First Look: Ryders Eyewear 2016 Line

We've all dealt with fogged up glasses and goggles, especially while riding in cold, foggy or rainy conditions. It's a drag... and nothing's worse than having to finish a run in the wet with no eye protection and mud flinging up in your face. Based in Vancouver, Ryders Eyewear is no stranger to these conditions, and last year debuted their new antiFOG, fog-resistant technology, in a number of their performance based glasses and goggles. This year, they're introducing a few new designs that feature their antiFOG and Photochromic antiFOG lenses, as well as a new MTB-specific goggle, dubbed the Tallcan. Ryders is also debuting their new veloPOLAR lens, which is said to offer the benefits of a polarized lens without the drawbacks. Details below.

The 30th anniversary Ryders collection is here and one thing is glaringly obvious—Ryders has come a long way in three decades. In 2015, they introduced antiFOG and Photochromic antiFOG—fog-resistant lenses that actually work. In 2016, along with an impressive number of new designs and a massive increase in the assortment of antiFOG models—everything to make a mountain biker happy—they’ve introduced the veloPOLAR™ lens to their collection. Developed for roadies, it offers the benefits of a polarized lens without the compromises that are normally associated with polarization. This means it filters out the bright, blinding glare without hiding a slippery surface or blacking out an LCD screen. The veloPOLAR™ lens enhances definition and utilizes RYDERS antiFOG and hydrophobic coatings so it remains clear for your entire ride.

  On the gravity side of things, they’re introducing a brand new MTB-specific goggle to the market called the Tallcan. It’ll be hitting the shelves in June so keep your eyes peeled.

  With well over 200 choices in their 2016 line and a wide spectrum of leading-edge lens technologies—something to suit any rider in every environment—the Ryders 30th anniversary collection was worth the wait.

2016 antiFOG 

Whether you’re grinding through a tight, twisty climb or stopped trailside waiting for your out of shape friends, fogged lenses are an inevitability for many of us when wearing MTB eyewear. The RYDERS antiFOG lens is the ultimate solution to this all-to-common problem. And you don’t have to take their word for it. Ever since its launch, Ryders antiFOG has received glowing reviews from the biggest names in bike media, and with the 2016 additions, there is so much more to choose from.

How does it work? The back of the lens has a military-grade, hydrophilic layer. The layer absorbs and disperses water vapor/humidity throughout the material, eliminating the opportunity for it to condense on the surface as fog. RYDERS antiFOG will absorb more than any other fog-resistant treatment and it’s far more durable, never washing away or requiring reapplication.

The front of the lens needs to overcome an entirely different set of challenges than the back, so it only makes sense that it’s treated independently with a hydrophobic coating. This layer defends against saturation by shedding water to provide a clear view, free from large drops and water marks. It also makes the front of the lens smooth and slippery so it’s a lot easier to clean and many times more scratch-resistant than an untreated lens.

Like every RYDERS lens, the antiFOG lens is decentred, making it optically correct to reduce distortion and eye fatigue. It’s extremely impact-resistant, scratch resistant, and provides 100% UV400 protection. It even comes in a variety of lens tints and premium lens technologies such as Photochromic (automatically adapting to light conditions) and veloPOLAR™ (a partially polarized lens, fine-tuned for road cyclists).

 SEVENTH

The semi-rim for those who don’t like the sci-fi look of semi-rims, the Seventh has a flat top to give it a more casual appearance than its more aggressive-looking peers. And it does this without sacrificing the performance benefits that make semi rims so popular for athletic endeavors. In fact, the Seventh performs better than many frames out there because of its fully-adjustable, hydrophilic nose pads and temple tips that allow you to custom fit the frame to suit your face, your helmet, and to optimize the amount of airflow behind the lens. Beyond the standard lens options, it’s available in antiFOG, Photochromic, veloPOLAR antiFOG and Photochromic antiFOG.

NIMBY

The Nimby features a lightweight, rimless design with a shield lens for unobstructed peripheral vision. Designed to meet the demands of cyclists of all kinds, the angle of the lenses and the resulting airflow can be customized by adjusting the nose pads—less airflow for road, more for mountain. It’s also available with antiFOG and Photochromic antiFOG lenses.

 LOOPS

Named after the MTB mecca of Kamloops BC, the Loops looks good. Really, really good. It’s surprising how incredibly well it works for riding considering its ultra-casual appearance. And with its huge, protective lenses, its wide frame for fog-fighting airflow, and its hydrophilic nose & temple pads to keep them in place, the Loops is an all-around performer. It also looks stunning on both men and women.

NELSON

Hydrophilic nose pads and temple tips are an unusual find on eyewear that looks this casual. But it’s these very features that allow this model to work for MTB because they keep the glasses stuck firmly to your face. This is really quite fitting considering the Nelson is named after the stickiest town in BC. 

 KHYBER

The Khyber is a women’s-specific sport/casual crossover with adjustable, hydrophilic nose pads, big lenses and a tight wrap. The adjustable nose pads are perfect for a wrap like this because they allow you to wear the glasses a little further away from your face for optimized breathability.

 CARLITA

The Carlita can be worn for practically anything. And don’t take Ryders Eyewear’s word for it. 24-hour MTB world champion Sonya Looney wore the antiFOG version for her entire race when she claimed the title last Fall. And she didn’t just win, she pushed hard and crushed the entire field by 50 minutes. If she pedaled that hard for that long without fogging up, what else can be said?

 THORN

Big boxy lenses and a gentle wrap make the Thorn perfect for mountain bikers who want big coverage without compromising on airflow. Hydrophilic nose pads keep them from bouncing around or slipping down your nose and the array of lens options, including antiFOG and Photochromic mean there’s a Thorn for any environment where you’d be likely to ride a bike. 

CALIBER

The hydrophilic, adjustable nose pads and temple tips of the 2016 Caliber allow you to customize the fit to your preferences. The wide temples provide extra protection and the lens geometry is optimized for full coverage and a great field of vision. There are tons of options including antiFOG, Photochromic antiFOG, veloPOLAR antiFOG, and Photochromic lenses. The GX version includes a foam gasket for added protection from wind, debris, and for the fatbikers out there, cold and snow.

 FACE

Frames don’t get much more durable than this. The Face is burly as hell, and with its hydrophilic nose pads and temple tips it's kept firmly in place. It’s also available in a pile of antiFOG and Photochromic options. Designed for protection, the wrap is tight enough to keep the bad stuff out of your eyes while not affecting your peripheral vision, but it’s not so tight on the average face that lack of airflow is an issue. Like the Caliber GX, the GX version of the Face includes a foam gasket for added protection from wind, debris, or cold and snow if you’re into fatbiking.

 TALLCAN GOGGLE

Available this June, the Tallcan is the latest addition to the Ryders MTB-specific goggle collection. It includes a fog-fighting, double-layer clear lens that works like a double pane window. The outer lens prevents the cooler outside air from contacting the inner lens that is in contact with inside humid air. This results in less opportunity for vapor to condense on the inside of the lens. For further protection, Ryders has applied a fog-resistant coating to the inside lens. The MTB-specific air intakes are much like those on the tried-and-true Shore goggle (the first ever goggle designed specifically for MTB) in that they prevent breath vapor from entering the goggle at lower speeds while simultaneously drawing cool air from the front and the sides. Where the Tallcan stands apart from the Shore goggle is in the design of the outriggers, the size and shape of the lens, the high-airflow upper mesh, and the moisture-wicking, ultra-comfy foam. The outriggers provide an excellent fit and added stability with both DOT approved DH helmets and trail/enduro helmets, and the lens is substantially taller than the Shore lens (hence the Tallcan name) for a larger field of vision.