Rudy Project Turbolence Photochromatic Sunglasses Review

By Brandon Bilyeu

Hot!

• Blocks 100% of UV
• Swappable lens
• Excellent optical clarity
• Adjustable nose pad
• 29 grams light
• Photochromatic lenses available
• Microfiber pouch and Hardcase included
   

Not!

• Only comes with one lens at this price point

Price: $230 – $285 (depends on lens choice)

Weight: 29 grams

Frame Color / Lens Color / Light Transmission Value: 

Crystal Ash / Multilaser Violet / 12.2%

Crystal Blue Avio Apple Green Fade Gloss / Multilaser Yellow / 10%

Black Matte / Smoke Black / 11%

Blue Navy Matte / Polar 3FX HDR Multilaser Blue / 18%

Black Matte / ImpactX Photochromic 2 Black / 9%-74% (reviewed)

White Matte / ImpactX Photochromic 2 Laser Purple / 8%-48%

Crystal Ash / ImpactX Photochromic 2 Laser Black / 13%-62%

Charcoal Matte / ImpactX Photochromic 2 Laser Red / 16%-75%

How obtained: review sample

Available: retail, online

Website: Rudy Project Turbolence

RBR Sponsor: no

Tested: 30+ hours

Rudy Project Turbolence

Previously I reviewed the excellent Rudy Project Astral X sunglasses and now with the Turbolence I was able to test out two additional Rudy Project technologies: photochromatic lenses and the sweat catching foam interface.

The Turbolence are a top-framed design that is intended to be multisport compatible, and I found that it works well for cycling.  The lens proportions and coverage are good, without being ski-goggle sized.  There are many lens/frame combo options available, including photochromatic lenses.  The lenses are swappable, but you only get one lens included, which is a bit disappointing given the price point.  But at least a microfiber pouch and a hard case are included.

Lens clarity is excellent over the whole field of view without any visible distortions at the edges.  I’m a big fan of no frame members at the side of the lens for unobstructed peripheral vision, especially when turning to look behind.  The nose pad is fully adjustable to customize how the glasses fit your face including height and distance. The nose pad is also tacky for a no-slip fit.  The temple arms have an integrated rubber insert that grips well and is low profile behind the ears.  I appreciate that the rubber inserts are built into the frame and not a rubber sock that goes over the temple tips.  Rubber socks tend to loosen over time and eventually fall off.  The hinges are very smooth with no play and in the closed position the temple arms extend beyond the lens so there is no risk of the arm tips scratching the inside of the lens.

Photochromatic Lens – A versatile pair of sunglasses

Rudy Project offers several different photochromatic lens options for the Turbolence that vary in color and light transmission ranges.  Photochromatic lenses change their tint level based on ambient brightness.  They block more light in bright sunshine and let through more light in darker situations.  Rudy classifies all their lenses with a Light Transmission Value (LTV).  For example, the darkest standard lens available with the Turbolence is 10% LTV (10-20% is common for standard sunglasses) which means that only 10% of light makes it through the lens to your eyes.

I tested the Tubolence with the ImpactX Photochromic 2 Black lens with an LTV of 9%-74%.  In sunny conditions they block just as much light as standard sunglasses, but in darker environments they become reasonably clear with 74% of light reaching your eyes.  Compared to other photochromatic lenses I have used this is a huge LTV range which makes this lens very versatile.  They have been great for Spring after-work rides that start in daylight but end after the sun has gone down.

The above images show the lens in a dark room (left) and after exposure to bright sunlight (right).

Tint transition speed is not instant but takes a few seconds, which is normal for photochromatic lenses.  It is important to take the transition time into account, for example when riding from bright sunlight into a pitch-black tunnel.  Riding from sun into shade is generally not a problem as there is still some ambient light.  For durability, the photochromatic technology is built into the lens so it can’t wear off like an external coating used on some other brands.

Foam Interface Sweat Catcher

A unique accessory for the Turbolence is the $25 Foam Interface (link: Foam Interface).  This is a plastic backed foam strip that snaps into the top of the Turbolence frame to create a barrier to stop sweat from running down your forehead into your eyes.

Back in 2017 I tested a similar design on a pair of Adidas sunglasses and was not impressed.  Long story short, the foam absorbed sweat well, but was so soft that just furrowing my brows was enough to squeeze the foam and release a deluge of sweat into my eyes.  I tested the Turbolence Foam Interface on the indoor trainer, outdoors on hard climbs, and even saturated the foam with tap water to evlauate if the “deluge” problem was present.  Under normal riding conditions and glasses adjustments I had no problems with sweat release unless I purposely pressed the frame against my face.

The fit and comfort of the Foam Interface will be very individual.  The curve may not match your face shape, but the foam compression will help it adjust a little.  My oval shaped head did not contact the last 6mm (¼ inch) of the foam on each end, but the coverage was still enough to keep the sweat out of my eyes.  The foam contact feels a bit odd at first, but after a minute it is forgotten.  I had to adjust the nose pads to raise the glasses up so the foam was above my eye sockets and in contact with my forehead.  It worked fine, but it seems like this Foam Interface would fit better with larger shield-style sunglasses that naturally sit higher above the eyes.  But the Foam Interface is currently only available for the Turbolence.

The Foam Interface performed well and kept sweat from running down my forehead into my eyes.  The foam does decrease airflow so fogging on cooler rides was more prominent when I stopped riding, but quickly cleared when I started moving again.  On bright rides the foam also stops sunlight from passing through the frame-forehead gap and directly into your eyes, making for a more comfortable eye experience.

Bottom Line

The Rudy Project Turbolence are high quality and well performing sunglasses.  The option for photochromatic lenses makes for sunglasses that can adjust to a wide range of conditions.  The Foam Interface is a good option for those who suffer from sweat running into their eyes, but best to try on before buying to make sure fit and comfort work for you.

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Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.

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