There are few aspects of summer running that I dread more than turning a corner and being blinded by the sun. I live in Phoenix, AZ, one of the sunniest cities on the planet, and going for a run without running sunglasses feels almost reckless. During my journeys, I often cross busy streets and swerve around cyclists, cars and pedestrians – without clear vision, I cannot see obstacles or avoid other road users. For me, running with shades is not only more comfortable; safer too.
Read my guide to the best running sunglasses, including pairs from top brands like Oakley, Goodr, Roka, and more.
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Best running sunglasses
- Overall, the best running sunglasses: Roka Oslo 2.0
- Best value running sunglasses: Goodr OG
- The best running sunglasses with interchangeable lenses: Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL
- Best running sunglasses for trail running: Ombraz Classic
- The best running sunglasses to be clear: Smith Resolve with ChromaPop lenses
The best running sunglasses of 2024
Best overall: Roka Oslo 2.0
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There are many great options on this list, but the Oslo 2.0 rises to the top because it combines good looks with great performance. Highlights include crystal clear lenses with a robust hydrophobic coating to protect against sweat and prevent fogging. Additionally, the frame arms feel durable and functional, and the spring hinges absorb some of the bouncing motion of running, keeping the sunglasses in place. GEKO grip nose pads and shank tips ensure a comfortable and secure fit. While the Oslo 2.0 doesn't offer much adjustability, it fits medium and smaller faces well, and these shades are sure to improve your running style.
[Starting at $195 for non-polarized models; roka.com]
Best value running sunglasses: Goodr OG
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Goodr sets the standard for affordable sunglasses that perform well for activities like running, hiking, and cycling. Goodr's OG frames, which come in tons of colors, are the best running sunglasses for the price. These shades sit comfortably on the face, the frames have a textured coating for better grip, and the polarized lenses reduce glare for clear vision while running. I stash a pair in my car as a spare: Even if they come off a bit, I don't sweat it because they're so cheap to replace.
[$41; amazon.com]
The best running sunglasses with interchangeable lenses: Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL
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For me, Oakley is the classic sport sunglasses: from baseball to cycling and beyond, many athletes rely on these stylish frames for reliable performance, and runners should too. The Half Jacket 2.0 XL is ideal for runners who experience a variety of light conditions. The highlight of the frames: Changing the lenses is extremely easy. Just gently bend the frame and the lens pops right out. Oakley offers a huge selection of lenses, so you can stock up on a few sets and be ready to run in any weather. No matter which shade you choose, the wrap-around style lens design provides great coverage, and the frame arms hug the sides of the head for a snug and secure fit.
[$152; amazon.com]
Best running sunglasses for trail running: Ombraz Classic
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I once borrowed a pair of Ombraz Classic sunglasses on a trip and immediately fell in love with their unique design. Instead of folding arms, these are attached to the frame with an adjustable cord. A simple fastener on the cord allows you to fine-tune the fit around your head, and the comfortable lining prevents these shades from falling off even during vigorous activity. The optics are also great: these shades are available with both polarized and non-polarized lenses in a variety of tints to suit different lighting conditions.
While the Ombraz are a great choice for many activities, I recommend them for trail runs through variable light – you can loosen the cord and let them hang around your neck when running through shady areas. They're also great for travel and backcountry adventures, as the armless design makes them easy to pack.
[$160; ombraz.com]
Best running sunglasses for larger faces: Knockaround Campeones
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The Knockaround Campeones is a full coverage active frame that offers serious performance for less than $50. The high coverage design is great for people with larger faces and is great for winter runs, desert runs and highly reflective environments where shade or cloud cover is rare. The large, one-piece lens provides increased protection against light and odd-angle reflections. Additionally, the Campeons feature adjustable nose pads and rubber arms for a customized fit. The lens is not polarized, but is designed to resist water, oil and shock for good clarity and durability.
[$55; knockaround.com]
The best running sunglasses to be clear: Smith Resolve with ChromaPop lenses
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Many sunglasses, especially those with darker lenses, can dull the colors and details of your surroundings. Not with Smith Resolve ChromaPop lenses. Smith's ChromaPop lenses solve this problem – they're designed to protect your eyes without blurring your vision. I have the same lenses in my ski goggles and love how they reduce bright light while enhancing color and detail. Resolve frames are lightweight and fit the face comfortably and securely, especially after fine-tuning the adjustable nose pads. These frames also have interchangeable lenses and include a clear kit in case you need eye protection in low light conditions. For optimal vision without compromise, these frames and lenses should be used.
[$185; amazon.com]
The Best Fit Running Sunglasses: Rudy Project Rydon
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The Rudy Project Rydon offers excellent adjustability for runners who want a customized fit. Many shades have adjustable nose pads, but Rydon's nose pads allow you to make adjustments two Directions: You can move them around to make the bridge fit snugly against the nose and move the shades towards and away from the face. Why is this useful? Pushing the glasses outwards moves them away from the heat of the face, which helps prevent the lenses from fogging up in humid conditions. The arms are also adjustable, which helps to fit the sunglasses to your head without creating an uncomfortable skull-squeezing feeling. The lenses are interchangeable, so you can swap out prescription lenses or use different shades to suit different circumstances. If you want complete control over how your running sunglasses work, the Rudy Project offers the best of Rydon.
[$235; amazon.com]
The best running sunglasses for cloudy and low-light conditions: Sunski Velo
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Sunski makes high quality, stylish shades at less than half the price of some of the bigger names in the industry. Sunski Velo Rose sunglasses have sharp pink lenses with a lighter shade. They are not ideal in bright sunlight, but in cloudy and shadowy environments they are hard to beat. The Velo is designed for active use, and the rubber nose bridge and arm ends help keep it securely on your face. Even better, the large lenses provide good coverage, so you get plenty of eye protection, even for your peripheral vision.
[$89; sunski.com]
Best Blinder Style Running Sunglasses: Oakley Clifden
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The Oakley Clifden is durable and has some super useful features for winter running. These sunglasses have opaque lenses on the side of the frame, a common feature of climbing sunglasses. These shields block the strong glare of sunlight reflecting off snow and ice. In addition, the Clifden has wide nose bridge plates for even more protection against glare. (Both eye visor and nose bridge plates are removable.) One note: These are sold with low VLT lenses, so not ideal for darker conditions. But it is a great choice for winter running in full, strong sunlight.
[$231; amazon.com]
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What to consider when buying running sunglasses
Running sunglasses not only need to protect your eyes and feel comfortable, but they also need to stay on your face while you run. Here's what to consider when buying.
Lentils
There are plenty of lenses available among running sunglasses. To sort through your options (many frames have several different lenses to choose from), focus on a few key factors.
Transmission of visible light: Sometimes abbreviated as VLT, this percentage refers to how much light passes through a lens. Lower VLTs of 7-20 percent block most of the light and are best for running in bright sunlight. Higher VLTs, such as 40 percent or more, are better for low-light running.
Polarized lenses: Polarized lenses block glare. These lenses are manufactured with a filter that blocks reflected light that travels at horizontal wavelengths, but allows natural light at vertical wavelengths to pass through. In general, polarized sunglasses achieve the best blend of light blocking and clarity of vision.
Lens coverage: For maximum protection, look for larger lenses and lenses that wrap around and reach back toward the side of the face. Extra coverage prevents light and glare entering your eyes at an angle, and wrap-around lenses improve peripheral vision.
Lens coatings: Many running sunglasses have special coatings on their lenses to make them more durable and sweat-resistant. Anti-scratch coatings protect the lenses from scratches if you drop the shade, and an anti-fog coating prevents the lenses from fogging up when your face gets hot and sweaty.
Fit
The easiest way to get running sunglasses is to get the right fit. Lightweight frames are a must – these lighter designs move less (the choices below are made from lightweight materials). Also, look for sunglasses that have grippy, sweat-resistant nose pads and temple tips (the ends of the frame arms that rest on and behind your ears). These pads hold the frame securely on your head. Finally, many brands offer fit guides or virtual try-on features on their websites – tools to ensure you get a pair that fits your face.
Style
Running sunglasses come in a variety of styles. Some are decidedly sportier with wraparound lenses and cut-out frames, while others look more traditional sunglasses with rounded lenses and a classic frame shape. Aesthetics are certainly a secondary consideration, but it's important to get a pair you actually like – if you think they're ugly, you'll never wear them.
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