Sunglasses on Aliexpress

[Rajmundx]

Hello,
Does anyone own or can recommend — or maybe advise against — cycling sunglasses available on AliExpress?
Are they worth considering, or is it better to go for branded ones?
Or is it basically the same product, just with a logo, and you end up paying several times more for the brand name compared to a "no-name" version from AliExpress?
What are your opinions or experiences on this topic?

[Smokemachine]

I have tested some SCVCN glasses and found most of them to be a narrow fit. In terms of price they are extremely competitive. I haven’t been able myself to validate whether they really protect against UV rays (across the various spectrums) but the price versus bigger western brands makes them compelling. If you review the Aliexpress brand stores you’ll find the same models sold at different prices so open lots of tabs and compare, I’ve literally seen the same glasses sold 5x the price by the same store, just using a slightly different item description.

My advice is to look at the tips of the frames, and whether they curve inward a lot. One model I tried had a quite aggressive curve at the tips which essentially poked the back of my head, behind the ears  there are models with slightly “gentler” curvature which essentially means comfier on most heads. Just to caveat I don’t have a massive head lol and use M/L sized helmets.

Hope this helps

Edit:

Narrow curvature at the tips, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006959417507.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.7ff6266fXhI1jT&browser_id=c2b58e7082e0424db10b35d1d11a195f&aff_trace_key=25110ec4882f44c590a0bdd22047fcd8-1758172958267-01445-_Dlppdsf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=smbvhxsdgocavhtc1995c91517acc9da9e71a1d00d&gclid=&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2226091%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21SEK%2198.58%2135.68%21%21%2173.35%2126.55%21%4021038e1e17581946514552937e0576%2112000038864215525%21sea%21SE%212073604492%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Ac856972e%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000186414483&algo_pvid=f999877b-4ba5-45cb-86d7-be91be8dfd32&search_p4p_id=202509180424112489074397024750003467365_1

Gentler curvature at the tips (feeling ok for up to 2-3 hours), https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007403730039.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.7ff6266fXhI1jT&browser_id=c2b58e7082e0424db10b35d1d11a195f&aff_trace_key=25110ec4882f44c590a0bdd22047fcd8-1758172958267-01445-_Dlppdsf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=smbvhxsdgocavhtc1995c91517acc9da9e71a1d00d&gclid=&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%222630%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21SEK%2190.87%2140.89%21%21%2167.61%2130.42%21%4021038e1e17581946514552937e0576%2112000040597823765%21sea%21SE%212073604492%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Ac856972e%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&algo_pvid=f999877b-4ba5-45cb-86d7-be91be8dfd32&search_p4p_id=202509180424112489074397024750003467365_2

[sh]

Has anyone tried those knock-off clone scicon glasses?

Currently the owner of 2 pairs of SCVCN glasses, and for the price they are quite good. They fit pretty well and I am a large for helmets

[gribs]

Years ago I had some decent Oakley copies but more recent ones (not copies, just random brands) have felt cheap and not lasted long. As long as they've got polycarbonate lens you don't need to worry about UV transmission and every pair I've had has blocked UV. I do UV calibration work so it's easy to check transmission.

I've had a pair of Melon Optics glasses for a few years now which were fairly expensive but are lasting well, possibly because as they were more expensive I actually look after them.

[Dan S.]

Does anyone own or can recommend — or maybe advise against — cycling sunglasses available on AliExpress?
Are they worth considering, or is it better to go for branded ones?

I am now using KAPVOE sunglasses. It’s a knock-off version of Oakley Sutro Lite. I can recommend, they are pretty good and very very affordable. My favorites are the photochromic ones, check them out.

[kubackje]

I am now using KAPVOE sunglasses. It’s a knock-off version of Oakley Sutro Lite. I can recommend, they are pretty good and very very affordable. My favorites are the photochromic ones, check them out.

Best glasses ever. I have like 10 pairs

[Rajmundx]

Did someone bought POC sunglasses? I buy copy of POC Devour on aliexpress with myopia frame and few glasses once and then I order original to compare. They look practically similar.

[Dan S.]

Best glasses ever. I have like 10 pairs

Haha, indeed, I am currently at 6 pairs. xD

[Smokemachine]

As long as they've got polycarbonate lens you don't need to worry about UV transmission and every pair I've had has blocked UV. I do UV calibration work so it's easy to check transmission.

I have no clue about polycarbonate per se, how do you verify the material composition and in extension their UV properties? Cheers

[glepore]

Did someone bought POC sunglasses? I buy copy of POC Devour on aliexpress with myopia frame and few glasses once and then I order original to compare. They look practically similar.

I have a couple pair of Elicit clones. Really like these, crazy light, frameless, high contrast tint. The originals have Zeiss lenses, and I doubt these are anywhere near as good, but they work great for me.

[crazyravr]

I am now using KAPVOE sunglasses. It’s a knock-off version of Oakley Sutro Lite. I can recommend, they are pretty good and very very affordable. My favorites are the photochromic ones, check them out.

I have both the photochromes and normal. Great fitting.
I also got same of Alba optics. Different fit but equally as good.

[Rajmundx]

I have both the photochromes and normal. Great fitting.
I also got same of Alba optics. Different fit but equally as good.

Can you send link to normal Kapvoe?

[jhearrtot]

I mainly use this one for running. I tested it for cycling, but it feels a bit low on the face. I just realized, though, that the temples can be adjusted/tilted, so I might give it another try:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008972931446.html

This is one of my go-to sunnies for cycling — fits perfectly and is wide enough to give great frontal visibility:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006099987981.html

My favorite one is from BBB. I grabbed it off Amazon when it went on sale from CAD $160 down to $62 + $3 shipping from the UK, so it took a while to arrive. I look like Cyclops from X-Men when I wear it 😄 — which is awesome:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08QZ44ZVG

[Tijoe]

Don't laugh, but I purchased 25 of these sun glasses for $1.24 each on sale a year and 1/2 ago.   I figured they would be disposable sun glasses.  Amazingly they have held up very well.  Almost 2 riding seasons per pair.  (I color coordinate with the helmet color I wear.)
They tend to get very small scratches during cleaning, and if you don't store them carefully, the ends of the ear pieces will contact the inside of the lens and rub the inside of the lens.   
I believe I have enough to last me for the rest of my life at the rate I am using them. (LOL)

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804951693613.html

[amacal1]

I have a couple pair of Elicit clones. Really like these, crazy light, frameless, high contrast tint. The originals have Zeiss lenses, and I doubt these are anywhere near as good, but they work great for me.

Yup, I have 2 or 3 pair of those Elicit ones and they're great. The frameless thing means that they don't channel sweat that well, but I don't care because the fit is so good and they're crazy light, and they look pretty cool since they're both photochromic but with nice looking reflective colors. They're my favorite glasses for evening riding, but I prefer polarized for late-morning and midday riding.


My favorite thing about cheap AliX glasses is that I don't have to worry about them. I take sunscreen pretty seriously so I can't help but occasionally (maybe more than occasionally) get some sunscreen or sunscreen/sweat mix in or on my glasses. I don't worry about how I wash or wipe my glasses, and I don't freak out if I drop them, and I don't worry about where I place them when I'm done riding, etc. etc. Even still, every single one of my AliX glasses has been doing great for at least 1-2 full seasons of riding. I overbought assuming that I'd fly through them, but they've held up just fine. I assume that most overpriced glasses are made to similar spec with similar materials and coatings but get away with lifetime replacement guarantees by building 3x, 4x, 10x pricing into the sales price to cover replacement.