Swedish brand POC has revealed the latest entrant to its ever-growing cycling sunglasses portfolio. Dubbed the Propel, they join the Devour, Elicit and Aspire as POC’s best cycling sunglasses - and for very good reason. They’ve been aerodynamically optimised through computational fluid dynamic testing (CFD) to reduce drag and optimise airflow around the rider and their body position by way of a unique lens and temple design.​

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POC Propel Clarity sunglasses, by Aaron Borrill

At 32g (actual), they are perfectly in line with the segment standard regarding weight - if anything, they're a little lighter than some of its rivals. The Propels are available in the choice of eight lens options (each pair comes with a spare clear lens as standard) which can be matched to six frame colours. The frame is manufactured using a bio-grilamid structure and three nose bridge sizes for ultimate comfort - the temples are also fully adjustable in terms of both length and grip levels.

Visually, they follow POC’s brazen design philosophy with a large pronounced lens which sits close to the face promoting an unobstructed field of view and increased peripheral vision. The wraparound design and side fairing are said to guide air away from the ears and over the shoulders, reducing turbulence and enhancing smoother airflow. Tested alongside the brand’s current eyewear offerings, the Propel finished top of the tree in terms of aerodynamics and watts saved.

POC Propel Clarity sunglasses, by Aaron Borrill

“In developing our Aero initiative, we wanted to explore the aerodynamic potential of eyewear. We know the world of performance cycling is about marginal gains, and every watt saved can make a difference. We tested continually with CFD to research and fine-tune our ideas. The results led us to design the eyewear with the rider's body and position in the forefront of our minds. The result is the most aerodynamic eyewear we have ever produced,” Tilda Håll, POC’s eyewear manager, said.

While the POC Propel was used by EF Education First teams at this year’s Tour Down Under, the glasses are not discipline-specific and, like most of the brand’s eyecare products, can be used across the cycling spectrum - cross-country mountain biking and gravel bike racing included.  

POC Propel Clarity sunglasses, by Aaron Borrill

From an availability and pricing perspective, the Propels are available immediately and will retail for £230 / €249 / $250. We've already got our hands on a pair and will be thoroughly testing them over the winter to bring you a springtime verdict. Stay tuned for the full review.

POC Propel Clarity sunglasses - at a glance

• Price: £230 / €249 / $250
• Weight: 32g 
• Lens: Clarity lens
• Frame type: Frameless
• Colours: 6 frame colours, 8 lens options
• ​UV protection: UV400
   
• www.pocpsorts.com

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