Roka GP-1X sunglasses

Roka GP-1X sunglasses are ultra-lightweight, comfortable to wear, and flexible enough to fit a variety of head sizes without too much pressure. The lens provides good eye coverage and excellent vision, although you don't get a second one as part of the deal.

• Pros: Lightweight, good coverage, comfortable
• Cons: No second lens, high price

Roka is a young US brand whose glasses you might have spotted being worn by the likes of Team Direct Energie and Ireland's Dan Martin. You buy direct from Roka's website and the product is sent out from a UK warehouse (the same day if you order before 2pm).

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The first thing you notice about the GP-1X glasses is just how light they are. Roka claims 26g and our sample pair weighed in at exactly that. Saving a few grams on your glasses isn't going to make you ride any quicker but it might make them more comfortable; these are so light that you barely feel them. For comparison, a pair of 100% Speedtraps that I'm also using at the moment are 40g. The difference is easily enough to notice.

The GP-1X lens is large, even in an era of the most massive sports glasses in human history, although the lack of a frame at the top means these glasses don't look as big as some. The lens measures 57mm in height and 140mm across, while the GP-1's lens is a little shorter at 53mm.

The frame at the bottom of the lens extends around to the arms, the glasses wrapping around the side of your face enough that there's no interruption to your vision when you check back over your shoulder to see what's going on behind. Similarly, the fact that the lens is open at the top means nothing gets in the way when your head is down and you're straining to look forward while riding in an aero position. Vision really is excellent.

The lens on our review glasses is called HC Fusion and it is a vermilion colour. It comes with a slight mirror finish and 19% visible light transmission. Designed for partly cloudy to bright and sunny conditions, the lens does a good job of heightening contrast. Other tints are available; go to the Roka website to see each in action.

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The lens is swappable, in theory, although you only get one included and accessory lenses are not yet available on Roka's UK website. That's work in progress; you should be able to buy extra lenses within a couple of months. You can file the changing process under 'easy enough when you know how'. Doing it the first time, though, requires a leap of faith and nerves of steel because you think you might snap something. You have to twist the hinge area upwards with quite a lot of pressure. Roka's pictorial instructions didn't give me the confidence I was looking for so I found a YouTube video instead. Job done in 10 seconds, but there are definitely less scary systems out there.

The lens has anti-scratch protection along with hydroleophobic coatings on both sides that are designed to stop moisture and oil sticking to it, plus anti-fog and anti-reflective coatings on the inside. Bear in mind that none of this stuff is magic, so you still have to be careful in order to avoid any damage, while greasy paw prints and trails of sweat are pretty much inevitable on long, hot rides. The anti-fog coating certainly works to a degree, but go full gas and stop at the traffic lights and they'll quickly get cloudy, just like every other pair of glasses I've ever used.

The arms have a titanium core that you can easily bend inwards/outwards to adjust the fit, although it won't curve downwards. That's a shame because I tried these glasses out with a whole load of different helmets and the arms clashed with the fit systems of a couple of them. If that's an issue, you can return any glasses you buy (unused, of course) within 30 days for an exchange or a refund.

The arms are covered with a ridged elastomer – Roka calls it Geko – that gets more grippy when wet, and the nosepiece is made of similar stuff. You actually get four differently sized nosepieces to choose between, and swapping from one to another is simple. I'm pretty sure that at least one of them will work for you. I've certainly had no worries on that score.

The price of £215 is a lot of cash for glasses with a single lens. They're not alone: the Poc Do Half Blades that we reviewed recently are £225 and they have just one lens, but the £195 Smith Attacks have two that you can swap between according to light conditions. Some other glasses at similar prices, such as the Scicon Aerotechs (£224), have a photochromic lens that darkens in bright light.

> On a budget? 11 of the best cheap cycling sunglasses

The Roka GP-1X glasses are lightweight and offer plenty of comfort thanks to their easily adjusted fit. They also provide loads of unobstructed vision, although the price is high considering that you don't get a second lens as part of the package.

Verdict

Superlight and comfortable glasses with good coverage, but you don't get a second lens