We've long been fans of Uvex's light-sensitive Vario lenses, which get lighter or darker depending on the conditions. The only drawback to the photochromic technology:聽a slow transition from dark to light, which can make high-contrast riding difficult.
Uvex has cracked that problem with a new LCD lens that聽toggles instantaneously between dark and light. Powered by a USB-rechargeable battery, which is inconspicuously hidden in the frames and is said to last up to 50 hours on a single聽charge, the shifts from 64 percent light transmission in its brightest state to 16 percent light transmission in its聽dark mode鈥攁nd the change happens聽in one-tenth of a second. The auto setting uses a light sensor to toggle between the two tints, though there's also a small button on the underside of the left temple that聽allows you to make the switch manually.
Best of all, the Variotronic S glasses look and feel like any other riding shades. The lenses will initially come in just two models, a full-frame version and sport shield, both of which have excellent coverage, fully adjustable nose pads, and non-slip rubberized temples.
$350,