POC Eyewear - Is there anything better?

So, my friends at POC started sending me sunglasses and helmets to evaluate about a year ago, and they JUST sent me another round of gear to test. There was a pair of the new DEVOURs in the box, so I thought this would be a good time for a run-through of everything they’ve sent me...Allright, so what I have in front of me is the REQUIRE in tortoise with a silver mirror clarity lens, the DEFINE with a slightly lighter MTB Silver Mirror... and then the AIM, the DO Blade, and new Devour all with multiple POC Clarity lenses in different shades.
I’ve had the DEFINE’s for quite a while, and just got the REQUIRE’s. POC calls these “lifestyle” sunglasses, and the implication is that they’re more designed for wearing casually, but I find this segment of POC’s lineup to be the most versatile: they can be both your daily driver off the bike and a stylish alternative to sort of ‘single purpose’ performance glasses like the AIM when you’re ON the bike. Not everyone wants that big wraparound look, and you can get the same durability, fit, construction, lens quality, and integration with your helmet in a single pair of glasses. And at like over 200 bucks per pop, that’s a huge benefit.
Before we zero in on the AIM, DO Blade, and DEVOUR let’s talk about the Zeiss CLARITY lenses that you’ll find on all of POC’s glasses. When it comes to lenses, other manufacturers tend to start with the “what” rather than the “why” when it comes to shades and gradients. What I mean is POC is a ‘safety first’ company - it’s their north star, and as I’ve said before: the ethos of PROTECTION permeates everything they do. This quote from their site says it better than I can:
“we wanted to push the boundaries of science and innovation and develop unique and enhanced vision technology to give riders the precise levels of light and contrast exactly when they need it….because being able to react a millisecond quicker can often be the difference in a winning run and being able to avoid an accident.”
(Crop and insert photos of the PDF here)
And here’s what that looks like: They partnered with Zeiss, the global leader in optical perfection, and produced lenses that are graded from cloudy to partly cloudy to sunny, and have varying levels of contrast. Some are optimized for the colors of the trail and some are optimized for the colors of the road - it’s almost like applying brightness and contrast to an instagram photo - but the end result is that it makes it easier to see every detail.
I have every color you see in the ‘road’ rainbow for my AIMs, Devours, and DO Blades, and my DEFINEs have the Clarity Trail Light Silver and since I’ve got just about every brand under the sun (pun intended) can testify that this is no BS - when compared with my Oakleys, 100%’s, and Smiths, the clarity and contrast is better by a noticeable margin. But the style? Well, that’s decades ahead. Most other brands seem to be stuck in some kind of ricky bobby eastbound and down loop, but not POC. They just...look...cool. And, I’m not sorry that that’s important to me.
With the AIM you get a big, but not gigantic, mostly frameless wraparound setup that’s light as a feather and integrates well with just about any helmet. Same goes for the DO Blade - but it’s framed at the bottom which limits the range of vision a little. They’re also slightly heavier than the AIMs but work better if you wear a cap under your helmet.
The DEVOUR is a totally different beast. They’re YUGE with a Y, but they don’t look goofy or like they’re trying too hard. They’re literally as big as a pair of goggles, but with a sunglasses frame and more traditional temple pieces. I’ve only got a few rides under my belt with them, so tune in for a more detailed review in a month or so. First impressions, though, are pretty solid. Mostly because I suffer from very dry eyes, AND live in a very dry climate - so these help keep that at bay much better than smaller glasses.
But, that kinda begs the question: which one is my favorite? What’s my go-to? Honestly the DEFINE lenses and frames are a bit too light and transparent, so the REQUIRE with the darker frame and lens combo is my daily driver OFF the bike, but surprisingly it’s the DO blade that i find myself reaching for most often. They fit my face perfectly, and since i always wear a cycling cap under my helmet to absorb sweat, the low profile tucks up under the bill better than the AIM or the Devour. I also prefer the straight temple pieces to the more traditional L-shaped ones on the DEVOUR because they play nice with my helmet straps and have a smaller contact patch with my head. And I usually leave one of the rose-colored, silver mirror lenses in because they’re perfect for just about any light condition, even riding at dusk and dawn.
Overall, you can’t really go wrong with POC eyewear - they have a broad selection, so you can definitely find a style or two that fits.

[@MichaelGranataDivorceLawyer]

Why your channel doesn't have more sub's is a mystery. Great review. Thank you for actually reviewing the product in use rather than simply regurgitating what each brand's website lists as specs. Keep them coming pls.

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Ha! Thanks, Michael. I think if I had a team of social media and digital geniuses working for me we'd have more subs - but I'm having fun and staying ad-free, so organic growth is fine by me. Appreciate the encouragement!

[@shumi1312]

I was really looking for such great review. Thank you !

[@DDai-qd8uk]

Oakley. Question answered.

[@ElRealista.]

Fanboy

[@mattiasbystedt1332]

Thanks for showing me the product. Especially the lense comparison and the sunglasses comparisons. They really highlighted the things I needed to know before buying and let me pick the right lenses for my use case!
I had DO Flow AVIP Clarity for 4 years. POC usually makes you look silly. I expect these to be better quality, better clarity, better peripheral vision, less misting and better protection against wind in your face. At the same price as the AVIP, only 65 dollars (now), 3 extra lenses (transparent, clarity, silver, in addition to the Clarity Road Gold) it is a bargain. I don't mind looking silly as long as I have a pair of cheap glasses that give me what I want. Hours on the bike can be dangerous and then you need to stay sharp.

[@PedroFerreira-ze5yp]

Oh man, I enjoyed this review very much! Beating my head trying to decide between the Aspire and the Aim here. So glad you showed them up close like this! And yes, looks count for me, they´re so cool indeed! I might get some Oakley Sutros as well to compare, but style wise, POCs are the best hands down!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Amen!

[@dianaroddel9366]

Great review Andy!

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Thanks, Diana!

[@alb.1911]

The Devour is just ridiculously big. I will check the new Elicit as soon as I can...

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Agree, but it's surprisingly good for gravel and MTB - it's like wearing lightweight goggles, and keeps dust and dirt out

[@altafpansari]

Love em

[@mtpastor4546]

I am thinking about do blade and elicit. In your experience, which one is more comfortable and reliable?

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

I would give them all equal reliability scores, but comfort will vary greatly due to face shape, helmet type, cap or no cap, etc. Of the three I have, DO Blade is the most comfy because they’re not gigantic.

[@Atomicunderware]

Yes, in terms lens technology, Oakley.

[@abalem]

why?

[@hubert12125]

Better than Oakleys and 100% and styling is decade ahead?This guy is just tripping.POC have good lens(Zeiss like Koo)which is comparable with other top companies(comparable not better) but the design/look is boring and uninspiring at all.I never been tempted by their boring look only bought Devour because I like panoramic sunglasses but they never impressed me the way how my 100% did.Its all about personal preferences but 100% have best designs for cycling sunglasses(no offence to KOO or Oakleys because they are cool too)because of their most striking designs,amazing colours(speedtraps Into the Fade ot Glendale& Maap edition)stating that POC are better than other brands sounds like a joke when you look at their mediocre products

[@AndyClarkRealReviews]

Appreciate the feedback!