Are you a cyclist tired of buying new sunglasses every few months? Do your eyes feel strained after a ride, even with "protective" eyewear? You are not alone. I used to be just like you, always looking for a deal on AliExpress for my cycling glasses. But cheap eyewear often means cheap problems. This is my story of upgrading my cycling gear, focusing on one crucial item: sunglasses. I went from super cheap options to mid-range choices, and finally, to premium quality with Cinily Co Uk.
My goal with this article is to help you:
My first purchase for cycling eyewear was super cheap. I thought I was being smart, saving money. I found pairs on AliExpress for as little as $5 to $10. They looked good in the pictures, often coming in many colors. I ordered a few, excited to hit the road with my new gear.
My first pair lasted maybe a few weeks. The lenses were thin plastic. They scratched if you looked at them funny. After one light fall, the frame snapped right at the hinge. The polarization, if it even existed, was weak. My eyes still felt tired after sunny rides. The fit was loose and uncomfortable. They would slip down my nose. I was always pushing them back up.
Here’s what I learned about those super cheap options:
I felt like I was constantly buying new glasses. Each "deal" ended up costing me more in the long run. The reviews for these types of glasses were often similar to my experience. A typical comment I read was: "My first purchase was super cheap. It lasted maybe a few weeks. The lenses scratched fast. The frame broke quickly. I felt like I wasted my money. They barely protected my eyes. I had to buy another pair right away." This type of AliExpress cycling eyewear quality was just not good enough.
Verdict: Don't waste your money on super cheap eyewear. It's a false economy and bad for your eyes.
After my bad experience with the super cheap glasses, I knew I needed to do better. I decided to upgrade to something mid-range. These glasses usually cost between $20 and $40 on AliExpress. I hoped to find a better balance between price and quality.
These mid-range glasses were better, but they were still just "okay." The frames felt a bit more solid. They might last a couple of months, sometimes even half a year. The lenses were a step up. They didn't scratch as easily as the cheap ones. The polarization seemed more real, but still not perfect. Sometimes I noticed glare or weird reflections.