Lazer Magneto M1 Glasses crystal clear frame crystal photochromic lens

Possibly one of the most innovative designs available today, the Lazer Magneto M1 glasses, with a crystal clear frame and photochromic lens, have a unique attachment system using magnets that makes them very comfortable over long rides, as well as easily stowable, while the lens makes them useful in almost any condition.

One problem I get with almost any pair of glasses I use is that the mixture of sweat and movement makes them uncomfortable on the top of your ears and nose. Lazer has clearly noticed this too and come up with the Magneto M1s to combat this.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

Rather than using traditional arms (although they do come with a set in case you want to use them), they have magnets that attach to clips on your helmet straps. This means they stay in place without putting pressure on the tops of your ears, making them comfortable and secure even on the longest rides. The magnets are strong, too, so you don't get as much movement as you might expect, and they are comparable to traditional glasses in this sense.

As well as helping to alleviate pressure, this magnetised fixing system also allows for easy adjustment on the face. With two magnets on each arm, it is possible to put them closer or further away from your face – it's much easier than with traditional glasses, which will always naturally fall back into place because of how they sit on your ears.

The magnets also make it easy to stow the glasses on your helmet. Having been an Oakley man for years, I always found that they wouldn't slot into the vents on my Lazer helmet safely. But these come with magnetic pads that you stick on the helmet, which then hold the glasses more securely than just tucking the arms in. I tested their strength on the roughest roads I could find, even some mountain bike tracks, without them budging at all when stowed.

The photochromic lens is very useful, changing colour based on the intensity of the light. When you're indoors they look like a regular set of plain glasses, but get outside and they change colour subtly over time. You don't notice it happening really, until you take them off or suddenly go through a darkened area. In fact at first, riding in our lovely British weather, I thought these were faulty as they barely changed at all, but when there was a break in the clouds I began to notice how much they changed, going from completely clear to a darkness where I couldn't easily see my eyes in a mirror.

An important aspect of any cycling glasses is their propensity for steaming up. The M1s are essentially unvented, but being able to adjust the distance they sit from your face means that if they are steaming up, you just move them a bit further away and they quickly clear. That said, they only really tend to steam up when you come to a stop.

I think they look good too – you don't really register that they aren't traditional glasses until you look closely. Lotto Soudal rider Andre Greipel has been using a set on and off for a while without much comment in the pro peloton, and when you consider the hubbub surrounding shoe colour and sock length, that's saying something. With the arms on I'm less keen, because they force the glasses to sit strangely on your face, looking almost like the visor on a TT helmet. The arm length is also very long, which might not be particularly comfortable for long periods.

> Check out our guide to 14 of the best cycling glasses here

The particular models I've tested come with an RRP of £99.99, which seems reasonable bearing in mind you could easily spend double that on top end glasses. The magnetic fastening and photochromic elements alone give them the innovative elements that many would want at this price point.

The Magnetos are a really good pair of glasses. I really like the innovative use of magnets and the photochromic lens, which works well in changeable and wide ranging conditions, making the glasses ideal for all-day use all year round. The way they can be adjusted on the face and the ease with which they can be stowed are particular highlights. The arms are the only feature I would consider changing, but realistically they'll only be used off the bike anyway.

Verdict

Really innovative glasses, and the photochromic lens works perfectly