Tested: The 8 Best Sport Sunglasses for Every Activity

If you’re reading this, you already know how important it is to have a good pair of sunglasses for annual use — after all, the sun isn’t going anywhere. When you account for that, the next thing that comes to mind might be moving forward to the next level of eyewear: sports sunglasses. While a traditional (or polarized) pair of shades will protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, not even the best silhouette from your favorite designers would bode as well on your morning jog as a pair of purpose-built frames. With this in mind, we narrowed down our favorite sunglasses for every sports activity after getting hands-on with each one.

How We Tested

While it’s easy enough to separate the sports-focused sunglasses from the regular everyday pairs, we thought it necessary to test each model against its intended activity (i.e., hiking sunglasses were taken hiking, and running sunglasses were taken running). But first, we created a shortlist of silhouettes based on our favorite brands and ones we knew specialized in certain areas.

From there, we sourced our units for testing and spent a considerable amount of time with each pair, looking at not only fit and feel but color contrast and clarity. it was also highly important to us to see how much or little each frame moved against our face when we were active, as well as how well they blocked out sunlight. The results are detailed below.

Styles of Sports Sunglasses

Cycling: Seeing as cycling is one of the more fast-paced activities here, seek a pair of glasses that feature rubber-made temple and nose grips that ensure they stay put throughout your ride. In addition to staying in place, the rubber material assists in staying grippier the more you sweat.

Golfing: As long as the sun is shining, odds are your next day on the golf course might cause eyestrain. The most important thing to look for in a pair of sunglasses for the occasion is 100% UV protection across the board and a lightweight frame. It’s worth noting that certain players may prefer to avoid polarized lenses because they can interrupt their field of vision, but go with what feels right in case eye safety is a key concern for you.

Hiking: No matter what time of year it is, you’re going to need some quality sunglasses when going hiking. Above all else, the glasses should offer UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and blue light protection. Additionally, consider a pair with optimized stability compared to the average set of shades, preferably something with some form of protection from the elements. 

Running: Similarly to biking, you’ll want to consider materials that stabilize the glasses on your run. This notion primarily applies to rubber noseguards and temple tips, two things you have to be mindful of in your selection process, or else you’re practically buying a standard pair of sunglasses. As always, you should still account for UV protection in this case.

Trail Running: Like hiking, you’ll want a set of polarized lenses when trail running. It will reduce eye strain and glare while promoting visual clarity and optimized contrast in outdoor conditions.

What to Look For

UV Protection: This is a must for any pair of useful sunglasses, and you’re looking for either 100% protection against UVA and UVB or 100% UV400 protection.

Polarization: Polarized lenses will reduce glare, and in other settings, you may be able to get on fine without it, but for any serious outdoor sports, it’s almost always a must. However, it’s not as important for some situations (like casual hiking and golfing).

Lens: Impact or scratch-resistant lenses can give you peace of mind, and also allow your sunglasses to last longer. As far as shape goes, style is definitely important, but for any serious outdoor excursions, you should try to avoid flat shapes and go for something with more coverage, like wraparounds or glasses with side shields.

Lens Color: Different lens colors provide different visibility in certain conditions. Gray and green lenses are great for bright days, and yellow lenses can enhance contrast when it’s a bit darker out (or overcast).

Frames: It’s best to avoid plastic, as it’s not the most durable, and look for sunglasses made with polycarbonate or bio-resin because they’re more rugged and lightweight. As for hinges, springs will offer more flexibility, and barrel hinges will be more solid.

Fit: When it comes to sports sunglasses, it’s important that they’re comfortable, but it’s even more important that they fit snugly on your face. If you can’t try them on in person, look for glasses with adjustable features like nose pads and non-slip features to be safe (although, these are great either way).

Rapha Pro Team Frameless Goggles

Best Cycling Glasses: Rapha is adept at making cycling gear of all kinds, and these glasses are a surefire choice for bikers. Tipping the scales at just 28g, the frameless pair offers an incredible field of view and is composed of high-quality materials like injection-molded Grilamid frames, MEGOL arm grippers for optimized fit, and hydrophobic lenses with military-grade anti-fogging treatment. Made in Italy, they also feature adjustable nose pads for fine-tuning. Functionally, they offer a premium field of view designed for the highest competition, but you can easily use them at your own pace.

The Good

Picking up the Rapha Pro Team Frameless Goggles, you’ll immediately notice the color tint. I place them somewhere between puce and orange but in certain light from the front side, they look like your standard mirror lenses. Admittedly though, I was a bit dubious about the tinting prior to putting them on since I’m not usually a fan of lenses that alter what I’m looking at. However, I actually found the tint warming. While they did alter the color of mostly everything, from trees to buildings to the sky, the hue did help delineate these shades a bit better. The one area where the color was enhanced was with greens, with different shades popping over others.

Aside from the fair price, the other area where the sunglasses soared is comfortability. Not only were they pretty darn lightweight but they felt great against my bridge thanks to the squishy yet firm nose pads. And the unobtrusive temple stems didn’t press too hard, and only towards the back of my head. Yet these didn’t move around at all, even during more tumultuous movements.

The Not So Good

One thing I couldn’t help but notice with these sunnies was how easily it was to see the nose pads in the corners of my eyes, which was slightly annoying, albeit something I somewhat got used to the more I wore them. Also, in terms of style, the aggressive goggle-like silhouette isn’t terribly versatile. You likely won’t be sporting these off your bike much.

Verdict: Featuring superior color contrast outdoors, the Rapha Pro Team Frameless Goggles are simply the best cycling glasses you can get, made even better with a lightweight structure, a wide field of view, and comfortable adjustable nose pads, albeit ones you can see out the corner of your eyes. These are the ones to beat.

Nike Ace Driver Course Tint

Best Golfing Glasses: Nike excels in lots of different areas of the athletic world, as I’m sure you know. However, since the 1980s, the American juggernaut has had its foot in the world of golf, which was only elevated with its high-profile partnership with Tiger Woods starting in 1996 (ending this past January). However, Tiger or no Tiger, Nike’s golf range is impressive and it still makes the best sunglasses available for the sport. The Course Tint version of the Ace Driver is a purpose-built silhouette made from lightweight titanium and sporting an accessible style.

The Good

As advertised, the Ace Driver from Nike is a fantastic pair of golfing sunglasses. They’re designed with a top bar that can easily fit underneath your hat, which it succeeded at doing even when I wore my hat low. Moreover, the non-sticky temple stems gripped my face well when out on the course but not needlessly so. These are intended not to pull your hair when you lift up the sunglasses to see your scorecard. While the Ace Driver will bounce more than, say, a pair of running glasses, they don’t wiggle around in an annoying way.

In terms of visuals, the shades provided a perfect field of view. It wasn’t too wide that it affected their accessibility off the links. Likewise, the Course Tint lenses served their purpose just fine, with muted greens and blues to help the lighter colors stand out (i.e., the golf ball). These were also very comfortable on my face thanks to the frame construction and soft nose pads, the latter of which prevented these from moving around the most. I could also press these all the way up the bridge of my nose without them falling.

The Not So Good

My main issue with the Nike Ace Driver is how it fits and looks. I happen to have a wider-than-normal face and these looked very narrow on me. However, I can still easily recognize that their style is a lot more accessible than your standard sports sunglasses. Another thing I would’ve added to these sunglasses is polarization. When there was any water in front of me, the glare wasn’t eliminated at all.

Verdict: Despite not having polarization, the Ace Driver with Course Tint from Nike is a purpose-built pair of golfing sunglasses, and it shows. From the lightweight titanium frames to the well-mixed contrast of the lenses to help you spot the ball amidst the greenery, these are your best bet on the links. While the narrow construction limited who would want to sport these, they still possessed an accessible style to wear when your round was over.

Costa Del Mar Rinconcito Rectangular Sunglasses

Best Glasses for Water Sports: While the Rinconcito may look like your average pair of sunglasses, they offer a variety of features that enhance your vision and overall comfort. The main attraction here is Costa Del Mar’s in-house 580p polycarbonate lenses, which are impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, and block both yellow and blue light. The co-injected frames are just as tough, and also environmentally friendly as they’re made with bio-resin. Additionally, the blue lenses are ideal for tempering the harsh light and reflections when you’re out on the water, aided by their polarization.

The Good

Perhaps the most accessible frames on this list (along with the Tracksmith model below), the Costa Del Mar Rinconcito could easily pass as your everyday pair of sunglasses with a non-aggressive shape and definitive style that wears well across your wardrobe. However, on the water, these really shined. The blue-tinted lenses beautifully enhanced greens and blues, as expected, while muting browns and yellows in the process. Reds were able to pop a bit too, which I didn’t expect. It’s also good to note that while these are polarized, the polarization isn’t completely light-blocking. Meaning, at their most polarized, they still let light pass through.

For having non-adjustable nose pads, these didn’t feel or look off at all (although everyone’s preferences will differ in this regard). Likewise, they didn’t even kinda fall off my head when underwater.

The Not So Good

As much as I liked the Rinconcito, I have to admit that they were a bit heavy, especially when I was so used to wearing the lightweight frames of the other models I’d been testing. Not only that but these were a bit tight on the sides towards the back of my head. However, considering that these wayfarer-style sunglasses aren’t known for gripping your head, the stems had to do all the dirty work so as to not mess with the actual style of this model. After all, these are intended for aqueous activities, not just driving around town. As stated earlier, they didn’t fall off my head when plunging into the water either.

Verdict: The heaviest and tightest on this list, the Rinconcito from Costa Del Mar is expectedly grippy on the back of the head in order to preserve the accessible style up front. These sunglasses look great and can go with just about anything you wear. The lenses work perfectly with blue and green colors, while the frames stay put even when you’re in or under the water.

Roka TL-1

Best Trail Running Glasses: When we tested our favorite hiking sunglasses, the Roka TL-1 was the clear winner in terms of trail running. From the brand’s impressive TL series, these purpose-built outdoor sunnies are made for mountain biking or trail running, offering incredibly low weight, tipping the scales at just 0.78oz thanks to its premium frame construction. With the brand’s proprietary C3 polarized lenses, it’s built with a titanium core that allows you to customize its fit with an adjustable temple and stems. And best of all, they won’t fall off your face. Sticking to your nose and temples without leaving any annoying residue, the sunglasses benefit from GEKO tech.

The Good

The calling card of the Roka TL-1 is undoubtedly its stickiness. During testing, even the grippiest sunglasses we tested wiggled or bounced here or there when running. And with the unevenness of the trail, you’ll experience rapid changes in height or terrain, and you don’t want to be worrying about your shades staying put on your face. On the other hand, the TL-1 didn’t move in the slightest on even the bounciest of trails. Despite what the brand had said, I anticipated the GEKO nose pads and temples being annoying or uncomfortable. But this was never the case; I only noticed the stickiness when taking them off.

Compared to other polarized sunglasses, the TL-1 also minimized eye strain the best. I experienced a darker contrast in the process, but this didn’t negatively affect my hiking experience at all. Just like standard black shades with polarization, the colors weren’t necessarily popping but they weren’t getting muted much either. And to my surprise, the clarity of the lenses was actually improved with these lenses. I was more than impressed with how objects farther away actually became clearer.

The Not So Good

One thing that the TL-1 was missing was the side shields. Although, while many hikers find these a necessity, I’m not a personal fan, so I wasn’t complaining much. On the other hand, the overall coverage, especially peripherally, is the weak link here. The sides don’t extend as far as other rimless models. Also, I found the sun trickling in now and again due to a bridge that was slightly distanced from my brow, which was slightly annoying. This was only compounded by the small notches between the lenses and my nose where sun was getting through as well.

In terms of aesthetic, Roka could’ve easily gone with a more accessible style, and one that looked less explicitly utilitarian. Rounding the lenses and adding more coverage may have actually helped with the versatility of these sunglasses.

Verdict: Benefitting from its titanium core, swappable nose pads, and sticky stems and pads, the lightweight Roka TL-1 isn’t remotely bouncy on your face and is fantastic whether you’re running or hiking. Although coverage could be improved a bit, we loved how much they minimized eye strain with some of the best polarization here. And while contrast wasn’t as good as other models, clarity was superb.

Julbo Explorer 2.0

Best Hiking Glasses: These Explorer 2.0 shades from the highly reputable Julbo are some of the most legendary sunglasses on the market. You’re getting adjustable temples, removable side shields, an included neck cord, and REACTIV lenses made from a cat. 4 polycarbonate with an anti-reflective coating and polarization. The lenses are composed of NXT, a completely shatterproof material that’s used in helicopter windshields, and if you end up breaking them, Julbo has you covered with a lifetime warranty.

The Good

There are a lot of hiking sunglasses with removable side shields but they often look too aggressive for my taste. However, the ones on the Julbo Explorer 2.0 looked the best on my face. While they’re a bit more noticeable from the frontside view, sticking out the top, they also boast better coverage in this regard. Plus, they are shaped to fit your temples really well and there’s even additional coverage at the top corners. And when I took them off, these sunglasses looked even better.

Other sunglasses might have more pronounced nose pads than the Julbos but I loved these ones the best since they didn’t press against my nose too much. They rested along the entire length of my nose, which may have increased their movement but also made them more comfortable.

The Not So Good

If you want to enhance clarity, especially on the trail or in the snow, these Julbo sunnies are superb. On the other hand, the REACTIV lenses, like the Spectron option I’ve used before on the Explorer 2.0, don’t give you a ton of color, muting most shades and turning them all yellowish with minimal contrast. And like the Costa Del Mar shades above, the polarization isn’t as strong as with darker lenses, albeit still pretty effective. At least you’ll get some solid durability.

I should also mention that although the fit worked with my face, these glasses are pretty darn wide and some have complained that the fixed bridge is too wide.

Verdict: Incredibly durable with shatterproof lenses, the Julbo Explorer 2.0 is tailor-made for the trail. These have highly-effective side shields with a profile that cups the entire eye area. However, after removing the shields, the silhouette becomes even more stylish. We didn’t love the lack of contrast, with the REACTIV lens tech muting much of what we looked at, but clarity was still very good.

Oakley BiSphaera

Best for Visual Clarity: Relatively new from one of the biggest sunglasses brands on the planet, the BiSphaera from Oakley is not only a no-nonsense pair of adventure specs but it also boasts a distinctive profile and design language that’s unmistakably athletic. Featuring Oakley’s famed lenses with its patented High Definition Optics, these made-in-the-U.S.A. sunglasses afford the wearer unparalleled optical clarity while protecting against all UV and blue light up to 400m. Housed in the brand’s O Matter lightweight, stress-resistant frames made from thermoplastic, the lenses also feature their PRIZM tech, which enhances color and contrast. For improved comfort for all-day wearing, Unobtainium is used for the earlocks and nose pads.

The Good

Oakley fans will likely see the BiSphaera as an improvement over the comparable Flak 2.0. Where the Flak had a difficult time fitting underneath hats and helmets, the BiSphaera’s thinner stems allow this to be possible now. I noticed an even distribution of weight across my whole face, which was perfect for hiking and running, despite my issues with the nose pads (more on that below). With a wider field of view on the sides, the sunglasses also had generous topside coverage that didn’t require me to press them firmly against my face all the time. While not as sticky as the Roka above, the stems minimized movement pretty well.

At the risk of burying the lede, the BiSphaera’s lens tech was as good as advertised. The PRIZM lenses enhanced nearly every color on the spectrum. My only complaint here was that the blues were tinted ever so slightly. Clarity is also fantastic, with objects both near and far becoming more pronounced through the lenses.

The Not So Good

As I alluded to, the nose pad design caused some minor annoyances, allowing small amounts of light to pass through due to small notches between the lenses and my bridge (yet not as much as the Roka model above). Likewise, the nose pads are placed higher up on my nose to minimize movement. However, this shape put unwanted pressure above my bridge which was pretty uncomfortable after a while.

Verdict: Bettering their Flak 2.0 model, Oakley’s BiSphaera can fit well underneath your hats with its thinner temples and features great coverage at the browline. As to be expected, the proprietary PRIZM lenses enhance clarity and contrast for nearly every color (although blues could be improved). Our biggest complaint is the comfort of the nosepads but the weight distribution was at least notable here.

Tracksmith The Charles

Best All-Day Glasses: Tracksmith’s preppy attire is prototypical East Coast performancewear done right, and this sleek pair of sunglasses is a seamless showcase. The Charles is versatile enough to be worn on any occasion, but the collaborative silhouette (made alongside Article One) provides optimal UV protection across the board and the Italian-made Divel CR-39 lenses offer great polarization, deeming these ideal for virtually anything without the divisive, future-first sense of sportiness. They also have anti-fog properties which make these great for running and hiking.

The Good

Like the Costa Del Mar sunglasses above, The Charles model from Tracksmith is highly accessible. However, unlike the Costa Del Mars, which still look like they’re made for the water, the Tracksmiths look less purpose-built, which is a good thing for a lot of people. Proving that sports shades don’t have to look like sports shades, this silhouette has lenses that match the frames in hue and comes available in black, gray, or “wine” colorways. We got hands-on with the wine option, which had a leg up in that they actually seemed like they were attempting to some level of assertive style (and they did!). These looked great on my face and were nice to look through.

While the brownish lenses of the variant I tested aren’t super spec-heavy, they did provide some nice contrast while allowing the greens to pop up in the field. In terms of polarization, these provided the best performance of the models I tested. I also loved how compactly they folded down. The slim case easily fit in my pants pocket with no issue.

The Not So Good

As I mentioned, the lenses aren’t as meticulously designed or specified as the others on this list. And while the greens looked great through the glass, no other colors were necessarily enhanced –– with blues getting a bit muted in the process.

The Charles sunglasses didn’t move around a whole lot when running or moving quickly, they weren’t the grippiest on this list. Likewise, the nose pads were probably the least comfortable and a little rigid, albeit not a dealbreaker. I should also point out that if you’re looking for sun blockage, these won’t get the job done as well as others; lots of sunlight peered through both up above and on the sides, but not more than expected considering the design.

Verdict: Although they won’t be as ideal for sportsmen who want those more intense, spec-heavy sunglasses for their escapades, Tracksmith’s The Charles model will appeal to lots of wearers looking for something more accessible. Great for transitioning from your day-to-day to an afternoon run, these shades come in three attractive colorways and the lenses, while not super-specified, will get the job done.

District Vision Koharu Eclipse

Best Running Glasses: Japan’s District Vision is one of the most prominent performance brands at the moment, and that goes beyond eyewear. Nevertheless, its D+ lens tech is touted as the “Sports Lens of the Future” thanks to its shatterproof composition, anti-reflective application, and water-and-oil-repellence. This, combined with a D+only mirror, promotes 100% UVA/B protection with 16.19% light transmission, ensuring you won’t be bothered by the sun’s rays or rainfall on your next run. Not to mention, the frames sport a grade 2 titanium core and screws for ultra-lightweight durability.

The Good

Sitting much higher on your face than your average pair of sunglasses (or even your non-average pair), the District Vision Koharu Eclipse blocks the sun from up above exceptionally well yet still fits underneath your hat or helmet. It also recognizes that sunlight doesn’t often enter your vision from below. As such, the lenses fall right to the bottom of your eye sockets, by design. This made certain things rather easy. I often write notes in my pocket notebook and, when wearing these, I didn’t have to take them off to see clearly. Surprisingly, the field of view is still very wide, with the sides of the lenses spanning back to my temples.

While most colors stayed the same through the lenses, the greens and blues got enhanced really well. It also goes without saying that these sunglasses don’t move much on the face. Meanwhile, the hypoallergenic nose pads feel like they’re hardly there at all. I could see these transitioning to football or baseball with ease.

The Not So Good

I’m sure you can guess from the pictures but the Koharu Eclipse isn’t necessarily great for the everyday wearer. These will be strictly for running-based sports. However, since they’re designed with such purpose in mind, they achieve that purpose with flying colors, quite literally. Also, keep in mind that these aren’t polarized so water sports might be off the table for some who are sensitive to glare. These sunglasses are also easily the most expensive on this list, which might turn off a lot of potential buyers.

Verdict: Exceptionally made and understandably pricey, the District Vision Koharu Eclipse is a versatile pair of sunglasses for a myriad of activities, although it won’t get you any style points in the real world. These are utilitarian through and through, while still possessing a distinct style of its own. We loved the strategic lens construction and its contrast. While these are great for running and cycling, they can transition to other sports quite easily.

Sports Sunglasses Comparison Chart

Honorable Mentions

You can’t go wrong with any of Vuarnet’s sunglasses. This Road model is their super stylish take on sports glasses, but they don’t really nail a specific activity in particular and are quite pricey in the process.

Designed with a folding frame for easier storage in your breast pocket, these Revo Descend Fold shades are also meant to enhance visual clarity for activities like golf or fishing. However, we went with a more purpose-built pair for golfing with the Nike shades above.

The Tifosi Crit sunglasses with Smoke Fototec Lenses will be favorable for many with their assertive, “sporty” look. However, they have some flaws that will put others above them, such as short frames and those annoying anti-fog vents.

As we mentioned up above, the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is a popular choice, especially for fans of the brand. However, the BiSphaera is favorable for its ability to be worn underneath hats and helmets, while still serving a similar outdoor-focused purpose.

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