While sunglasses technically fall into the “accessory” category of running gear, it’s pretty much a non-negotiable for me—even on overcast days, I want to protect my eyes (and the skin around them) from squinting and harsh UV light. Reflections off the water this time of year can be brutal, and can make running more dangerous than it needs to be. Moreover, on trail runs, the right pair of lenses can help with depth perception and balance in both high- and low-contrast conditions.
When you’re doing your own shopping for running glasses, look for picks with 100 percent UV protection, a rubberized nose bridge and temple arm tips for grip, and be sure to know whether you want polarization. Polarized lenses are great for glare protection and clarity in bright light, but non-polarized lenses can be better for trail running depth perception. The sunglasses we tested and recommend fall into two pretty distinct categories: technical wraparound running models and more lifestyle-oriented pairs that still stay put when running but don’t look goofy to wear around town after.
Taking those two categories and factors like comfort, prescription options, fog-resistance, and more into account, I researched and tested multiple picks to find a variety of solid running sunglasses across a range of price points. To finalize this list of the best sunglasses for running, our team tested each pair. This list is a combination of go-to faves worn during four-season runs, and new-to-me pairs that we tested to make sure they still belonged on the list.
For our testing, we made sure the fit was comfortable and our eyes didn’t feel any strain after extended wear. Between me and our editorial team, we had all shapes of faces and needs represented to keeps our list inclusive. We put the sunglasses through the paces in areas like bright, snowy sidewalks, summertime beach runs, and shadowy forests to get a solid understanding of how well they worked in such conditions.
Personally, I spent a lot of time on trails above tree line as well, where the UV index is searing to test each pick’s UV protection. Generally, though, we made sure that every pair of sunglasses in this roundup all had full UV protection. We also tested a variety of tints, including darker lenses for harsh sunlight, as well as low-light and photochromatic options for overcast days where you still want UV protection.
Protection aside, we made sure to find options that covered a variety of styles so you can choose between a more technical wraparound pair, or ones that will stay on your head while running (but don’t look dorky in town after your workout). Finally, we wanted to offer options for prescription lenses, which more than half of the options below have. The Refugio Ombraz Armless Sunglasses are now my top pick—and it’s easy to see why.
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