Rudy Project Kelion Glasses Review

The Rudy Project Kelion are the glasses used by the Bahrain Victorious team since summer 2023. This is a high-end, high-priced model that offers protection, lightness, durability, comfort, in addition to being manufactured as ecologically as possible. With a high-performance photochromic lens, the Kelion are very comfortable to wear, whatever the weather conditions.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Rudy Project/3bikes.fr

The Rudy Project Kelion are “mask” type glasses, with a large, oversized single-piece lens that fills the entire field of vision. Whether you like this type of glasses aesthetically or not, you have to acknowledge the level of protection provided, as well as the comfort. Thanks to the size of the lens (over 6 cm high), the lower part of the frame is never bothersome, which is usually not the case for me with many glasses where the frame surrounds the lens.

Superior quality lenses

According to Rudy Project, the lens shape is designed to limit all risks of distortion. The Kelion are offered with two types of lenses: RP Optics mirror type (at €219) and ImpactX photochromic (at €269). The prices are even higher as the glasses are sold with only one lens, and it will cost you around €140 if you want to switch from the mirror type lens to the photochromic lens.

While the RP Optics lens is already performing well in normal road use conditions from spring onwards, I personally much preferred to use the photochromic lens, as I usually do with all the glasses I use. This type of product seems much more comfortable to me in changing light conditions, in undergrowth, or for gravel riding. Transitioning from the lowest to the most intense light transmission in a few seconds (from 17 to 76%), these lenses improve contrast, visual acuity, and depth perception. ImpactX lenses are also guaranteed unbreakable for life, which partly explains their high price. To change the lens, there is a small button inside the frame hinge, which you just need to manipulate before pulling the lower part of the frame to release the lens. Reassembling the lens is just as simple.

To further improve comfort, the Kelion incorporate a ventilation system consisting of two slits at the bottom of the lens on the right and left, as well as a smaller slit on the upper part, to allow air to circulate well without coming into contact with the eyes. This is to prevent fogging on the lens.

For those who wear prescription lenses, the Kelion are compatible with an optical insert that allows for ideal integration, so you can enjoy the style and protection of the glasses, but still see clearly.

Respectful manufacturing

Made in Italy, the Rudy Project Kelion use a Rilsan Clear frame, a material designed from a bioplastic derived from 45% castor oil grown by certified farmers in Gujarat (India). This is a way for the brand to distinguish itself by asserting its philosophy. This frame is also very light, as I weighed my pair of glasses at 33 g, a great performance considering the size of the lens.

The finish of the glasses is nonetheless extremely neat, as evidenced by the colors offered, including this translucent red upper part of the frame on this test pair, with small screwed Rudy Project logos. Magnificent when you look at the details.

In terms of adaptability, the nose pad and temple tips are fully adjustable, in all directions, so that the glasses can be adapted to all face shapes. During my first use of the Kelion, they tended to slip a little on my nose, and one of the temples hurt me a little after two hours of cycling. By fiddling a bit, I was able to readjust the nose pad by pinching it a little, and I reoriented the position of the temple tip so that it positioned itself perfectly above the helmet straps. True custom fit, infinitely adjustable.

Finally, note that the glasses come with a small, high-quality cleaning pouch, as well as a hard case, which can be practical for transport.

On the field with the Rudy Project Kelion

In use, the Kelion are comfortable and protect the eyes well, both from light and from cool drafts or insects, or even projections in off-road use. Very wide, they are quickly forgotten and never disturb the field of vision. I never had fog on the lenses, even when riding in repeated downpours.

The photochromic lenses are particularly effective, adapting very quickly to changing light conditions. In full sun, I was never bothered, but I must say that I don’t like overly dark lenses. But I was also able to test the glasses at dusk, feeling like I was riding with completely transparent lenses. For gravel riding, the Kelion are also among the most effective I have tested, not only thanks to the adaptability of the lens protection depending on the light, but also concerning the management of terrain contrasts in rather dark conditions.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Rudy Project Kelion are among the most high-end cycling glasses on the market. Manufacturing, finish, comfort, and features are of very high quality, but the Italian brand makes you pay dearly for its excellence, especially in this version with the photochromic lens.

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