Weight weenies used to have to make a choice: run a huge frameless lens with generous coverage and accept the bulk, or go with a smaller lens that stayed light but gave up peripheral vision. Shimano's S-Phyre SL sunglasses split the difference by welding a large single-piece lens directly to the temples with no rim in the way, dropping the whole package to 23.7 grams. That's about five grams lighter than the previous generation S-Phyre and puts them in the same weight class as Oakley's EVZero and other featherweight racing shields.

The rimless construction uses ultrasonic welding to fuse the lens to the temples and nose piece, which cuts down on visual distortion at the edges and cleans up airflow across the face. Curved temples hug the head to keep the glasses planted even when they weigh next to nothing, and the temples are shorter than the previous S-Phyre model to sit cleanly under helmet retention systems. The reversible nose piece has different thicknesses front and back, so you can flip it to fine-tune how the glasses sit on your nose bridge.

Shimano positions the S-Phyre SL for riders with smaller faces or anyone chasing a sleeker profile than the outgoing S-Phyre offered. If you've tried the older model and found it a bit too large across the face, the SL is worth another look. The frame material is a bio-based polyamide called Rilsan Clear G850, which cuts petroleum content in the manufacturing process without giving up the impact resistance you want in a lens material sitting in front of your eyes.... Read More