SunGod Velans 2 review: I tested ultra-lightweight sunglasses worn by Netcompany Ineos stars at the Tour de France

Review SportCycling *All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue. SUMMER’S well and truly underway when the Tour de France is on our TVs. Tadej Pogacar’s soaring away at the front, more mountains await, and we’re yet to see a single drop of rain. SunSport put the new Velans 2 to the test in the sunshine Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk SunGod kindly sent SunSport a pair of the matte black Velans 2 Credit: SUPPLIED SUNGOD VELANS 2 – £125 (with a free second pair) When SunGod got in touch asking if I fancied emulating the Netcompany Ineos team by trying the new Velans 2 sunglasses, I jumped at the chance. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! SunGod have been the glasses of choice for INEOS – led at this year’s Tour by 2018 winner Geraint Thomas – for a number of years, with Kate Middleton and the Lionesses among others spotted wearing them. The Velans 2 are a cycling specific pair of shades with integrated venting to eliminate fogging in the searing heat. So I put them to the test on a number of rides, anything from my 20km commute into work with the early morning sun to much longer rides into the countryside. QUICKFIRE Q&A HOW MUCH ARE THEY?They’re £125, but if you buy directly through SunGod you can get a second pair of sunglasses for free. They also come with a 100% microfibre sleeve made from recycled bottles, designed to help clean the glasses. WHO’S IT BEST FOR?Anyone from your commuting cyclist to serious racers. If they’re good enough for the best of the best riding Le Tour, they’re good enough for me. The Velans 2 wrap around your face and protect from the elements, crucial if you’re riding on roads with loose gravel or stones likely to flick up towards your face. WHAT WE LOVED: They’re ultra-light and incredibly comfortable. Even after four hours in the saddle, you’d hardly know you’re wearing them. The airflow vent has been a delight in this absurdly hot summer we’ve had too. It’s not too much to make your eyes water, but enough that the glasses aren’t steaming up even when it’s 35°C outside. There’s plenty of different colour schemes to take your pick from too. I personally opted for the matte black, but Netcompany Ineos have their own limited edition version, and the more expensive versions with IRIS Photochromic lens are designed for rapid-changing light conditions. WHAT WE DIDN’T LOVE: The glare of the very early morning sun on my commute into London was still quite strong, so the Iris lenses may be better for early risers, but beyond that I’m struggling to think of anything I didn’t love about them. SunGod athletes – including Geraint Thomas himself – help design their glasses, so quality’s guaranteed. They come in a microfibre pouch – though a hard capsule case is available for £9.95 too – with incredible attention to detail on protecting the environment. Each pair is fully customisable, with the option to change the frame colour, lenses and icons (the colour of the SunGod logo) before purchasing. Most read in Sport The overwhelming best feature, however, is SunGod’s lifetime guarantee. If your product breaks – whether due to a fault or an accident – they’ll repair or replace them free of charge. Filippo Ganna leads the Netcompany Ineos team at the Tour de France in his SunGod Velans 2 Credit: Getty The overall verdict? They’re slick, lightweight glasses designed for performance. At £125, they’re similar price to the Oakley Jawbreaker, and the free second pair when buying makes them feel a far better deal. Comment now