The Rudy Project Kelion sunglasses were introduced by Team Bahrain Victorious at this year's Tour, and are now on sale to the rest of us, whether we're victorious or not. They offer a huge field of vision, an adjustable nosepiece and arms, a replaceable lens and an option for a prescription insert. I think they work really well, and look well pro.
The Kelion's frame is Rilsan, a bio-plastic based on castor oil. Rudy Project gets its castor seeds from certified farmers in Gujarat, India – the firm is keen to stress its sustainable, responsible approach.
> Buy the Kelion sunglasses from Rudy Project now for £191.99
These sunnies are available in eight frame colour / lens variations, four of which use RP Optics lenses. The other four use photochromic ImpactX lenses. We have the Olive Matte frame on test, with multilaser yellow RP Optics. If you fancy a pair with the photochromic ImpactX lenses, you're looking at £44 more (£235.99).
Rudy Project says these are aimed at the road, gravel and mountain bike riders. If, like me, you ride a bit of everything in all weathers – and not always in daylight – you might fancy a choice of lenses. Replacements are available at £77.99 for the RP Optics and £119.99 for the photochromic ones, and swapping them is easy.
Optical Insert
I've had a pair of Rudy Project Rydons for many years, and my longterm experience of the quality of both the photochromic and regular lenses has been very good indeed. I originally chose the Rydons because of the prescription insert, which clips onto the nosepiece and lets me see where the hell I'm going...
You can get an insert for the Kelion as well, though it's not the same (and not pictured below, so you'll have to imagine it). The Kelion fits model FR840000 (£59.99), which will then need glazing by an optician. If you already own some Rudy Project Spinshield Airs and use an insert, though, you're in luck; it's the same and can simply be switched over.
I like the insert system; it means you can use them on their own or, on more varied rides with stops, with contact lenses.
The lens
The wrap-around lens of the Kelion is massive and follows the contour of my face well, giving me a big, unobstructed view of what's going on around me. I've had no issues with the frame getting in the way when checking for traffic behind me.
I've been pleasantly surprised by how well the multilaser yellow lens works in different lighting conditions; they're good in everything from bright sunlight to full-on rain, even on the fast descents where it feels like angry raindrops are attacking you.
Ventilation
The lenses feature what Rudy Project calls Powerflow technology. In English, that's a hole above the nosepiece and two more on the outside bottom corners. There's not much in the way of misting up as long as there's some airflow, and if they do fog up – say on a steep climb – they demist quickly once you get a bit of speed going again.
Importantly for contact lens wearers, the vented air is kept away from going directly into your eyes.
These fitted me perfectly out of the box and just stayed put, but if necessary the arms and nose can be adjusted to suit.
I mostly wore these with a Poc Omne Lite helmet and they worked well together, both visually and functionally. The arms stow easily into the outside ventilation holes, if that's how you like to roll.
Value
I'm going to steal Stu's thoughts on value for the similarly-price Scicon Aeroscope sunglasses; £191.99 isn't that extreme.
Yes, you can get sunnies that functionally do the same thing for less; Galibier's Regale Ultra Optics at £46 and Magicshine's Windbreaker Classic Sunglasses at £39.99 being two very good examples.
But there are plenty of similar sunnies at this price or higher still, such as POC's Propel sunglasses at £230 or Oakley's Kato sunglasses at £258.
When it comes to value, sunnies are a tricky one to judge – really at this point you're buying into something beyond pure functionality; it's all about how much you like the look, how they make you feel and how important that is to you.
Overall
Functionally, these are hard to fault. They fit well and are adjustable, the optics are top quality, and the field of vision is wide. That leaves the way they look to justify the price tag. I really like them, and so for me, they do.
Verdict
Great optics, fit and field of vision – and they look great too
Make and model: Rudy Project Kelion glasses
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Rudy Project says:
"Eco-Friendly Performance Eyewear for All Athletes, Especially Road, Gravel, and Mountain Bikers. Get ready for the ultimate eyewear experience with the new Rudy Project Kelion sunglasses! Meticulously designed to provide unparalleled performance, adaptability, and comfort, the Kelion is perfect for all athletes, particularly road, gravel, and mountain biking enthusiasts seeking the best in eye protection and style."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Rudy Project says:
OPTICAL INSERT
For those who wear corrective lenses, the Kelion is compatible with an "optical insert" that allows for seamless integration of prescription lenses. This means that you can enjoy the performance and style of the Kelion sunglasses without compromising on your vision.
BASE 5.2
The Kelion features a sleek, wrap-around cylindrical lens with a 5.2 base curve, offering superior coverage and an unobstructed field of view. This innovative design allows for optimal optical clarity and comfort, making it the ideal eyewear choice for your sporting pursuits.
POWERFLOW
To further enhance your safety, the Kelion incorporates the innovative "Powerflow" system. This advanced ventilation technology is designed to prevent lens fogging, ensuring that you always have a clear, unobstructed view during your athletic pursuits. With the Powerflow system, you can stay focused on your performance without distractions.
ADJUSTABLE TEMPLE AND NOSEPAD
One of the standout features of the Kelion sunglasses is the fully adjustable nosepiece and temple tips. These components can be customized in all directions to ensure a perfect fit and optimized comfort, tailored to your unique facial structure. You'll never have to worry about your sunglasses slipping or causing discomfort during your most intense activities.
QUICK CHANGE SYSTEM
The Kelion is also equipped with a quick-change system that allows you to effortlessly swap lenses, adapting to any weather condition and prolonging the life of your sunglasses in case of scratches. This feature ensures that you'll always have the perfect lens for your environment, so you can focus on pushing your limits.
RILSAN
At the core of the Kelion's groundbreaking design is the Rilsan Clear frame. Crafted from a bio-plastic derived from 45% castor oil grown by certified farmers in Gujarat, India, this environmentally conscious material is a testament to our commitment to sustainable and responsible manufacturing. By utilizing improved farm waste management practices, we can reduce our reliance on fossil-based materials and contribute to a greener future for our planet.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
9/10
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They fit really well and the lens is good in a range of lighting conditions.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Everything, really.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing, really.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There are plenty of sunglasses at this price or higher, though it's not necessary to spend this much; you can get shades that do the same thing for less than £40.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Functionally these are hard to fault. The optics are great, the fit is great and the field of vision is great too. I love the look, too. They're excellent.
Age: 44 Height: 1.78m Weight: 77kg
I usually ride: All of them! My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift
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