Review: At over €200, the Rudy Project Spinshield Pro clearly belongs to the top class in our test field of photochromic mountain bike glasses. It aims to impress with a feather-light 24 grams, flawless workmanship, and a gigantic field of vision. On the trail, it delivers impressive performance, but with its lens, it's more suited to fair-weather cyclists. One minor flaw mars the otherwise excellent impression.
Rudy Project Spinshield Pro: Dimensions and build quality
The moment you pick them up, it's clear: the Spinshield Pro is in a league of its own. Weighing in at a mere 24 grams, it shares the title of lightest model in the test and is barely noticeable on your nose. To put it simply, the build quality is absolutely flawless. The minimalist frame feels extremely robust and premium. There's no creaking or play whatsoever. The temples click firmly and precisely into place, and the rubberized nose pads adjust perfectly to any nose shape. With a lens height of 61 mm and a width of 147 mm, the dimensions are substantial and promise exceptional coverage. Given this premium feel, it's almost audacious that Rudy Project doesn't include a protective hard case at a price of €214,90 – a detail that should really be standard in this price range.
Rudy Project Spinshield Pro: Glass
The centerpiece of the goggles is the photochromic "ImpactX 2 Laser Purple" lens. It covers a VLT (Visible Light Transmission) range of 8% to 48%, placing it in protection categories 2 to 3. This highlights the goggles' clear focus: with a maximum lightening of 48%, they are not ideal for dim forest trails or gloomy winter days. They tend to remain darker and excel on sunny days, reliably protecting against glare. The unbreakable ImpactX 2 lens reacts instantly to changing light conditions. The slight violet tint provides pleasant contrasts in the forest without significantly distorting color perception.
On the trail: Our test impressions
Once you put them on, the Spinshield Pro is a force to be reckoned with. The huge panoramic lens offers a simply outstanding field of vision – completely unrestricted, as there's no frame to obstruct your peripheral vision. This also results in excellent wind protection, among the best we've experienced in our tests. Despite the large lens coverage, the "Vent Controller" system, with its strategically placed vents, ensures excellent airflow, effectively preventing the lens from fogging up. The hydrophobic properties are equally impressive: sweat and water droplets simply bead off, and the glasses are incredibly easy to clean on the go. The fit remains secure even on rough trails, although for a more perfect grip, we would have preferred slightly more rubberized padding at the temple tips that extends a bit further forward.
