The Aldi middle aisle: worth a look, occasionally fruitful, but typically devoid of anything worthwhile.
Of late, there has been a flurry of fitness equipment dupes promising to fall into the bargain basket’s 'worthwhile' camp. From a cut-price reformer Pilates machine to a pair of £40 carbon-plated running shoes, so far, most have proved too good to be true.
But Aldi’s latest Specialbuys steal is perhaps the most compelling yet: a pair of lightweight sport sunglasses that look a lot like something you'd find at Oakley, but cost just £3.99.
When I heard they'd gone viral (a day or so late, thanks to not having an active TikTok account), I hotfooted it over to my local store in the hope of finding what must surely be some of the few remaining pairs. As luck would have it, there were still two pairs of Crane Ultralight Sport and Cycling Glasses up for grabs.
Aldi reckons they 'offer a sleek, stylish and practical solution, helping to protect eyes whatever the sport', delivering 'superior protection, comfort and crystal clear vision'. Intrigued and a little dubious, I took them for a spin to find out if they lived up to the hype.
Design
Aldi isn't shy about its inspiration for these sunglasses. In a similar vein to Cuthbert the Caterpillar, they're blatantly reminiscent of Oakley’s Radar EV Path line.
The curved lenses are cut in a similarly sharp, aero shape. The frame is ultralight, with cut-outs in the temples (arms) for what I assume is breathability, and there's an adjustable nose pad that you can reposition to suit the shape of your face. They also come with a soft storage pouch to protect the lenses from scratches.
So yes, 'sleek' and 'stylish' is, in fairness, exactly what they are. I don't hate the design, which is more than you could say for most sunglasses you'd pick up for less than a fiver. The cool blue pair I bought have tinted blue lenses and light grey accents. If I saw someone wearing them, I would have no idea they were from Aldi.
Up close, however, they are very plasticky, which is to be expected considering the price. I don't have complete confidence in the longevity of the hinges and I wouldn't fancy dropping them. But so long as they stay in one piece, the design definitely exceeds the price.
Fit and Comfort
It doesn't matter how good the lenses are if the glasses aren't comfortable to wear, so I took the Aldi Ultralight Sport Glasses for an 8km run in 32-degree heat around Hyde Park.
Right from the outset, I was shocked at how rock-solid the fit was. They sat securely, but not too tightly, against the sides of my head. They didn't bounce or shift, and the nosepiece didn't dig in. It remains to be seen how well they fare over longer distances, but for now, fit and comfort get a resounding pass.
Lens Quality
Naturally, the lenses are where they fall down. But then again, is that not an obvious thing to say about a pair of £3.99 sport sunglasses?
When I took them out for a midday run with the sun at its highest, they stopped me squinting, which is about as much as you could ask from a pair of sunglasses at this price. They also have category 3 lenses (the maximum is four), which means they provide high protection against sunglare and fall into the group of 'general purpose sunglasses'.
Verdict
Spend a little more and you could get a pair of sport sunglasses with better build quality and even polarised lenses. But equally, if you're after something cheap to chuck on when the mood strikes to run or cycle outdoors, and you don't want to spend a fortune, these punch well above their price.
The fit is excellent, the lenses are surprisingly legit and they look pretty slick. Just don't expect them to last forever.
Alternatives
Bloc Titan Single Lens Sunglasses
These have lenses that adapt to varying light conditions and give crystal clarity, while the flexible, lightweight frames are fitted with sports hinges to move with you.
Decathlon HD Category 3 Cycling Glasses
These budget frames from Decathlon are designed for road cycling but perform well while clocking up the miles too. They're impressively bounce-free, with rubber arm tips and a grippy nose piece.
With their classic shape, these are affordable, polarised and don’t bounce, plus the lightweight frame has a grip coating to minimise slippage when you’re sweating.
Sports meets fashion in these brilliant value running sunglasses. The large, square lenses offer great coverage and the frames are cleverly crafted for a close fit to the face.
If your budget can stretch a little further, these SunGod Vulcans are over half price at Decathlon. For that, you're getting scratch-resistant lenses, lightweight construction and a 'bold motorsport design'.
Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best beard trimmers, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
