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review

Scott Sport Shield Supersonic Edition Sunglasses

8
£81.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Great lens clarity and a secure fit, at a good price
Great coverage
No distortion from curved lens
Impressive visibility
No hard case included
Weight: 
32g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Scott Sport Shield Supersonic Edition sunglasses may have their design roots set in the past, but with excellent clarity from the large lens and loads of eye coverage, their performance is certainly bang up to date. They aren't a bad price either.

There are two versions of these sunglasses, the standard Sport Shields which come with a black frame and a red chrome lens, or this limited-edition Supersonic option with its purple frame and pink chrome lens. They're both the same price, and you can buy spare lenses for £25.99.

> Find your nearest dealer here

My first thought when I picked up the glasses was, 'Hey, the nineties called, and they want their sunglasses back!' It turns out I wasn't too far off, as the Sport Shield glasses were originally released back in 1989.

2021 Scott Sport Sheild Super Sonic Edt Sunglasses - front.jpg

Scott says the shape has been updated and the glasses use the latest technologies to bring them up to modern standards.

The Fusion frame is lightweight and quite minimalist considering the size of the lens, which definitely helps on the visibility front. When having a glance over your shoulder to check for traffic behind or when entering roundabouts there is no chunk of plastic to restrict your view.

The arms are quite short, which Scott says makes them compatible with many helmet designs. I tried them with at least four helmets during testing and had no issues with fit at all.

2021 Scott Sport Sheild Super Sonic Edt Sunglasses - side.jpg

Some glasses use arms that are straight at the rear, relying on the pressure against your head to keep them in place, whereas the Sport Shields are kept from moving by the arms being hooked at the end. Both designs have their merits, and I'm not necessarily a fan of one over the other, but what I do know is that the Scotts stayed put and I didn't have to keep adjusting them.

Speaking of which, you can close or open up the nose-piece for fit.

2021 Scott Sport Sheild Super Sonic Edt Sunglasses - inside.jpg

The lens offers 100% UVA and UVB protection, and I found the colour to work well on very bright days through to overcast ones. The transition from light to dark when going through the trees takes a few seconds to adapt to, but was never an issue.

The wraparound style of the lens restricts airflow over the eyes, which is a big bonus if you are a hayfever sufferer.

Overall quality is very good. The frame is stiff enough to maintain shape while allowing some flex for comfort and taking the odd drop or being sat on.

2021 Scott Sport Sheild Super Sonic Edt Sunglasses - hinge.jpg

The lens also seems to be good at resisting scratching from normal wear and tear.

Priced at £81.99 they represent good value, especially against similar quality large lens glasses we've tested recently. The Alba Optics Delta BLK VZUM Lavas are £129.88, for instance, and while the MAAP x 100% Glendale glasses do come with a spare lens in the box, they are £195.

I would like to see the Scotts come with a hardcase for storage, though.

> Buyer’s Guide: 31 of the best cycling sunglasses

Overall, I've been very impressed with the Sport Shield glasses over the last couple of months. They fit well and have worked in the majority of light conditions I've had to deal with. The price is competitive too.

Verdict

Great lens clarity and a secure fit, at a good price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Scott Sport Shield Supersonic Edition Sunglasses

Size tested: One size

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?

Scott says, "Our Supersonic Collection of products was developed with one thing in mind - pure race speed. When you're up against the clock or your fiercest rivals, know that you have the necessary products to break all barriers. The Sport Shield Sunglasses that were originally introduced in 1989 are back and better than ever! The updated shape brings together modern technologies and vintage DNA to bring out the best of these iconic shades."

I like the large shape; it works well to keep the wind from blowing over your eyes.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Scott lists:

FIT: For medium to large faces

FRAME TECHNOLOGIES: SCOTT Fusion Frame

Interchangeable lenses

Optimized helmet integration

No-slip adjustable nose piece

LENS TECHNOLOGIES: SCOTT Precision Optics lens quality

Impact protection

Maximal field of vision

Extra-large lens coverage

100% UV protection

EXTRAS:Microfiber bag

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They protect your eyes and fit securely to your head.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Large coverage gives plenty of protection.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A hard case would be good to keep them safe when you aren't wearing them.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They're considerably cheaper than some of the large lens glasses we've tested recently.

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

Good quality glasses with impressive clarity from the lens, and they are quite well priced too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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