Shimano is adding three new lens options to its Ridescape glasses platform. The new options are intended to sharpen visual clarity and details in cycling-specific conditions.
Currently, Shimano offers its Ridescape lenses in High Contrast, Road, Cloudy, Photochromic Gray, and Clear. Previously, they also had an “Off-Road” and “Gravel” lens. The lenses offer varying levels of visible light transmission (VLT), with each lens falling somewhere on the spectrum. Shimano’s High Contrast transmits only 13%, while Clear transmits 90.7%.
The new lenses fall on the brighter side of the VLT spectrum, each with a specific use case in mind. Ridescape’s latest offerings are the BR (Bright), AR (All-Road), and TR (Trail) lenses.
New Shimano Ridescape Lenses
Ridescape BR
The Shimano BR lens is their darkest option, designed specifically for road riding. They claim the BR will deliver glare-free riding on the brightest and sunniest days. Similar to the existing High Contrast lens, the BR will also feature 13% VLT.
Shimano says the mirrored gold-colored coating makes details pop and colors more vibrant and sharper. They also reduce eye strain, helping in spotting gravel, potholes, and pavement seams, or any other obstacles the road may throw at you.
Ridescape AR
Despite its 14% VLT rating, Shimano says the AR is a highly versatile lens that performs better in low-light conditions than its VLT would suggest. The Ridescape AR’s blue multi-layer coating is for both sunny days on the road and cloudy gravel rides.
Ridescape TR
Letting in the most light, Shimano’s Ridescape TR lens has a 38% VLT rating. They designed these lenses with singletrack in mind, knowing riders are likely going in and out of shadows. The lighter tint helps enhance visual awareness of rocks, roots, and other obstacles that might be on the trail.
With the addition of these three new lenses, Shimano also appears to be discontinuing some other lens options. It seems their “Off-Road” and “Gravel” lenses will not appear as a Ridescape offering, potentially replaced by AR and TR.
For more information on the new Ridescape lenses and to see the Shimano frames they are set in, visit rideshimano.com.
