The Best Performance Running Sunglasses for Every Face Shape

Whether looking to keep your eyes safe from harmful rays and glare, aiming to cover up your pupils from debris, dust and mud or just trying to upgrade your training silhouette, running sunglasses can be an excellent addition to your workout wardrobe. Designed for lightweight coverage and multiple light conditions, these sleek wearables serve as the perfect bridge between style, comfort and performance.

Yet, like the purchase process involved with running shoes and other training garb, it can be difficult to understand which features to look for when inquiring about your first pair of shades. Before you go rummaging through the wide array of frames, lenses and brands, it’s helpful to know some key factors to keep your eyes on.

How to Choose Running Sunglasses

Fit and Security

Naturally, your eyewear should fit your face, right? Well, this note goes a little further when deciding on proper running sunglasses. Not only do the frames need to match your face size for comfort and cosmetic purposes, but the silhouettes also need to retain their placement across the high-impact movements associated with running. To help ensure your shades stay in place throughout your workouts, look for profiles featuring grippy nose pads and temple tips. These build components can help create friction across the skin at key areas, allowing you to move freely without having to adjust your frames on a routine basis.

Shape

When thinking of your preferred shape, it ultimately comes down to how protected you want to be across the front of your face, as well as your preferred look when wearing your shades. Full-coverage running sunglasses can be great for providing a heightened sense of protection from oncoming debris and dust, while slimmer, dual-lens designs may be more appealing for their more versatile wearability. You can also look for wraparound styles that provide excellent coverage while still offering a wide field of view, which can be desirable for trailer runners who need to utilize their peripheral vision to adjust for technical terrain changes. Ultimately, though, it’s up to your preferred taste.

Lens Color

Another common question you may be asking is, “Which lens color do I need?” Again, there’s no absolute right or wrong answer. If you’re running mostly in low-light or overcast conditions, yellow or orange lenses can provide enough contrast to help you see your way. For sunnier jogs, rose, red, amber and brown lenses are good choices to consider. Above all else, ensure your running sunglasses provide plenty of UV protection. Shades rated UV400 should be a good benchmark when searching for your first pair.

Coatings

In addition to your lens color, you can also opt for extra coatings to help deal with common environmental factors like finger smudges and fog. These coatings can be plenty convenient for a handful of runners, but they’re only as necessary as you deem the technology.

Do You Need Polarized Running Sunglasses?

Another popular coating technology offered across a number of running sunglasses is the option of polarized lenses. Polarization works by helping block reflected light off flat surfaces, which can keep your eyes protected and offer enhanced visual clarity. But should you be looking solely at polarized lenses for your running sunglasses? Again, that depends on your typical running environment.

Because of the lower light conditions — and the need to make split-second directional changes — trail runners might want to steer clear of polarized lenses. Polarization can sometimes lead to altered depth perception, which can cause eye strain or lead to missteps along your path. Instead, look to wear your polarized shades in sun-filled running environments or where you’ll most likely encounter glare, like off car windows or bodies of water.

How We Tested

Oakley

BEST OVERALL RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Oakley Corridor

• $194.00 at Oakley

• Dimensions: 136mm x 140mm x 51.4mm

While Oakley has been at the forefront of sunglasses tech for quite some time, these Corridors mark the brand’s first dedicated profile for runners, and trust us when we say its performance was well worth the wait. The retro yet modern design elements create a silhouette that fits well beyond our training routines, and there’s no issue with jostling mid-stride thanks to the Unobtanium nosepad and earsocks. Plus, we also appreciate Oakley’s Prizm lens technology that created a better visual mid-training with enhanced colors and contrast.

Naturally, however, we understand that not every athlete is willing to sign up for the single-lens makeup at play here. It can overwhelm the face, especially for those with narrower dimensions. Still, however, if you’re a faithful follower of Oakley’s stable, it’s nice to see a silhouette that’s (finally) built with runners in mind.

Engo

BEST UPGRADE RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Engo Eyewear Engo 2

• $330.00 at engoeyewear.com

• Dimensions: 138mm x 133mm x 49mm

Data and in-training analytics can unlock a slew of benefits for dedicated runners, but pausing your progress to look at your watch or phone can be a detriment to your forward momentum. These shades from Engo Eyewear keep all your desired measurables in plain view thanks to a built-in heads-up display unit. We also admired how easy it was to customize these data fields prior to racing or competition, allowing us to analyze and keep tabs on our vital information whether chasing down a leaderboard or PR.

From a sunglasses perspective, the Engo 2s wear comfortably across the face, and there’s enough coverage to keep your eyes free of dirt and dust. We did notice, however, that at the tail ends of race courses where sweat was prominent across our brow that the arms did begin to slip slightly from their original location. This caused a few pushbacks as we strode toward the finish line, but if you’re looking for a true technological improvement to your running setup, these are the shades worth considering.

For a more in-depth look, read our full review of the Engo Eyewear Engo 2s.

Tifosi Optics

BEST BUDGET RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Tifosi Smirk

• $30.00 at tifosioptics.com

• Dimensions: 135mm x 137mm x 43.2mm

Running sunglasses don’t need to rival your running shoes in terms of cost to be worthwhile, and Tifosi’s stable of efficient eyewear proves that notion in spades. We love the Smirk lineup of sunglasses for their durable Grilamid TR-90 frame design that boasts impeccable durability, as well as the teardrop-shaped lens design that gives these shades plenty of room for wear both in and out of training scenarios. Plus, if you fancy a polarized lens, you only need to shell out an extra $25, bringing the grand total of these sunglasses to a (sarcastically) whopping $54.95.

Of course, however, budget shades do suffer a few pitfalls when it comes to build quality, which we noticed in the overall feel of the lens design. While durable against normal wear and tear, we admittedly viewed the quality of the Grilamid TR-90 to be somewhat “cheap” when compared to other silhouettes in testing. If you can get over the in-hand aesthetics, though, these are prime for a bevy of uses and can surely upgrade your running kit without haste.

Nike

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Nike Victory Road Tint Sunglasses

• $108.00 at Nike
  $175.00 (38% off)

• Dimensions: N/A

These shades from Nike were designed using insights from competitive runners with the sole purpose of fueling your fiercest on-road performances. We enjoyed how these frames nearly disappeared across our faces in testing, and the 8-base construction helped keep the lens close to the cheeks for improved coverage and protection. Plus, Nike says the nosepad and arms are malleable for a customized fit, although we were luckier in fine-tuning the nosepiece than the arms — there’s a fine line between bending for personalization and bending toward breakage.

The Nike Victory Road sunglasses are also capable of housing your prescription lenses thanks to a convenient clip-in build. The lenses easily interchange with a little force, so if you have the right lenses for your specific optical needs, there’s no need to try and double up your running shades over your dailies anymore.

Ciele

MOST STYLISH RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Ciele GTGlass

• $275.00 at cieleathletics.com

• Dimensions: 15mm x 145mm x 60mm (bridge width x temple length x lens width)

If you want your running sunnies to pull double duty as a performance booster and a fashion statement, then boutique running brand Ciele Athletics has just the pair of stylish, running-focused sunglasses for you. Ciele teamed up with Article One, a high-end, fashion-forward optical brand that only uses handmade Italian frames to create these aesthetic, run-ready shades.

Styled somewhat like Aviator sunglasses, these sunglasses are a thing of beauty, perfectly suitable for the busy streets of New York City or the glamorous, palm-lined Rodeo Drive. We found the CR-39 polarized lenses — that block 100% of UVA/UVB rays — provided more than adequate glare-free sun protection, but they were also a little dark in cloudy and low-sun conditions. The one big gripe, price aside, was that comfort can begin to fade on really long runs. While undoubtedly well-made, the thicker frame and lenses started to sit heavy on the nose and ears once mileage began to rack up, which can lead to slippage if you don’t take advantage of the included retainer strap.

Knockaround

MOST VERSATILE RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport

• $38.00 at knockaround.com

• Dimensions: 148mm x 142mm x 49mm

Looking to add a splash of creativity to your run? These Fast Lane Sport sunnies from Knockaround are right up your alley. Boasting embedded rubber nose pads for supreme grip, polarized lenses and UV400 protection, these shades are, in Knockaround’s terms, “really good looking and made to take a beating.” We’ve owned multiple pair of Knockarounds in the past and admire the Fast Lanes’ style and affordability. Seriously, there are plenty of available frame color and lens options, making these an easy candidate for those that want multiple pair for multiple looks.

Of course, however, all that versatility begins to meet its match when you try to pair these shades with more intense training scenarios. For one, there’s a good bit of gap between the lens and temple, which could leave more dedicated trail runners wanting more coverage to combat those technical mountains and mud-filled routes. Still, though, if you’re looking for sunnies that are just as comfortable on weekend excursions as they are in mid-afternoon tempo days, look no further.

Roka

BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES FOR LARGE FACES

Roka SL-1X

• $200.00 at roka.com

• Dimensions: 147mm x 119mm x 54mm

If your noggin is of the larger size category, we highly recommend these sunnies from Roka. The rimless frame creates a lightweight aesthetic across the entire build, and we also appreciated how the wraparound lenses provided excellent full-field-of-view coverage without being obnoxiously oversized. Additionally, there’s plenty of customization options across a slew of frame and lens colors, so you can fine-tune these SL-1Xs to your preferred personality in no time.

Unfortunately, though, the customized nature of these large-face-favoring shades has its limits, which we noticed in the nosepad. There’s no adjustability across the Geko nose piece, and while the component is removable for easier cleaning or color swapping, the angles are static which can leave those with less than traditional nose structures a little lacking in terms of fitment.

Courtesy

BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES FOR NARROW-FACED ATHLETES

Kaenon Avalon

• $125.00 at kaenon.com

• Dimensions: 142mm x 139mm x 43mm

While not technically running-specific sunglasses, the Kaenon Avalon was the clear winner with our narrow-faced tester. Sporting the classic Wayfarer style, these lifestyle sunglasses were light enough to provide a comfortable, secure fit while running. The brown ​​polarized lenses we tested offered adequate sun protection without distorting objects, too. However, they weren’t the best at warding off fingerprints, as there’s no smudge protection across the lens coating for an added layer of convenience. Still, if you struggle to find a pair of narrow sunglasses that stay put when running, these stood out against all competitors, while still being stylish enough to warrant everyday wear.

Oakley

BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES FOR FULL FACE COVERAGE

Oakley Kato

• $313.00 at Oakley

• Dimensions: 132mm x 136mm x 64mm

Okay, these shades take the “single lens” silhouette to a whole new level. The contoured nature of the Kato lens gives these sunnies a seamless look, and thanks to the lack of a bridge, provides some of the best field of vision we experienced in testing. Additionally, Oakley’s frameless architecture sits comfortably close to the skin for a feel that’s near invisible during the motions and movement of a typical running session.

We found no qualms in regards to the fit of these Oakley profiles, but given the non-adjustable qualities of the nose bridge across the lens, we understand that there may be some athletes that experience otherwise. You may need to try these on in-person before investing in a pair for yourself, especially if your nose if of the wider or thinner crowd from the start.

Backcountry

BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES FOR TRAIL RUNNING

Julbo Aero REACTIV 1-3

• $230.00 at Backcountry

• Dimensions: 133mm x 131mm x 46mm

Tackling technical terrain as part of your normal regimen? Consider these impressive shades from lesser-known Julbo. The Aeros feature a lightweight design that places your focus less on your gear and more on the trailway with each turn and climb, and (according to the brand), “the shock-absorber inserts at the end of the Air Link Temples offer superior grip and lightness when fit and function matter most.”

We also admire how easily the REACTIV lenses shifted from light to dark conditions, which kept our vision plenty suited for the tasks at hand. There is some room for (potential) discomfort, though, if you find yourself running in less-than-ideal conditions. Given the slight gaps between lens and frame at the temples, these roomy cutouts can serve as perfect airways for headwinds to chill your temples to the point of irritation. We recommend saving these sunnies for less storm-riddled trailways, thus eliminating the chances of windburn at these peculiar areas across the silhouette.

Courtesy

BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES FOR TRIATHLETES

District Vision Junya Racer

• $295.00 at ln-cc.com

• Dimensions: 140mm x 51mm (width x height)

The attention to detail and design of the District Vision Junya Racer is nothing short of brilliant, which is what we expected from such a premium pair of sunglasses. It starts with super thin, adjustable titanium core arms that apply just enough pressure to stay put without feeling too tight. Like the arms, the fit of the hypoallergenic nose pad can be adjusted for a premium feel. What stood out to us, however, was how the countered lens offered similar coverage compared to oversized wrap-style sunglasses, but at a fraction of the size.

The lenses are also treated with water and oil repellent, too, but don’t think these shades are completely free of marks. As we experienced with other treated lenses, this feature doesn’t prevent spots from forming on the lenses — the spots weren’t visible when looking through the lenses, though. The one downside to the Junya Racers is that the lenses are not interchangeable. We tested both the black and yellow lenses, and it would have been nice to swap between them, depending on the light conditions.

Roka

BEST PRESCRIPTION RUNNING SUNGLASSES

Roka Kona

• $280.00 at roka.com

• Dimensions: 129mm x 135mm x 44mm

Prescription sunglasses are not a cheap ticket item,making a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses solely for running a pricey, prohibitive endeavor for many. The ROKA Kona solves this problem by providing running sunglasses with comfortable, bounce-free performance in a stylish silhouette suitable for everyday use.

Ordering online is easy and fast. Just upload your prescription during checkout, and two to three weeks later, you’ll have a custom pair of prescription sunglasses. The nylon frame is remarkably lightweight at just24 grams, and is downright durable, too. Despite a silhouette that may cater more so to larger faces, the patented fit technology with a proprietary elastomer for nose and temple pads comfortably anchors the glasses firmly on your face without that annoying, pinching feel. Even on fast and bumpy trail runs, the Kona stayed put. Our one complaint, however, is that despite being advertised as sweat-resistant, the lenses were prone to developing sweat marks. Outside of that, these quickly became part of our normal sunglasses rotation after a few trial runs.

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