Scicon Sports started out making bike travel bags, then moved to kits and accessories. In 2018, Scicon launched their road-focused eyewear lineup. Earlier this year, they released the all-new Aeroscope sunglasses for high-performance cycling. And, it happens to be the choice of Tadej Pocgacar while dominating the pro peloton.
Scicon Aeroscope Sunglasses Features:
- Entirely Made in Italy
- VenteX™ Central ventilation port
- SCN-PP™ Lens technology
- Impact resistant and UVA&UVB protective lens
- Interchangeable lens system
- Cylindrical base-6 shield lens
- FlexiFit 2.0™ nose pad
- 12° Panto Tilt frame angle
- Scala™ – Extendable, retractable, and bendable temples
- Bio-Based Frame from bio-based polyamides
- MSRP: $230
Italian, full-featured sunnies
When Italians make cycling products, they like to go all-out. We’re talking stuff like wild colors and jaw-dropping designs. Oftentimes drawing inspiration from sports cars or fast bikes, Italians aren’t afraid to leverage their wold-famous injection molding expertise as they push the limits of what can be made. With that in mind, Scicon launched their all-new Aeroscope made from a new bio-based resin that’s 100% designed and built in Italy. These new shades are built for high-performance racing with a nod to adjustability.
Featuring an adjustable nose bridge and extendable temple tips, the Aeroscope can essentially fit the majority of faces. The nose piece can also be moved up/down in the frame to move the frames upward. Between all the adjustments on offer, there’s not much that can’t be personalized. And, the temple tips can be slightly bent inward or outward for added security. I bent them inward so they snug along the back of my head.
The lenses are interchangeable, but do take some effort to swap. Moreover, you’ll be grateful that Scicon includes a lifetime scratch warranty on their lenses because you’ll be manhandling them to take them out. That said, after all that, and months of abuse, there isn’t even the slightest scratch anywhere on the multimirror bronze lenses. A clear lens is included for early/late or night rides.
I really appreciate the large lenses and the wide range-of-vision they provide. However, the lower part of the frame that extends below the lens does get in the way when looking over your shoulder and checking for oncoming traffic or other riders. Luckily, the clear frames minimize that obstruction, but solid colors will be more noticeable. When riding, the lower frame mostly disappears for an excellent field-of-vision.
I’ve worn these with a variety of helmets (Kask Wasabi, Trek Ballista MIPS, Trek Velocis MIPS and Cannondale Dynam MIPS) and haven’t experienced any fit interference with the various retention systems. And, with the nose bridge in the full-upward position, I haven’t had any helmet brow tapping either.
The adjustable nose pads do stay in the proper position, but the size of the pads could be improved. I think a few mm wider would increase the surface area just enough to add more comfort. I only notice the narrow pads when initially putting them on though. After a few pedal strokes, I don’t think about them at all and find the fit to be solid — even on the roughest terrain.
With the VenteX Central ventilation port, I’ve come to appreciate nearly fog-free performance under all riding conditions. Only on the most humid mornings did I notice minimal fogging and only when stopped. A couple of pedal strokes and the airflow clears any fog.
With 17% VLT, the multimirror bronze lenses are versatile enough for morning to evening rides. While there are better lenses for early mornings, these do okay. Mirror lenses are good and bad, but can present glare issues when going in/out of bright light while mountain biking or gravel riding. On evening rides, when the sun is directly in your face, there is added glare as well.
The Good:
- Adjustable fit for most faces
- Can change the lenses out as needed (lifetime warranty against scratches)
- A variety of lenses and frame colors available — including photochromic
- Rubber nose and temple tips gets stickier when wet
- Stay in place even in the roughest conditions
- Compatible with the wide variety of helmets tested
- Central ventilation port keeps them almost 100% fog-free
- Good optical clarity
- Bio-based materials
The Bad:
- You have to manhandle the lens to change it
- Nose pad is initially uncomfortable
- Mirror lenses add glare in certain light conditions
- Lower frame does get in the way when looking over your shoulder
The Bottom Line: Scicon Aeroscope Sunglasses
No question, the Scicon Aeroscope sunglasses are the most adjustable shades I’ve tested. On the road or trail, they disappear and remain solidly in place in conjunction with any helmet I’ve tested. There’s a lot going on with these sunnies, but their modular nature also lends themselves for a longer service life.
Buy Now: Visit Scicon Sports Amazon Store
