Pit Viper Sunglasses Review: Worth It for Cycling

Author: Kier

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Do you want to look the coolest you can be while out on your bike, no matter your age or how hard you are suffering up that climb? Yes, you say! We have just the sunglasses to get you looking ‘a-maz-ing’!

Welcome to the ultimate Pit Viper sunglasses review. We have all the info you need to decide if this is the right brand for you.

We’ve broken down everything, including the brand, lenses, materials, and our own thoughts on how we got on wearing Pit Vipers.

Let’s get into it.

About Pit Viper Sunglasses

Founded in 2012 by Chuck Mumford, Pit Viper has become a trendy sunglasses brand for those that are into outdoor sports. 

The brand started from a gap in the market. The founder couldn’t find a pair of sports glasses that could help keep his lifestyle going with wild sports and exciting adventures. 

Mumford began developing Pit Viper sunglasses: a rugged pair of glasses that could go through hell and back while still maintaining its high quality. 

Whether the glasses were sat on, run over, or shoved in a bag, they could survive and still give wearers excellent sun-blocking abilities and a great fit. 

Plus, the glasses came in wild colors that intrigued others. These sunnies stand out from the crowd. 

Pit Viper Sunglasses Review by cyclists wearing these sunnies

What are Pit Viper Sunglasses For?

These glasses are the perfect companion for those that enjoy the outdoors. Whether cycling, mountain climbing, or skiing, Pit Viper has you covered. 

If you need wind, dust, water, and UV protection, then Pit Viper Sunglasses are a great choice. 

Plus, you will never go unnoticed again, for sure! The brand offers some of the coolest and out-there designs on the market. 

So, they are great for performance, and you’ll look awesome too!

Quality, Performance, and Features

Pit Viper “The Miami Nights” Sunglasses have become my go-to for cycling. The ‘oversized’ lenses deliver an unobstructed view of the road ahead, and also, when you look around behind, you aren’t looking through the bottom edge of the glasses. They deliver clarity of vision.

When I put these sunglasses on for the first time, due to the oversized lenses, my vision was clear, and there were no annoying lines or obstructions out of the corner of my eye. Even the Pit Viper logo across the top of the lenses wasn’t visible and didn’t get in the way.

These sturdy glasses are made from 1.2mm polycarbonate and come with extra earpieces if you want a snug fit.

Additionally, Pit Viper The Miami Nights Sunglasses have 100% UVB and UVA protection and light transmission between 11%-45%. 

But that’s not all. These “out there” sunglasses are also float-resistant. So, if, for some random reason, you end up in the water on your expedition, you can find them bobbing along, no worries. 

The Miami Nights come in two sizes:

  • Single wide: 5.43in (width), 2.28in (height), and 1.29in (nose opening). 
  • Double wide: 5.86in (width), 2.34in (height), and 1.41in (nose opening). 
pit viper

What makes Pit Viper Sunglasses so popular is the fit. The sizing guide on the Pit Viper website is super accurate. You can even print off and cut out their fit guide to double-check the sizing before you order.

So, whether you’re looking for something a little more full coverage or snugger, there are options.

The Miami Nights sit pretty snugly on the face against the brow, perfect for riding as they don’t move around, and there’s no need to adjust the fit every five minutes. To dial in the fit, Pit Vipers come with these fit fine-tuning options:

  • Turbo Adjustment: 6 arm angles to get the perfect tilt and lens position
  • E-Spot Adjustment: 4 arm-length positions to get the ideal fit around your ears
  • Rubber touch-points: No-slip soft rubber nose and ear pieces

Combining these fit options lets you get the glasses into a position where lenses are tilted just right, especially to block the wind. And the arm length is spot on, so they are neither too loose nor tight around your ears.

I was recently out on a ride with my Pit Vipers and found they kept slipping. And I had to keep on pushing them back on. After a while, this got annoying, and I was starting to lose focus on my riding and getting distracted by the slipping sunnies. But then, a quick stop, did a bit of ‘E-Spot adjustment’ to shorten the arm length 1 position, and hey presto! No more slippage.

The non-slip nose pad also makes it ultra comfortable and keeps the glasses in place. Cycling down a mountain at 40mph+ is no sweat with these sunglasses. You’ll see everything clearly and protect yourself from harmful rays, wind, bugs, etc. 

pit viper sunglasses with espot turbo features labeled

The Miami Nights don’t offer polarized lenses. However, there are stacks of glasses from Pit Viper that do – including the Absolute Freedom Polarized Sunglasses.

While the brand and website are hilariously tongue-in-cheek, they take their products’ quality seriously.

And this quality is up there with some of the best and most expensive active sunglasses. They are sturdy and made with the best materials for comfort and fit. 

cyclist backview pit viper

Any Pit Viper Sunglasses Issues?

Let’s talk about winter riding and the one scenario where Pit vipers don’t work for us…

So, it’s cold out, and you decide to wear a headband that covers your ears to keep them warm; the ’round the ear’ fit of the Pit Viper arms doesn’t ‘grip’, as it needs to fit round behind the ear. Unlike sunglasses with straight arms that grip the side of the head, the Pit Vipers don’t stay in position. But that’s the only time we had an issue.

For more general (non-wintery use), although I love the clarity of vision and unobstructed view these sunnies offer, I don’t think I’m 100% convinced by the round-the-ear fit and sometimes wonder if I would prefer a straight-arm fit. I find them a little fiddly to get them on with a helmet, navigate the strap, and then slide them between the top of the ear and the helmet. But we are good to go once I’ve got these glasses hooked on.

Spotting Pit Viper Fakes

I have heard a few stories of fake Pit Viper sunglasses out there in the wild. I got my pair direct from the official site – and I’ve not seen them for sale on any other site. Still, if you are buying some from elsewhere or maybe bidding on some pre-owned Pit Vipers, there are a few things you can look at to help spot authentic Pit Vipers from fakes:

  • All AUTHENTIC Pit Vipers have a code on one of the arms, and where they were made on the other arm
  • As of 2020, Pit Viper updated the earpieces on the Originals (now called Single Wides) as well as the Double Wides:
  • There’s a rubber coating for extra comfort
  • And a hole for a band to wrap around your head or hang around your neck

Why are Pit Viper Sunglasses so Popular?

Pit Viper sunglasses are extremely popular among sportsmen and women. The funky design, along with the practical features, delivers something unique. 

This brand brings fun into the sports you love. The 80s style brings back memories for older generations, while the younger gens loves the retro style. 

Add the Pit Viper apparel, and you’ll turn some heads. The Pit Viper T Flex is a popular choice.

The brand also offers a host of safety glasses. The Peacekeeper safety glasses are a customer favorite. It makes something boring a little more fun but meets all safety requirements.

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Pit Viper Sunglasses Review: Worth It?

Absolutely! They are well worth the money. They are less expensive than other top-quality brands. 

Pricing ranges between $69-$120. That’s a far cry from some other brands that start at $300 for the bare minimum. 

The brand doesn’t skimp on anything. They are made with top-quality materials and designed by those that do extreme sports themselves. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean Pit Viper Sunglasses?

Each pair of Pit Vipers comes with a cleaning cloth. It is non-abrasive and suitable to use on all areas of the glasses. But if your glasses are really grimy, rinse them in warm water with a mild soap and wipe them with the provided cloth once dry. 

Where to buy Pit Viper Sunglasses

Pit Viper makes it very clear that scammers are mimicking their product. So, you need to be wary. The brand has a list of genuine suppliers on its website. They don’t sell on Amazon or Wish! You can also buy directly from the Pit Viper online store or the OG Salt Lake City store. 

Are Pit Viper sunglasses good for extreme sports? 

Indeed, that’s what they were made for. So, if you’re an extreme sports junkie like the team at Pit Viper, you won’t be sorry you invested in their fantastic product. 

Can I add prescription lenses to my Pit Viper glasses?

The best news? The brand offers RX VIPERS. You can wear an interchangeable nosepiece with your prescription and your new sunglasses from Pit Viper. Whether you’ve chosen Pit Viper Coco Bronze or The Miami Nights, you can add your prescription, and off you go.

Our Final Thoughts on Pit Viper

Pit Vipers are out of this world cooky, and we love it. The bright 80s-inspired design with the sturdy materials makes this an absolute win in our book. 

Buying a pair of The Miami Nights will not go wrong if you’re into sports. They are the perfect companion for a day on the road or a night on the town. 

cyclist wearing pit viper sunglasses
Photo of author

Author

Kier focuses on improving all things bike, and is always looking to take his ability to a new average (hopefully a higher one!). When not on the bike Kier is normally downing coffee and cake.