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The Madison Enigma riding glasses are available with a single lens or as a three-pack with a carry case. They have proven to be a reliable pair of glasses with an excellent field of view at a very sensible price. The lens-changing process is a little fiddly, however, the frames may be a little narrow for some and they do feel on the cheap side but at this price, they are hard to look past. 

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Madison Enigma - Technical Details 

Let's start with the lens, Madison has used an interchangeable polycarbonate lens which is designed to be impact and scratch-resistant, it also offers UV-A and UV-B protection. If you buy the three-pack offering, you’ll get a number of lenses that are intended for different lighting conditions. The silver mirror lens is suitable for bright conditions, the amber lens is suitable for medium-light conditions, and the clear lens is suitable for low-light conditions. Replacement lenses can also be purchased separately.

The frames are designed to be lightweight, flexible, and durable with a plastic memory that allows them to return to shape after flexing, without breaking or bending permanently. The arms are preformed with an inward bend and have gripper ridges for a secure fit.

Madison Enigma Glasses_4.jpg, by Ty Rutherford

The nose bridge features a rubber cradle that can be bent to optimise fitting and it also features gripper ridges for a non-slip fit. For riders who need sight correction and don’t wear contact lenses, the Enigma frames are compatible with an Rx insert which allows a prescription lens to be clipped into the nose piece.  

A secure, padded storage case wraps up the glasses and spare lens in a well-protected package, included is also a soft drawstring pouch for the glasses. 

Madison Enigma Glasses_1.jpg, by Ty Rutherford

The frames are available in three colourways, Matt Olive, Matt Black, and Gloss White. 

The Enigma riding glasses are included in Madison’s Limited Lifetime Warranty which covers them for the duration of their expected life. 

Madison Enigma - Performance 

The key to any good pair of riding glasses is the fit and I am happy to report that the Enigma’s do well here. The rubberised nose bridge and arms provide a grippy purchase even on sweaty/rain-soaked skin giving no issues with the glasses moving around during riding. 

Madison Enigma Glasses_5.jpg, by Ty Rutherford

The large lens, measuring 129mm wide and 49mm high, provides excellent coverage from dirt and debris without restricting view. Swapping between the different lenses is a little fiddly but just needs some patience to work your way around the lens and click it in and out. I found it easiest to unclip the top of the lens first and then the nose bridge and refit in reverse. 

For testing, I predominately used the clear lens as I tend to ride in thick woodland with low light conditions, particularly in autumn/winter. I found the lens to be resistant to scratches even with some not-so-careful muddy wiping. 

Madison Enigma Glasses_3.jpg, by Ty Rutherford

The lens does fog up in very wet conditions and requires some management to ensure it stays clear. I found this to be less of an issue when on the move but stopping for too long resulted in fogging. 

The Category 3 tinted lens is intended for bright light conditions in which it worked very well. Unfortunately, any shadows, such as tree cover, caused problems when picking out trail features so I reserved this lens for riding only out in the open. The Category 2 amber lens is intended for medium light conditions, these were more defined than the tinted lens under tree cover whilst still providing bright light protection.

Madison Enigma Glasses_6.jpg, by Ty Rutherford

The frames are a snug fit, I found the arms to be very close to my temples - this wasn’t a problem for me but something to look out for if you have a wider head. The operation of the arms is quite stiff and can be creaky which makes the glasses feel cheap - this doesn't cause a problem and I'd rather the arms are firmly locked in place.

Madison Enigma - Value

Retailing at £49 with the extra lenses (glasses with single lens retail at £29), the Enigma riding glasses represent excellent value for money. Other options to be considered at a similar price point are the RockRider XC Race Photochromic sunglasses which feature a photochromic lens. These retail at £45 also representing excellent value but Jim did report the lens change mechanism to feel a little flimsy.

Liam really liked the Madison Crypto which retails at £50. These glasses scored top marks for their excellent coverage and fog resistance, as well as the affordable replacement lenses. My go-to glasses recently have been the Alpina Bonfire Q-Lite glasses, they’re a fuss-free set of riding glasses at a good price but you’ll need to buy a clear lens separately which adds a little to the price tag. 

The Madison Enigma riding glasses represent excellent value for money offering eye protection with an excellent field of view and secure fit. The protective carry case is a nice touch and the three pack of lenses are handy but the clear lens was by far the most used. The frames are a little on the narrow side so some people may have fitment issues so try before you buy. 

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