Ryders Eyewear Trapper Sunglasses - Review

Jul 21, 2014
by Mike Kazimer  
Pinkbike Product Picks

Ryders Trapper review

Ryders Eyewear Trapper Sunglasses

Intended for sport or casual use, Ryders Eyewear's Trapper sunglasses are available in a variety of frame colors and lens styles, including the photochromic brown lens found on our test pair. When exposed to sunlight, this lens changes the amount of visible light that's let in, fluctuating between 46% and 19%. No matter the amount of visible light transmission, the sunglasses still provide 100% protection against ultraviolet rays. To keep them from slipping around when things get hot and sweaty, the Trapper's nose piece and arms have a hydrophilic coating that gives them extra grip in the wet. Fit: Large. MSRP: $79.99 USD. www.ryderseyewear.com

Ryders Trapper review

The Trapper's styling makes them suitable for both on and off bike usage.



Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesWhen it comes to sunglasses, if there's one thing I'm good at it's scratching them, whether from riding through low hanging branches, carelessly stuffing them in my pack without nestling them in a soft cloth bag, or accidentally dropping them directly onto the pavement or a pointy rock. I'm pretty good at losing them too, but luckily I've somehow managed to avoid doing both over the past three months that I've been in possession of the Trapper sunglasses. It's been an unusually sunny and dry summer in the Pacific Northwest, providing plenty of opportunities to test the Trapper's sun shielding capabilities. On the trail, the photochromic lens lightens up within a minute or two of entering darker stands of timber, and darkens again when re-exposed to brighter light. It's not an instant change, so there's still that moment when you transition from bright sunlight to deep, dark forest where it feels like someone pulled a blindfold over your eyes, but having a lens that eventually lightens up is preferable to being forced to stop and take your sunglasses off because they don't let enough light in. The Trapper's brown lens color gives the world a nice warm glow, and the clarity is excellent, without any distortion. They've proven to be very scratch resistant as well, even after being pelted with the tiny rocks and dust that inevitably get flung into the air during group rides.

Ryders categorizes the Trapper frame as having a large fit, but based on the frame width I'd probably call them medium fit / large coverage. The rubberized arms and nose piece helped them stay securely in place, even when riding on rougher trails, and the arms taper enough that they should fit with most helmets, but as with any sunglasses it's best to check for yourself. Oftentimes sports sunglasses look like something from a sci-fi movie, so it's a welcome change to find a pair that can do double duty for casual use without attracting the attention of everyone you pass on the street. The price is reasonable as well, and while you can obviously purchase sunglasses at the convenience store for much less, the optical clarity and fit isn't going to come close to that of the Trapper, and they're certainly not going to have a photochromic lens.
- Mike Kazimer




Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,729 articles

44 Comments
  • 23 1
 But wait... I thought I was supposed to wear goggles all the time because, you know...enduro?
  • 19 5
 Has all the trappings of good eyewear
  • 6 3
 i dont see any issues
  • 11 3
 eye really should buy these
  • 5 3
 Good price.. Gotta be worth a look
  • 5 3
 I am looking forward to buying these
  • 9 2
 uv just got to buy these!
  • 5 1
 I like them, but can anyone lens me a pair to try before I buy them?
  • 4 0
 I've had my eye on a pair of these for a while now. The looks are far less polarizing than many other brands of sports sunglasses.
  • 4 0
 I feel PB has framed this article quite well.
  • 2 0
 The optics of this situation looks quite promising!
  • 4 0
 What are the specs of these glasses? Eye couldn't find the numbers anywhere.
  • 3 0
 Some Hinge enious comments
  • 2 1
 If unsure before buying, try find a mate who will lens you a pair.
  • 1 0
 I don't see how you all come up with these puns... Do eye need these glasses to see them?
  • 2 0
 I agree DC981, they are all well framed.
  • 14 1
 This is a 100% UV protection eyewear, not your regular 99% ones.
  • 11 3
 Thanks Ryders, Great effort! Unlike that complete retro shit Oakley make their athletes look stupid in!
  • 2 0
 I have these glasses in the yellow lenses and I like the yellow lense for when you're mostly on the forest. The large coverage gave me confidence that I wasn't going to get a stick or dirt and crud in my eyes. One negative thing I experience with these is that if there is a lot of moisture in the air these glasses will fog up quick. I wore them on a sprinkly day this weekend and at that moment I really did wish I was enduring it with my goggles.
  • 2 0
 I have a different pair of Ryders than these, but with the same lenses. They're fantastic for almost all conditions right up until twilight, when the woods start getting too dark to see. The photochromic lenses are awesome, even if they do take a couple seconds to adjust after getting into the woods. They get dark enough to wear out on glaciers on a sunny day, or light enough to wear in the woods on an overcast day. Fit is great and they don't fog up even during winter ski touring.

The best part is that you're paying about 1/3 the cost of a pair of Oakleys or Smiths with the same features (polarized, photochromic).
  • 2 1
 I wear a pair of bolle ballistic glasses. If you haven't tried ballistics you're missing out. Totally changes your view of the trail and you can go into and out of the shade without your eyes needing to adjust and the shade is never too dark to see through.
  • 1 0
 I have two pairs of Ryders Rockslides. One for on the bike one for off. Love the fit and feel of the glasses, and frequently forget i'm wearing them. These trappers look pretty slick, and if they fit like my current rockslides, i may be inclined to make another purchase.
  • 1 0
 These are not polarized, there are only a few brands that have polarized AND photochromic, it's usually one or the other. Julbo hasa great lens that's photochromic AND polarized. Tifosi is stronger gripping, more scratch resisitant, and $20 less than these Ryders... Tifosi is also one OR the other. Costa Del Mar and Julbo are the only ones that have both feature, and they are the baddest assest shades I've owned...
  • 6 1
 So Hipsduro
  • 2 0
 Around here we are into and out of the woods so often that transition lens aren't suitable. Being regularly blinded with too opaque of eyewear isn't a good thing.
  • 2 0
 I bought a pair last year. They are great riding glasses. I have a narrow face, so they don't look great on me though. But they are amazing glasses!
  • 1 0
 I have a couple pairs of their goggles and some of their glasses. They work really good! They're the best on the market!
  • 2 0
 I really need to add these to my already huge Ryders eyewear collection.
  • 1 0
 this article made me pull the trigger and buy a pair. ive been fiending some riding shades
  • 1 0
 Have 'em, love 'em.
  • 1 0
 Ryders=good value
  • 5 5
 I will stick with Oakley
  • 2 1
 Except that Oakleys are 3x the cost for the same features. These are an amazing deal for polarized and photochromic lenses.
www.oakley.com/store/products/sunglasses/photochromic?Ns=p_name
  • 1 0
 I said I would, meaning just me not everyone on this page...
  • 2 4
 I paid 3X more for my Ray bans and I don t regret it!
  • 1 3
 And this isn't Polaroïd: so NO
  • 2 5
 You need the oakley radarlocks
  • 12 0
 Oh yeah! Would look mint with my Lycra onesies...
  • 2 5
 Eye really like the look of these
  • 1 4
 Stay on your bike Danny !!
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