Search
shop

Review: Roka Phantom Ti Sunglasses

If you want to combine the 'Top Gun' look with sports performance in your shades, perhaps the Roka Phantom Ti Sunglasses could be what you are looking for. Can form and function combine?
Last updated -

The Roka Phantom Ti sunglasses look to bring casual style to race day. Chris Hovenden embraces his inner ‘Top Gun’ to see how they perform in sporting action.

Product Roka Phantom Ti Sunglasses
Price From £205.92 (price varies depending on frame and lens combination)
Size Regular – 57mm lens width (Large is also available – 59 mm lens width).
Weight 19g
Colour Gunmetal frame and glacier mirror lens
Other colours See website
Sizes See website
Website http://www.roka.com
Grade A

 

On test with Roka’s Ultralight Titanium Aviators

Roka is well known for its range of wetsuits with some of the world’s fastest and most high profile triathletes wearing the Texas company’s neoprene.

However, more recently Roka has made a major play for the performance sunglasses market. The USP is that they have blended casual style with high-performance tech. The Phantom Ti, from Roka’s ultralight performance aviators’ range, as worn by long-distance pro Jesse Thomas are arguably the best example.

The Phantom Ti come in a nice leather case and when you first pick them up they are noticeably light (only 19g compared to the Oakley Jawbreakers’ 35g).

ROKA Phantom Ti Sunglasses

The light aviator style titanium frame doesn’t feel as sturdy as some performance shades and there is a bit of flex. My biggest concern from a cycling/triathlon perspective was that when putting them on in a rush in T1 they could get bent/damaged when being stuffed under my helmet – after several test-runs in race conditions these worries were unfounded.

ROKA Phantom Ti Sunglasses

The first time I rode wearing the Phantom Ti I felt very aware of the wind flowing around the lenses and across my face. Also, I was conscious of the reduced lens coverage of the Phantom Ti compared to a visor/helmet combo or sunglasses with a wide one-piece lens.

ROKA Phantom Ti Sunglasses

However, before long the above were non-issues and I was pleasantly surprised by how secure the sunnies felt. Although not an overly snug fit, the combination of the patented Geko rubber pads (with grooves) on the nose and temples kept the sunnies pretty secure and there was no substantial/worrying slippage, even when looking down at a cycling computer.

ROKA Phantom Ti Sunglasses

I’ve become a big fan of rocking the headband with Roka aviators look. When running the Phantom Ti felt very good, I could almost forget I was wearing them and there was no slippage thanks to the rubber pads, even when racing in very hot conditions.

The Roka Phantom Ti sunnies come with lightweight nylon lenses by Carl Zeiss Vision; and, the test glasses paired a gun metal frame with blue glacier mirror lenses (several other colour schemes and lens combinations are available).

ROKA Phantom Ti Sunglasses

The glacier mirror lenses are said to be designed for everyday use and I found them to be versatile – fine for early morning triathlons, long rides in the sun, and attending afternoon social events, for example.

The only real criticism, and it is small, is that for some reason the spectacles didn’t come with a soft cloth to remove the inevitable sweat stains.

Roka claims the Phantom Ti are prescription ready and it also offers a ‘Home Try-On’ service.

These are very good sunglasses for running; they performed well when on the bike, but some will prefer wider lens coverage; and, although subjective, they look pretty cool away from triathlon.

It is a fact that high-end sunglasses come with an eye-watering price tag to match. It is also a fact, that often performance sunglasses that look the business when running or riding appear (to some) ridiculous in a casual setting. You could argue that with the Roka Phantom Ti you are getting two pairs of shades for the price of one – maybe that justifies costing north of £200?

Verdict

A divisive look (with a high price), but a very impressive pairing of casual style and performance tech.

Written by
Chris Hovenden
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Jan Frodeno Cheesehead PTO Tour US Open 2023 Milwaukee
Triathlon legend Jan Frodeno goes outside his comfort zone to take on epic UTMB challenge
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Matthew Marquardt reveals why he would do IRONMAN Lake Placid again “in a heartbeat”
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Sam Laidlow wins IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Sam Laidlow hails ‘special’ IRONMAN Leeds crowd after one fan sign turned chiller into thriller
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee says “I’ve still got it” after roaring back to action with terrific Toronto win
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...