays close to your face, right across its width, for better peripheral vision. It offers superb clarity and is rapid to darken and lighten as the ambient light changes.

The frame is made from a material called Infinite that SunGod says consists of 100 per cent recycled plastic waste. It’s great to hear that the frames and bag are made from fully recycled materials and the packaging is recyclable, too.

Add in an impressive lifetime guarantee that states if you break your glasses, SunGod will repair them for free, and the Airas are relatively kind to the planet.

SunGod Airas performance

Frameless designs, while giving a great field of view, can be a little loose-fitting on rough roads, but the Airas are better than most in that regard.

While they wouldn’t be my first choice, they do stay put over cobbles and around town, but for gravel riding I’d reach for something a little stiffer, although you can choose a bottom-frame option.

The lens has a lot of spring in its curved wrap that, when combined with the hinged arms and textured temple tips, provides a tensioned grip on your head.

The soft nosepiece (you can choose from four sizes) does most of the work to keep the glasses in place and comfortable, so take your time in getting the right fit before you set out on a serious ride.

My test pair came custom spec with a 'smoke' 8KO Iris photochromic lens and kit to switch from a frameless design to one with lower-frame protection (as pictured), costing £215 (including case, nosepieces, lower frame, nose bridge and cleaning bag).

SunGod Airas bottom line

The Airas fit well, look great and come with a lifetime guarantee. The lenses are excellent, delivering supreme clarity and staying close to your face on the bike.

With the additional options, they do start to look a little pricey, but you can snap up a more basic spec from £130.