Review: Roka Torino Sunglasses

(2020) Let us take a step back into motor racing greatness with a focus on liveries. Whether a person likes motorsports or not, there is no denying some of the paint schemes from the fifties, sixties, and seventies have endured because of their perfection. The migration from coffee table book to cycling has been taking place for quite a few years. Even we proudly display the blue, orange, black, and white of Gulf colors. This admiration adds to their timelessness.

A few months ago we featured Roka’s Torino sunglasses on our holiday list and wouldn’t you know? We received a pair. They were attractive for all the right reasons: looks, color scheme, and Roka’s support for cycling, specifically within the Strava app. With a collection of aging glasses, these were eagerly put to the test. Initially sought after for casual wear, we wound up putting them on for the Festive 500 attempt. Here is why we have not taken them off yet.

It’s obvious so we might as we get it out there first: Roka’s Torino glasses in sky blue/ orange frame let us feel like Steve McQueen every time we slip them on. We may even look for reasons to pull our winter collars over our face to mimic his racing suit. The feature of the famous Gulf livery, specifically made famous by McQueen’s Porsche 917, is what caught our attention. It is timeless and magnificent. It can be identified from any angle at any track. Furthermore it can be identified by any moderate racing fan. To have matte black and root beer as the other color offerings, Roka knew what they were doing with these glasses that pop.

Roka Torino glasses come in three colors: Matte black, matte root beer, and sky blue (Gulf)

Initially planned as casual glasses, the comfort led us to consider wearing them for bike rides. It also helped to slip them on under the Lazer helmet with the exact same color scheme. The retention systems on the nose piece and arms are from inspirations of the gecko’s sticky feet. No matter how unseasonably warm the rides got since the holidays, these glasses have managed to stay in place. We no longer reached for the other glasses made popular by the peloton of the last decade, we now ride with the spirit of Gulf and Steve McQueen. 

To think the smaller individual lenses would be an issue would be incorrect for Roka’s sporty line. While we suffered with drag, times when wind - or more accurately pollen - would swirl to the eyeballs with those aforementioned leading glasses, we were encouraged to aggressively pursue cold descents. The wind has not managed to twirl its way behind the lenses to cause our eyes to water. With the frames pinching a bit farther down the cheeks its design prevents any of that side effect of speedy downhills or strong headwinds. 

The Roka Torino sunglasses package comes with a sunglasses case, lens cleaner bag, as well as a sturdy storage case and sleeve.

The upper parts of the frame do the trick, too. Road cyclists require glasses that sit higher on the face due to the riding position and the necessity to look out of the top of the lenses. The Torino glasses not only sit naturally, they also provide great visuals when riding in the drops. There is no craning of the neck to compensate a low frame. Because the frame is where it should be, there hasn’t been interference between the sunglasses and the helmet. The Roka Torinos slip their way into the correct part of the face under the helmet and cap.

Snow, sand, and water are three areas where sunglasses prove their worth. On more than one ride the clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine only to cause the wet roadways to become blindingly reflective. Here is another place Roka did their work. Lenses on the Torino glasses feature reflection of UV rays to mimic high definition viewing. According to Roka these glasses are even ballistics tested, but we will take their word for it without independent testing. Any debris from the road will be deflected by the Torino lenses according to Roka’s site.

Initially reluctant to try a brand outside our trusted suppliers, Roka has proven to have stylish and functional glasses. They have slowly infiltrated the cycling ranks with impressive efforts. The Torino is a complete win for its comfort, grip, lens filters, but most of all its nod to a racing era people and companies continue to reminisce over. And why not? When a car had to be easily identified while going 200 miles per hour, it was less about detail and more about color schemes. I don’t think Gulf intended to have their liveries mimicked fifty years later. We are glad Roka has though.