POC Sunglasses

Lens Tech & Weather Performance: The Clarity Advantage

POC Clarity lenses are developed in partnership with Carl Zeiss, and the collaboration goes well beyond badging. The lenses are spectrally tuned - meaning POC and Zeiss have identified which wavelengths of light to filter or transmit to boost contrast in specific environments. For road riding, that translates to sharper differentiation between tarmac surfaces: you'll read a pothole, a painted line gone greasy, or a patch of wet grit faster than you would through a neutral-density lens. For trail riding, the MTB-tuned versions bring out the greens and browns of roots, rocks and mud, making the ground beneath your front wheel read with more depth.

POC cycling sunglasses also carry Ri-Pel coatings - hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments applied to the outer lens surface. In practice, water beads and rolls off rather than sheeting across your vision, and oily road spray or muddy flicks clear quickly. On a wet Surrey Hills loop or a mucky Peak District cross-country, that's not a minor convenience; it's the difference between reacting and guessing. UV400 protection is standard across the range, which matters on long road days when you're several hours into sun exposure without realising it.

POC photochromic sunglasses take this further still. The photochromic options shift their tint automatically as light levels change - useful when you're yo-yoing between exposed moorland and shaded forest tracks where fixed-tint lenses force a compromise. If you prefer to swap manually, several models offer interchangeable lenses, giving you a clear or low-light option alongside the main tint for longer or mixed-light days.

Understanding the POC Fit & Frame Range

The frame range covers quite different needs, so it's worth knowing which model is aimed at what. The Devour is POC's widest, most coverage-heavy option - an oversized wrap that suits aggressive road positions and riders who want maximum peripheral coverage. It's the frame you reach for when you're riding fast and head-down, and where the field of vision advantage is most obvious. The Aspire takes a more classic road-cycling shape: slightly slimmer, a cleaner profile, still delivering the Clarity optics but in a frame that works equally well off the bike. Then there's the Elicit, POC's ultralight rimless option, which strips weight right back for those who prioritise a barely-there feel on long climbs or warm-weather rides.

Across the range, Grilamid frames keep things flexible and durable. Grilamid is a nylon-based material that resists distortion in heat, doesn't go brittle in cold, and absorbs minor impacts without snapping - relevant if you've ever sat on a pair of sunglasses in a jersey pocket mid-ride. The adjustable nose piece on most models lets you dial in the fit for your face shape, which makes a real difference to how stable the frame feels on rough ground.

One thing to sort before you browse: if you're after POC eyewear for gravity disciplines, full-face riding or bike park laps, that's goggles territory. We cover the full range on our POC Goggles page. And if you need fresh glass for a frame you already own, the replacement options are listed separately - head to our POC Sunglasses and Goggle Spares page for interchangeable lenses and spare parts.

Helmet Integration & Care for UK Riding

POC designs its sunglasses and helmets to work together, and if you're already running a POC lid, it's worth factoring that in when you choose a frame. The temple arms on POC sunglasses are shaped to slot cleanly into the retention system and padding channels of POC helmets, removing the pressure point behind the ear that can build into a headache on longer rides. Ventilation channel alignment matters too - when your eyewear sits flush against the helmet's airflow path, hot air exits properly rather than pooling and fogging your lenses on a humid climb up something like the Bealach na Bà or a steep Welsh lane.

Pairing your sunglasses with the right POC aero or TT helmet will also maintain the aerodynamic profile POC intends - mismatched brands can create gaps that disrupt airflow around your face and generate noise at speed, which adds up over a long effort. Beyond the helmet, a POC jersey or POC headwear under the helmet completes a system that's been designed to work as a unit rather than a collection of unrelated parts.

Lens care is straightforward, but a couple of habits make a meaningful difference to longevity. Always rinse grit off with lukewarm water before you wipe - dragging dry abrasive particles across the lens surface is how micro-scratches happen, and those stack up fast into a haze that no amount of cleaning fixes. Once rinsed, pat dry with the microfibre pouch that comes with the glasses. Avoid household glass cleaners or anything with alcohol or ammonia; those strip the factory hydrophobic coating and the anti-fog treatment, and once they're gone, they're gone. Store the glasses in their case when they're not on your face - a jersey pocket is fine for a ride, but sitting loose in a bag is where frames get bent and lenses get scratched. The full POC range on Bikesy includes the accessories and cases to keep everything in order.