100% Hypercraft Gloss Black Photochromic Lens

These 100% Hypercraft glasses in gloss black with a photochromic lens have a decent range of visible light transmission and a quick reaction time. They also offer a comfortable fit, which initially felt loose but proved to be secure even on the roughest rides.

> Buy now: 100% Hypercraft glasses with photochromic lens for £134.99 from Cyclestore

Whether you're looking for a photochromic lens or not, check out our guide to the best cycling sunglasses – and if you don't want to spend this much, our best cheap sunglasses guide has options from £4.99...

The large single lens gives loads of coverage, making the Hypercrafts ideal for all kinds of riding on various terrain. They keep out dust and road spray easily, and the majority of the wind – though the lens vents do allow some of it through, and as the hayfever season has begun that meant I did end up with itchy eyes.

The vents are there to reduce fogging, I guess, and they do a decent job of that – even on wet and humid days I had no issues with the lens steaming up.

Visibility is great, with no frame to get in your way, which makes them ideal if you ride on busy roads and often need to check over your shoulders.

The clarity of the curved lens is also very good, with no distortion anywhere, and thanks to hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments any form of liquid just beads off. They work very well in the rain.

They also offer full UV400 protection against UVA and UVB rays.

At 22g it's going to come as no surprise that they are barely noticeable when worn, and the rubber grip doesn't put any pressure on your nose. There isn't much pressure from the arms either – to the point that I was a bit worried that they might not stay on my face on rough sections, but that turned out to be unfounded. They were easily secure enough for gravel riding and even trail running.

The Hypercrafts are available in various frame colours and with various lenses. Ours have a photochromic lens, which becomes darker in brighter conditions, reducing the amount of light transmission and therefore protecting your eyes.

As you might already know, lenses come in one of five filter categories ranging from 0 to 4, between 100% and 3% of visible light transmission (VLT); 0 lets through the most amount of light and 4 the least.

With a range of 89% to 24%, the lens on the Hypercrafts is good for low light conditions like overcast days up to medium strength sunny days, so it covers the majority of conditions in the UK – unless we do manage to get some bright summer days.

The speed at which the lens reacts is the key thing, though. You want something quick and smooth so you don't notice the transition, and that is what you get here.

Changing from riding in the shade under trees to sunshine saw the lens react quickly with no noticeable glare, and it's the same when you enter a tunnel or go from brightness to shaded areas. Overall, these glasses work very well indeed.

They also come with both a hard and soft case, to help keep them protected when not in use.

Value

At £149 they're slightly more expensive than the Melon Optics Alleycat glasses that Patrick was impressed with last year, which cost £140, but quite a bit more than others.

Tass reviewed BZ Optics' photochromic glasses with a bi-focal HD lens back in 2021; they're £129.95 now, but the non-bi-focal versions are £89.99.

We've reviewed a few pairs of Magicshine's glasses over the last year and generally they've impressed us when it comes to price, though it's not the only factor to consider – the Windbreaker Photochromic glasses, for example, are just £49.99, but Suvi found they'd fog up when you stop, and aren't ideal on rainy days.

Conclusion

The Hypercrafts are well made and seem durable. The lens is scratch resistant and there is plenty of flex in the arms, so if you were to drop them or sit on them they shouldn't break.

Aside from some airflow over the eyes, which won't bother everyone, they're good glasses that work in all weather conditions, with a broad range of light transmission.

> Buy now: 100% Hypercraft glasses with photochromic lens for £134.99 from Cyclestore

Verdict

Good all-round pair of glasses with a reactive lens that is smooth in operation