If you like to run outdoors, you know that a great pair of sunglasses can make the experience so much more enjoyable. The right tint makes everything around you look crisp and clear while also protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV light.
You would be surprised at the things that sports sunglasses can do these days! In this guide, we’ll show you the coolest features available and why you need them plus we’ll review the 14 best running sunglasses available. Once we’ve covered everything, you should be able to easily decide what features you have to have, which you can live without, and what pair of running glasses will help you the most, whether you’re running in a city marathon or on a wooded trail.
Top 14 Running Sunglasses Comparison Chart
| Image | Name | Changeable Lenses | Size | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Oakley mens Radarlock Path OO9181-12 Polarized Sport Sunglasses | yes | small | 4.7 |
 | 2. Bolle Tempest Sunglasses | yes | small to medium | 4.7 |
 | 3. Under Armour UA Rival Multiflection Sunglasses | no | adjustable | 4.6 |
 | 4. Rudy Project Rydon Running and Cycling Sunglasses | yes | medium to large | 4.5 |
 | 5. Smith Optics Parallel Sunglasses | yes | medium | 4.5 |
 | 6. Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses | yes | small | 4.4 |
 | 7. Julbo Stunt Performance Sunglasses | no | adjustable | 4.4 |
 | 8. Optic Nerve Neurotoxin2.0 Sunglasses | yes | small to medium | 4.4 |
 | 9. Smith Optics Pivlock Arena Max Sunglass with Super Platinum | yes | medium to large | 4.3 |
 | 10. Oakley Men's Fast Jacket Non-Polarized Oval Sunglasses | yes | medium to large | 4.3 |
 | 11. Spy Optic Screw Wrap Sunglasses | yes | medium | 4.2 |
 | 12. Nike Tailwind 12 E Sunglasses | no | adjustable | 4.2 |
 | 13. Tifosi Wisp T Dual-Lens Sunglasses | no | small | 4.1 |
 | 14. Tifosi Podium Xc Shield Sunglasses | yes | adjustable | 4.1 |
The Coolest Features of Running Sunglasses
There are a lot of really awesome features that good running sunglasses have. While you might not need all of them, it’s good to know exactly what’s available.
The Frames
Choosing a pair of sunglasses for running isn’t the same as picking a pair that looks good for the beach. Function is more important than fashion. They have to be the best choice to keep you safe.
- Fit – Running sunglasses should be snug enough, so they stay in place and don’t bounce while you’re running. There are also some available with special grips on the arms and nose that get a little sticky when they get wet; this keeps them in place even if it’s raining or when you get really sweaty.
- Adjustable – Some running sunglasses will have adjustable arms and nose pads so you can tailor the fit to your face and head. If you have a pair of glasses that are not adjustable, make sure you get a proper fit as you won’t be able to make any changes if they are uncomfortable or ineffective.
- Vents – Vents can be placed at various places on sunglasses, typically around the nose bridge and arms. Vents will let air flow around the lenses a little better, helping the runner feel a little cooler and lessening the chances that the lenses will fog.
The Lenses
What about UV protection and tint color? Are there some colors that work better than others when it comes to running?
Let’s take a look.
- UV Protection – No matter what sport you’re playing, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, you need to make sure you’re protecting your eyes. A lot of exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and a number of other eye problems.
UV light is intensified when reflected off things like water, sand, and snow. In the case of snow, UV exposure is almost doubled, which means that it is essential for any sunglasses you use for running outdoors to have lenses that offer 100% UV protection.
It’s important to note that the color of the lens is not an accurate indicator of the amount of UV protection. A pair of black lenses can offer less protection than a pair of red ones. Also, glasses that wrap about the face provide more coverage and therefore more protection.
- Tint – Different tints are used for different conditions. That’s why many running sunglasses have lenses that are changeable – you can adapt them to the current situation. Many sunglasses that don’t offer changeable lenses are equipped with transition lenses, which will automatically adapt to the changing light.
Yellow/orange lenses are best for overcast conditions. Red lenses increase contrast in sunny and partly cloudy conditions. Brownish lenses heighten sharpness and are good in most light. Grey is best for reducing brightness on particularly sunny days.
- Hydrophobic Lenses – You can get lenses that are specially treated to repel water and grease. Instead of having your lenses get covered in drops of water of sweat, they should roll right off, keeping your field of vision clear.
Other Things to Consider
You might get a bit of sticker shock when you see how much some of the highest quality running sunglasses cost. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not buying a fashion accessory. You’re buying an essential piece of equipment that will help keep your eyes safe and make sure you can see everything around you to keep yourself free from harm when out on a run.
Running sunglasses are typically made of very durable materials. Some even offer warranties for lens replacements. Investing in a good pair of sunglasses to wear for running is worth it when you consider that you’ll likely use them for years, if not decades, to come.
14 Best Running Sunglasses Reviewed
1. Oakley mens Radarlock Path Polarized Sport
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The Radarlock Path is a wrapped style of sunglasses made by Oakley, one of the most trusted brands of sport sunglasses. Something that’s really cool about these is that the are fitted with the brand’s special Switchlock Technology, meaning you can switch out different lenses easily and quickly. There are different options available so that you can adapt them to different kinds of light. (Note: For this review, we looked at Oakley’s standard black iridium lenses.)
All of the lenses that fit with the Radarlock Path design have outstanding UV protection and extend the upper field of vision. They’re also designed with patented technologies that improve clarity and impact resistance. The frames are strong, too, and exceptionally lightweight so you can wear them for long runs without any discomfort.
These glasses are designed to perform, which is why they’re our top choice. They come with soft nose pads to customize fit and really hug the head and face to stay put no matter how hard you’re pushing yourself. The profile also helps cut down wind resistance to make your run more enjoyable.
2. Bolle Tempest Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
While the Bolle Tempest was designed with cyclists in mind, this design has found it’s niche within the running community and has taken off as one of the most popular choices.
This design has a very minimalist profile. It also has interchangeable lenses, plus the Bolle Optics Control System makes it really easy to swap one lens out for another. Please note that only one set of lenses comes with this frame, although Bolle has a number of compatible options to choose from.
The lenses themselves are something special – made of a Trivex material; they’re exceptionally clear, lightweight, and durable. The hydrophobic coating keeps water and water spots to a minimum, which is a great feature to have for a runner who sweats a lot.
They offer adjustable nose pads to tailor your fit and an exceptionally light frame. This wrapped style will make the world seem clearer as you’re running by it.
3. Under Armour UA Rival Multiflection Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The most unique thing about these sunglasses is how well they adapt to fit any runner, regardless of size. There’s an adjustable nose pad plus the temples automatically adjust to conform to the wearer’s head; this provides a snug yet comfortable fit across the board for anyone who wears these sunglasses.
The Armoursight lenses are ten times stronger than polycarbonate lenses and have superior impact resistance. They’re strong and durable and will last a really long time. Peripheral vision is enhanced with these lenses, which makes them a great choice for runners who run in high traffic areas where seeing cars and vehicles approaching from every angle is key to safety.
The lenses also repel water which is a really nice feature if you’re a runner who sweats a lot or if you’re looking for something that will be able to tolerate a little bit of rain.
4. Rudy Project Rydon Running and Cycling Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The no-slip nose piece and the easily adjustable temples keep these glasses in place even when running trails and uneven terrain; this also makes them adjustable to most faces but especially comfortable to anyone with a medium to large sized head. If this sounds like you and you have a hard time finding glasses that fit properly, you might consider giving the Rydons a try.
The lenses have a quick changing system and, although they only come with one set of lenses to start, there are a lot of different options also available, including prescription and transition lenses.
One more thing about the lenses: they come with a lifetime warranty, including scratches. For a small fee, they’re replace them for you. There’s a great chance these glasses will last a really, really long time.
These glasses are a little pricey, but they’re worth the investment. The lifetime lens replacement should keep them looking brand new for years and years to come.
5. Smith Optics Parallel Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The Smith Optics Parallel Sunglasses have a cool feature on their lightweight nylon frames. They call it by the fancy name of “hydrophilic megol,” and what it means is the nosepiece and temple become tacky when they get wet. This means if you’re running in the rain or if you’re particularly sweaty, you don’t need to worry about your sunglasses bouncing around or falling off.
The polarized lenses reduce glare, so you’ll see better and won’t stress your eyes. A bonus to these sunglasses is they come with two lenses: a tinted set of polarized lenses and a set of non-polarized rose tint lenses that are perfect for low light runs at dawn or sunset.
The lenses are all tapered to help light pass through undistorted, plus they’re scratch and impact resistant. They also have a hydrophobic coating, repelling water and keeping your line of sight as clear as possible if you get caught in the rain while out on a run.
6. Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The Oakley Half Jacket has super light polycarbonate frames that fit comfortably and snugly. They also feature elements of unobtanium and the brand’s O matter materials that get tacky and help hold them in place when they’re wet. You won’t have to worry about them sliding down or bouncing around during runs, even if it’s raining.
They come in three different colors with lenses that are interchangeable and, while they only come with one set of lenses, Oakley has a range of options to choose from.
All of Oakley’s lenses have been shown to be some of the best in the industry when it comes to clarity. You’ll get impressive color contrast and depth perception even in the lowest light. They block all UV light, plus harmful blue light up to 400 nm, and they’re exceptionally durable.
The hydrophobic treatment repels water and sweat and keeps lenses from getting tough smudges.
7. Julbo Stunt Performance Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Classic
- UV Protection – No
The lightweight Julbo Stunt Performance Sunglasses have a little bit of a different look from the others we’ve reviewed so far. They do wrap to the contours of the wearer’s head, but they look a bit more like traditional lenses in that they aren’t changeable and sit completely inside the frame.
The lenses are available in a standard polarized option and Julbo’s Zebra lens. The zebra lens definitely kicks these sunglasses up a notch. They transition from light to dark, self-adjusting to the light in the environment. The anti-fog coating means you’ll be able to see where you’re going even when you’re sweating enough to steam up your lenses.
The frames are lightweight nylon, curved around the temples with fitted nose piece so that they can fit most any runner properly. They won’t go anywhere when you’re on the move.
8. Optic Nerve Neurotoxin2.0 Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The frames for the Optic Nerve Neurotoxin 2.0 are extremely lightweight with grips at the nose and temple to hold them snugly in place whether you’re sweating or if the weather just isn’t agreeing with you. The frame is tough and resilient, so it won’t break easily or stretch. There are small vents in the frame next to the lens to help prevent lenses from fogging up.
These frames come with three different sets of interchangeable lenses (mirrored, copper, and clear) that can protect your eyes whether you’re running in bright sun, overcast skies, or low light conditions. Swapping lenses is easy, and they all have a hydrophobic coating to repel water, sweat, and other debris from messing up your lenses and interfering with your field of vision.
While they are effective at keeping sweat out of your eyes and staying in place during hard workout, the vents often aren’t enough of a deterrent to keep the lenses from fogging up. Still, this is a very solid product.
9. Smith Optics Pivlock Arena Max Sunglass
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
These are a large framed wrap style that can shield your face from any headwind. They’re slightly adjustable with their two position nosepiece and slide on temple grips are made for people who have larger heads and faces to have a pair of reliable, snug fitting sunglasses.
This pick for one of our best running sunglasses comes in many colors – twelve to be exact – each one providing 100% UV protection. Each one has varying degrees of mirroring and are designed to work best in varying degrees of light. Some are good for sunny conditions, some for overcast, some for low light. All have a hydro-oleophobic coating that is resistant to water and grease.
These glasses come with three lenses for you to try in addition to the color you choose, a clear lens and their Ignitor lens, which is great for cloudy or overcast days.
10. Oakley Men’s Fast Jacket Oval Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
With a fast and easy lens changing system, you can easily try a variety of the polarized lenses that Oakley has available, all with minimal glare and absolutely no distortion. This pair of sunglasses comes with a spare set of HDO lenses that are not polarized and made for low light conditions. The right lens with the right kind of filtering really can help shape the way you’ll see the world as you’re running through it.
The frames are lightweight and have a self-adjusting fit that can adapt to fit most runners appropriately. The ear socks and nose grips feature an unobtanium grip that gets better when wet, whether you’re facing rain or perspiration.
The Fast Jacket sunglasses are made of the finest materials and are designed to be durable. While they’re a little heavier than some other pairs of sunglasses for runners, they’re still a great choice because of the quality of their lenses.
11. Spy Optic Screw Wrap Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
Spy Optic is known for making high-quality sunglasses at reasonable prices, and these Screw Wrap sunglasses live up to that reputation. They provide a lot of coverage while also being light enough that you can’t really feel them on your face.
There are vents along the sides of the lenses to help eliminate any fog build up along with scoops in the front to help air move freely through to try to keep you cool and lessen sweating. The rubber temple grips do a great job of holding the glasses in place; unfortunately, the nose grip is a little big and not adjustable so they won’t adjust to fit everyone.
While the lenses do offer UV protection, they are not polarized. The large one piece lens gives a lot of stability to the glasses because the frame is actually quite flexible. You might be a little nervous when attaching the lens the first few times, but the frames are designed to be that way for comfort and weight.
12. Nike Tailwind 12 E Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The Nike Tailwind 12 E is an exceptionally lightweight wrap style pair of sunglasses ideal for running. The nose bridge is adjustable, and the arms have hinges that keep them snug on the temples. These shades will stay in place no matter how hard you push yourself. They are exceptionally flexible and can be bent and bumped without causing damage.
The lenses use Nike’s Max Optic technology to give crisp, clear vision from all angles and prevent fogging. There’s also an optional clip for prescription lenses if needed.
These glasses are unique in that the lens only attaches at the nose; this allows for a lot of airflow and ventilation, which contributes to the fog control and also keeps some air circulating by the wearer’s face to keep things a little cooler.
13. Tifosi Wisp T Dual-Lens Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/More traditional
- UV Protection – Yes
The Wisp is a small, lightweight frame that is marketed toward women but can certainly be worn by anyone who has a small head or face. They come in five colors, from black to blue to hot pink. The ear grips are adjustable with a grippy rubber coating that helps them stay in place, even when you’re sweating. The nose pads have the same rubber coating but are not adjustable.
Not only do the polycarbonate lenses block UV light, but they also transition from darker to lighter depending on the amount of light; this is a great feature because the Wisp doesn’t have changeable lenses. If your run takes you from the bright light of the afternoon into dusk, the lenses will automatically change to the perfect tint. The reaction is quick – about twelve seconds – and it will take them about two minutes to return to their baseline shade.
14. Tifosi Podium Xc Shield Sunglasses
- Style – Wrap/Sporty
- UV Protection – Yes
The white and gunmetal version of the Podium Xc from Tifosi come with an assortment of lenses to try that will adapt these sunglasses to any light condition you may encounter on a run. You get three total: clear, all condition red, and smoke. They all come with a hydrophobic coating that repels water. You can also get an adapter that can be used to add prescription lenses, a feature only a handful of the best running sunglasses has.
A nylon blend makes up the frames themselves, which are really sturdy and lightweight. They’re very flexible and can stand up to the UV exposure that comes with a lot of long runs outside. The earpieces are adjustable and covered with a grippy material that helps hold them in place no matter how much you sweat. The bridge of the nose has this coating, too, so you can be sure these glasses aren’t going anywhere.
Leave a Reply