Sweet Protection is best known for their winter gear which include skiing helmets and snow goggles. It’s only natural that they’ve also expanded their safety and lens expertise into the cycling domain. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect sunglasses which were one of the first performance sunglasses from the brand. The Ronin RIG Reflect retail for $150 which includes a hard case, fabric carrying bag and multiple sized nose pads. As the name implies, the Ronin uses Sweet Protection’s RIG lens technology which provides superior contrast and minimal distortion. The sunglasses are also constructed from a lightweight TR90 polyamide with a 2.2mm toric lens.
The Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect combines a sleek design with a lightweight and crisp lens technology.
| Retail Price | $150 |
| Rating | 9.2 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 30 |
| Likes | + Minimalist design that looks on or off the bike + Includes hard case and multiple nose pads + Clear and distortion free optics |
| Dislikes | – Frame corners are visible in peripheral vision |
| Where to Buy (US) | Sweet Protection |
UNBOXING
The Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect comes in a standard sunglass cardboard box with branding and specs printed directly onto it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Ronin RIG Reflect sunglasses
- Zippered hard case
- Fabric carrying case
- Two additional nose pads
- Safety pamphlet
We’re happy to see Sweet Protection include both a hard case and a soft fabric carrying bag with the sunglasses despite the relatively affordable price point.
FIT & FINISH
The Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect sunglasses are semi-frameless sunglasses designed for high intensity sports or everyday use. With Sweet Protection being a Norwegian company, it’s not surprising that the sunglasses have smooth and clean lines that’s consistent with Scandinavian design principles. The lens has soft corners that blend directly into the frames which look similar to POC sunglasses. Sweet Protection offers the sunglasses in an impressive thirteen variations currently with various matte and semi-transparent frame colors paired with different RIG lenses. There are bright combinations like white frames with an orange topaz lens or more subtle ones such as black frames with black lenses to match any preference.
We have the Matte Crystal frame with the RIG Bixbite lens in this review which have a low key appearance. This has a semi-transparent frame with dark black camo pattern which is only noticeable when you look closely. The lens here is the RIG Bixbite which has a 25% VLT which is a category 2 lens that’s perfect for a wide range of overcast to sunny conditions. Unlike most frameless sunglasses which can feel fragile or highly flexible, the Ronin RIG Reflect feels quite rigid. That’s because Sweet Protection has used a 2.2mm lens with machined edges which is quite a bit thicker than standard sunglasses. Sweet Protection has also used a toric shaped lens which makes the sunglasses look more like ski goggles from side angles.
The Ronin RIG Reflect is also called a semi-frameless design as it has a partial frame on the sides with no frame on the top or bottom surface. It’s an interesting design that provides a wide field of view where you need it while still having some structure to hold the temples arms. The sunglasses also have an interchangeable lens design which means you can easily pull off the temples and nose pad to swap a lens out. However, with replacement lenses for the Ronin RIG Reflect having a $100 price, you’ll want to choose carefully. To optimize the comfort and fit of the sunglasses, Sweet Protection has made all the contact points adjustable.
The temple arms are radiused with a TPR molded rubber insert which has a non-slip finish to hold them in place. Thin tips ensure they can easily flex to accommodate different head sizes or slider through helmet vents for storage. The hinges here are standard friction hinges which have some play in the open position, and then require additional force to open or close fully. Sweet Protection has utilized standard removable rubber nose pads which have a soft rubber material that can adjust to different nose shapes. The Ronin also comes with two additional nose pads that are labeled for low bridge fit or narrow bridge fit so you can choose the nose pad that works best for you.
ON THE ROAD
Compared to oversized sunglasses like the POC Devour and Julbo Edge, the Ronin RIG Reflect is surprisingly restrained. It’s still oversized relative to traditional sunglasses, but the smooth styling and single lens looks good on the bike and doesn’t feel out of place off the bike. We found it to be lightweight and comfortable to wear even on multi-hour rides. The open upper design is ideal for cycling in aggressive positions as there is no frame to block your vision. We found the RIG lens technology worked great with excellent clarity and no distortion. Our only complaint is that the edges of the frame are visible in our peripheral vision which is why we might recommend the slightly larger Ronin Max RIG Reflect version.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Sweet Protection Ronin RIG Reflect to be comfortable and lightweight cycling sunglasses. The Ronin has sleek and reserved styling that looks great on and off the bike despite the oversized design. We found the RIG lens technology worked great on the road with great clarity and no distortion on the large single piece lens. The lightweight semi-frameless design of the Ronin RIG Reflect also make them comfortable and easy to adjust for different face sizes. Sweet Protection even includes two additional nose pads that can be swapped in to customize the fit as well as a zippered hard case and fabric carrying bag. The only negative we found is that the corner of the frames was visible in the corner of our vision. That said, the Ronin RIG Reflect are comfortable cycling sunglasses that offer oversized shape with subtle design.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Sweet Protection. 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.