Galibier Grand Tour photochromic sunglasses review: A great pair of affordable cycling shades

I’ve been riding in the Galibier Grand Tour optics sunglasses for the majority of the autumn and winter and am ready to lay down my review of the Irish brand's sunglasses. Cycling sunglasses are generally pretty expensive now, but this offering from Galibier represents a good, budget-friendly option. They come in at £66 / $82.10 / €79.25 for the most expensive crystal / photochromic option, with the non reactive pairs even cheaper, lining them up well for a spot in our guide to the best cheap cycling glasses.

The Grand Tour shades launched last year and are available in three variants: Crystal - photochromic, alongside black- or white-framed red plasma lens versions.

I’ve done the majority of my riding in the crystal-photochromic version which react and darken depending on the light, and that’s what I will be focusing on here, but I have included pictures and some thoughts on the white - plasma pair, which I have also been riding in. They share exactly the same design and makeup, just with a different lens and colour. 

These are light, comfortable sunglasses at just 23 grams per pair. They feature an ‘open’ frameless design paired with slender, lightweight arms and vents across the top of each lens. If you aren’t particularly taken with the styling of some huge, oversized cycling shades, like me, then the slightly smaller silhouette may appeal to you as well. 

Check out our best cycling sunglasses guide for a best-of-the-best selection of cycling shades.

Design and Aesthetics 

I like the Grand Tour's styling; the lenses are similar in shape to the popular Oakley Radar, just a little deeper, which is a big tick in my book. The lenses have four holes in each side for ventilation and are not interchangeable. The crystal version arms have a glossy, see-through finish, with Galibier logos on the arms and bottom right-hand side of the lens.

The thin, folding arms of the glasses possibly look a touch old school, but they haven’t bothered me, and they help bring the GrandTour’s weight down to a feather-light 23 grams; they really are very light, and only a fraction of a gram heavier than something like the POC Elicit, which are substantially more expensive.6

The lenses have some curve built in, and use a thin, smooth gripper at the ends. I think the arm shape is responsible for most of the hold on the head, I've found it creates a nice balance between secure and comfortable, and I have quite a small head. 

In the box, you will also find a case, cleaning cloth and a soft bag to store your shades in, which is not bad at all for the money. On the subject of cash, the Crystal photochromic lens will set you back $82.10 / £66 / €79.24.

Galibier says the polycarbonate lenses have an anti-fogging, anti-scratch finish, and the brand includes a lens certification report on its website. The sunglasses meet the ISO S12312 minimum standard for eye and face protection. 

Performance 

Image 1 of 2

For my first few rides, I felt the Galibier rubber nose piece wasn’t as comfortable as my usual Oakleys, and niggled a bit, but I have pretty much ridden in the same sunglasses for years and the change was probably the cause as much as anything. After months of use, I have no complaints; they have been comfortable. 

They are light and comfortable on your face, the curved arms grip my head well for a comfortable fit. I was on a windy ride recently when a rider's sunglasses were blown off his face when he turned his head into the wind, which was a first for me. The Grand Tour’s stayed put, however. The low weight possibly makes the glasses feel a bit insecure at times, but in reality, they have been solid as a rock.  

The photochromic lenses have worked well for me, allowing me to easily ride at night, in unlit lanes using the shades and on brighter days. I did a double-take recently at a cafe when I pulled up, seeing the dark lenses on my face in the brighter conditions. They do seem to work pretty well, and I haven’t felt they were too slow to react. Put it this way: not once have I struggled in a range of conditions. I’ll continue to wear them in bright summer light and see how they fare at that end of the spectrum, though I do think a more specific darker lens will be the better choice in bright, summer sunshine, and the alternate Grand Tour models from Galibier are there for that. 

A lot of cyclists I know use a clear lens for all-around winter and dark riding, and if you just want a set of shades with a clear lens for darker days, they fit the bill nicely.  

Coverage won’t be as big as some of the bigger lensed shades on the market now, such as the 100 Percent S3 models, which my colleague Will reviewed around this time last year, but as I say, the lens is bigger than an Oakley Radar, but not as deep or rounded as the bigger ones on the market, it hasn’t given me any cause for concern. Though if you prefer lenses where the field of vision is uninterrupted, thanks to a large lens, they may not be for you, it's possible to look past the end of these lenses when looking down.

Image 1 of 2

Value

I think these sunglasses offer excellent value. Each pair comes with a case, soft cloth and microfibre pouch. I’ve ridden a lot in mine in all kinds of conditions on and off-road, and they still look brand new. I haven’t had a single issue with them. For the money, I’m not sure you can go wrong, and there are three finishes to choose from. 

Verdict 

There isn’t much not to like here. I have found zero fault with these sunglasses, they are lightweight and comfortable and have provided good lens clarity and vision across a range of conditions this winter. You will just need to decide if the style is right for you.