Whether you’re riding through dense forest, open fire trails or bright summer sunshine, quality eyewear can make a huge difference to both comfort and visibility. The Magicshine Morpher aims to deliver the performance and features of premium cycling glasses, but at a price that won’t break the bank.
Founded in 1999, Magicshine has built a strong reputation for producing high-performance cycling equipment, particularly in the bike lighting category. In recent years, the company has expanded into cycling eyewear, and other products, bringing the same focus on performance, durability and value to products like the Morpher.
The Magicshine Morpher aims to simplify things by combining a lightweight wraparound design with a range of lenses that automatically adjust to changing light conditions. After spending time with the Morpher on a variety of rides, here’s what we thought.
Magicshine Morpher Key Features
The Morpher is designed as a versatile pair of cycling glasses that can adapt to a wide range of riding conditions. Its lightweight frameless design provides a wide, unobstructed field of view, while the wraparound shape offers excellent coverage from dust, insects and trail debris.
The Morpher is available in three lens options, allowing riders to choose the version that best suits their riding style. The photochromic lens automatically adjusts to changing light conditions and is ideal for all-round use. Riders who regularly ride in low-light conditions can opt for the clear lens, while those spending most of their time in bright sunshine may prefer the mirrored lens for maximum glare reduction.
Photo credit: ©Sam Clarke
Perhaps the biggest feature, however, is the price. Premium cycling glasses from well-known brands can easily cost two or three times more than the Morpher. Magicshine has managed to package many of the same features into a product that delivers exceptional value for money.
What surprised us most was how little compromise there appeared to be considering the price.
Riding through a mix of dense bushland, shaded singletrack and open fire roads, the lens adapted smoothly to changing light conditions without us needing to think about it.
Tech specs…there’s a lot!
- Lightweight design
- Available in three optimized lens options to suit diverse rider needs.
- Zeiss precision optics for exceptional clarity, contrast, and visual accuracy in every condition.
- Photochromic lenses for optimal visual perception and comfort in all conditions.
- UV 400,100%UV Protection
- Wide field of vision
- Wraparound coverage and protection
- Suitable for road, gravel and mountain biking
- Comfortable fit for long rides
- Excellent value for money
- Impact-resistant polycarbonate (PC) lenses
- REVO front coating and OAR back coating technology for HD vision restoration.
- Hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coatings for easy cleaning and scratch resistance.
- Adjustable nose pads and ffexible temple arms for a personalized, stable fft.
- Anti-fog ventilation channels integrated into the frame for clear vision in changing weather.
- Anti scratch Technology
- Oil resisting coating
- Weight:29g
What’s In The Box?
- 1x MORPHER
- 1x Removable nosepiece
- 1x Hard case
- 1x Soft carrying pouch
- 1x Soft cleaning cloth
- 1x User manual
On The Trails
The first thing we noticed about the Morpher was just how lightweight it felt. Once on the bike, the glasses quickly disappeared from our thoughts, which is exactly what you want from a good pair of riding glasses.
Most of our testing was done using the photochromic lens, which quickly became our favourite of the three options. Riding through a mix of dense bushland, shaded singletrack and open fire roads, the lens adapted smoothly to changing light conditions without us needing to think about it. Instead of constantly wishing for a darker or lighter lens, the Morpher simply adjusted and got on with the job.
Visibility was excellent throughout the ride. The large lens provides a broad field of view and offers plenty of protection from dust, insects and trail debris without feeling bulky. Lens clarity was impressive, particularly when transitioning between heavily shaded sections of trail and bright open terrain.
What surprised us most was how little compromise there appeared to be considering the price. We’ve used cycling glasses costing significantly more, and while some premium brands may offer slightly better optics or finishing details, the gap is nowhere near as large as the difference in price would suggest. The Morpher delivers a riding experience that feels far closer to premium eyewear than its budget-friendly price tag would indicate.
If we had one criticism, it would be the nose bridge. After a few hours on the bike, we noticed a slight pressure point developing on the bridge of the nose (it could just be my big honker). It’s a minor issue, but we’d like to see a softer nose piece in future versions to improve long-ride comfort. That said, comfort is highly personal, and riders with different face shapes may have a different experience.
Conclusion
The Magicshine Morpher delivers everything most riders are looking for in a modern pair of cycling glasses: comfort, versatility and excellent visibility. The photo-chromaticlenses makes it suitable for almost any riding condition, while the lightweight design ensures all-day comfort on the trail.
The biggest surprise is the value. The Morpher offers many of the features riders typically associate with eyewear costing two or even three times as much, making it one of the strongest value-for-money cycling glasses we’ve tested. For riders looking to step into photochromic eyewear without spending premium-brand money, the Morpher is an easy recommendation.
Price/Where to buy
- Morpher Cycling Glasses – Photochromic Mirror $129.95AUD
- Morpher Cycling Glasses – Photochromic $119.95AUD
- Morpher Cycling Glasses – Zeiss Mirror $159.95AUD
The Magicshine Morpher is available directly from Magicshine Australia and selected cycling retailers across the country.
