SCOTT Shield Glasses Review

With its open frame and extra-large high-performance lens, the Scott Shield offers an almost limitless field of vision. This new edition, both retro and modern, offers undeniable value for money and an almost total sense of freedom.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: 3bikes.fr

If you go into a specialized Scott store, you can leave dressed and equipped from head to toe: jerseys, bib shorts, helmets, bags, shoes, road bikes of course, but also mountain bikes, gravel bikes, city bikes, etc. For triathletes, the Swiss brand even has a wide range of running gear, as well as motorcycle equipment for the all-rounders. In short, there’s something for everyone, men, women and children, for sport, performance, leisure or lifestyle.

As for eyewear, the range includes 12 models with distinctive designs, for performance or lifestyle/casual use. Our test model today, the Shield, is clearly performance-oriented and stands out for its wide lens, also available in an LS (Light Sensitive) photochromic version, at very accessible prices: €89.90 and €119.90 for the LS.

The modernization of a retro model

For Scott engineers, the starting point for the specifications of this new frame was simple: to retain the retro style of the previous version, launched for the brand’s 60th anniversary in 2018, worn by the professional riders of the Mitchelton-Scott team and below by this fine specimen, but to work as much as possible on the performance aspect. The result is that the 2020 Shield indeed asserts itself with a more modern design and an XXL lens. And it really is XXL! Yes, it’s the current trend, for at least two good seasons, a fashion launched notably by another specimen, the Slovakian and whimsical Peter Sagan, and which has swept a large part of the pro peloton. Less so on weekend rides, at least for now, let’s note.

You either like it or you don’t; it either suits you or it doesn’t… In my case, the first try was a shock: between my small, narrow face and my elongated head, how can I put it, let’s just say it’s not a design that suits me perfectly and in terms of style, we’ll pass. Wider, squarer faces will certainly appreciate this model more.

Cylindrical lens

This massive, cylindrical lens is the result of this pursuit of performance, protection, but also the preservation of Scott’s heritage and spirit. To renew the Shield, the Swiss have equipped it with an open, streamlined, very modern frame. Compared to the anniversary model, we notice much more pronounced and flowing lines compared to the curves and roundness of the previous design. More lens and less frame, especially on the top of the glass to allow the field of vision to escape, the same on the bottom of the lens. On the sides, the cylindrical design is also present to open the view to 180 degrees. The whole aims to offer a maximum field of vision, but also optimal protection against wind, sun rays, rain and insects.

Semi-adaptable temples

We also discover a widened nasal opening and a non-slip, easily adjustable nose bridge, which is not the case for the side temples that remain in their original position. Scott chose not to make them fully adaptable. Their design is neither straight nor curved at their end. It is a happy medium studied by the brand with the help of the Mitchelton-Scott Team riders, which offers a slight, gentle curve that hugs the ears and temples to position itself. On the other hand, the temples benefit from great lateral flexibility to adapt to all head widths and are adorned with a non-slip rubber insert. Another point to note: their rounded design which eliminates pressure points along the temples.

No air vents

The Shield features a lens change system. Several manipulations on the temples and nose bridge are necessary to change the lens or vary the frame color. Seven colors are available for the classic model and two for the LS with photochromic lens. We also note that this beautiful Scott Precision Optics lens, with impact protection, does not benefit from ventilation to allow air circulation and thus prevent the possible formation of fog during exertion. On the scale, the Scott Shield weighs 38 g and is only available in one size.

Large field of vision

With its XXL lens, the Shield’s field of vision is almost as wide as natural vision, as if you weren’t wearing glasses at all. Only the frame part located at the bottom of the lens is slightly visible, also due to the upward design. This is especially true when keeping the head completely straight. In a cycling position, with the body and head slightly tilted forward, this lower frame almost completely disappears. It’s not at all bothersome, but it’s enough to remind you that the field of vision is framed. The nose bridge is also a little apparent. Here, the frame could perhaps have benefited from a slight slimming. Nevertheless, this unobstructed field of vision is immense and remains very pleasant to use.

This extra-wide lens provides great protection, although we did identify two small limitations. Directly facing the sun, this tested lens, the Red Chrome Amplifier, seems to let some rays through and forces you to squint a little or occasionally look away. This was particularly evident on long straight sections directly exposed to the sun, especially at the end of the day when it is a little lower in the sky.

On the other hand, despite the cylindrical shape and normally very close to the face desired by the Swiss brand, the extra width creates some gaps on thin head shapes like mine: at the forehead, cheeks, but also on the sides. As a result, a small excess of light comes from the top of the frame, at the forehead, facilitated by the slightly tilted cycling position, although the helmet position still helps to fill this gap a little. During an effort with hands in the drops, some air flows can also enter over the frame.

In terms of colors, the visual comfort of this Scott Precision Optics lens is pleasant. The hues are quite true to reality in a slightly rosy ambiance. In low light, it lacks contrast. It’s much better in high light for anticipating road details, avoiding traps, and choosing your trajectories for your safety. Nevertheless, changes in brightness are not problematic, nor is morning use before sunrise.

No ventilation system

As mentioned above, the frame was specially designed to stay as close to the head as possible, but this is again especially true for slightly wider faces. That said, the positioning of this one-size-fits-all is very pleasant and above all very stable. Once the nasal pads are properly adjusted, the temples, which, although not customizable in length or shape, gently rest on the temples and behind the ears. No excessive pressure points are felt.

Once adjusted, the Shields don’t budge; the rubber insert does its job perfectly, even when running under the repeated shocks of the stride. Their lightness, 38 g for such a width and height, which seems reasonable, allows you to quickly concentrate on steering, effort, and forget about them.

The absence of vents directly on the lens or between the lens and the frame never caused fogging. The lens remained continuously clean, especially when running at lower speeds and on climbs, whether on foot or by bike. To be seen, however, during hot summer weather.

Very good value for money

We didn’t have a second test lens available, but the lens change system is quite simple, without being the fastest. The trick is to first unclip the bottom of each temple, then the top. The reverse is more difficult and puts pressure on the lens. This manipulation is not complicated, it just doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye, but it guarantees perfect safety. There’s no chance of the lens unlocking on its own or during an impact on the road.

Designed for performance, the Scott Shield offers very good quality of use during exertion. Stable and comfortable, lightweight despite this XXL open-frame lens, they offer very good value for money and are particularly suitable for medium to large faces. Finer faces will be less comfortable in terms of protection against light or wind and, aesthetically, let’s just say it won’t be the most flattering. Ultimately, who cares about style as long as you have performance! It should be noted, however, a slight lack of filtering of low-angle rays and contrast in low light. Similarly, the field of vision could have been even wider with a slightly thinner frame, but that’s also what gives it the retro look desired by the brand in the renewal of this anniversary model.

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