The best running sunglasses to save your eyes

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At a glance: The best sunglasses for running

Spending time outdoors is one of the many benefits of running, but you can get a lot of sun. UV rays – which are present even when it's cloudy outside – can wreak havoc on our eyes, as well as our skin.

For runners who spend hours a week outdoors, the discomfort and dangers of UV rays are even higher. Here are the best running sunglasses. The best running sunglasses protect against all three types of UV rays (UVA, UVB and UVC) to ensure healthier eyes on the road. They block glare and, in some cases, improve vision with contrast-enhancing tints.

(In addition to new shades, consider getting a good sunscreen before your next run.)

What are the best sunglasses for running?

Below, we've rounded up some of the best running sunglasses to protect your eyes. Unlike regular sunnies, these shades are made for intense activity with comfortable, lightweight designs that stay on your face. Most of them also offer more shade than your average everyday sunglasses.

To create this list, we consulted both running experts and amateurs about the types of shades they prefer and tested the sunglasses ourselves on different types of trails in different weather conditions and terrain. See more about our testing process further down in this article.

1. Oakley Radar EV Path

If you're a serious runner (or a serious connoisseur of running gear), go for these Oakley Radar EV Path Sunglasses. The shades use Prizm polarized lenses that protect against all UV rays, enhance colors and significantly reduce glare. With wraparound coverage and tall lenses, this protection is effective from all angles. The frame, meanwhile, uses Oakley's rubber-like material (Unobtanium) on the nose and temple pads. These feel very comfortable and prevent the glasses from bouncing or falling off during intense runs. Size-wise, the Radar EV Trails are best for medium-sized people, but should fit almost everyone.

Promised customer feedback: “Radar glasses are comfortable, fit well and don't slide down your nose without feeling too tight. Ventilated lenses work well in getting enough air into your eyes. The best feature is the clarity and contrast that Oakley lenses offer!” — Michael

2. Goodr OG

If you're looking for a pair of reliable shades that can withstand intense runs and fall off your face without issue, check out Goodr. The brand makes some great active sunglasses, including these best-selling OG frames. Designed to prevent slipping and bouncing, the sunnies have a grippy coating on the frame to keep them in place. The polarized lenses are also great, and the price of $25 is shockingly low considering the quality of the glasses.

Promised customer feedback: “I love these glasses, I have so many Goodr pairs – for running, working outdoors, driving and walking the dog, and you get the idea…” — Michelle

3. Smith Reverb

Smith's ChromaPop technology is a favorite among skiers and snowboarders, but runners can also enjoy the premium lenses in these Reverb goggles. Similar to polarization, Smith's ChromaPop technology is a chemical lens coating, but it's better at highlighting color differences. This makes it easier to see details (eg roots in the path) while at the same time reducing brightness. Even without this beloved technology, we think the Reverbs are a winner thanks to their comfortable feel and full-coverage design.

Promised customer feedback: “I love these glasses. They are so light that sometimes I forget they are on me during my run.” — Ishmael

4. Rudy Project Propulse

Another good choice for long-distance runners are these Propulse sunglasses from Rudy Project. With a weight of 26 grams and a flexible construction, the glasses are designed to stay comfortably in place on any terrain. One of the best uses of sunnies is for running in hot weather because they have ventilation throughout to reduce moisture fog. The polarized lenses, which are made of a durable composite material, can be easily disabled and come in a few color options. In terms of fit, we recommend the Propulses for runners with small to medium-sized faces.

Promised customer feedback: “Excellent sunglasses. Lightweight and fits comfortably, even with a bike helmet. The transition from clear to black works as well as I could hope. They block enough light that everything looks bright, but my eyes feel comfortable and I don't have to squint.” — Line

5. Nike Skylon Ace

These Nike Skylon Ace sunglasses are a great choice for training, running or stylish casual wear. The Italian-made shades feature an angular, wraparound design that covers everything without adding too much weight and material. They are also very secure thanks to an elastic nose pad and long temple tips that bend around the back of the head. Overall, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more stylish pair of full-coverage, high-performance running sunglasses.

Promised customer feedback: “I use it for flying (I need non-polarized), driving and exercising. These are very light but still very sturdy and durable. My older pair held up well to years of hard use.” — RCVC

6. Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport

Don't be fooled by the affordability of these Knockaround glasses: The polarized shades are really durable, comfortable and perfect for running. The frames are made of a lightweight stretchy plastic that grips your nose and ears to hold the shades in place. Even if dropped, the polycarbonate lenses of the glasses are quite difficult to damage.

Plus, Knockaround glasses are something of a trend with celebrities from Matthew McConaughey to Snoop Dogg wearing the affordable shades. This means you can easily take them to the grocery store or coffee shop right after your run. We recommend the glasses for medium-sized faces, although they work well on both small and large heads.

Promised customer feedback: “I wore them to bike and run parts of an Ironman triathlon and did all my training in them. They are durable, light and stay still when you run or cycle. I'm still using them almost 2 years later and they still perform great. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair.” – Anonymous

7. Julbo Fury

If you're running early in the morning or at night when the light is changing, check out these Julbo Fury sunglasses. They are available in either bright or low-light options – the latter providing optimal shade in passing light. All Furys (regardless of the lens type you choose) feature vented lenses that effectively prevent fogging from moisture and sweat. The frame, sized for medium to wide faces, is equipped with shock-absorbing pads on the nose and ears for a comfortable, jiggle-free fit. At the top of the frame, there is also a narrow brow bar that prevents sweat from entering your eyes.

Promised customer feedback: “Top quality sunglasses with great lenses that cover you in most lighting conditions. They are very light so they don't feel sturdy at first, but they are. A great purchase for me! Highly recommended.” — Andre

8. 100% Hypercraft

If you wear sunglasses in almost all weather conditions, from cloudy to sunny, consider these Hypercraft shades from 100% that feature interchangeable lenses. The lenses themselves are very high quality and feature a scratch, water, dirt and oil resistant treatment for long haul cleanliness.

Promised customer feedback: “These glasses are good quality and great for sports. light and comfortable on the face — especially on the nose. Good value” — Stef

Running sunglasses buying guide

Not all the best running sunglasses are created equal. Here are some things to consider when shopping.

Plan: Most runners prefer a wrap design for total coverage. This will block sunlight and glare at all times of the day, including sunrise and sunset. However, some racers like more road-ready frames, like Tourers. These less sporty glasses are good if you're heading to the grocery store or coffee shop after a run.

Lens: The lenses on the best running sunglasses vary quite a bit with varying tints and polarization. Certain colors suit different settings, such as pink hues that improve contrast and dark hues that block more light. Contrast-enhancing hues such as pink or orange are ideal for technical running where you need to spot roots, rocks and terrain changes.

Dark shades, on the other hand, are good for urban environments where you face glare from windows, asphalt and cars. Polarized lenses are usually preferred, which only let in light at a vertical angle to eliminate glare. However, polarization is not absolutely necessary in low-light situations such as trail riding.

Style: All sunglasses – even sporty pairs – need to look good. Head size is the first thing to consider, as the wrong size sunglasses can make your head look oddly small or too big. Also, running sunglasses can be either sporty or more casual. Both are viable options, especially now that sporty shades are entering the fashion world.

How we picked the best running sunglasses

We started our research process by consulting experts and customers about the types of running sunglasses they like. After some brands kept popping up, we tried as many as we could to see which ones we liked best. We took the glasses on a few different runs (short runs, sprints and distance runs) in terrain and weather conditions ranging from windy trails to very sunny city streets. After deciding on our favorites, we've rounded them up here, making sure each pick can be purchased at a major retailer and has an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.