The last couple of years have seen US optics powerhouse Oakley push the top frame bar of its sport sunglasses higher and higher in an attempt to increase the athlete’s field of vision, with no little success.
The Jawbreakers’ large lens offers an expansive view, as does Oakley’s Radar EV, yet in both cases vision can still be disrupted by the frame that holds the lens.
Oakley solves that problem in the EV Zeros by removing the frame altogether, offering an uninterrupted view and simultaneously allowing it to compete in the realm of super-lightweight eyewear - the EV Zeros weigh just 22g - which is over 30% lighter than the comparatively portly Jawbreakers.
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As well as lowering the weight of the glasses, the absence of the frame solves the problem of lens fogging - sweat was able to evaporate unhindered without being trapped by the frame and condensing on the lens, which is a rare advantage in cycling sunglasses.
However, what Oakley gives with one hand, it takes away with the other - the EV Zero design is made possible by the arms being fixed to the lens. This may reduce the versatility of the glasses but ultimately the quality of the lens restricts any negative impact this may have for the user.
Path or Range
The EV Zeros are offered in two shapes, the Path and the the slightly larger Range, which has a 5mm deeper lens more reminiscent of Oakley’s original frameless glasses, the Sub Zeros, released back in 1992.
The lens shape of the Path is toned down, but is none the worse for it - lens coverage is unimpaired regardless of whether you are looking up from from the drops or checking the whereabouts of other riders to the left or right.
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It isn’t just the shape of the lens that is astutely thought out - Oakley claims the Prizm technology it employs in some of its cycling lenses is fine-tuned specifically for the road environment.
How different this Prizm lens is to lenses specific to other sports can’t be commented on but these do provide an effective filter, decreasing glare from the sun and boosting road texture.
However, new-fangled lens-tuning technology aside and simply put, the EV Zero lenses offer exceptional optical clarity and genuinely improve your riding experience.
Verdict: Oakley's EV Zeros are lightweight performance sunglasses with class-leading optical clarity.
£140 / uk.oakley.com
