Handling and care for your cycling sunglasses
Photochromic (light-adapting) lenses can peel quickly, especially in coastal areas, because of a harsh combination of marine aerosols (airborne salt), high humidity and intense UV and heat. Standard lenses suffer from this too, but the microscopic layers that photochromic dyes need, and the protective seals around them, make these lenses especially vulnerable to salt-induced delamination.
Follow these steps to protect your cycling sunglasses (all models, including photochromic) from coating and film peeling:
- Rinse immediately: Flush your glasses under lukewarm tap water right after every ride to wash away acidic sweat, salt and road grit before they dry.
- Never dry-wipe: Do not wipe dusty lenses with your cycling jersey mid-ride. The rough synthetic fabric and trapped dirt will scratch off the coatings.
- Flush before rubbing: Always blow off loose dust, or use a dedicated lens spray to float particles away, before touching the lens with a cloth.
- Use basic dish soap: Wash the lenses with a tiny drop of plain, lotion-free dish soap and your fingertips to cut through stubborn facial oils.
- Blot anti-fog layers: If your glasses have an anti-fog coating on the inside, gently blot them dry with a clean microfibre cloth rather than rubbing hard.
- Wash helmet pads: Clean your helmet's brow pads regularly so concentrated, acidic sweat does not drip onto your lenses.
- Keep them out of the heat: Never leave your sunglasses inside a hot parked car or in direct, extreme heat.
- Watch the sunscreen: Apply sunscreen first, wash your hands, and put your glasses on last so sunscreen oils do not degrade the coatings.
