WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE MELON KINGPIN VANTAGE PHOTOCHROMIC LENS
Melon says the new Vantage Photochromic lens delivers optimal vision in all trail conditions, from dense woodland to bright glare, eliminating the need to swap lenses. The photochromic lens adapts to the light conditions, increasing tint in brighter environments to maintain clear vision.
The Vantage Photochromic lens is available in five colors, which all get a “trail tint” designed to increase contrast in the woods and increase visibility. Four of the lens options also receive a mirrored finish, which Melon claims to stay strong no matter the weather. This means you’ll be able to see out without anyone else seeing in, even with the lenses in their low-light setting.
Melon uses 100% recycled plastic for its Hyperflex TR-90 glasses frames. They receive rubber grip portions on the leg tips and around the nose, helping to keep the glasses steady in use.
The new Vantage lenses are available on Melon’s Alleycat, Alleycat XS, and Kingpin frames. Melon offers a “guarantee for life”, covering you against damage with a repair or replacement free of charge for life. The Melon Optics Kingpin Vantage Photochromic glasses are user-customizable on the Melon site, and retail for £155 / $209.
THE DIRT
I tested the Melon Kingpin with Vantage Photochromic lenses sporadically over the course of 2025. Photochromic lenses are my preferred option for the changing light conditions of the trails I typically frequent, where you go from the open hillside into dense woodlands and back multiple times over the course of a ride. A fast-reacting photochromic lens can make the difference between being blinded as you exit the trees and being able to focus on the trail.
Sadly, the Vantage Photochromic lens doesn’t transition all the way to a clear tint, remaining at level 1 tint (Max 80% VLT) in the dark. For the trails of the Tweed Valley, Scotland, this meant I was left struggling to see in the dense woods unless the sun was shining brightly. Which, in case you weren’t aware, doesn’t happen consistently in my neck of the woods. As such, I reserved these glasses for the brightest days and for travels outside of my home zone.
In suitably bright conditions, the Melon Kingpin Vantage Photochromic lenses were a pleasure to use. The transition speed was sufficiently quick to leave me questioning if they were transitioning at all, only confirmed when there was a need to take the glasses off. The optics were stellar, with no glare in direct sunlight or notable distortion or magnification. And the trail tint offered a useful boost to clarity, if not quite up there with Smith’s ChromaPop or Oakley’s PRIZM.
Over the course of testing, these glasses endured considerable abuse. The anti-fog proved to be effective, only struggling on the most humid and sweaty rides. Through multiple encounters with shrubbery, travelling from spot to spot, and the occasional fall onto the ground, the lenses have received some scratches, but there’s nothing of major concern. The frames have proved impressively durable across multiple sets of Melon Optics glasses, and I have no doubt that the Kingpin Vantage Photochromic glasses would follow suit.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Aside from the minimum tint causing struggles with vision in the deep and dark Scottish woods, the Melon Optics Kingpin Vantage Photochromic glasses have offered stellar performance. With solid optical clarity provided by the reactive photochromic lenses, they are solid performers, though you would hope so with their premium price tag. 
Price: £155 / $209
Website: Melonoptics.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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