Roka SR-1X Review

Likes

From the first time we tried on the Roka SR-1X, it was obvious that these were sunglasses designed to excel when the ride starts to get seriously fast. The acute, 8-base curve of the single lens gives an almost unimpeded field of view, especially critical when you're riding in a group.

The neutral gray Cat 1-3 photochromic lens adapts to your environment, so you don't have to stop to take your sunglasses off to manually swap lenses.

At their lightest, this lens allows 88% of the light available to shine through, making them adequate for even night riding, which we took advantage of during late adventures and early morning commutes. At their darkest, only 15% of light is allowed through, which is an excellent amount for all but the most extreme lighting conditions (like what you'd find on the top of a snowy peak).

Transition time of the photochromic lens is fairly quick; we noticed the lens darkening within a minute of walking outside. Going back to being more transparent takes noticeably longer, but this might only be problematic on those partly cloudy days where you're dodging potential storms.

Fit can be described as “performance”, as the Roka SR-1X hugs your face closer than most other glasses we've worn. No amount of bouncing or shaking could get these sunnies to unseat. Comfort remains reasonable, as the semi-frameless design consists only of a top band for the lens to seat into and a nose piece that attaches to the bottom. The total weight is also impressive, coming in at just 25 grams on our scale.

The full kit also comes with additional nose pieces to dial the fit to your face shape and make sure these rest as comfortably as possible. If you're searching for a sleek style in your sunglasses, look no further.

Dislikes

The fit of the full wrap, 8-base curve of the Roka SR-1X is tighter than other designs, which could cause discomfort for those with larger heads.

Likewise, coverage is a little narrower laterally. This is less of a problem than the super close wrap, but those seeking a more goggle-like experience will certainly not find it in the SR-1Xs.

The thin temples grab ahold of the sides of your own head a little tighter than goggle-like designs. This is one of the reasons these sunglasses are so secure when wearing, but for larger heads and more sensitive wearers, this is something to consider.

The overall design is slightly understated, lacking many of the showy swoops and curves of other models. The subtle style may downplay the capabilities of these shades, but it does lend them to being worn in more casual settings, without looking out of place.

We found that this design excelled most when cycling, as wind and dust ingressing from the sides can be a significant problem at high speeds. However, this is less of a concern in other sports, such as running, where speeds are much slower and a slight amount of airflow may be preferred.

Should You Buy the Roka SR-1X?

We love the Roka SR-1X first and foremost for road and gravel riding, for which they excel over many of the choices available to you. Their performance in other outside endeavors is more than passable, but you may find the fit isn't something you can handle for all-day wear, especially if your head is larger than most. The photochromic lens is certainly a standout, and the simple design and clean lines may be a breath of fresh air in a sea of bright colors and mirrored lenses.

What Other Cycling Sunglasses Should You Consider?

If you're more or less set on a full wrap style, give a look into the venerable Oakley Radar EV Path, which shares many of the same performance qualities of the SR-1X, but has a much more aggressive style reminiscent of handmade Italian supercars. We really liked the hinge design, which seemed to shift the point of most stress when bent the wrong way away from the hinge itself, making these shades more durable than you might initially guess. The Tifosi Rail somewhat splits the difference between 8-base, full-wrap glasses and goggle-like styles, with a 7-base design that's a little taller as well.