Best Sports Sunglasses for Your Sport
Sports sunglasses come in thousands of different shapes, sizes, lens tints, materials, and prices. Finding the right pair to match your activity can feel overwhelming. Do you want blue tints or copper? Should you try photochromic lenses that change from almost clear in low-to-no-light conditions to dark in full sunlight, or skip them? Can you invest in prescription sports sunglasses that align with your sport? Polarized or non-polarized? That’s a lot to consider. The good news: The perfect pair of no-compromises sports sunglasses is out there, but you need some knowledge to find it. Below is our quick-and-easy guide to finding the perfect fit. One feature that any pair of sunglasses MUST have is UVA and UVB protection. Be sure to look for it.
Cycling Sunglasses
Lens:
Look for full-coverage lenses to keep wind and rain out and protect from potential bugs and debris striking your shades. A one-piece shield works best here, providing a wide field of vision.
Lens Tints:
Choose gray tints to see the true colors. Copper, red, or brown tones offer heightened contrast and sharper vision. Yellow is best for low-light conditions, while photochromic lenses offer dynamic clarity for those who ride on cloudy days, in the rain, at night, or during dawn and dusk.
Frames:
Lightweight frames with adjustable nose and temple pads ensure a snug yet comfortable fit. Frames should also fit nicely under your bike helmet, so make sure to have your helmet on when trying out frames. Ideally, the frame arms are skinny enough to let you stow your sunglasses in your helmet on long climbs on hot days.
Running Sunglasses
Lens:
Runners choose smaller lenses than their cycling brothers and sisters because there’s less need to protect the eyes from debris or wind and because runners need more ventilation through their glasses to prevent fogging. Look for lenses with vent holes and anti-fog coatings on the inside of the lenses.
Lens Tints:
Runners should choose their tints along the same lines as cyclists: gray for true color, warm red, orange, and brown for better contrast and sharpness. Photochromic lenses also work well for these athletes.
Frames:
Optimal ventilation, lightweight design, and a snug yet comfortable fit are all desired. Look for air channels in the frames, which help move cool air into the lens area and help expel hot air. Lightweight frames (and lenses) reduce the chances of the sunglasses bouncing off your nose with every stride.
Water Sports Sunglasses
Lenses:
One-piece shield lenses are ideal for watersports as they provide superior coverage and stop glare off the water from sneaking in through the sides of the lens. Look for hydrophobic coating on the outside and anti-fog coating on the inside of the lens to help keep vision clear. In addition, polarized lenses mitigate glare and let you see under the water's surface.
Lens Tints:
Blue, mirrored lenses are best for water and bright sunny days. The least effective are gray lenses. Other colors will be effective at offering sharper contrast compared to gray lenses.
Frames:
Unless you participate in a high-intensity sport like rowing, sprint canoeing, or sprint kayaking, ventilation isn't top of mind for water sunglasses. Any frame will work. However, a frame that does not wrap around the bottom of the lens works best; that way, water that hits the lens can drip off rather than pool at the bottom of the frame.
Snow Sports Sunglasses
Lenses:
One-piece shield lenses work best for snow sports (think ski goggles). The exceptions are high-intensity snow sports such as cross-country skiing or speed skating. For those sports, follow the lens criteria for runners above and look for maximum ventilation.
Lens Tints:
Blue, green, and gray lens tints work best in snow-packed terrain and on bluebird sunny days with intense glare off the snow. Mirrored lenses further enhance vision by cutting down glare.
Frames:
High-intensity winter sports athletes should, like runners, opt for lightweight frames that induce airflow through the lens and help push hot air out. Otherwise, you can go with sunglasses of any shape and size, but make sure the frames fit under your go-to winter beanie or ski helmet.
Golf & Court Sports Sunglasses
Lenses:
Lenses of any shape and size work for golf. For court sports such as tennis or pickleball, a one-piece shield or two-piece lenses with extra coverage over the side of the face work best. Dissipating heat is critical for court sports, so picking lenses with ventilation cut-outs will help ensure fog-free vision.
Lens Tints:
Any lens tint from the red, orange, or brown family will work well. Green lenses will sharpen the contrast on the fairway and greens. The same goes for the tennis court. Gray or blue lenses ease eye strain but won’t enhance your vision like other tints. One thing to avoid: Polarized lenses. The polarization can mess with depth perception, making the ball harder to hit.
Frames:
Lightweight, snug, and comfortable sunglasses are ideal. You want frames that allow for maximum ventilation and airflow over your eyes.
