Photochromic vs Interchangeable Lenses for MTB & Cycling
You set off from the car park under grey cloud, so you fit a clear lens. Twenty minutes later you pop out of the trees onto an exposed ridge in full sun, squinting at the trail. Then it’s straight back into dark, rooty woodland for the descent.
Sound familiar? British riding throws a lot of light changes at you in one ride. There are two good ways to handle it:
- Photochromic lenses, which adjust their tint as the light changes
- Interchangeable lenses, where you swap to the right lens for the conditions
Both work. The right choice depends on where you ride, how much the light changes and how much you mind stopping. Here’s how to decide.
What is a photochromic lens?
A photochromic lens darkens in bright light and clears as the light fades, on its own. You don’t need to stop, swap or think about it.
APEXX TrueView photochromic lenses are made for both LGND goggles and LGND glasses, and come in three options: Galaxy Purple, Emerald Green and Solar Flare. Each one covers a different range of light transmission (VLT), so it’s worth comparing them against where you ride. Our Lens Guide lays out the range for each.
TrueView photochromic lenses: Galaxy Purple · Emerald Green · Solar Flare
What are interchangeable lenses?
Interchangeable lenses let you swap one lens for another to suit the conditions. With APEXX LGND goggles and glasses, the lenses are magnetic and swap in seconds.
The usual line-up looks like this:
- Clear: maximum light, for dark woods, dusk, night rides and grey days
- Smoke: calms bright light and cuts glare without changing colours
- Revo Red: a red mirror finish that boosts contrast, so roots and rocks stand out
- Dark: our darkest tint, for properly harsh sun and glare
The LGND Goggles Bundle and LGND Glasses Bundle both come with Clear, Smoke and Revo Red in the box.
When does a photochromic lens make the most sense?
Rides where the light keeps changing
This is where photochromic lenses shine. If your local trails move between woodland, open hillside and back again, one lens that adapts saves you from riding half the loop in the wrong tint.
Riders who don’t want to stop
On a big day out, every stop to swap a lens adds up. And let’s be honest, most of us don’t stop. We just ride on in the wrong lens. A photochromic lens takes that decision away.
Mixed riding on one pair
If your glasses do trail rides at the weekend and gravel or road rides midweek, a photochromic lens can cover a lot of that variety without carrying spares.
One lens, less to carry
No spare lenses rattling around in your pack and no chance of leaving the right one in the van.
When do interchangeable lenses make more sense?
You need the clearest possible lens
For night rides, deep winter woods or late-evening laps, a dedicated clear lens lets in as much light as possible. A photochromic lens is clear at its lightest, but it still has its own range, so if most of your riding is in low light, check the ranges in the Lens Guide against a Clear lens.
You need the darkest possible lens
On bright, exposed days, in reflective dust or at high-glare spots, a dedicated dark tint gives you a lot of shade. If you’re regularly riding in strong sun, a Smoke or Dark lens may suit you better than a lens that’s adjusting all the time.
You know the conditions before you set off
If you ride the same trail centre most weeks, you probably know whether it’s a clear-lens or smoke-lens kind of day before you leave the house. A kit gives you the right lens every time.
You want a specific look or contrast
Revo Red is a favourite for exactly that reason: contrast that makes the trail pop, plus a mirror finish that looks the part.
Is a photochromic lens a replacement for a lens kit?
Not necessarily. Many riders end up running both.
A common setup is a photochromic lens for everyday riding when the light’s all over the place, with Clear in the bag for night rides and dark woods, and Smoke for bright summer days. Because APEXX lenses are magnetic, you can switch between your photochromic lens and the rest of the kit in seconds.
If you already have a bundle, adding a TrueView lens is a simple upgrade. Have a look at the photochromic lens range and pick the version for your goggles or glasses. Goggle and glasses lenses are shaped for their own frames, so make sure you choose the right one.
How do you choose for your riding?
- Does the light change a lot on your usual rides? Lean photochromic.
- Do you ride a lot at night or in very dark woodland? Make sure you have a Clear lens.
- Do you ride a lot in strong sun? Smoke or Dark will give you more shade.
- Do you hate stopping to swap? Photochromic.
- Do you like having the perfect lens for each ride? Go for an interchangeable kit.
- A bit of everything? Start with a three-lens bundle and add a photochromic lens.
Choosing your lenses
If you’re starting from scratch, a bundle gives you a frame plus three magnetic lenses that cover most UK conditions. The LGND Goggles Bundle adds triple-layer face foam, tear-offs and a hard case, while the LGND Glasses Bundle adds a magnetic sweat band and a hard case. From there, a TrueView lens is an easy add-on if you want one lens for mixed light.
Still weighing up goggles against glasses? Our guide to choosing MTB goggles covers fit and features too.
Shop TrueView Photochromic Lenses →
Explore the range
FAQs
Are photochromic lenses good for mountain biking?
They’re a great fit when the light changes a lot on a ride, such as trails that move between woodland and open hillside. The lens darkens in bright sun and clears as light fades, so you don’t need to stop and swap.
Should I choose photochromic or interchangeable lenses?
Choose photochromic if you want one lens for mixed light and don’t want to stop to swap. Choose an interchangeable kit if you want the clearest lens for dark woods or night rides and the darkest for bright sun. Plenty of riders run both.
Do APEXX photochromic lenses fit goggles and glasses?
TrueView lenses come in separate goggle and glasses versions. Each is shaped for its own frame, so pick the one that matches your eyewear.
