Which sunglasses?

[SnappyPix]

Hi guys

I currently own a pair of cheap nasty sunglasses with interchangeable lenses, which have seen better days.
I have a problem in that most sunglasses I try on seem too big and make me look like something from a sci-fi film! The fit might be ok, but the actual lens cover half of my face!
I'd preferably like the changeable lenses as I want them to be good "all-rounders", but would prefer a nice trade off between style and price. I'm not prepared to spend a month's wages on something I'll scratch.
Can anyone recommend any personal favourites? What brands or models are better suited to a smaller sized face?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

[annie]

Sunglass lenses, especially the interchangeable ones, seem to get scratched eventually no matter what, whether they are good or cheap ones. I had some very nice Smith glasses and lenses. Three years of use and switching - and one crash- and it was time to replace them. I didn't want to spend too much so ended up ordering from Performance. Don't know if they still have these on sale, but I got the Athena glasses, made for smaller faces. They fit pretty well, not perfect, but neither do any of the more expensive ones I've tried on. They are not huge on my face, they cover the sides well enough. They come with three interchangeable lenses and they're easy to swap out. I just got them, tried them on, and wore them out once. So far, so good. I am not sure of the price - I think they were only $25. For that price, I could get new ones every year if needed. So there's my two cents, Snappy. See what others have to say and good luck!

annie

[DeniseGoldberg]

I've been wearing Slider 01 sunglasses from Smith Optics for years. They are interchangeable lens sunglasses, and come with 3 different lenses. You can also buy additional colored lenses if you'd like. I have a relatively small face, and Smith has these sunglasses in a "medium fit" category. They are great for me, but now that they have some that they classify as "small fit" I'm kind of curious to try a pair of those too...

Smith Optics interchangeable series sunglasses (http://www.smithsport.com/products/sunglass/interchangeable_index.html)

[skibum]

I also recently got the Athena glasses from Performance. I haven't worn them cycling yet but I wore them while skiing last week and they were great.

They are currently on sale for around $30.

[MM_QFC!]

Agree w/you Denise in that I've used the same Smith Sliders for a few years and like them lots. I have been using them primarily off the bike lately though (as in driving or walking), as last year I got a pair of Rudy Project Rydon glasses with additional lenses (pricey, so I wouldn't have gotten them for myself, so they were a lovely present!). The Rydon model is noted for smaller faces and so I've been using them most often for riding as, even though the Smith Sliders fit me pretty well, there isn't even a bit o' slippage with these.
I had a pair of the Performance Athena also a few years ago, but I like having the extra lens options as it helps on early morning/almost dark commutes or overcast days to have them handy.

[Shimpie]

The Smith Sliders are too big for me. I have a bridgeless Asian face, so most wrap-around sunglasses pivot on my ears and slide off my face. They become expensive headbands :D

My favorite are Native Hexx. They are polarized and made just for tiny faces. They sit close to my face so I don't get wind in my eyes, but not too close that my lashes brush the lenses. I bought three pairs for $30 each (originally $90) at Supergo the other day. Native is replacing them with another model, so I took advantage of the sale.

[mtbnodak]

Personally, I am a big fan of Rudy Projects. I have a pair of the Jekylls and they are so awesome! They are also interchangable. They came with a black lens and a mirrored lens. I wear them biking and driving.. and everywhere in between. They tend to be a little more costly, but if anything ever happens... like a scratch.. just send them back.. and you got yourself a new pair! But it is important on what you like and what you are willing to spend. If you are looking for a cheaper pair I would maybe go with Optic Nerve... they have some pretty stylish/comfortable sunglasses.. The prices range from $25-$60.. somewhere in there.

[Marshmellow]

I second the Rudy Projects. The Graal SX frame is for a smaller face. It has three lenses.

[yellow]

For those of us with mini faces, the Smith Toaster is the one from the Smith line. I splurged and got the polarized set and I use them for cycling, fishing, hiking, hopping about, you name it. The polarized ones are spendy but you can get non polar for about $60 I think. I am very, very good to mine and they have been going strong without major scratches for going on 3 years (I think??).

A friend of mine whose face is between the Slider 01 and the Toaster got a pair of "Native" brand glasses. She likes them because they sit off of her face just a tad without breakable nose pads.

[SnappyPix]

Apologies for the delay in replying, have had problems with my pc.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and advice. I'd never even heard of Smith, but searched for a stockist here in the UK, who has a whole range of them - will check out all your suggestions.
Thanks again for the taking the time to reply :)

[massbikebabe]

I've had great luck with Tofosi, the price is right, you get 3 pair lenses and the fit is perfect. I have had bad luck with Oakley frogskins and have had to send them back twice because the keep breaking apart :mad: Try this link;
http://tifosioptics.com/home.html

karen

[DirtDiva]

Smiths just don't suit me, and I have never tried on a pair of Oakleys that don't give me eyelash-touching problems. On that front though, I find Nike sunglasses to be really good; not exactly cheap, but light, comfortable and not even a hint of eyelash-scrapage. Probably would look a little bug-eyed space monsterish on very narrow faces, but look fine on the average gal. Adidas are good too, but equally - if not more - pricey and their wrap-around styles seem to be more prone to inducing bug-eyed space monsterism.

[Jennifer Gallow]

Oakley for me, for years and years. Not sure about how they fit small faces, but if you can find a pair you like, the optics are outstanding. I don't much care about how I look in my sunglasses ... my eyes seem to be very sun-sensitive so full coverage is a must. My newest pair -- Dartboards -- I am totally in love with. Just rode a century with them and forgot they were even on my face. Distortion-free wrap-around, copper lens to cut glare, light as a feather. Can't sing high enough praises.

[DirtDiva]

Yeah, Oakley lenses are superb; a shame that they just don't fit right.

[fixedgeargirl]

Rudy Project rocks! I've already raved about these in another forum. They aren't cheap, but are relatively impervious to scratches and come with a bomber hard case to store and trasport them in. They will replace scratched lenses no questions asked. I have Skeeys, which are a bit goofy on my small face, but they have come out with smaller models (most with the suffix "SX" as in "Rydon SX") in the years since I got mine. Yes, I have had the same pair for years and have not had to replace the lenses, and I am not the most careful gal around. They have a lot of lens options. I have a very narrow bridge nose, can't wear most plastic frames, and the Skeeys are one of the few glasses that have an adjustable bridge.

[caligurl]

oakley gurl here! i LOVE them.. so crisp and clear.. oh.. and cool looking! i've even taken to wearing them off the bike!

i got blue ice half jackets.. they looked good with my helmet! :cool: :rolleyes:

[Biking Kitsune]

I'm actually looking into the Rudy Project Ekynox SX just because I love the look and also need the RX clip-ins...