ROKA has taken their popular retro-inspired Torino sunglasses and updated them to create Torino 2.0 sunglasses. These new versions have replaceable nose pads and spring loaded hinges for improved comfort and versatility. Retail price for the ROKA Torino 2.0 range from $190 to $225 depending on the lens with a $235 custom option that lets you mix-and-match lenses with different frames. The sunglasses have an aviator silhouette with oversized two piece lens shape. To customize the fit, the sunglasses have an interchangeable nose pad along with ROKA’s float fit frame design.
The ROKA Torino 2.0 combines a retro style with improved spring hinges and an interchangeable nose pad for additional comfort.
| Retail Price | $190-$235 ($225 as tested) |
| Rating | Design: A Optics: A Comfort: A Value: A- |
| Measured weight (in g) | 29 |
| Likes | + Retro styling look good on and off the bike + Crisp optics with distortion free lens design + Comfortable temple arms and nose pads |
| Dislikes | – Non-interchangeable lenses |
| Where to Buy (US) | ROKA |
UNBOXING
The ROKA Torino 2.0 comes in a large cardboard box with a glossy ROKA logo on black sleeve. Under the sleeve is a magnetic box that feels and looks like a high-end cell phone with its oversized design and sharp lines . Inside the box you’ll find:
- Torino 2.0 sunglasses
- Multiple nose pads on a plastic backing
- Zippered hard case
- Fabric carrying case
ROKA has done a great job with the packaging design and details to make the unboxing feel like a special occasion.
FIT & FINISH
The ROKA Torino 2.0 are oversized sunglasses that combine a retro design that mimic aviator style sunglasses with modern features. You have the classic two-piece lens design with a tall nose bridge to join them together which have a retro silhouette. ROKA offers the sunglasses in six combinations: clear / blue lens, matte black / dark lens, matte black / gold lens, matte black / purple lens, clear / dark lens and sky blue + orange / dark lens. You can also pay $10 more to create a custom combination of any of the lens and frame combinations. The lenses themselves are not designed to be interchangeable, so we’d highly recommend choosing the right one or going custom when you buy them.
We have the matte black and gold combination which has an attractive mirrored gold lens that stands out against the black frames. ROKA branding is limited to the top of the lens and on the temple arms for a premium look. The most interesting frame color is the sky blue and orange option which is even available with the ROKA Wind Down red lens. It has a very unique orange border along the edges and sky blue color on the flat surfaces. These sunglasses are designed for sports or recreational use which is why they have a slight curvature and oversized design.
While the frames look retro, they have a modern TR90 nylon construction which makes them lightweight and flexible. There is a small air inlet on the nose with a cutout to prevent the large lenses from fogging up. The frames are fairly thick with smooth contours and slightly radiused edges. On the sides you have straight temple arms that bend and curve inward with flexible tips. There are also rubber non-slip Geko materials on the temple arms that have a ridged texture to help them grip. One of the big features is springed hinges which allow the arms to snap into place with one hand. They have a steel spring on the inside which ROKA claims have been tested for up to 25k cycles.
The other upgrade for the Torino 2.0 are the interchangeable nose pad with three different sizes included with the sunglasses. They use the same Geko rubber material and have a nice non-slip texture and can be removed. The removal process is a bit more involved than traditional sunglasses that use a simple hook design. Instead you have to push them out from the backside using the provided plastic tool.
ON THE ROAD
With their blend of retro design and oversized glasses, the Torino 2.0 works great as an all-around sunglasses. We wore them on morning runs, took them on long bike rides and kept them on the rest of the day for errands. Compared to more sporty sunglasses like the ROKA Matador or Oakley Kato, the Torino 2.0 has a casual style that works in nearly any occasion. The large lens provides a nice field of view, and the mirrored lens keeps out the harsh sun while amplifying contrast. Note, you do still see the edges of the frame while riding due to the full frame design and less curved frame shape compared to dedicated cycling sunglasses. Otherwise, the sunglasses are comfortable and stay in place even over rough terrain as you would expect from performance sunglasses.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the ROKA Torino 2.0 sunglasses to be comfortable and great all-around sunglasses. ROKA has taken the classic aviator silhouette and added modern materials as well as details like grippy temple arms and nose pads to make the Torino 2.0 comfortable on runs or the bike. The oversized two-piece lens gives the sunglasses a casual look that doesn’t look out of place around town while providing a wide field of view. We were impressed with the lightweight construction and how comfortable the sunglasses are even with extended use. The only downsides to them is the premium price point and the fact that the lenses are not interchangeable. That said, the ROKA Torino 2.0 offer a great combination of classic design and performance.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by ROKA. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.