Long-Term Test of Demetz SUIT Glasses

Choosing sunglasses for cycling is more complicated than you might think. Between eye protection in bright light and a clearer lens for better visibility when the sun isn’t out, photochromic lenses seem, at first glance, to offer the best of both worlds with constant and supposedly rapid adaptability. But testing the Demetz SUIT sunglasses showed that “traditional” lenses still have a lot to offer, as demonstrated by this long-term test covering nearly 8,000 km. Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: 3bikes.fr, DEMETZ

Demetz is a long-established brand, founded in 1950 by Roger Demetz, a seasoned diver and inventor of the first optical diving mask. At Demetz, the concept of athletic performance is closely linked to optimal visual acuity.
Thanks to specific tints and carefully selected coatings, Demetz lenses are designed to ensure clear vision and optimized comfort, allowing athletes to focus on their sport. From design to the lab, the Demetz teams are committed to creating gear that combines lightness, versatility, and durability.
With a selection of over 170 models of goggles and sunglasses, the line covers all sports disciplines, from swimming to cycling, including running, diving, skiing, golf, basketball, and much more. The collection is designed to suit athletes of all levels, from beginners to experts, and includes a line specifically dedicated to young people—“Little Demetz”—ranging from infants to teenagers.

The Demetz range takes an eco-friendly approach by incorporating G850—a bio-based material composed of 45% castor oil—into its Outdoor and children’s models. This initiative underscores the brand’s commitment to making a positive contribution to the environment by offering sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives.

Among the full range, the SUIT model was selected. These sunglasses feature a Category 3 lens, which the brand states filters 83 to 92% of solar brightness. According to Demetz, this protection category is ideal for most situations involving strong sunlight, offering adequate protection against solar radiation and glare during most outdoor activities—including, of course, cycling.

The selected lens is called “Bora” and features anti-fog and oleophobic coatings, which, by definition, repel all oils. But in practice—and as the test will demonstrate—it works wonders at preventing water droplets from sticking, much like a tree leaf. These lenses are designed to allow liquids to run off rather than pool on the surface. Rather than spreading out, the droplets gather and slide down the lenses so that the liquid does not evaporate on the surface and therefore leaves no trace.

On the road

Here, the lens is not photochromic; yet, in low-light conditions—such as those encountered during winter rides without sunlight (a common occurrence “north of the Loire”)—the SUIT lenses never give the impression of obscuring road details. Contrast is well managed, and there is no noticeable distortion due to the lens curvature. Surprisingly enough, these qualities hold true even as night begins to fall and/or when riding through the woods in the middle of January under overcast skies. So much so that after two or three outings in these conditions, I looked at the product’s technical specifications again to check whether the lens was photochromic.

Conversely, and just recently with the arrival of warmer weather, the goggles were exposed to bright sunlight and temperatures exceeding 25°C in the shade, all while still allowing me to see details clearly—whether on the sun-drenched asphalt or deep in the forest. Under these conditions—and even during a fast descent where the speedometer approached 80 km/h—there were no issues with wind protection, as the visor wraps around the eyes sufficiently to prevent tearing, which can sometimes occur at these speeds. Furthermore, the bottom of the visor isn’t extended with plastic, which prevents that part from being visible in your field of vision.

Added to all these advantages is the most remarkable one: I’ve never ridden with sunglasses that handle rainy conditions this well—no fogging on the lenses even during prolonged rain (thanks to the anti-fog and oleophobic coatings), very clear vision, and above all, not the slightest urge to take off the sunglasses because they’d become too “cumbersome”—hindering my ability to see the road clearly due to the rain.

I’d never ridden with sunglasses that handled rainy conditions so well

Furthermore, the ability to adjust the nose bridge—both in width (significantly) and depth (slightly)—allowed me, on the one hand, to adapt the frame to the shape of my nose for personalized comfort and, on the other end of the “weather spectrum,” to move the upper frame away from my face. This proved particularly useful during rides in temperatures exceeding 25°C, to prevent sweat from running down onto the lenses.

Another highly appreciated feature of the Demetz SUIT is their excellent durability. In fact, the 8,000 km traveled have had absolutely no impact on their original performance. Fog management has remained consistent, and there are no scratches to report, despite some minor contact with external objects.

Conclusion

All in all, the Demetz SUIT is a pleasant surprise. Not only does it deliver on performance, but as mentioned during the test—and despite the fact that the lens isn’t photochromic—its ability to handle overcast or rainy conditions, as well as sunny and hot ones, was impressive. Furthermore, the price of €114.90 is on the lower end of what’s available on the market, especially when you consider its performance and versatility. In short, a real success at a competitive price.

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