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Jun 09, 2023

14 Best Running Sunglasses for Comfort & Style

Whether you're after interchangeable lenses, aviators, or ultra-lightweight frames, we found the best running sunglasses fit for every type of runner Author Ashley Mateo Image courtesy Article One

Whether you're after interchangeable lenses, aviators, or ultra-lightweight frames, we found the best running sunglasses fit for every type of runner

Author

Ashley Mateo

Image courtesy Article One

Running sunglasses might feel like an afterthought, but they’re more than a stylish accessory. Just like your skin, your eyes need protection when you’re spending extended periods in the sun. High-quality sunglasses protect your eyes from ultraviolet light protection (which can damage the inner structures of the eye) and dirt, dust, allergens, and other debris.

So what makes a pair of sunglasses good? For starters, any pair you wear should have lens technology that blocks 100 percent of UV light, including UVA light, which can age your skin, and UVB light, which can burn your skin. Polarization—a lens coating that blocks glare—is less important but can help with visibility, especially around snow or water.

Most important, though, is comfort: You want shades that don’t bounce; don’t put any pressure on your nose bridge, temples, or behind your eyes; and don’t fog up or get blurry with any kind of moisture.

Sunglass tech has come a long way, and the kind of features that used to be reserved for top-of-the-line performance eyewear can now be found in styles that work for any budget. The following 13 pairs represent our top picks for the best running sunglasses out now. So scroll on, click through, and protect your eyes and add some personality to your running kit.

Considering the number of Oakleys you see at any road race, you might be surprised that the iconic eyewear brand released its first running-specific sunglasses earlier this year. The Actuator is casual, with a round shape featuring larger-sized lenses that use Prizm technology to enhance color and improve light conditions so you can better see your surroundings. This pair is an easy one to transition from a run to the rest of your life.

Weight: 1.2oz | 34 gLens: Prizm Polarized Lens TechnologyFrame Material: Durable, lightweight O MatterUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $167+

SHOP NOW

What’s better than a single pair of slick shades? Three for the price of one. The Rail XC is a cycling style with interchangeable lenses, but the rimless shield lens provides a wide-open field of view for runners, too. Each pair comes with a high-contrast reflective lens for bright light, a medium-tint lens for moodier conditions, and a clear lens for low-light protection. You can easily swap them out by twisting on and off the arms and nose pad.

Weight: 1oz | 31gLens: Shatterproof polycarbonate interchange lensesFrame Material: Light & Durable Grilamid TR-90UV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $80SHOP NOW

Perhaps the most technical, most performance engineered sunglasses on this list, the ROKA SR-1 is an ultralight model designed for runners and road cyclists that demand crystal clear optics with a secure fit. Custom interchangeable Carl Zeiss lenses allow you to react to changing conditions on the fly, while ROKA's patented GEKO pads on the nose bridge and side arms ensures the SR-1 will stay in place through even the hardest, most sweaty workouts. The titanium core increases stability and durability without adding weight.

Weight: 0.8oz | 24gLens: Carl Zeiss lens with anti-scratch, anti-reflective, anti-fog coatingFrame Material: Titanium coreUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $220SHOP NOW

Aviators have never looked more cool as they do in this collab. The retro aesthetic is fully modernized with red mirrored lenses made from GTGlass, a lightweight yet durable polymer plastic that offers clarity on par with bigger name brands like Oakley, and an anti-reflective coating that blocks 100 percent of UV rays while preventing road glare. They’re a little heavier, which makes them best for shorter outings, but you’re going to want to wear these while not running, too.

Weight: N/ALens: Italian-made Divel CR-39 polarized lensesFrame Material: TR90 polymer plasticUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $275SHOP NOW

Goodr always does a great job merging fashion and function at a good price point, and the PHGs are a fun alternative to their tried-and-true Goodr OG style. Like the rest of the brand’s shades, these are no-slip, no-bounce, comfortable fit, scratch-resistant, shatter-proof, and have UV400 protection. It’s worth spending the extra $10 for the polarized lenses—they’re still cheap enough that you won’t be too bummed if these get banged up or lost between runs.

Weight: 0.7oz | 22g Lens: PolarizedFrame Material: PlasticUV Protection: UV400, 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $35SHOP NOW

If you prefer not to wear sport sunglasses because of the extra weight around your face, frames don’t get much lighter than the 21 grams Koo’s Supernova style clocks in at. These ultra-lightweight pair of shades are marketed as trail running sunglasses. Still, the wraparound aero fit, expansive viewfield, durable frame, and exceptional clarity (courtesy of the shatter-proof and anti-reflective Zeiss lenses) lend themselves equally to road running.

Weight: 0.7oz | 21gLens: nylon toric by Zeiss, hydrophobic, mirrored, shatterproof, and anti-reflectiveFrame Material: framelessUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $200SHOP NOW

A perfect pair of running sunglasses for those leaning into the '90s/2000s fashion trendy currently hitting hard (if you're under the age of ~35 that is), the longstanding Smith Parallel 2 is a great minimal option that provides medium coverage for running, cycling, and general outdoor fun. With an easy-to-wear look that works well in the city and on the trail—compared to the some of the more extreme "shield" sunglasses on this list—the Parallel 2 is a solid blend of style and performance. Eight replacement lenses make the frame extremely adaptable, non-slip nose and temple pads ensure a close, secure fit, and features like AutoLock hinges make them easy to put on and take off one handed.

Weight: 0.79oz | 22.4gLens: Low-light lens comes standard, 8 additional lenses availableFrame Material: Flexible and durable TR90 frame UV Protection: 100% UV

Price: $149+SHOP NOW

Sunglasses aren’t just for the sun. A good lens will provide necessary eye protection, keeping dust, dirt, and water out of your eyes—and District Vision’s Keiichi excels at the latter. These high-end, shatter-proof lenses are actually porous, absorbing moisture (think: fog or light rain) from the air to maintain visual clarity in less-than-ideal conditions. DV also claims the technology reduces eye strain and contributes to a calmer training or race experience—but you’ll have to be the judge of that.

Weight: 0.8oz | 24gLens: Shatter-proof polycarbonate with Calm–Tech anti-fog Frame Material: Titanium coreUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $250SHOP NOW

If cycling glasses and glacier goggles had a baby, you’d get 100% Norvik style. These are the best sunglasses for trails or backcountry, with side shields built into the lightweight frame for added protection from the elements. They come with a clear bonus lens and additional polycarbonate lenses that are shatterproof and impact-resistant with a lens treatment that repels water, dirt, and oil. Upgrade to the HiPER lens for enhanced contrast or the PEAKPOLAR lens to reduce glare.

Weight: N/ALens: Ultra HD Peakpolar polycarbonate, scratch-resistant, hydrophobic, interchangeable, polarizedFrame Material: TR90 polymer plasticUV Protection: UV400, 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $165+SHOP NOW

The squared-off frame on ROKA’s Barton sunglasses is a classic look that’s great for all kinds of outdoor activities—running included. These Wayfarer-esque shades come equipped with anti-scratch, anti-fog, and water-repelling lenses. You’ll barely notice when they’re on, not just because of how light they are but because the brand’s GEKO fit technology (including a non-slip nose piece and grippy stems) keeps them from bouncing around, no matter how fast you’re going.

Weight: 0.9oz | 26gLens: Anti-scratch, anti-fog, hydrophobic polycarbonateFrame Material: N/AUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $180SHOP NOW

Ombraz makes "armless sunglasses" using a recycled nylon cord in place of traditional arms. Though unconventional and a tad kooky, the unique design allows for a customized, secure fit that prevents the sunglasses from breaking or falling off. Lightweight and compact, the Dolomite frame comes with scratch-resistant polarized lenses that provide 100% UV protection. A carrying case, microfiber cloth, and lifetime warranty come standard with each pair.

Weight: 0.7 oz | 20gLens: Impact & scratch resistant Zeiss polarized lensesFrame Material: Cellulose acetate with 100% recycled nylon cordUV Protection: UV400, 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $160SHOP NOW

Another budget-friendly brand, Blenders offers more affordable dupes for the oversized designs that are so ubiquitous in the running world right now. The Active SciFi style combines the brand’s scratch- and impact-resistant PureBlend Lens (which has 100% UV protection and polarization) with detachable shield-style sides for enhanced sun protection and finishes things off with non-slip rubberized nose pads and temple tips. The vibrant lenses and frame colors are the icing on the cake.

Weight: N/ALens: PureBlend scratch and impact resistant, polarizedFrame Material: PlasticUV Protection: UV400, 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $69SHOP NOW

If nostalgia's your thing, Sunski's retro-inspired Foxtrot sunglasses have all the swooping lines of '70s-era aviators and come in frame/lens color combos to match. But make no mistake, with a rubberized bridge to prevent slippage and bounce during mile repeats and polarized lenses that block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UV400 wavelengths, plus an ultra-lightweight mass of 16.5 grams; for workouts or training runs, these shades are made with performance in mind.

Weight: 0.6oz | 16.5gLens: PolarizedFrame Material: Recycled plastic polymerUV Protection: UV400, 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $68SHOP NOW

Trail running can be visually dicey: one minute, you’re exposed to a sunny day in an open field, and the next, you’re squinting through shadows under tree cover. Dynafit’s Ultra Pros have a single, expansive lens that uses photochromic glass technology to automatically adapt to variable light, so you can always see clearly. And even as you bounce down rough terrain, these won’t budge thanks to grippy temple tips and a rubber nose pad that adapts to your face shape.

Weight: 1oz | 31gLens: Impact resistant polycarbonate Frame Material: Grilamid plastic polymerUV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

Price: $220SHOP NOW

Dig running gear (or just keen on a comfy shoe)? Check out the latest drop from the maximalist shoe experts at HOKA: the Restore TC Slip-On Shoe.

Published 08-14-2023