After years since their last new sunglasses, Rapha jumps back into the sports eyewear game with four new pairs of shades covering their full range of Pro Team, Explore & Classic riding styles. And they do it in proper Rapha pink fashion, with special ROSE tech optics that promise clear optics, sun protection & lens options for all riding conditions…
All-new Rapha Pro Team, Explore & Classic cycling sunglasses
Four new frames designs for four different types of cyclists looking to shield their eyes, the new Rapha sunglasses cover all your road riding, racing, gravelling & casual cruising needs. All four new styles feature the same Rider Optimized Surface Enhancement (ROSE) lens technology for clarity & protection. All get multiple lens tints & interchangeable lenses to suit changing riding conditions. And all are available now in the exclusive RCC members-first pre-sale, with public availability coming on Thursday.
Rapha Pro Team, Explore & Classic sunglasses – Shared tech details
While the four styles are intended to suit the differing needs of a range of roadies & gravel riders, all gee the exact same tech. The made-in-Italy sunglasses frames are all injection molded from tough, but flexible Grilamid polymers, with soft Megol grippers at the temple & interchangeable nose pieces.
The ROSE tech sadly isn’t simply rose-tinted glasses, but specific optical lens treatments designed to boost contrast (no matter which color lens you pick) to make it easier to see in variable or fast-changing light conditions. Those lenses then get durable, long-lasting anti-fog treatment on the inside and a water-repellent hydrophobic coating on the outside, meant to ensure good visibility in even the most foul riding conditions. Strategic vents on the framed models also direct airflow to keep you cool and those lenses clear in hot & humid conditions
Rapha Pro Team Full Frame sunglasses
The Pro Team Full Frame glasses offer the greatest coverage of any of Rapha’s new shades, designed for fast-paced training and road racing. The full-wrap frames extend high on the face to meet your helmet, while dropping low & wide for a big field of vision. Vents along the top & sides let air in to boost the anti-fog performance.
The £120 / $165 / 145€ Full Frames weigh 30g, and come in white, black, dark navy & RCC-only black frames with pink-blue gradient, purple-green gradient, or black mirror lenses standard. Pro Team Full Frames also include a free clear lens (not available separately) for low light rides.
Rapha Pro Team Frameless sunglasses
Designed to be the lightest pair of the Pro Team race range, the Frameless shades offer wide coverage and unobstructed views from behind a large minimalist lens
At just 28g, the £110 / $150 / 135€ Pro Team Frameless sunglasses are available in navy, black, white, or pink arms with purple-green gradient, pink-blue gradient & black mirror standard lenses.
Rapha Explore sunglasses
Explores are Rapha’s gravel & adventure sunglasses featuring a half-frame design to leave the lower edge open to better see rough terrain just in front of your wheel, and drilled out holes along the top for ventilation.
They also include a removable retention strap that secures them around the back of your head, so they’ll hang around your neck like your grandmother’s reading glasses when you take them off on or off the bike.
The £130 / $180 / 155€ Explores weight 32g with the strap, and come in dark green, brown, navy blue & white frames. They also get lenses to suit a wide range of light conditions – bronze, purple-green gradient, pink-blue gradient & black mirror. Plus the Explores also include the extra free clear lens.
Rapha Classic sunglasses
Meant for riders looking for some classic road styling, the Classic shades are said to be modeled on those worn by legends like Fausto Coppi & Jacques Anquetil. With more traditional styling, they still offer easily interchangeable lenses, so you can swap in the perfect tint to suit the weather conditions of the day.
The only ones that you could realistically get away with off the bike, the 24g Classics come in black, transparent black, transparent pink, transparent green & brown frames, with rose and black mirror lens options. The £90 / $125 / 110€ Classic sunglasses can also have the lenses popped out to fit prescription lenses by your local Rx provider.
Again, all of the new Rapha sunglasses are available now exclusively to RCC members, with open sales to everyone starting July 2.
Update: Here’s a direct link to the eyewear to preview ahead of the public launch availability: Rapha.cc/eu/en/eyewear/category/glasses
