Red Bull Spect makes three main groups of eyewear: sports and lifestyle sunglasses, motocross and enduro goggles, and ski goggles. According to the manufacturer, most of its sunglasses have a category 3 filter, some have polarised lenses, and some frames are specified as suitable for prescription lenses. Below you will find an overview of the models, an explanation of filter categories and practical buying tips.
Who is behind Red Bull Spect
Red Bull Spect Eyewear is a joint brand of Red Bull and the Austrian eyewear maker SPECT Eyewear, based in Graz. The manufacturer's range on specteyewear.com is split into sunglasses (sport and lifestyle), ski goggles, motocross goggles and blue-light glasses. At Prixiro you will find 100% genuine Red Bull Spect eyewear in the Red Bull Spect Eyewear collection.
Model lines at a glance
Sports sunglasses with a shield lens
Models such as DAFT, DASH, DAKOTA, DUNDEE, RIDDLE, RUMBLE, MARK and GABE have a one-piece or strongly wrapped polycarbonate lens. The manufacturer positions them for cycling, running and everyday wear. For these models the manufacturer states a category 3 filter and UV400; it does not list polarisation. DAFT is also available with a photochromic lens which, according to the manufacturer, adjusts its tint to the light intensity.
Sports sunglasses with the WING system
KRAFT, KANE and KREY feature the WING system. According to the manufacturer, it combines two elements in one temple: a slider extends a second, flexible wire temple that holds the glasses behind the ear during movement, and it can be retracted without taking the glasses off. KANE and KREY have polarised lenses and an anti-reflective coating according to their specifications, and the manufacturer lists them as suitable for prescription lenses. KRAFT has an anti-reflective coating; the manufacturer does not list polarisation for it.
Lifestyle sunglasses
This group includes more classic shapes: CHASE, CHOP, CHESS, ELROY, ELIOT, EDEN, EVER, RAZE, COBY and the MARGO, MARSH, MAZE and MAHU line. Most of them have polarised category 3 lenses according to the manufacturer. For MARGO, MARSH, MAZE, MAHU and COBY the manufacturer also states suitability for prescription lenses.
The Flying Bulls collection
The Lightning and Corsair models refer to the The Flying Bulls aviation group. They have stainless steel frames and CR39 lenses, a category 3 filter and, according to the manufacturer, are suitable for prescription lenses. The manufacturer does not list polarisation for them.
Motocross and enduro goggles
The MX line includes TORP, STRIVE (and the smaller STRIVE S), WHIP and EVAN. The manufacturer lists a scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens, an anti-fog treatment, a TPU frame resistant to oil and grease, a removable nose guard and 100% UVA and UVB protection. According to the manufacturer, TORP comes in motocross and snowcross versions, with a single or double lens. STRIVE has a double lens whose layers, according to the manufacturer, are bonded directly without foam between them, which is meant to widen the field of view. WHIP SL has a single cylindrical lens. You will find them all in the Red Bull Spect motocross and enduro goggles collection.
Ski goggles and the SUN RX prescription line
The manufacturer also offers ski goggles (e.g. PARK, RUSH and JAMM with interchangeable lenses) and a separate SUN RX prescription collection with POLAR°Z polarised lenses and iBoost contrast lenses, sold through opticians and its own online shop. Prixiro does not currently stock these two lines.
Comparison of the models available at Prixiro
The table summarises the data from the manufacturer's specifications for each model. Colour variants may differ in lens type (mirrored, smoke, photochromic), so always check the product description of the specific item.
| Model | Type | Polarised | Filter category | Prescription-ready | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAFT, DASH, DAKOTA, DUNDEE | sport, shield | not stated | 3 | not stated | polycarbonate lenses, UV400; DAFT also with photochromic lens |
| RIDDLE, RUMBLE, MARK, GABE | sport | not stated | 3 | not stated | polycarbonate lenses, UV400 |
| KRAFT | sport, WING | not stated | 3 | not stated | WING 2.0, anti-reflective coating |
| KANE, KREY | sport / urban, WING | yes | 3 | yes | WING, anti-reflective coating |
| MARGO, MARSH, MAZE, MAHU, COBY | lifestyle | yes | 3 | yes | UV400 |
| CHASE, CHOP, CHESS, ELROY, ELIOT, EDEN, EVER, RAZE | lifestyle | yes | 3 | not stated | UV400 |
| Lightning, Corsair (The Flying Bulls) | lifestyle, metal | not stated | 3 | yes | stainless steel frame, CR39 lenses |
| TORP | MX / snowcross | no | 0 (clear), 1 (tinted) | no | single and double lens, tear-off and roll-off ready |
| STRIVE, STRIVE S | MX | no | depends on lens | no | double lens, F°SCAPE anti-fog treatment |
| WHIP | MX | no | depends on lens | no | single cylindrical lens, tear-offs |
| EVAN | MX / enduro | no | 0 (clear) | no | thick face foam, tear-off and roll-off |
“Not stated” means the manufacturer does not mention the feature in its specifications – not necessarily that the model lacks it. The sunglasses are in the Red Bull Spect lifestyle and sports sunglasses collection.
Filter categories: what “category 3” means
The filter category tells you how much visible light the lens lets through. It is based on EN ISO 12312-1, the standard for sunglasses for general use. On labels and in specifications you will see it as “S3”, “CAT 3” or “category 3” – they all mean the same thing.
| Category | Light transmission | Typical use | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | above 80% | clear lens, overcast sky, MX goggles in woods and at dusk | yes |
| 1 | 43–80% | weak sun, changing light | yes; at dusk and at night only above 75% transmission |
| 2 | 18–43% | moderate sun | daytime yes, dusk and night no |
| 3 | 8–18% | strong sun, summer, water | daytime yes, dusk and night no |
| 4 | 3–8% | extreme light (high mountains, glaciers) | never |
Under the standard, eyewear with a transmission below 75% may only be used for driving in daylight; category 4 is not suitable for driving at all. Practically all Red Bull Spect sunglasses we stock are category 3, i.e. a dark lens for bright sunny days. In overcast weather or in the woods they tend to be too dark; a lighter category or a photochromic lens suits those conditions better.
Polarisation: when it is worth it
A polarised lens only lets through light in one plane and thereby suppresses glare from horizontal surfaces – water, wet roads, snow or a car bonnet. For its POLAR°Z polarised lenses the manufacturer states that they effectively reduce glare. Polarisation and filter category are two independent things: a polarised category 3 lens is just as dark as a non-polarised category 3 lens, it simply lets through less glare.
- Polarisation is useful near water, for daytime driving, for walking around town and on snow.
- You can do without it when cycling or running in changing light, where a contrast mirrored lens is enough.
- Watch out for displays: through polarised lenses some LCD displays (sat nav, dashboard, phone) can be harder to read at certain angles. This is a property of polarisation in general, not a defect of the glasses.
Prescription lenses: your options
For KANE, KREY, MARGO, MARSH, MAZE, MAHU, COBY, Lightning and Corsair the manufacturer states in the specifications that they are suitable for prescription lenses. This means an optician can fit the frame with lenses made to your prescription. Which lens types (for example polarised, or tinted in a particular category) are possible for a given frame, and at what cost, is something your optician will tell you.
For customers who want prescription sunglasses directly from the manufacturer, Red Bull Spect offers a separate SUN RX collection; according to the manufacturer it is available from opticians and in its online shop. For shield sports models (DAFT, DASH etc.) and MX goggles the manufacturer does not mention a prescription option.
Accessories and spare parts
Motocross goggles wear out fastest, so the manufacturer offers spare parts for individual models. In the Red Bull Spect eyewear accessories collection you will find:
- replacement lenses – clear, smoke and mirrored (e.g. RED FLASH, BLUE FLASH), single or double depending on the model,
- tear-offs – clear films you pull off while riding, together with the mud,
- roll-off systems and replacement rolls – the film winds from one side to the other, ideal for mud and longer races,
- replacement straps and face foams for the STRIVE model.
Always buy spare parts for the specific model: a TORP lens or tear-offs will not fit STRIVE, WHIP or EVAN.
How to choose Red Bull Spect eyewear
- Decide on the use. Cycling and running: shield models or WING. Town, holidays and driving: polarised lifestyle models. Motocross and enduro: the MX line.
- Choose the lens. Category 3 for bright sun, polarisation for water and snow, a photochromic lens for changing weather. For MX goggles, a clear lens (category 0) for woods and dusk, a tinted one for sun.
- Check the size. The manufacturer lists sizes S, M and L and, for sunglasses, the frame or lens width and temple length in millimetres. Compare them with glasses that fit you well.
- Need a prescription? Choose a model the manufacturer lists as prescription-ready and talk to an optician.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Red Bull Spect sunglasses polarised?
No. According to the manufacturer, models such as KANE, KREY, CHASE, ELROY and MARSH have polarised lenses. Shield sports models like DAFT, DASH and DUNDEE do not list polarisation in their specifications.
Can I drive in category 3 Red Bull Spect sunglasses?
Under EN ISO 12312-1, category 3 sunglasses are suitable for driving in daylight, but not at dusk or at night. Category 4 sunglasses are not suitable for driving at all.
Can Red Bull Spect glasses be fitted with prescription lenses?
Some models can – the manufacturer states this for example for KANE, KREY, MARGO, MARSH, MAZE, MAHU, COBY, Lightning and Corsair. The lenses are fitted by an optician. The manufacturer also has a separate SUN RX prescription line.
What is the difference between tear-offs and a roll-off system?
Tear-offs are individual films stacked on the lens that you pull off one by one. A roll-off winds one long strip of film from spool to spool, so no films end up on the track and it lasts longer in mud. Both systems must be designed for the specific goggle model.
What does S3 or CAT 3 mean?
Both abbreviations denote filter category 3 under EN ISO 12312-1: the lens lets through 8–18% of visible light and is intended for strong sun.