Reviewed: Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses

Bolle Chronoshield

Starting at $170, 39g without “brow bar” (as measured), 42g with “brow bar,” Bolle.com

Bolle is easily the oldest and most respected brand in this list, after launching its first pair of sunglasses 84 years ago in 1936. As a brand with such a rich history, the new Bolle Chronoshield is a nod to the big goggle-style sunglasses popular in cycling during the ‘80s; think Greg Lemond or Sean Kelly. Weighing in at a hefty 39 grams before adding the “brow bar” (we’ll get to that later), this is a very massive pair of throwback sunglasses that actually function way better than their vintage form suggests. In fact, the shape of this lens is nearly identical to the POC AIMs with the exception of vents cut into the top and bottom. But that’s where the similarities end: The Bolles have a very heavy (but not particularly thick) frame that wraps around the lens, and surprisingly thin earpieces with an excellent snapping action.

Fit-wise, the new Bolle Chronoshields offer a massive amount of coverage, but the vents do a great job of keeping them from fogging up or getting too hot. This is probably not the best pair for running, due to the size and weight, but for cycling these feel fantastic. We really liked the smooth and soft earpiece grippers that are also moldable to give any shaped head a great fit with any helmet. Also, the included brow bar is a nice addition (that can easily be removed) to prevent rain entry or to keep sweat at bay. Bolle also says that the brow bar is meant to improve the fit, but we didn’t really get that sense—though it certainly didn’t hurt the fit either. The only downside to the Bolle Chronoshield is a lack of interchangeable lenses, but Bolle does offer a couple of versions with photochromic lenses with a pretty decent light range.

Read the complete roundup of the hottest shades of 2020 here.