Review: New Leatt MadViz Eyewear
Stylish yes, but what about function?
There’s no shortage of performance eyewear for riding, but every now and then something arrives that’s clearly trying to do things a little differently. The Leatt MadViz glasses fall squarely into that category.
Leatt has built its reputation on hard-wearing protection and apparel for gravity and endurance riders – and the MadViz carries that same bold DNA into the eyewear space. These aren’t subtle, minimalist sunnies. They’re big, unapologetic and designed to blur the line between riding performance and everyday wear. The question is: do the brand’s first forray into eyewear deliver the goods?
Features
At first glance, the MadViz is all about the lens. The oversized cylindrical shield offers a broad field of vision, with a tall profile that keeps your line of sight clear whether you’re head-down on a climb or scanning ahead on fast singletrack.
Details
| FRAME WIDTH | 145mm |
| LENS HEIGHT | 65mm |
| LENS | Mirror coating, Single curve cylindrical & wraparound shape |
| NOSE PIECE | Adjustable & rubberized |
| RRP | R1299 |
| MORE | leatt.com |
Our test pair featured the Iriz lens with mirror coating which isn’t the photochromic lens option, but does look similar. With a broad visible light transmission range, it’s designed to handle everything from early morning starts to harsh midday glare without needing to swap lenses. The lens itself is constructed from impact-resistant polycarbonate and offers full UV protection.
The frame is constructed from a lightweight biopolymer material that feels solid without being heavy. Rubberized inserts on the nose-piece and temples are designed to keep the glasses planted when things get rowdy, sweaty or windy. The fit is best described as medium to large, with a slightly wider stance that suits broader faces and sits comfortably under all Leatt Helmets.
The nose-piece is adjustable; it’s designed to easily bend and twist, conforming to your contours. Ventilation is subtle, with two vents positioned on the upper section of the lens to encourage airflow without compromising coverage.
Ride Impressions
I’ve used the MadViz on road rides, gravel rides, XC rides and eMTB outings for about four months. At first I thought they’d be more of a style piece and statement than a go-to or highly functional set of eyewear. I was wrong.
On the first ride, the wide field of view is immediately noticeable – I didn’t notice any frame intrusion in my peripheral vision, which is obviously hugely important when riding. The tall lens design also comes into its own when riding drop bar bikes. When I’m in an aggressive position and craning my neck forward the top-edge of the frame is not visible at all.
I found that same generous vertical coverage works equally well on low-speed, techy trails. When I’m shifting my weight around and scanning the trails, the tall lens keeps my vision uninterrupted. There’s also a little more protection from the full size lens and wraparound frame, which is never a bad thing.
Importantly for aggressive mountain biking sessions, I think the lens is 100% distortion-free across its width. That clarity is crucial when picking lines through rock gardens, judging braking points into loose corners or scanning for snipers in dappled light. Any optical warping can throw off depth perception at speed, and I’ve experienced that with other more established eyewear brands, rendering them pretty useless, but not with the MadViz.
The frame shape is brilliant – for my face at least – but the lens performance is where these glasses really shine. They are not the photochromic option, but seem to perform in all light conditions, very well. In full sun and on a road bike, it cuts quite a bit of glare without flattening contrast, making it easy to read surface changes. On gravel, it seems to enhance subtle texture shifts – the kind that signal deeper corrugations or loose marbles. And on the mountain bikes, whether in full midday sun or under tree cover with constantly shifting patches of light and shadow, the transition feels natural and well judged. Even inside a deeply shaded trail, The Glen in Cape Town, they performed brilliantly.
Regarding fit, when bouncing across rough surfaces, hopping gaps or smashing rock gardens, the MadViz stay perfectly in place. There’s no annoying rattle and I don’t ever need to nudge them back up my nose after a rowdy line. The two vents on the upper side of the lens provide consistent airflow and genuinely seem to make a noticeable difference to cooling, especially on long, hot climbs.
Comfort overall is a strong point. The glasses sit securely without pressure points, even over extended rides. I’ve used them with four different brands of helmets (Leatt, Specialized, Bontrager and POC) and they configure and integrate well with all the helmets I tried.
If there’s a trade-off, it might be the sheer boldness factor which is perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea. The oversized design might not appeal to riders who prefer a low-profile, barely-there look. But for those who appreciate a bit of personality in their kit, the MadViz strike a good balance between performance and style.
Verdict
The Leatt MadViz deliver dependable performance with a distinctive edge. They offer wide coverage, distortion-free optical clarity and amazing light control. They have quickly become the only pair of eyewear I want to ride in.
For riders who want eyewear that transition well between road, gravel or trail and work well in anything from full sun to deepish shade, the MadViz is a compelling option. The value proposition is classic Leatt; high quality at a remarkable pricepoint. //
| IMAGES: Nick Muzik and Chris Taylor |