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Are you on the hunt for the best sunglasses? Our top gear experts have spent years testing hundreds of the best sunglasses for every possible sunny adventure. We've gotten nitty gritty and super specific with our testing, diving deep into cycling shades, sunnies for sports performance, expensive stylish glasses, and budget-minded options. Over the years, we've worn them across the globe and through all kinds of adventures. We've kayaked at the equator, dog sledded at the North Pole, careened down mountain biking trails through the forest, climbed shining granite faces out west, and driven across the entire US and back. Whether you're searching for a pair to keep you protected and stylish or the ones that will stay on your head during your next 100-mile race, we've got you covered.
Do you have a specific activity in mind for wearing your new shades? Our experts have tested and ranked women's sunglasses and sunglasses for men — with plenty of unisex pairs, too. In the process, we rounded up cheap sunglasses for those on a tight budget. We've also tested sport sunglasses for multi-sport disciplines. From the trail to the beach to your best friend's wedding, we're here to help you find the perfect pair.
Editor's Note: Our sunglasses review was updated on September 26, 2024, to share more alternative picks alongside our top award winners.
The Ray-Ban Erika perform impressively and have been a favorite among our testers for multiple years. We love their crisp, clear lenses, and the gradient is ideal, with a subtle shift from dark on top to light on the bottom. This offers an excellent balance of protection in bright light while still allowing you to see in medium and lower lighting. The oversized, rounded wayfarer-ish frames were well-liked by our test team, even considering vastly different facial shapes, sizes, and individual personal styles.
The Ray-Ban Erika is a great casual pair of shades that feel lightweight and comfortable on the face.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Though we didn't test a polarized pair, the Erika is available with polarized lenses in a wide array of frame and lens colors. Their semi-flexible metal bows are comfortable but a bit loose when worn on the top of the head. We were initially concerned that our test pair's grey lenses appeared purple, but we ended up enjoying their added contrast and didn't find them to change color perception. Though these glasses are expensive, they deliver top-tier performance and unusually versatile style across the board.
If the Erika is a bit out of your price range, consider the Merry's Polarized Aluminum or the Le Specs Armada. These glasses look and fit similarly, perform well, and come at a much lower price.
The Kaenon Burnet Mid earned the top spot as our favorite men's shades. Through many years of testing, these glasses have continued to earn top marks. We've tested the brown and grey lenses, which offer superb clarity, enhanced contrast, and excellent color retention. The Burnet is also one of the very few pairs we've tested with practically no back reflections — only in the harshest lighting conditions, and even then, they're the least distracting we've seen. They are available in mid and XL sizes, with a comfortable yet secure fit.
We have a few gripes about these stellar glasses. First, our testers were split on the Burnet's shape and style. Some of us love their vibe, while others feel that they're “too sporty” for formal or casual situations. Second, they're a bit pricey. Still, if you like the look of the Burnet, their top-notch performance is well worth the investment.
The younger brother to the Burnet Mid is the Kaenon Rockaway. These sunnies sport the same great lenses with a slightly softer look and a slightly lower price. Dipping much lower in price but with reasonable performance is the Suncloud Mayor. While in a different league, the fit and style are similar enough to give them a similar vibe.
A glimpse into the testing of sunglasses across multiple face shapes.
At first glance, the Camp Eyewear Trail may look like just another pair of wayfarers, but we found them to have perfectly placed details and a price tag that makes them an exceptional value. Their blue lenses offer a hint of contrast and are crisp and clear, and a smooth finish and flexible hinges make these frames very comfortable to wear. Real wooden bows upgrade the look of these glasses, which quickly became a favorite casual pair for all genders on our testing crew.
The glossy finish on the Trail can be a detriment if you often find yourself hot and sweaty, as they are more prone to sliding down the nose. The flattened fronts and medium-sized lenses typical of the wayfarer style leave sizeable gaps around the edges where sunlight can sneak in. Despite these slight drawbacks, we still found much to love about these cool-looking, budget-friendly shades.
If you don't care about polarization, the Tens Classic is a higher-quality option with a more universal fit, but they're 10 grams heavier than the Trail.
The Trail out on the trails of Tahoe with multiple testers.
You will be hard-pressed to find more value in a sports-capable frame than with the Sunski Treeline Polarized. These sunnies come with removable side shields for superior protection in highly reflective environments, and they also help with wind and debris protection at higher-speed sports. And, if you need protective shop glasses, they can double for that, too. The overall fit is comfortable for various ages and face sizes, and because they weigh only 28 grams, they are good to wear all day long.
The thing to keep in mind is that this is, in the realm of pricy sunglasses, a value purchase, so it comes with some tradeoffs. Most notably, the lower-quality lenses are not nearly as nice, crisp, or strong as premium models like the pricier Oakley Sutro or Rudy Project Propulse. Our test team found the Treeline's frames comfortable, but they can look small on medium or large faces, and the general quality could be better. Once you see the price, these two concerns quickly fade away. The Treeline is an excellent option for anyone looking to maximize their dollars for a pair of polarized sports sunglasses. They are also available in a women's specific frame.
These sunshades certainly have some perks, but we recognize they're not for everyone. If you still want side coverage but a more modern look, the 100% S2 are more of a wrap-style pair offering similar sport-focused performance and protection. We tested the S2 in our cycling sunglasses review and love them for their fog management capabilities.
The Treeline worn on multiple members of the GearLab testing team.
The Shady Rays Classic Timber is a breath of fresh air for those on a strict budget. These straightforward shades are a lightweight wayfarer with a well-executed style and a price tag that fits the bill. We've tested the grey and brown lenses and both frame sizes and love them all. The woodgrain patterning on these plastic frames adds a touch of extra intrigue that our testing team appreciates. We've also put their warranty to the test several times of testing. This great replacement program adds even more value.
We think it's worth noting that the Timber comes with just a simple microfiber bag, providing very little protection. That said, you could always purchase a more protective case. Over years of testing these sunglasses, we noticed that the woodgrain pattern began to rub off in high-traffic spots, such as over the ears. Still, this is a minor flaw for a seriously great-value pair of sunglasses. See our cheap sunglasses review for other budget-friendly options.
Not finding your color? Give the Goodr OGs a peek. These shades offer the same classic style and come in seemingly endless color and lens combinations. And with an even lower price point, snag two.
To get multiple opinions on comfort, we had a big chunk of the GearLab team test out the Classic Timber.
Do you spend your weekends and holidays at the beach, kayaking and fishing? If so, the Costa del Mar Rinconcito are the sunglasses for you. These shades have maintained our top spot for on-water usage for several years now. They have dark, crisp lenses with flawless polarization that further cut down on glare, and they're one of the only glasses we tested that block 100% of blue light. They offer few back reflections, making them more appealing to wear in harsh lighting. A secure fit with embedded rubber nose pads keeps them securely in place, while their larger lenses and slight wrap add coverage when you need it most.
However, if you want just one pair of sunglasses you can wear to the beach or a black-tie wedding, the Rinconcito may not be quite your style. These performance glasses give the wearer a sportier look than average, and they're also one of the most expensive glasses we tested. But if you're after the best protection for water sports, we highly recommend these excellent sunglasses.
Regarding water performance, the Smith Guide's Choice is a great wraparound alternative. Another pair our test team loves for their performance on the water is the Native Wells. These sunglasses have a similar look and fit, offer great glare reduction, and come at a lower price. Dipping even lower in price is the KastKing Toccoa, a budget-friendly, water-happy pair of shades you won't hesitate to toss in your creel.
The Rinconcinto worn by many of the GearLab crew around Lake Tahoe.
The Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic have been stylish for over 70 years — and we still love them today. They looked good on every testing team member, regardless of gender or style. They have a versatile vibe that goes just as well with a swimsuit and your favorite flip flops as with formal wedding wear. And, while no pair of sunglasses is truly unbreakable, these are some of the most robust shades we tested, with thick, sturdy frames and an astounding seven barrels on each hinge.
This beefiness doesn't come without a cost. The Original Wayfarer is a heavy pair of glasses, tipping the scales at 45 grams — more than double many of the other pairs we tested. Their smooth frames lend to their comfort, but their weight is still very noticeable. As the OG wayfarer style, these glasses slant very far forward, and while the chicness of this is undeniable, it cuts down on their coverage significantly. Still, it's hard to go wrong with this look.
Style comes in many forms. The classic look of the Wayfarer is available at lower prices. The Knockaround Paso Robles is a cheaper pick with loads of options and solid performance. If aviators are more your jam, give the Ray-Ban Classic Aviators a peek. Another stylish yet high-performing sport-oriented pair is the Rapha Classic, which is crisp, clean, and ready to tackle everything.
All of our testers loved the cool vibes of these classic wayfarers from Ray-Ban.
Searching for sunglasses to wear through all your high-octane adventures? The Oakley Sutro offers maximum coverage and great performance across a full spectrum of sports. We love them for running, cycling, snowboarding, and mountain biking. With an oversized shield style, these impressive glasses offer full coverage and wind deflection even at high speeds. We found the lenses crystal clear and securely attached to a solid frame we didn't have to worry about while we were out playing.
This sturdy frame is inflexible and narrow, causing pressure points on our wider-faced testers. And while there's much we love about their colossal coverage, our test team found the Sutro is too bulky to fit under lower-profile helmets. But if you wear a higher helmet and have a medium-width head, these are versatile and capable sports sunglasses.
You will find similar performance and price in the 100% Speedcraft. It has a sportier look and boosts a slightly sturdier frame. Another contender worth considering is the Oakley Turbine Rotor — the same quality performance but a slightly different vibe.
The Pit Viper The Son of Beach Exciters is a unique spin on traditional, performance-driven side shade sunglasses. But don't let the wild style fool you — these glasses stood up to our tests and outperformed many big brands. The adjustable-length arms allow for a very custom and snug fit. The lenses are also remarkably well built, with very little reflection and crisp, clean views in dim and bright light. They are also much harder to scratch than many others tested.
The main problem with these shades is the logo — unfortunately, it can come into your view when looking in certain directions. Also, the weight and lack of flex in the overly thick frames gives us cause for concern. But looking beyond these issues, you get a great mix of performance and style in one wild package.
The Roka Torino also offers high form and high function. These shades offer a different but equally bold combination of style and performance without the side shades.
Great fit and function for most uses, faces, and styles
Excellent lens color and contrast
Durable, lightweight frame
REASONS TO AVOID
Minor back reflections
Too general to excel at any one thing
SPECIFICATIONS
Polarized
Yes
Lens Tested
Ultra Grey
Ideal Lens Light Conditions
Bright Light
Fit
Medium-Full
Weight (grams)
30g
The Kaenon Clarke is a high-quality pair of sunglasses with much to offer. We've been testing these for years, and they continue proving exceptionally versatile for just about every activity. They fit securely and comfortably on both narrow and wide faces, with a low weight that makes them enjoyable to wear and a matte finish that helps keep them in place even on trail runs and bumpy bike rides.
The Clarke may not be at the cutting edge of any particular fashion or specific function, but our testers of all genders found their timeless shape to work in various situations. Some, but not all, of our testers found minor back reflections around the edges under harsh lighting conditions. There are other pairs we prefer more for specific sports and niche uses, but these are the ones we can never take out of the rotation since they're just so versatile.
With a similar style and function, the Tifosi Swank is a great alternative to the Kaenon Clarke, though their lower price point does come with less impressive performance.
Two lenses included, with excellent clarity and color
Comfortable
Superb coverage
REASONS TO AVOID
No dust protection
Clear lens scratches easily
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Lenses Included
2
Fit
Medium-large
Lens Tested
Chromapop red mirror, clear
Ideal Lens Light Conditions
Chromapop red mirror: bright light
Clear: low light
Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
Chromapop red mirror: 15%
Clear: 89%
The Smith Wildcat reigns supreme for cycling-specific sunglasses. They come with two lenses that are simple to swap out in different lighting conditions, and both performed exceptionally well in all our extensive testing. The Red Mirror lenses we tested offer excellent protection, enhanced contrast, and supreme definition in difficult riding conditions. Their soft, flexible frame easily and comfortably flexes to stay securely on faces of all sizes, and adjustable nose pads and rubber contact points keep them securely in place as you ride.
Unfortunately, the breathable, off-the-face fit of the Wildcat allows more dust into the eyes than some other goggle-like cycling glasses we tested. Riding in front or on a solo ride, it's something we didn't even notice — just when following closely behind a partner in dry, dusty conditions did this become an issue. But unless you frequently ride in those types of conditions, these are the cycling sunglasses we recommend investing in.
If you are willing to pay for more coverage, the Smith Pursuit is an impressive pair and worth a look. The Tifosi Sledge, on the other hand, is a great value grab and offers a sportier vibe compared to others in the biking category.
We tested the Wildcat with multiple sunglass experts to get various opinions on fit and style.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Sunglasses
We have spent years testing and retesting sunglasses to evaluate which ones are best for specific uses. As detail enthusiasts, we've broken our sunglasses testing into five separate categories of glasses: men's and women's (which both include many unisex models), cheap, sports, and cycling. We have collectively spent thousands of hours wearing and testing these glasses in every possible activity and location we could. We wore them at the equator on the Galapagos Islands, in the sunny Caribbean, and through cloudless Sierra Nevada Mountain hikes. We wore them dog sledding at the North Pole in spring (sun and snow!), mountain biking patchy trails at twilight, running single track through the desert, road tripping across the country, and paddling across hot summer lakes. We've packed these sunnies in checked luggage, tossed them on car floors, pulled them out of the bottoms of backpacks, and rescued them from watery graves. We are sunglass experts.
From the Caribbean to Iceland and from the North Pole to Lake Tahoe, we've spent thousands of hours testing sunglasses in all kinds of environments, all types of situations, and on a wide diversity of faces.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why Trust GearLab
As extensive as our lineup of sunglasses is, our testing bench is equally impressive. Several of our Senior Review Editors lead the charge in testing all the different types of glasses. Maggie Nichols has been wearing glasses since she was four years old and has been a professional backcountry guide for over 15 years. She is obsessed with protecting her eyes as she works and adventures outdoors in some of the sunniest places on the planet, from the African savannah to mountaintops almost 2 miles high. Rob Gaedtke does just about everything there is to do outside. From crushing ironmans and marathons to rafting, climbing, golfing, and snowboarding, he's always on the go with his favorite pair of shades. Jeremy Benson is an obsessive year-round cyclist and author of two outdoor guidebooks. As a former sponsored ski athlete and current outdoor junkie, he has an unbridled passion for the best sunglasses for every adventure. Zach Wick is an avid cycler of all types, having spent 18 years as a competitive road and mountain bike racer. With a background in outdoor product design, he has an eye for top-quality products. Each of our main testers pulled in the help and critical eyes of a host of friends, family, and coworkers to help test and evaluate these sunglasses.
Now that you've found your perfect shades, get out there and go on an adventure!
The Smith Forefront in Matte Cement worn with Smith Pivlock V2 sunglasses.
Testing sunglasses on sunny Caribbean beaches.
We've tested sunglasses across the country and around the globe, doing everything outdoors to find out which ones are the best.
Why Should I Invest in (Potentially Expensive) Sunglasses?
Just like a great winter coat, the perfect button-down shirt, or an excellent pair of shoes, there are three types of sunglasses: the ones that look good, the ones that work well, and the ones that look good while also working well. While the right pair of sunglasses can bring your whole look up a notch, they're also a very important piece of protective gear that you should never leave home without.
UV rays damage your eyes as well as your skin. UV exposure can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye-related cancers. An ever-increasing body of evidence implies we should all protect our eyes better. This is especially true for those who spend extended hours outdoors, additional protection against high-energy visible light (aka HEV light or blue light). Even if you're stepping out into the backyard with the dog, a blast of bright light can be painful and potentially eye-damaging. Reflected light off surfaces like water and snow, pavement, and other objects compound the amount of light your eyes are trying to cope with, making polarized lenses ideal for blocking out this unwanted additional glare. With all the reasons to wear sunglasses quite literally staring you in the face, let's go through how to decide which sunglasses are right for you.
Sunglasses do far more than just look good - they're an important part of protecting yourself from the damaging effects of UV rays.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
How to Pick the Best Sunglasses for You
Before even considering the style or intended activities you have in mind for rocking your new shades, it's helpful to go over the many materials and features manufacturers put into their products. Understanding each attribute's benefits and best use will help determine if a pair of glasses is right for you.
Think about what kinds of activities you want to do while wearing your sunglasses, and let our reviews help you narrow down which pair is right for your lifestyle.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Lens Selection
Below, we dive into what you need to know when sorting through the different lens considerations in the sunglasses market, from materials to coatings to lens color.
Material
As the name implies, early glasses exclusively used glass lenses. Today, sunglasses (and regular eyeglasses) use four common materials for the lens:
Glass: Often offers the best clarity available. It is naturally scratch and chip-resistant but not impact-resistant. Glass lenses are heavier than their synthetic competitors and can shatter with enough force.
Polyurethane: This synthetic material offers exceptional impact resistance while maintaining excellent clarity. It is flexible and lightweight, adding to its appeal for high-intensity activities. However, it also typically comes with a higher price tag.
Polycarbonate: Another synthetic material with good impact resistance and decent optical clarity. Poly lenses are also lightweight and typically more affordable than polyurethane, though also less scratch-resistant.
Acrylic: This mass-produced material is inexpensive and commonly found in budget glasses. It is less durable, with some of the lowest optical clarity, which sometimes even includes image distortion. This material is lightweight and a far less expensive alternative to polycarbonate lenses.
Coating
Beyond just the material of the lenses, many manufacturers enhance their products with additional coatings. For non-glass lenses, select a scratch-resistant coating. Even if you are an avid case user, plastic lenses easily pick up scratches — from blowing dust or even being wiped on a t-shirt. A scratch-resistant coating is one of the most important features to ensure the continued usability of your sunglasses over time. Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings are a nice touch, particularly if you plan to use your glasses for more intense activities involving sweat and water. These two coatings help repel water (hydro) and oil (oleo) from your hair, eyebrows, and fingers.
Having the right lenses is very important to your eye comfort and health, whether you're spending hours kayaking across the lake or just hanging on the beach.
Credit: Jason Peters
A mirrored coating on lenses can help reduce additional light from entering your eyes. It can substitute for lenses that lack polarization or even just as a style additive. Anti-reflective coating on the inside of the lenses is less common, but one that we find makes a huge difference for any pair worn slightly away from your face. Without this coating, it's easy to see the reflection of your face or even your eyeball staring back at you. Anti-fog coatings are also uncommon but exceptionally useful for close-fitting glasses you plan to do high-output activities in — like running, hiking, or biking.
Color
While there are many colors you might get your lenses in, the two most common are grey and brown/amber. Grey lenses typically offer minimal color distortion and are often darker than other colored lenses. Brown and amber lenses increase the contrast of what you see, though the exact nature of this increased contrast depends on the specific lens. These often do better in variable and medium light conditions than gray lenses but sometimes suffer in bright conditions.
There are many coatings and colors you could get your new lenses in. We can help take out the challenge of deciding which combo is right for you.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Frame Considerations
Sunglass frames are important for more than just their looks. Several attributes help certain types work better in specific situations. If you're looking for lightweight, durable frames, consider getting nylon frames. They offer a great blend of strength and flexibility, which makes them great for high-intensity sports. For more casual uses, other plastic frames — including acetate — boast low weight with high functionality and reasonable durability. Though they're often less flexible than nylon frames, plastic frames cost less and come in an astonishing array of colors. Some use recycled and renewable materials.
Checking the hinges of your potential new glasses is a very important consideration. Some sports glasses increase their secure fit by having bows that grip more effectively, then offset this added pressure by including flexible hinges. These flex hinges can overextend, helping them to be more comfortable — especially on wider faces — and add durability to the overall frame construction. Even standard barrel hinges deserve some attention. Though they can't overextend, there are better and worse constructions here, too. More barrels generally make a more secure hinge less likely to loosen over time. Five is a good number, though we tested many with just three and a few with seven. No matter how many barrels you end up with, making sure you can get a small screwdriver in there to tighten or loosen them is a must, as they may loosen over time.
It's important to make sure whatever glasses you choose have frames that fit securely and comfortable on your face, whether you're climbing a route or reading a book in the hammock.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Consider the other touch points of your potential new glasses on your face. All sunglasses will rest on your nose and above your ears, and some may touch your eyebrows or cheeks. If you have a narrow or wide nose, consider sunglasses with adjustable nose pads. On the other hand, if you often place your sunglasses on the top of your head when going indoors and have longer hair, those free-floating nose pads are likely to get caught. If you're looking for sunglasses to wear while you sweat, consider the material used to make the nose pads. Glossy plastic and heavy materials will likely slide on your nose if it's wet. Instead, look for a matte finish, embedded rubber nose pads, and lightweight glasses. And if you're the type of person who often needs to bend the bows of your glasses to get them to fit your head or sit straight on your face, plastic bows are much more challenging to reshape than metal.
When choosing frames, you'll need to consider your face shape to get the desired coverage you want. If you often wear your sunglasses with a hat, you should not consider top-down coverage. But if you find yourself hatless at midday, ensuring you can minimize the space between your eyebrows and your glasses will prove far more comfortable for your eyes. Getting side and bottom coverage to protect your eyes is also important for anyone outdoors. While larger lenses are an obvious fix, smaller lenses can be just as effective with the right frame curvature. Look at the base curve before committing — a higher number means the pair is more curved to fit your face. Your typical pair of gas station or music festival wayfarers is about a base curve of 6. Some fashionable glasses look almost flat, with a base curve of around 4. Sportier models that wrap around your eyes almost as well as goggles typically advertise a base curve of about 8.
Finding the right frames to add coverage when you need it most - from exploring a new city to having a snowball fight in the woods.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Sunglasses for Every Use
In a perfect world, you could find a single pair of sunglasses to wear to brunch, on trail runs, touring European cities, and kayaking at sunset. While those sunglasses can exist, depending on your style, it's much more common to have two pairs of sunglasses — one you love to wear when you're dressing up or just lounging around and another with the sports performance you need for your preferred activities. No matter what you're wearing sunglasses for, there are some useful tips to keep in mind while shopping around.
Nothing puts sunglasses to the test quite like running the San Juan.
Credit: Shayna Gaedtke
Casual and Everyday Sunglasses
Are you mostly looking for a solid pair of sunnies for everyday wear? You know, the ones you can put on to drive to the store, hang out at the beer garden, or wear to all those outdoor weddings this summer? Choosing the best everyday sunglasses has much to do with whether you like how they look on your face — but that's not all you should consider.
When investing in a pair of casual shades, regardless of their cost, check if they will protect your eyes. Check that the lenses have 100% UV protection (most do), and consider if you're going to be driving in them or if you live in a place that gets snowy. If that's the case, you'll want polarized lenses to help keep your eyes comfortable no matter how much glare surrounds you. Grey lenses are popular and often block out more light than other color lenses. In contrast, brown/amber lenses enhance contrast and are typically easier to wear in variable lighting conditions, such as partly cloudy days and golden hours.
Even when you're shopping for style, don't forget that the job of your sunglasses is to protect your eyes and keep you comfortable.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
If buying a pair online, read about the frames' size to ensure they fit on your face. Look to testimonials to see how they fit other people's faces to help gauge how they might lay on yours. Consider adjustable nose pads, flex hinges, and overall size. And look into the return policy of whatever pair you choose, just in case you don't like them.
Once you have your sunnies in hand, test them thoroughly before the return period ends. Wear them when you're sweaty and do jumping jacks to see how comfortably they stay put. Wear them outside when the sun is directly overhead or coming at you from the side to check if their coverage and fit offer the protection you want. Golden hour — that hour just after sunrise and just before sunset — can be some of the most challenging times of day for sunglasses, so see how yours do. And don't be afraid to return them and try something else if they don't work for you.
We have three reviews that cover casual sunglasses: men's sunglasses, women's sunglasses and cheap sunglasses. Below we highlight the overall scores for each of those sunglass categories. Be sure to check out each review for even more details about how each sunglass model compared.
If you're still sacrificing quality function for the sake of style, you've got the wrong pair of sunglasses.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Sport Sunglasses
If you've got the looks covered, and you're on the hunt for a set of specs for running/climbing/hiking/paddling/golf, etc., there are other considerations you'll want to keep in mind while you search. We highly recommend getting polarized lenses for sports that involve exceptional glare and light exposure, like water sports, snow sports, or climbing. This added layer of protection will lighten the strain on your eyes by cutting out glare from the sun bouncing off of water, snow, or rocks. Consider other light wavelength protection if your chosen sport has you outside for extended hours. HEV or blue light blockage is particularly useful around the water for activities like paddling or fishing.
Certain lens coatings are helpful for specific sports as well. An oleophobic coating helps reduce oil on the lenses, which is handy for glasses worn close to your face. A hydrophobic coating is useful if you plan to be around the water or splashed a lot, as it helps water droplets to roll more easily off the lenses. If you want to run in your new shades, consider an anti-fog coating to prevent your lenses from clouding too much. A quality anti-reflective coating on the backs of the lenses is something we highly recommend, as it helps reduce back reflection.
Lens protections and frame fit are both very important when selecting the right sports sunglasses for your lifestyle.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
When it comes to quality performance from your frames, think less about their style and more about how well they fit and stay put. Many sports-oriented specs have embedded nose pads and even temple grips to help them stay in place. Check their weight to see if they are as light as your intended use requires. Frames made of nylon are often flexible, offering a secure fit. Flex hinges are useful, too, both for possible impact and for comfort over an extended period. Check their base curvature to see how face-hugging your potential new shades will be, and consider the overall size of the lenses to gauge their coverage. If you often wear a hat or helmet while you're out, keep that in mind when looking at the bow dimensions and lens height of any potential glasses. And, of course, when you get them, put them to the test to ensure they perform how you need them to.
Our detailed sport sunglasses review scores each model on the key purchase decision metrics. Below we highlight the overall scores of the models we tested. However, we have a lot more detail on those scores in the full reviews.
It's hard to get used to the look of full shield sunglasses, but they will win you over once you see how they perform.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Cycling Sunglasses
If you need a pair of glasses specifically for biking — whether on the road or the trail — there are a few additional considerations beyond what you might require for other sports. Because you'll have more wind in your face than in many other sports, added coverage is usually a plus for cycling shades. Look for this not just in the size of the lenses, but also their curvature and shape — particularly on the outsides of the lenses and in the center, between your eyes. When considering a close-fitting pair with large lenses, ensure they have an anti-fog coating. Without this added layer, a goggle-like fit will likely start fogging as you sweat your way through your ride.
Added coverage is a must for wind and dust protection while biking.
Credit: Zach Wick
If you're a road biker, lenses with polarization are best to help minimize glare off the road. That said, if you often find yourself riding among the trees, you may not want the polarization, as it can sometimes disguise the rocks and bumps you need to see in the path. For mountain bikers, it can also be advantageous to have two sets of lenses — one meant for bright days with a high VLT and one meant for cloudy or overcast days that offer wind and dust protection without cutting down much, if at any, low light. Some pairs come with two lenses right out of the box, and others offer interchangeable lenses.
When evaluating the frames, try on potential pairs with the helmet you'll wear while riding. Take it to the store if shopping in person. Low-riding helmets can be limiting with cycling shades, which tend to be larger on your face. Be sure to buckle your helmet as you would when riding to see how the straps fit over the bows of the glasses. Check how well they stay secure on your face by jumping. Carefully consider the comfort of the bows over your ears, especially while wearing your helmet, to make sure the fit is just right.
Our review of cycling sunglasses considers all the factors above and more. We detail which models performed best in which metric and how price and value factor in. Below, we chart the overall score of our cycling sunglass test suite, but the full review has much more detail to explore.
We've tested all types of sunglasses in all kinds of conditions.
Credit: Jason Peters
Conclusion
There are thousands of possible sunglasses on the market to choose from. As many of these are also style accessories, seemingly endless models are available at any given moment. Yet they are also essential to the continued health of your eyes. No other article of clothing may have quite the same high-level combination of fashion and protection as sunglasses. By testing hundreds of pairs of sunglasses and evaluating their performance, fit, and looks, we can help you find the ideal pair for your lifestyle, vibe, and wallet.
—Maggie Nichols, Rob Gaedtke, Jeremy Benson, and Zach Wick
