Best Running Sunglasses of 2024
We tested 14 top-rated sport sunglasses to find the best polarized, budget, cycling, and prescription modelS
March 24th, 2024
Home > Gear Reviews > Running
To find the best running sunglasses, we spent hours researching the top-rated sunglasses and then testing them for 500 miles across 6 testers, with some mountain runs in Colorado and the Sierra lasting up to 8 hours with steep climbs and thousands of feet of bounding descents.
I’m a runner who lives at 7,000 ft altitude in the high country of the Eastern Sierra and Colorado, and most of my running is between 7-14,000 ft in altitude. Though sunglasses are essential in all climates and geographic regions, I’ve become especially sensitive to the differences in running sunglasses as a trail runner on technical terrain this close to the sun. One should always respect the sun's intensity at these levels, and eye protection is no exception.
A good pair of sports sunglasses is a pair that’s comfortable and secure on my face and has good UV protection. Good running sunglasses will improve my vision by muting glare or enhancing the contrast of colors on the road or trail to help me stay on my feet rather than tripping over obstacles. A bonus is that they’re flattering on my face!
I wear sunglasses running, driving, cycling, and in casual settings with friends. We’ve reviewed sport sunglasses that function well for running as the primary use case and for these other applications, as sunglasses’ purposes vary from person to person. We recommend wearing one regardless of which pair you choose, as your eyes are valuable and worth protecting.
Overall, we think the Tifosi Swanks are the Best Running Sunglasses for more runners. Though some sports sunglasses had more high-tech lenses with better optics, others were lighter, and some had more coverage and might be more durable, no other pair of running sunglasses scored higher at such an approachable price. After all, sunglasses are hard to care for and are easily lost or smashed, but we still don’t think you should compromise on comfort and UV protection when it comes to your shades.
For more sun protection, see our guide to the Best Body Sunscreen.
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sunglasses comparison table
| RUNNING SUNGLASSES | TREELINE AWARD | SHAPE | WEIGHT | COATING | MATERIAL | RX LENS OPTION | LENS COLOR OPTION? | FRAME COLOR OPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tifosi Swank Polarized | Best Overall Read why |
Wayfarer | 23 grams | Glare guard on lenses | Nylon frame / polycarbonate lens | Yes | Yes | Yes (many) |
| goodr OG | Best Budget Read why |
Wayfarer | 22 grams | Non-slip frame coating | Unspecified frame / Tri-Acetate Cellulose (TAC) lens | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ombraz Armless | Best for Small Faces Read why |
Squared | 23 grams | lens - hard coated (scratch resistant) | Frames - TR-90 Nylon, Lens - Zeiss Polyamide, Cord - Nylon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tifosi Veloce Fototec | Best for Trail Running Read why |
Sport | 29 grams | Not stated | Frames - TR-90 Nylon, Lens - Polycarbonate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ROKA Oslo | Best Lightweight Read why |
Circular Scandinavian | 19 grams | lens - anti-scratch, hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-fog | Frames: TR-90 Nylon, Lenses - polycarbonate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The winners
Best overall running sunglasses: Tifosi Swank Polarized
Shape: Wayfarer
Weight: 23 grams
Coating: Glare guard on lenses
Frame material: Nylon
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lens option: Yes!
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes (many)
What we liked: Folds small, lightweight, affordable (especially for polycarbonate polarized lenses), comfortable, fits lots of faces, RX available
What we didn't like: Not the fanciest lenses or frames, branding on lens
Of all the sports sunglasses we reviewed, the Tifosi Swanks stood out as the best running sunglasses, especially considering the high quality you're getting for an affordable price. The Tifosi Swanks sport a lightweight frame made of durable nylon common in glasses twice the price. Taking them on hot climbs, rolling single track, flatter dirt roads, and a series of 1,000 ft trail descents, they stayed put on our faces, comfortably, whether dry or sweaty.
They also use the popular wayfarer frame style (which suits most faces with a balance of round and square dimensions) and use a polarized, polycarbonate lens. The polarization is embedded inside the lens rather than with an exterior film, a feature found in higher-end glasses.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE TIFOSI SWANK POLARIZED
The Tifosi Swanks are affordable, bounce free, and sport a wayfarer style suitable for most face shapes. Photo by Trey French
The polarization filter embedded within the lens keeps it in good condition, as it’s not vulnerable to scratching and peeling like an external film. These lenses aren’t vision-enhancing or photochromic (like a Transition lens). While the Swank aren't the least expensive sunglasses on our list, they have features we'd find on sunglasses twice the price. With polycarbonate polarization and standard full UV protection at an approachable price of $50 (and can be found on sale), it’s a tremendous value.
Running in the Tifosi Swanks on a 90°F day! Photo by Trey French
At $50, we don’t have a lot of complaints about the Tifosi Swanks. Many runners have broken lenses or frames, lost them on the trail, or left them behind at restaurants post-run. Sunglasses can be tricky items to keep in good condition and keep track of. The Tifosi aren’t the most high-tech, but they do the job for most runners. If you break these, it won’t hurt as much as if you snap the lenses or frames on a pair of $100+ sunglasses.
Like other similarly constructed nylon frames of this type, it has a hydrophilic nose pad that makes the glasses more secure as you sweat. We found the nose pad was clearly effective during the hot post-work runs we took with the Swanks.
The Tifosi Swanks weigh 23 grams, pretty close to the lightest weight glasses on our list, the Roka Oslos at 19 grams, and we found that 23 grams were plenty light for us, as the Swanks fit well, with no pinching on the sides of our head, or the bridge of our nose. We just put them on and forgot about them. Lastly, with frames at this price point, we were excited to see that Tifosi offers the Swanks with RX lenses!
The Tifosi Swank fits well on small to larger faces. Photo by Trey French
One feature that we don’t love is the branding on the lens. It’s already on the frames, and although it’s out of the way and doesn’t impede vision, it lends a slightly busy look to an otherwise stylish, modern-looking pair of sunglasses. Some users prefer a hard case for their sunglasses, and the Swanks only come with a cloth case. We don’t really mind this, as the soft cloth sleeve works fine.
Customer reviews suggest that the Tifosi Swanks fit well on small to larger faces. Our reviewer has an M/L head and found the Tifosi to fit very comfortably with no bouncing during runs, pressure points, or need to push the glasses too far onto the face, limiting airflow behind the lens.
Customers mention feeling comfortable wearing them for other outdoor activities and casual glasses around town, which we attribute to the wayfarer style. We didn’t see evidence of customers using Tifosi’s warranty against manufacturing defects for the product's lifetime, and we can only infer from this that it’s not commonly needed, which might speak to the durability of the glasses!
If you’re a road or trail runner looking for an excellent value and want the basic features of a comfortable frame and UV filtering polarized lenses, consider the Tifosi Swanks.
Best affordable running sunglasses: Goodr OG’s
Shape: Wayfarer
Weight: 22 grams
Coating: Non-slip frame coating
Frame material: Unspecified frame
Lens material: Tri-Acetate Cellulose (TAC)
Rx lens option: No
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
What we liked: Inexpensive, comfortable frames for most faces, extensive selection
What we didn't like: TAC polarization film wears out first
Likely the most ubiquitous name in running sunglasses, especially for the budget-minded, the Goodr OG has a lot going for them at a $25 price, about as low as it gets without opting for fragile acrylic sunnies from your typical convenience store. Took a break on the trail side and ran off without them? Sat on them in your car? You can replace these polarized sunglasses without too much remorse. That's why we think the Goodr OGs are the best running sunglasses for those on a budget.
Though we tested an all-black pair, we love the fun nature of Goodr’s frame and lens selection, with their bright shades and goofy product names. The OGs are polarized, filter out all harmful UV rays, and have a lightweight nylon (assumed, as not listed online) frame with a weight of 22 grams. They’re found at most outdoor-oriented online and in-store retailers.
They’re also offered in a more circular lens, which is one of their most popular designs. Though we didn’t test them, it’s nice to have frame shape options. They also offer blue-light-blocking lenses, but there’s little information on them.
When getting into running after moving to Colorado, our reviewer used the Goodr OGs for several months exclusively for running, cycling, driving, and general use. He only changed glasses after deciding to invest in a higher tech, but more expensive pair of polarized sunglasses (which he eventually lost — there's a lesson there.)
COMPARE PRICES OF THE GOODR OG’S
Justin in the Goodr OG with mirrored lenses on a long run, pictured here on top of Mt. Yale in Colorado at 14,199ft. All glamor, no bounce. Photo by Justin Walker
In addition to those months in the foothills and high country trails around the Arkansas Valley, friends like Justin (pictured above) and seemingly most people in the local run group seem to have a pair of OG’s or other frame offerings from Goodr like the VRG, or the trendy full shield style Wrap G. These folks run up steep, big mountains and run faster down them. An affordable, functional pair of sunglasses seems to work just fine.
Goodr backs their glasses with a 1-year warranty rather than a lifetime one, which may be because they aren’t the most robust frames and lenses. In other words, they will be more disposable than other more expensive options. While we don’t love replacing gear often, sunglasses may be the one exception if there is one; they’re such a vulnerable piece of gear!
Customer reviews echo what we've seen in the field. The lenses on the Goodr sunglasses scratch easily, and the lens coatings sometimes peel off due to heat and other environmental factors. This is true for the OG, BFG, and VRG, as they all use the same lens technology.
Top to bottom: Tifosi Veloce, Tifosi Swank, Goodr OG. The Tifosi Veloce are a more sporty style compared to the Swank and OG’s, with the sidearms being a little longer on the Swanks than the OG.
Customer reviews also say plenty of great things about the glasses, too! They’re comfortable for most faces, and if the standard OGs aren’t big enough for your face, the Goodr BFG style should accommodate you.
Customer reviews also highlight that going for a lower-priced pair of sunglasses allows you to buy several pairs to keep at home, in the car, at work, etc. so that you always have a pair on hand. Our reviewer does that with his old pair of OGs–keeps it in the truck in case his primary glasses get left behind at home or a passenger needs a pair of glasses for the drive.
Despite not being the most durable polarized sunglasses, the Goodr’s have an approachable price, filter out harmful UV rays, are polarized, and are comfortable. Sometimes, that’s all that you need.
Best running sunglasses for small faces: Ombraz Armless
Shape: Squared
Weight: 23 grams
Coating: lens - hard coated (scratch resistant)
Frame material: TR-90 nylon
Lens material: Zeiss polyamide
Rx lens option: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
What we liked: Offered in narrow and standard frame sizes, no frame arms to break, lifetime warranty on frames, brand is carbon negative
What we didn't like: Armless may not be for everyone, can’t put on with one hand
Runners and non-runners alike can often find it challenging to find a pair of sunglasses that stay on securely without bouncing or flying off. There’s also the issue of the bridge of the glasses sliding down the nose or wrap-around style sunglasses arms, causing pressure points far behind the ears, eventually leading to sore spots on some users. That's why we think the best running sunglasses for small faces is one without arms, like the Ombraz Armless.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE OMBRAZ ARMLESS
TETON
CLASSIC
Trey wearing the Ombraz Tetons, sunglasses with no sidearms on an evening run among the late summer wildflowers.
An oversized frame may not be aesthetically suitable for someone with a smaller face. We tested the Teton frame style from Ombraz. However, we recommend the Ombraz Viale or the Ombraz Classic if you have an especially smaller face, as those frame styles are offered in a narrow frame size option.
All Obraz frame options have a no-side arm design and lens choices. We loved the comfort, functionality, and lens quality of the Ombraz Tetons and found that they resolved the issues of fit that we often see with traditional-style sunglasses.
Ombraz has made a name for itself because they omitted side arms in their design, replacing them with an easily adjustable nylon cord that helps the glasses fit under helmets and over or under hats. The design makes them easier to track when removed momentarily because they can hang below the neck.
The Ombraz are sunglasses without side arms that instead use adjustable nylon cord. Photo by Trey French
Although there are many options out there for glasses retainers for sidearms, like the ones from Croakies or Chums, those can wear out, and they can fail, releasing your potentially expensive sunglasses into the water, onto a rock, or into a dirty trail. Because the retainers are integrated into the Ombraz, that is less likely to happen.
Ombraz also uses durable, lightweight TR-90 Nylon frames, which they back with a lifetime guarantee. For lenses, they use a step up in quality from polycarbonate lenses (which are still good!) and opt for a Zeiss brand polyamide, which is typically a little thinner, more lightweight, and vision enhancing compared to the more standard polycarbonate lens. Polyamide also allows for more flex than polycarbonate, pairing well with Ombraz’s durable frames.
Although there’s no guarantee on the lenses like the frames, Ombraz does have a lens replacement program with Lens & Frame Co.
Sure, all of these nice materials are attractive, but how do they fit and perform? We were impressed! Following Ombraz fit guidelines to avoid wearing them tight like goggles, we allowed the approximate ½” of space they recommend you allow when pulling them away from your head. This space allows for a secure but not a tight fit and accommodates all ranges of head motion.
The glasses felt great on the bridge of our reviewer’s nose, which is on the more narrow side compared to his face size. We have no doubts that the narrow-specific frames of the Viale or Classic would accommodate those with smaller noses and generally smaller faces.
Most of the local runs, like the ones we took the Tetons on, are pretty bouncy, with rolling rocky singletrack in every direction. Following the fit guidelines, the Tetons stayed put, and not having sidearms with hydrophilic pads to grip during our hot, summer runs was a non-issue.
There are a couple of potential drawbacks to the absence of side arms. One is that you can’t put them on with one hand. Although the adjustments on the cords are easy to tighten and loosen, they require two hands. This can be a drawback for some trail runners.
When trail running in variable light, there will be times when you may want to remove your glasses to assess the path ahead more quickly. We found that if the glasses are appropriately adjusted, you should have enough space to pull them away from your face and above your eyes for a quick look without adjusting the glasses. Still, you won’t be able to remove them like traditional side arm styles very quickly.
In the absence of sidearms, some users tend to wear Ombraz-like goggles. Ombraz emphasizes that you should avoid that and be able to pull them ~½” away from your face before the cord pulls taut. Photo by Trey French
Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with reviews on the Ombraz site specifically broken down to frame selection, frame size, and head shape, which we find especially helpful for finding something relatable. Most customers with narrow faces opted, not surprisingly, for the Viales or Classics for their smaller nose bridge size and more narrow dimensions overall.
Reviews point to use in running, biking, casual use, and more, and we find that these glasses work well in those applications, too, from loosening them to hang around the neck, walking into the grocery store, and biking down to the river after dinner.
Despite some drawbacks inherent in the sidearm-less design, we find the problems that Ombraz polarized sunglasses solve outweigh the drawbacks, especially for people who can’t find a pair of sunglasses that sit securely and comfortably on their faces.
Best trail running sunglasses: Tifosi Veloce Fototec Photochromic
Shape: Sport
Weight: 29 grams
Coating: Embedded Photochromic
Frame material: TR-90 nylon
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lens option: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
What we liked: Affordable for photochromic lenses, air vents for humid and cold conditions
What we didn't like: Not the most comfortable at first, but settles over time; not the most versatile styling
Photochromic lenses can be an excellent option for trail runners who encounter a wide range of light conditions. These lenses transition from clear to dark depending on the environmental UV light levels. This feature is handy for those who run in heavily forested areas or use trails that go below and above treeline during a single run.
Photochromic lenses usually have a high barrier to entry regarding cost. Still, the Tifosi Veloce Fototec Photochromic sunglasses are an exception at $70, often going on sale through retailers like REI. That's why we think the Tifosi Veloce Fototec are the best running sunglasses for runners who spend a lot of time on trail, offering quality lenses at a reasonable price.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE TIFOSI VELOCE FOTOTEC PHOTOCHROMIC
Trey running the local trails in the Tifosi Veloce Clear Fototec Photochromic sunglasses. These are great on variable light days when storms are looming, and the sky goes from bright to dark while running on rocky, sometimes technical mountain bike trails. Photo by Trey French
At 29 grams, the Tifosi Veloce glasses sit around the middle of the weight category compared to other glasses we tested, but they inspire a lot of confidence in their durability. Part of the weight may result from a partial wraparound style, where the lenses contour around your face to the sides to help keep out harmful rays, even on your periphery. While other wraparounds incorporate a more comprehensive frame to block out even more light from the sides, they’re usually heavier and offer a different aesthetic entirely.
We appreciated the wraparound of the Tifosi Veloce at higher altitudes, which is almost constantly, since the baseline for our sunglasses testing took place above 7,000ft in elevation. Compared to more casually styled sunglasses like the Tifosi Swanks, the Veloce will offer more side UV protection that comes with its more technical look.
The Tifosi Veloce mildly dimmed on a mostly cloudy evening. Photo by Trey French
One trail-running-specific feature we love about the Tifosi’s is the photochromic adjustments when we go from above treeline to below when the sun rises or sets on the trail. These photochromic, non-polarized lenses mean slightly better depth perception over polarized glasses to better perceive nuanced ground features, like rocks and roots.
We tested these glasses through the monsoon season in Colorado during an exceptionally wet year. We found that the air vents on these lenses seemed to help keep the fogging down on the lenses during storms when air temperatures went down, humidity went up, and body heat output remained consistent.
Fogging on sunglasses is typically more of a problem when stopping, as airflow is reduced, and the heat comes straight off your face into the sunglasses. With a wraparound style of sunglasses that will vent inherently less well than a more open-sided style, fogging is more likely. Air vents are essential for high output activities like running in these styles of sunglasses. Veloce markets these sunglasses especially for running and we appreciate that they Tifosi fully understand the need for those air vents.
View through the Tifosi Veloce photochromatic lenses on a bright day in the Colorado high country. Photo by Trey French
The Tifosi Veloce sunglasses have pretty long side arms. While this does create more surface area for the hydrophilic ear pieces to grip your head, they can interfere with hats and helmets. We found that they fit best under our hats once we started sweating, as the hydrophilic ear pieces better gripped our heads then and didn’t budge when removing our hats.
As we found firsthand, putting the arms over the hat may result in the glasses shifting when removing the hat. Furthermore, the glasses didn’t have the most conforming, natural, “set and forget” feeling at first but settled well after a few minutes of use, and more so after sweating.
A close up on the venting system on the Tifosi Veloce sunglasses. Photo by Trey French
Customers love the Tifosi Veloce sunglasses for running, cycling, and casual use. Runners who run early and late in the day especially enjoy these photochromic sunglasses. It allows eye coverage from the cool morning air and transitions with increasing light to keep vision optimal as more light comes over the horizon.
The critiques from customers reflect what we’ve mentioned, too, that fogging is more common with wraparound style sunglasses and that the frames are not as comfortable as other more casually styled frames at first.
Despite any minor flaws that the Tifosi Veloces have, they provide more peripheral UV protection for the eyes relative to casual sunglasses. If you want some lenses that can adapt to variable conditions, Tifosi offers a pair of sunglasses that are feature rich at an approachable price.
Best lightweight sunglasses for running: Roka Oslo
Shape: Circular Scandinavian
Weight: 19 grams
Coating: lens - anti-scratch, hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-fog
Frame material: TR-90 nylon
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lenses options: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options Yes
What we liked: Extremely light, multi-directional GEKO pads, comfort
What we didn't like: Some runners may prefer more coverage, higher-priced glasses
At 19 grams, the lightest on our list, and having a “barely there” level of comfort and secure fit, the Roka Oslo’s are our reviewer’s personal sunglasses choice and ones that he has more experience with than any other sunglasses on the list. More well-known in the cycling world, Roka is becoming increasingly popular among runners, and glasses like their Oslos are part of that.
While we’re big fans of the Roka Oslos, we also realize they are an investment — especially on a piece of gear like sunglasses that are often lost or broken. Ultimately, for the amount and type of running the author does, the Roka Oslos are an excellent upgrade — but we think most runners will be served by a more affordable option like our overall winner, the Tifosi Swank.
VIEW THE ROKA OSLO
Trey wearing the Roka Oslos on a standing break after a 4-hour ridge traverse to La Plata peak, at a sunny elevation of 14,360ft! Photo by Justin Walker
With a modern, Scandinavian style, these lightweight sunglasses have a lot of wearable range for sport and casual use for those not looking for a sporty aesthetic or wraparound coverage. These can be found at $100 on sale, but they retail for $185 (on the higher end of our list). Strava users may even find periodic discounts through Roka Strava challenges.
The lightweight construction and GEKO pads of the Roka Olso inspire confidence that the glasses will stay put when bounding down technical descents. Photo by Trey French
Similar to other glasses in our lineup, the Oslos have a TR-90 Nylon frame and a polycarbonate lens. To save weight, Roka uses a thinner profile frame. Though we had durability concerns at first, we haven’t broken them after over a year of hard use of daily driving, walking, running, and even backpacking in the endlessly sandy area of southern Utah.
With less surface area on the sidearms, Roka uses their patented multi-directional GEKO grip pads to keep the glasses secure on your face. This tech is present both in the sidearms and the nose pads.
Speaking of nose pads, Roka sends three sizes of interchangeable nose pads to help you dial in your fit for the bridge of your nose. Our reviewer has a somewhat thin nose bridge and went with the middle of the three sizes, and the nose pieces have never fallen out.
For prescription running sunglasses users, Roka uses an integrated titanium core to offset the weight of stronger prescription lenses. Our reviewer typically wears contacts when running, except for dark winter running when the cold weather can irritate contacts. Vision is still critical, and having lenses can help offset the bitter Colorado high country wind. Our reviewer liked the Roka Oslo sunglasses so much that he also purchased the same frames for prescription clear lens glasses through Roka.
View through the Roka Oslo photochromatic lenses on a bright day in the Colorado high country. Photo by Trey French.
There’s not much to complain about with the Roka Oslos. The high price may deter some users, but sales do happen. Some runners may prefer a larger lens, or alternate lens type for more sun coverage, as the Oslos are open on the sides with no pronounced curve around the contours of the face. Luckily, Roka uses the same frame tech, GEKO grip, and lightweight design approach to other glasses with more coverage, like their AT-1’s, Torino’s, and full shield Matadors.
Despite the Roka Oslo’s price and the lack of coverage, we still find them the best sunglasses for a secure, comfortable fit with a quality frame and lens. Customer reviews mention using them for casual wear, golf, running, hiking, and cycling, to name a few. Reviews from users include those with smaller and larger faces finding the grips comfortable, non-pinching, and secure.
Best multi-sport sunglasses for running: Oakley Sutro
Shape: Full shield
Weight: 32 grams
Coating: Lens - Proprietary Iridium glare reducing
Frame material: Nylon / “O Matter”
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lenses option: No
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
What we liked: Big coverage, quality optics, comfortable for weight, suitable for other sports
What we didn't like: High volume for packing, maybe too heavy for some runners, too big for some and not big enough for others
With some runners transitioning to larger, full shield, bold style sunglasses borrowed from the cycling world, we were eager to try the Oakley Sutro’s. We tested the Oakley Sutro with a Black Ink frame and the Prizm Jade lens, which perform best in bright light conditions. We found the Oakley Sutro to be the best running sunglasses for runners who want one pair of glasses to do it all.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE OAKLEY SUTRO
Trey cycling against the evening sun in the Oakley Sutros. These were excellent for both running and cycling. Photo by Trey French
The Sutros weigh 32 grams, which is unsurprisingly the heaviest glasses on our list, but only marginally so over the Tifoso Veloce, at 29 grams, which also happens to have a wraparound style like the Sutros. After several sunny runs around 1 hour each, along with 10 hours of biking, we’re confident that the Oakley Sutros are a solid pick for someone looking for a pair of glasses to do both.
Apart from the apparent frame and lens departure, size-wise, from the other sunglasses in our list, the Sutro lenses also have essentially no curvature vertically on the lenses, with all of the coverage relying on size alone. We find that not having a curve on such large lenses lends the Sutros a degree of casualness rather than being overly technical looking.
On the other hand, the horizontal wrap is pronounced with comprehensive protection into the periphery. For cycling, it keeps out debris and provides an unobstructed view when turning your head to check for cars. For running, it’s all about simply having more eye protection and clarity.
The Sutros are a part of the Oakley Prizm lens family, which uses a combination of dyes in the lens to create high contrast between colors, and enhance your ability to see between objects, like cracks in the road or, in the case of trail running, more varied terrain.
The lenses on our Sutros were hands down our favorite regarding visual clarity. These lenses aren’t polarized, though the Prizm lenses, paired with the anti-glare proprietary Iridium coating, manage glare by essentially managing light that strains your eyes and enhancing colors that help define the landscape.
Running in the Sutros in bright light conditions. Photo by Sasha Hashemipour
Regarding fit, we were concerned that they'd bounce due to their sheer size, but we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the Sutros were not only good enough comfort-wise but forgettable on our faces! Using their proprietary Unobtainium compound, they have a large, saddle-bridge-style (a shape that looks like a horse’s saddle), hydrophilic nose piece. These saddle-bridge-style nose pieces are commonly found on heavier sunglasses to keep the glasses in place on the nose.
The sidearms on the Sutros are pretty long compared to the other glasses in our lineup. They taper towards the end of the arms and stay out of the way of hats or helmets. The Sutros do lack any sort of hydrophilic grip on the inside of the sidearms, which we thought gave them a naked look, like they’re unfinished, though we didn’t find the sunglasses to slide off despite the lack of the extra grip even during sweating on hot runs and rides.
View through the Oakley Sutro lenses on a bright day in the Colorado high country. Photo by Trey French.
The Sutros are sized XL on Oakley’s site, but compared to other sunglasses in our lineup, they measure in the M-L head size, with some customers with large heads finding that the side arms can pinch after a while on long activities. With the saddle bridge nose piece, the Sutros may accommodate a wide range of nose bridge sizes.
Still, due to the oversized frames, some users with smaller faces may simply find them overwhelmingly big. Thankfully, Oakley has addressed this by offering the Sutro S, a slightly smaller frame size with the same amount of wrap as the original Sutros.
One other consideration that could be a negative for some runners is that they pack pretty large and may not fit the best in your running vest or belt pocket. For example, our reviewer uses a Naked belt on most runs for storing his phone, water, and some nutrition, and the Sutros took up more real estate than normal compared to other sunglasses options.
Despite these drawbacks from the Oakley Sutros, we find that they’re comfortable, within reason weight-wise given their size, have outstanding lens optics, and are pared down aesthetically for a full-shield style compared to something like a Pit Viper full-shield style. We’ve seen several local trail runners wearing these sunglasses styles, and we’re ready to join them.
The Contenders
Maui Jim Ho’okipa
Shape: Small sport rimless
Weight: 18 grams
Coating: Lens - hydrophilic, oleophilic
Frame material: Grilamid TR-90
Lens material: Maui Pure (glass + polycarbonate hybrid)
Rx lenses option: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: No
The Maui Jim Ho’okipa is undoubtedly a quality pair of sunglasses, just maybe not the best fit for high-impact sports like running. The lenses are their signature and popular Maui Pure; Maui Pure is made from a hybrid of glass and polycarbonate, resulting in the clarity you get from glass and the weight-saving shatter resistance you get from polycarbonate.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE MAUI JIM HO’OKIPA
The Maui Jim Ho’kipa is a solid choice for non-running daily wear and high glare activities, but not the most running-specific sunglasses out there.
Given the rimless and vulnerable lenses, we’re hesitant to recommend them for running. With that said, reviews point out the superior optics of the MJ Maui Pure lenses, and we find that they function at a similar quality level as the Oakley Sutro Prizms, which are in the same price range.
Zeal Campo
Shape: Square
Weight: 20 grams
Coating: Lens - Hard coat (scratch resistant) and impact resistant
Frame material: Z-Resin plant-based bioplastic
Lens material: Z-Resin polycarbonate
Rx lenses option: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
One of the tricky parts about writing about running sunglasses is that there are so many great options out there. The Zeal Campos are no exception. In short, if you pick up the Tifosi Swanks and in the future find that you’d like to invest in something with a similar style, a little lighter weight, with higher quality optics in the lenses, then look to the Zeal Campos.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE ZEAL CAMPO
The lenses and frame of the Zeal Campos are made from plant-based bioplastic. - Photo by Sasha Hashemipour
While we didn’t give them a category win, they’re worth considering if you’re after a casual look, are willing to pay for a higher-priced pair of sunglasses, and are looking to eliminate plastic from your wardrobe. Zeal makes their Campo frames with a Z-resin plant-based bio-plastic and their lenses with a Z-resin plant-based polycarbonate.
Nathan Summit
Shape: Wayfarer
Weight: 27 grams
Coating: None specified
Frame material: TR-90 Nylon
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lenses option: Yes
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
Most similar to the Tifosi Swanks in price, build, and looks, the Nathan Summits are a good pick if you want to stick with Nathan for more than your hydration needs.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE NATHAN SUMMIT
Sasha wearing the Nathan Summit glasses. Photo by Trey French
Ultimately, we preferred the Tifosi’s with their smaller profile sidearms and higher quality feel, because they’re available in a smaller frame size to better accommodate people with smaller faces.
Tifosi Rail
Shape: Full shield
Weight: 32 grams
Coating: None specified
Frame material: Grilamid TR-90
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lenses option: No
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
Tifosi showed up on our list of quality sunglasses, especially for the value. The Rails are no exception. However, we don't think the design of this model is the best for running. At 32 grams, the same as the Oakley Sutros, they’re on the heavier side, and unlike the Sutros, they just weren’t secure enough on our faces when running in them.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE TIFOSI RAIL
We love the interchangeable lens on the full shield Tifosi Rail. Photo by Sasha Hashemipour
They had a lot of bounce, and getting past that drawback is tough. We find they perform better primarily as cycling sunglasses where the trail is smooth. But at $80, you can choose different lens types. You can choose between getting a single photochromic lens or some frames that come with three different lenses. None are photochromic, but they serve the same need by coming with a clear, low light, and darker polarized lens pack.
Smith Parallel Max 2
Shape: Small, oval
Weight: 21 grams
Coating: Lens - hydrophilic, oleophilic
Frame material: TR-90 nylon
Lens material: Polycarbonate
Rx lenses option: No
Lens color options: Yes
Frame color options: Yes
Like the Tifosi Rail, the Smith Parallel Max 2 are sunglasses with an interchangeable lens. We enjoyed how easy it was to pop out the lenses to change to new ones, but one review did mention that when jostling around on rough terrain in a truck, they tend to pop out unintended. This didn’t happen to us, but it was something we pondered while running on technical terrain.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SMITH PARALLEL MAX 2
The Smith Parallel Max 2 is a multisport pair of sunglasses that might be better suited to lower-impact activities. Photo by Sasha Hashemipour
We also found that the rimless style of sunglasses isn’t our favorite for running.
The reason is that as runners, we often need to remove our sunglasses to see more technical aspects of the trail that may not be as obvious due to the polarization. With rimless sunglasses, it's too easy to touch the lenses with our dirty fingers when we're removing glasses to put on our hats. These sunglasses are marketed as multisport glasses, afterall, and may be better suited to that, as they don’t feel built specifically for the needs of running.
Why do you need running sunglasses
Running sunglasses are not merely a fashion accessory; they serve a crucial purpose in enhancing performance and safeguarding your eyes during runs. They help you see better and they protect your eyes from UV rays. Here's why investing in sunglasses specifically designed for running is essential:
UV protection
When it comes to looking for a good pair of running sunglasses, UV protection is perhaps the most important feature. Look for sunglasses that offer UV400 or 100% UV protection.
Glare reduction
Polarized lenses not only help protect against UV rays, but they also help reduce glare. This helps you see better while you run, making your run safer and more enjoyable.
Comfort and fit
Running sunglasses will have varying fit, overall, bridge, and lens widths, as well as lens heights and temple lengths. These are measured in millimeters. You can find your measurements to see which options are best for you.
A good fit is important for comfort — too small of sunglasses and you’ll feel uncomfortable (and maybe get a headache), too large and they’ll bounce around too much. Some running sunglasses also have grippy coatings to keep the glasses in place while you run.
Sweat and moisture resistance
You’ll want running sunglasses that resist sweat and moisture, as that’s going to be difficult to avoid while running. Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings repel water and oil respectively, and are commonly found on running sunglasses.
Impact resistance
Impact-resistant sunglasses protect the wearer’s eyes from injury upon impact. There are generally two levels of impact resistance available in sunglasses: basic impact resistance and high-impact resistance. Basic impact is sufficient for most runners, unless you’re frequently running on highly technical, rocky trails that require scrambling. If your runs take you through Class 3 terrain, you may want to consider high-impact resistance sunglasses.
Enhanced performance
Most running sunglasses offer other features for enhanced performance, like lens and frame coatings. Anti-glare, anti-scratch, and grippy coatings are a few examples of features available in many running sunglasses that will improve your experience.
The frame styles of our six category winners. Leftside, top to bottom: Roka Oslos, Goodr OG, Tifosi Swanks. Rightside, top to bottom: Oakley Sutro, Tifosi Veloce, Ombraz Teton. Photo by Trey French
How to choose running sunglasses
Make sure they're polarized
UV filters aside, there are three main types of sunglass lenses: standard, polarized, and photochromic (which you may know from the brand Transition). We’re focusing on polarized and photochromic lenses for running since standard lenses don’t offer the tech we want.
Polarization is a glare-reducing application found on lenses to help with reflections from water, snow, pavement, and pavement’s accompanying glare (like vehicle windows and other hard, shiny surfaces). In addition, studies have shown that polarized lenses can improve reaction time while driving. Polarized lenses are fixed instead of transitioning with varying light levels like photochromic. However, polarized lenses are available across all budgets.
On the other hand, photochromic lenses have a higher barrier to entry (with few exceptions). Make sure you use polarized lenses if you spend the bulk of your time running on pavement or a lot of time above treeline in the presence of snow to best manage glare, increase contrast, reduce eye strain, and improve reaction time.
If you want running sunglasses with general use, like for driving and socializing, that’s even more reason to stick with polarization lenses. Non-polarized lenses are clear when driving on the road with the sun when the light's angle reflects harshly off road surfaces.
Polarized lenses will probably be the best pick for most runners. But if you spend a lot of time on forested trails with varying light, technical terrain, and other obstacles, you may want to consider going photochromic. Or, you can consider having a specific pair of sunglasses for days on those types of surfaces since the polarization film slightly reduces the depth of field, possibly making navigating those technical obstacles more difficult.
Our reviewer uses the same pair of sunglasses for everything and opts for a polarized lens. But when heading back down the mountain back into the treeline, the sunglasses may have to come off for short amounts of time (especially if pushing the pace and trying to go fast)! Taking them off is a trade-off in UV protection, but the time spent without the sunglasses is short enough that our reviewer justifies it for simplicity and money spent.
Make sure they're comfortable and fit well
Similar to some other accessories we wear, especially running shoes, any initial discomfort you feel when you put them on is more likely to worsen than go away. Some manufacturers make their sunglasses sizing a one-size-fits-all, though we know that some runners, especially those with large or small heads, will deem it a one-size-fits-most. Other makers will provide a sizing chart, which can involve measuring all kinds of places on your face.
Finding a pair that doesn’t feel like its arms are pinching your head's sides is a good start. From there, ensure the glasses aren’t falling off your face, you don’t have to press them up to your eyelashes, and the bridge doesn’t pinch your nose. Online-only platforms can complicate the fitting process; however, many companies understand this and offer free returns on sunglasses. Roka, an online-only company, sends their glasses with three different nose pads to help dial in the fit and get it right the first try.
Lastly, if you’re looking to use your glasses for other activities or with other accessories, including wearing hats or helmets, you might ensure that the side arms don’t interfere with them. Long, wraparound-style sunglasses can especially pose this problem. Ombraz has tackled this issue by eliminating the side arms altogether!
Make sure they'll stay in place when you run
Bounce is annoying and can also mean your glasses flying off your face as you bound down a hill, leading to dirt on the frame, a scratched lens, or a full lens or frame break. Or, like our reviewer, you can simply leave your sunglasses loosely on top of your hat while bending over a gushing stream to fill up on water while backpacking and say goodbye as the current takes them into the next watershed. Sunglasses should facilitate the experience you’re after, like any gear, rather than detract from it. If they need constant adjusting, you won’t want to wear them.
Tifosi Rail disassembled to swap the lenses from dark, polarized shades to clear lenses. Photo by Trey French
Do you need interchangeable lenses?
Interchangeable lenses can be a helpful tool if you plan to wear your glasses in a wide range of situations, like for safety at work, driving, and trail running, among other applications. Rather than buying multiple versions of the same glasses because they’re the most comfortable shades you’ve ever put on, and you don’t ever want to part with them, you can simply seek that comfort in interchangeable-lens-friendly glasses.
Do you need anti-fogging features?
Suppose you live in a humid region or do a lot of running in cold temperatures with higher contrast in temperature between your face and the sunglasses. In that case, you may want to consider anti-fog features like hydrophobic coatings, glasses with perforations, or glasses angled in a particular way to vent warm and moist air. Another reason to get a pair of sunglasses that stay put without having to press nearly into your eyelashes is that you’ll retain space for air to circulate.
The Tifosi Veloce sunglasses incorporate a venting hole near the top of the lens to allow heat to escape. Photo by Trey French
How much do you want to spend?
These days, there are a lot of low-cost options available. If you’re a runner that’s hard on sunglasses but wants a polarized lens for glare reduction, you can get a decent pair for as low as $25. Note that the polarization on those lower-end sunglasses may be an outer film that can be the first thing to wear on the sunglasses and be susceptible to scratching. Something from Goodr might be the right choice for you. Maybe you want a photochromic or polarized lens with the film integrated inside a lightweight polyurethane lens. You might be paying $150-$250 for those.
Buying advice
Lens Optics and Filters (Polarization, UV rays, and Glare Blockage)
Beyond finding a pair of sunglasses that feel comfortable on your face, you’ll also want to consider the lens technology. Polarized sunglasses have film either on the outside or in the middle of the lens. The difference is that the outer film is more prone to scratching and wear. Some people like the aesthetic of mirrored lenses, functioning visually like a one-way mirror to the outside observer, but mirrored lenses also further aid in dealing with glare. Most sunglasses today have UV400 protection built-in, or a 100 UV protection built into the lens, so unlike some polarization films, it can’t wear off.
A view through the Oakley Sutros. Photo by Trey French
Lenses (RX and color options)
If you wear prescription sunglasses, you’ll want to shop through companies that offer prescription lens options of their frames. When shopping online, you’ll want to do the usual stuff like getting someone at your optometry office to measure your pupillary distance, or the distance between your pupils, to make sure everything lines up.
Like non-RX lenses, you’ll still choose among polarized, photochromic, and mirrored lenses, along with the other variable of light transmission among different shades of lenses. Though the UV protection will be the same across all color lenses on a given model, the way you see in certain light conditions will vary. Though there is a general guideline for dark and lighter colored lenses, the amount of light that lenses allow will vary by company, so take a moment to cycle through your options and see which lens tint might function the best for the places you run.
Frame type and coverage
Lately, we have seen larger, traditionally cycling-oriented glasses, become more popular. These models have more surface area coverage on the face, While the popularity of these glasses is rising, we see that most folks still prefer the smaller, lightweight sunglasses for running. One reason may be that it better manages the bounce inherent in running as opposed to cycling.
Another shape consideration may simply be how the glasses look on your face. While there are traditional guidelines for face shape and style (circular glasses for longer faces, squared glasses for more round faces), you’re free to choose what looks best on you and what image you want. You may have noticed the enduring popularity of the classic wayfarer style of sunglasses found on Ray Ban’s, Good’rs, the Roka Halsey’s, and others. They seem to strike a balance between round and square for many people.
Fit and comfort
Like a good pair of running shoes, look for no pinching or rubbing — with running sunglasses, focus on the bridge of your nose or the sides of your head. While you can sometimes feel red flags immediately, we’ve found that if glasses are just a little too small width-wise for your head, they may have a slight pinch that turns into a major pain after several hours of use and can even create headaches. Most sunglass companies sell their glasses as one-size-fits-all but advertise that specific models fit best on smaller or medium to larger heads.
If you shop around enough, you’ll notice that some companies do offer at least a couple of sizes of frames to fit different-sized heads. It’s also good to ensure that the sunglasses' arms don’t interfere with any helmet components (including the chin strap). Sometimes you may not notice until you do the activity, but if you plan to wear a helmet outdoors, this is something to keep in mind.
Durability
Though we want to take kindly to our new sunglasses, there are durability concerns related to both lenses and frames.
Lenses Durability
Glass lenses offer the most clarity in lenses. Still, they are usually too heavy and fragile for running sunglasses. Glass lenses are also generally not found on non-prescriptive lenses. For RX and non-prescriptive running sunglasses, you will likely find a lightweight, durable polycarbonate or polyurethane lens.
A polyurethane lens will typically provide a slight edge over polycarbonate in terms of visual clarity and scratch resistance. However, they may also push the sunglasses from an investment to simply out of the budget.
Polycarbonate lens does the job for most, striking a balance of weight, clarity, durability, RX capability, scratch resistance, and price.
Frame Durability
Metals are popular for non-sport glasses and sunglasses but are not the most durable when it comes to all the impact that comes with running. Unless you’re shopping for a plant-based option, nylon will be the primary frame material for running and sport-focused sunglasses, sometimes incorporating small rubber pieces for comfort and stability and metal hinges where the arms meet the lens area.
Ventilation and Anti-Fogging Features
No matter what temperature you’re running in, body heat, sweat, and evaporation of that sweat can cause your sunglasses to fog. This happens mostly when you’ve been moving and then come to a stop, decreasing the airflow that goes through and around your glasses. Glasses designs use a few different methods to prevent this. The first is the shape of the frames. The closer the lenses sit to your face, and the more they wrap around, the more likely they’ll be to fog. Glasses that sit a bit off the face will allow more airflow and be less likely to fog. However, glasses designed like this often have a less technical shape, while more technical glasses tend to feature wrap-around styles for better coverage and protection from the sun. This means that other ventilation is necessary in order to prevent fogging. Many glasses like this include small venting holes in the sides or tops of the lenses to help with that (like the Tifosi Veloce).
Frame Material
The material of the frame affects the comfort, weight, and performance of your sunglasses. Many sunglasses frames are made from nylon, for a combination of lightweight durability and comfort. Flexibility is also important for both comfort, and to prevent the frames from breaking easily. Nylon tends to strike a nice balance between weight, durability, comfort, and affordability. Other materials, like acetate, will be more rigid and not as suitable for high-impact or high-output sports. Some sunglasses include other, more expensive materials—some of which offer better performance, though some are just for style. Overall, we think nylon frames offer great value for sunglasses that will be used for outdoor activities.
Tips for Maintaining Running Sunglasses
Cleaning and storage
Cleaning your sunglasses—the lenses specifically—will help them last longer and offer better clarity for when you’re wearing them. In general, it’s not good to wipe sunglasses lenses with cotton anything paper-based (like paper towels), as it can cause tiny scratches on the lenses. It’s best to use a microfiber glasses wipe to clean your lenses. When you’re not wearing your glasses, store them in a glasses case to protect the lenses. If you’re traveling or have to stuff your glasses into a tight pack, a hard case is nice to ensure the glasses frame stays safe, too.
Replacement parts and repairs
We’re all about keeping your gear in rotation for as long as possible. With sunglasses, whether it’s a loose screw or a scratched lens, there are often ways to repair them without having to buy a whole new pair. Many companies offer replacement parts for their sunglasses, and if you’re not able to find them online, consider popping into a shop that specializes in eyewear—even better if they’re a dealer for your brand of glasses—and they’ll likely be able to help with parts and repairs. It’s ideal to care for your glasses properly in order to avoid scratches on the lenses. If you do scratch your lenses badly, many sunglasses have the option to replace or swap the lenses, so you can keep the frames in use.
Warranty and customer support
Some eyewear brands offer more robust warranty policies than others, and more often than not, if you spend more on a nice pair, you’re more likely to see a better warranty or options for repair. If there’s a defect in your sunglasses, be sure to reach out about a warranty. But even if it’s normal wear and tear that’s battered your sunnies, some brands offer repair services, so it’s worth checking before you sink money into a new pair.
How we tested
To find the best pair of running sunglasses, we tested sunglasses while trail running in a series of mountain ranges, including the foothills of the San Isabel National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land, Sangre de Cristos, and the Sawatch Range of Colorado-Ute land. We encountered temperatures between 55°-95° degrees through a warm but wet summer in the Colorado Rockies.
We wore sunglasses on our faces, hats, running belts, and vests, wiped them during runs with cleaning clothes, rinsed them, and checked the hinges afterward. We experienced different vision with each lens type and found that some are best in low light, others in bright conditions, and some adapt to changing conditions. Some bounced, and others never budged. Some were so comfortable that we forgot to change them out halfway when carrying multiple pairs on the same run.
Most of our runs averaged about an hour on buffed-out dirt roads and technical rolling single track. Some were more adventurous-as long as 8 hours of movement at 10,000-14,300ft, including hiking and scrambling through overgrown terrain, technical alpine talus and boulder fields, and down steep 4,000ft sustained singletrack descents.
Sasha testing out the Nathan Summit sunglasses. Photo by Trey French
FAQ
Why should running sunglasses be polarized?
It’s not a requirement that they are polarized, but many runners will benefit from them due to the general high glare nature of running surfaces. Protection against glare is essential for running on pavement and good for high alpine running when reflective rock and snow are present. Though polarization may decrease your depth perception slightly, this is usually only an issue on technical trails with nuanced objects like roots, rocks, and minor drops. You can always remove shades during these sections.
How do I keep my sunglasses from fogging up when I run?
Fogged up sunglasses may be simply too close to your face. That said, glasses are more prone to fogging up in cold, wet weather conditions and even more when your face generates a lot of heat. Suppose you’ve found that you struggle with glasses fogging up. In that case, it’s worth looking into glasses that not only fit your face comfortably with a bit of space for airflow between your face and the lenses but also ones with anti-fogging coatings and even cutouts in the lenses to increase airflow. Note that the better the coatings, the more expensive the sunglasses will likely be.
How do I keep sunglasses from falling off my face when I run?
Falling shouldn't be an issue if your sunglasses are secure to start and not too big for your head. You’ll want the glasses to be somewhat lightweight to decrease the bounce, and you can also look for glasses that have grips on the inside of the arms to help them stay in place. If you find that no frames out there are working for you, you can simply add a glasses retainer strap that can cinch tighter or looser. Ombraz has fully embraced this thinking by eliminating the arms and incorporating an adjustable strap that cinches down to keep the sunglasses in place.
Ombraz sends a cloth case with a microfiber cleaning cloth sewn on it so you won’t lose it! Photo by Trey French
How do I clean my sunglasses?
If you can, avoid using your dirty, abrasive shirt to clean the lenses on your sunglasses. The best option is to use glasses-specific cloth, which often comes with a pair of sunglasses but can be purchased for a few dollars. Using dirty or abrasive fabrics can scratch the lenses. When investing in good lenses, they call for respect, even if scratch-resistant.
Usually, warm water will do. Sometimes mild soap and water for the frame will do the trick; always read for your specific pair, as many specify against any soap use. It’s a good idea to clean the frame periodically simply for hygiene but also to help the glasses last and avoid breakdown from dirt in the hinges and salt from sweat or water degrading the materials over time.
How should I store my running sunglasses?
When not running, a hard case is best. A soft sleeve usually does the trick when running but not wearing your sunglasses. Try not to leave them in extreme climates, like your hot car in the summer, as your glasses may warp in the heat or start degrading sooner than you’d like.
If you decide to hike up sand dunes and run down them at Great Sand Dunes National Park, rinse them after! Photo by Sasha Hashemipour
How do I prevent scratches on my sunglasses?
The best way to prevent scratches is to store them in a clean sunglasses sleeve or the hard or soft case when provided. When our reviewer runs with his sunglasses, which is almost always, he brings along the soft sleeve for storing them in his running belt or vest to prevent the glasses from rubbing on any abrasive material. If you’re tough on your lenses, it’s worth sticking with cheaper, more replaceable shades or looking for anti-scratch lens coatings.
What is the best sunglass tint for trail running?
When you’re out on the trail, conditions and light can change quickly. You might be below treeline in the forest without much direct light, and then end up in the alpine with full sun beating down. This means that a pair of sunglasses with photochromic lenses that adjust to the lighting conditions will be the best option for trail running. If you’re on a budget and looking for a good pair to do it all without the photochromic feature, choose a versatile tint like a rose color—not too dark but not too light—that will perform well in most conditions.
About the author / Why you should trust us
The author in the high country of Colorado, with the Roka Oslos. Photo by Justin Walker
From trail outings starting and ending on NYC trains; Colorado multi-sport front door-to-door outings containing cycling and trail running; to long-distance thru-hikes on trails like the CDT, PCT, and Long Trail-working with variable conditions is a constant in Trey’s outdoor life. Trey gravitates towards hiking, running, and cycling. He is interested in human-powered, carless travel with the occasional assistance of public transportation or a friendly hitch.
Based out of Salida, CO, at 7,000ft, Trey runs in all seasons — for mental health, fitness, and preparing a base for big mountain adventures once the snow melts in spring. Trey has run the Salida Run Through Time trail marathon, the Grand Canyon double crossing (the “Rim to Rim to Rim”), and many self-made alpine routes in Colorado.
He keeps his legs under him by shuffling from the Arkansas River into the local foothills most days of the week, and he is kept honest by the local Wednesday group run up the town’s namesake mountain.
Around 9,000 miles of combined running and hiking miles inform his approach to gear testing. Sun always seems to be present in Colorado’s banana belt that is Salida, getting an average of 262 sunny days per year. Wearing sunglasses outside on his journey to find the perfect pair, he’s gone through quite a few — whether they’ve flown off a hat into a creek, been sat on, or simply lost.
You can read more of Trey's work at his blog or on his author page.
