Last fall, we gathered a crew of Lake Tahoe, California-based testers with a range of interests—trail running, cycling, fly-fishing, climbing, nordic skiing, and more—gave each several pairs of sunglasses, and told them to play hard. They broke frames, fogged up lenses, and put the more than five dozen shades to the test on trails, roads, and water. This collection of sunglasses stood out from the crowd.
At a Glance
- Best Everyday Shade: Smith Mono Lake ($195)
- Best Ventilation: Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep ($194)
- Best Value: Tifosi Sanctum ($35)
- Best for Cycling: Scott Torica ($120)
- Most Durable: Under Armour Scorcher ($59)
- Most Stylish: Article One x Mission Workshop ($255)
- Best Ultralight: Kaenon Ojai ($125)
- Best Polarized Lenses: Maui Jim The Flats ($279)
- Best for Variable Light: Tifosi Rail XC ($80)
- Fashionable and Strong: Zeal Optics Kenosha ($159)
- Best Overall Quality: Costa Mainsail ($242)
- Most Sustainable: Baijo Toads ($209)
- Most Versatile: Smith XC Sunglasses ($159)
- Best Under $25: Goodr OG ($25)
- How to Choose
- How We Test
- Meet Our Lead Testers
All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.
Best Everyday Shade
Smith Mono Lake
Lens: ChromaPop Polarized, comes in four lens tint options
Frame shape: Classically oversized
Fit: Large
Pros and Cons
⊕ Durable, smudge-resistant lenses
⊕ Excellent glare protection on bright days
⊕ Surprisingly light for their size
⊗ Too large for small faces
Testers used the Mono Lake on bright, bluebird days and found the polarized lens offered the best contrast in full sun of any glasses in the test. Their timeless style leans more towards fashion than sport, but they were comfortable and provided effective coverage during activities like boating, coaching kids’ soccer, and hiking with the dog.
“It felt like a casual lifestyle shade, but integrated rubberized nose pieces keep them right where you want them with no pinching or pressure points, making these good for light activity,” said tester Jess Hamilton, who wore them on dog walks in her neighborhood. Tahoe-based tester Kirstin Guinn wore the full-coverage shades on a sunny road trip to Mammoth, driving past the glasses’ namesake Mono Lake. “I didn’t wear them mountain biking—they’re not really built for that—but I was happy to put them on when I got back to the car,” Guinn said, noting their secure fit and glare-reducing optics.
Best Ventilation
Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep
$194 at REI $194 at Backcountry
Lens: Choose from 10 color options, including clear
Frame shape: Sporty shields
Fit: Small
Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultra light for endurance sports
⊕ No sweat-induced fogging
⊕ Massive rubber nose pads that stay put
⊗ Too sporty to wear casually
⊗ A little tight at the temples
For running, cycling, and other sweaty pursuits, the Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep was a true champ. “Great combo of ventilation and coverage for a hard training ride,” said tester Tristan Queen, who trained for the Leadville 100 in these shades. “Good airflow meant I wasn’t getting sweaty eye area syndrome.” (Yes, that’s a thing.) In mixed lighting through forests or dimly lit roads, the lenses—which one tester called A+ quality—popped color and light without distortion. This is a slight, minimalist option for athletic types who’d rather not wear a massive shield but still want the wind and sun protection of a full-coverage shade.
Best Value
Tifosi Sanctum
Lens: Seven color options
Frame shape: Basic shield
Fit: Medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Lens quality punches above its price class
⊕ Affordable enough to buy a few pairs
⊕ Snug fit without pinching
⊗ Lens too dark for mixed-light conditions
This is the extra pair of sunglasses you store in your glovebox for a sunny day. “While these reminded me of the huge brown sunglasses my nana used to wear, I was surprised by how good they felt,” said tester Jessica Hamilton, who wore the Sanctum on a long run on the Pacific Crest Trail. Style points may be a touch lacking, but for $35, you get shatterproof shades that won’t disappoint in direct sun.
Testers who wore them biking and running said there were no issues with slippage or fogging. Tester David Anhalt, who wore these glasses while mountain biking, gardening, and sitting in his hot tub, said, “I was impressed by how well they stayed on my face without applying too much pressure. Possibly the most comfortable glasses at this price point I’ve ever worn.” The straight frame—made from plant-based castor oil—paired well with hats.
Best for Cycling
Scott Torica Light Sensitive
Lens: Toric-shaped photochromic with interchangeable color options
Frame shape: Torica
Fit: Medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Temples fit multiple bike helmet brands
⊕ Never once fogged
⊕ Well-sized rubber nose tabs lock them in place
⊗ Might look bug-eyed on small faces
⊗ Euro styling not for everyone
If a Swiss cyclist and a lab scientist built a pair of sunglasses, they might look like the Scott Torica. The toric-shaped lenses (like a slice off the edge of a donut) curve both horizontally and vertically, offering max peripheral vision, which testers appreciated while on technical singletrack. These quickly became a few testers’ go-to sunglasses. “I fell for these glasses hard,” said Kerstin Ulf, an avid mountain biker. “With the lens quality in combination with the comfy goggle-like frame, I would regularly forget they were on.” The transitional lenses adjusted gradually to changing light, a boon on early-morning or end-of-day runs and rides. These were the most helmet-compatible of any glasses we tested.
Most Durable
Under Armour Scorcher
Lens: Mirror-coated and scratch resistant
Frame shape: Classic rectangular
Fit: Medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Very secure
⊗ Heavy
While it’s primarily known for its sports-centric apparel, Under Armor has been in the eyewear game since 2006. The new Scorcher is our favorite entry from the brand so far. Testers praised the impact-resistant recycled plastic frame and mirrored polycarbonate lens for their sturdy, well-built feel. “Go ahead and try to break these glasses,” one tester challenged. Wide, robust temples easily stretched around the head and stayed securely in place, while subtle, eraser-sized rubber nose pads glued these shades to our tester’s face on a long, snowy run in Tahoe.
Most Stylish
Article One X Mission Workshop
$255 at Huckberry $255 at Mission Workshop
Lens: Polarized, with a low-light option
Frame shape: Vintage navigator
Fit: Small/Medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Durable, high-end construction
⊕ Great in low-light conditions
⊕ Secure, customizable fit
⊗ Heavy
Just because your day involves sporty pursuits doesn’t mean you should have to wear sunglasses that look like they belong in the Tour de France. These shades from Article One’s active line are functional enough for moderately serious sporting activities but are styled with a sleek, vintage coolness. After all, celeb Ryan Gosling and elite track runner Nikki Hiltz both wear a pair. Designed in collaboration with San Francisco-brand Mission Workshop, they wouldn’t be out of place while bike-commuting to a tech job or on a weekend backpacking trip. Springy hinges and adjustable nose pads give you a custom fit. “This is one damn nice pair of glasses,” said tester Kerstin Ulf. “They feel premium on your face.” The lens was clear and bright, even at a sunset concert, one tester reported, while another said her backyard trails had never looked more spectacular.
Best Ultralight
Kaenon Ojai
$125 at Backcountry $124 at Amazon
Lens: Three polarized color options
Frame shape: Round
Fit: Medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Unscratchable lenses
⊕ Featherweight frame
⊕ Snug fit with no bounce
⊗ So light they feel like they could break easily
Beachgoers and casual runners looking for a light, sporty shade they can wear throughout the day need search no more. The Ojai hits this magical sweet spot: At $100, they’re high-end enough to have a lavish feel but not so pricy you’ll panic when they go missing. They’re also perfectly unisex and flattering on a wide range of face shapes and sizes. These were among the lightest frames in the test and felt breezy and whimsical while bike commuting through town and paddleboarding on a high-alpine lake. Runners reported minimal slipping and appreciated the lightweight feel. “This one takes skinny and light to a whole new level,” one tester said.
The Ojai has a boho, casual vibe, like you’re going wine tasting at a hip vineyard, but is sporty enough to pull off scrambling up a big peak. A keyhole bridge over the nose and integrated rubber nose pads make for a comfortable fit.
Best Polarized Lenses
Maui Jim The Flats
Lens: Polarized superthin glass in five tint options
Frame shape: Low-key rectangular
Fit: Medium/large
Pros and Cons
⊕ Among the best polarized optics we tested
⊕ Long-lasting durability
⊕ Comfortably snug fit
⊗ Pricy
⊗ Heavy
The Flats, by Maui Jim, are not flashy or stylish, per se. They win in practicality. If you’re going fishing or paddling on a lake or ocean, these are the sunglasses you want. The lens is scratch-resistant glass, polarized to cut glare and boost color on water-bound exploits. They work well off the water, too. One tester wore them while rollerskating on a mountaintop rink at Palisades Tahoe and while catching crawdads off a dock with his kids. “They gave life alacrity,” he said.
Testers who claimed they don’t usually splurge on expensive sunglasses said these explained why you should. “Ah, so this is why people pay for nice glasses,” said tester Molly Street. “The lenses offered the crispest view I’ve ever experienced in a pair of sunglasses.” A snappy, spring-loaded hinge on the arms hugged the face nicely and, one tester reported, kept them in place while boating on Lake Tahoe.
Best for Variable Light
Tifosi Rail XC
Lens: Two color options that come with three interchangeable lenses, or two color options with adaptive tint
Frame shape: Shallow shield
Fit: Small/medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Adaptable to all light conditions
⊕ Expansive coverage
⊗ Some overheating
⊗ Learning curve on swapping lenses
We named Tifosi’s Rail XC to our “Best of” list in 2023, and it remains a favorite. The XC is the little sibling to the brand’s Rail shades, a sleek, rimless cycling lens introduced in 2022. It’s the same frame with a shallower lens cut for smaller faces (or people who don’t want as aggressive face coverage). “I felt like a total badass in these, which made me want to go faster,” said NYC runner Jacqueline de Berry.
You can choose a style that comes with three lenses (thanks to an easily removable nose piece and arms) for bright and low light conditions. Or you can select what Atlanta tester Drew Whitcomb calls the “one lens to rule them all” option: the Clarion Blue or Red Fototec lens that automatically adjusts from nearly clear to a sun-blocking mirror. “I liked how well the Fototec worked in all conditions,” said Denver ultramarathoner Matthew Hunsucker. “The lighter tint on the lenses made them awesome in low light situations, like early morning starts, but they still blocked out light when the sun was at its brightest.” —Ashley Mateo
Best Blend of Fashion and Strength
Zeal Optics Kenosha
Lens: Polarized and plant-based polycarbonate, comes in four lens colors, plus prescription options
Frame shape: Modern rectangular
Fit: Small/medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Felt unbreakable
⊕ Frame size fit a range of faces
⊗ A little more nose padding would be nice
City dwellers and road trippers will appreciate the Kenosha for its rugged stamina. Durability goes a long way when evaluating sunglasses: Who wants to invest in shades that’ll break when you accidentally sit on them or drop them off a ledge while climbing? Testers did both of those things with their Zeal Kenoshas, and they survived just fine. “I loved how sturdy these felt,” said tester Patrick Yun, who wore them on a surfing road trip down California’s Highway 1. “They stayed put on my face while getting ready for a surf session.”
These shades veer more toward the fashion-end of the spectrum and are a touch on the bulky side for endurance activities, but they excelled on mellow strolls along the beach and bopping around town. “I’d wear these for anything in the sun that didn’t involve too much sweating,” another tester said.
Best All-Around Quality
Costa Mainsail
$262 at Backcountry $262 at Amazon
Lens: Polarized glass, 2 color options
Frame shape: Sporty rectangular
Fit: Large
Pros and Cons
⊕ Crisp optics
⊕ Durable
⊗ Mild styling
⊗ Expensive
Our testers fought over who got to wear the Mainsail the longest: this was a crowd-favorite on snowy and sunny days around the Sierra. Though Costa tends to make glasses for water sports, we tested these shades in the snow: shoveling, backcountry skiing, and on an inbounds bootpack at Mammoth Mountain.
With durable frames, scratch-proof lenses, and a locked-in fit, they felt versatile enough for both low-key and high-motion activities. Full coverage sides kept the sun out and clingy nose and temple pads stayed put on the move and didn’t slip even when sweaty. Optic clarity was the best in the test, thanks to high-contrast polarized lenses: “My eyes felt refreshed and the world looked vibrant,” said Tahoe-based tester Jessica Hamilton.
Most Sustainably Made
Baijo Toads ($209–$259)
Lens: Polarized nylon or glass, 10 color options
Frame shape: Classic rectangular
Fit: Large
Pros and Cons
⊕ Best-in-test glare-reduction
⊕ Bio-based frame material
⊗ On the larger side
These polarized fishing glasses (with polycarbonate or slightly pricier glass lenses) cut glare better than any other lens in test, especially on frozen water. They didn’t shift during high motion activities like a pick-up hockey game in Truckee, thanks to no-slip rubber nose pads and temple tips with a firm grasp. Though they’re a larger-sized frame, they fit most of our testers’ faces without issue. The glasses come in a lush faux-leather case made from cactus, and the frames are made with bio-based materials.
Most Versatile
Smith XC Sunglasses
$185 at Backcountry $169 at Smith
Lens: Polarized in three color options
Frame shape: Flip-up shield
Fit: Medium/large
Pros and Cons
⊕ Highly breathable
⊕ Versatile
⊗ The look isn’t for everyone
Smith went back to its 1983-84 collection to find inspiration for these one-piece flip-up sunglasses. Why, you ask, would anyone need this feature? Sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don’t want the lenses in front of your eyes. Case in point: tester Jakob Schiller took these glasses for an early-morning run in Mexico City and was able to flip the lenses up until the sun peeked over the buildings and then flip them down to create needed sun protection after the dawn. And while the glasses sat far enough off their faces to breathe well, testers said sometimes it was nice to flip the lenses up while exercising in order to get a full blast of fresh air in their faces. Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days we’re all out there wearing bright colors, form-fitting tights, and any number of funny-looking gear in order to have fun and feel good.
Best Under $25
Goodr OG
Lens: Polarized, in 13 color options
Frame shape: Sporty square
Fit: Narrow/medium
Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable
⊕ Complete protection that’s affordable
⊗ Lenses difficult to keep clean
⊗ Lenses easily damaged
The OG, which we’re highlighting for the second year, is Goodr’s best-selling style, and for good reason: The frame is almost universally flattering, they come in 25-plus colorways, and ring up at a mere $25. “I don’t usually race in sunglasses, but I wore these in the 2022 Berlin Marathon,” says tester Jacqueline de Berry. “I thought for sure I would get annoyed by them towards the end of the race and want to toss them away—and I wouldn’t even have minded due to how affordable they are. But they were so comfortable I wore them to the finish, and they helped me score a new [personal record].” Hunsucker, who has logged over 1,000 miles in the OGs, points out that they’re best when it’s super sunny. “They can affect your depth perception in the shade, so I only wear them on sunny, non-technical trails,” he says.
They may not be as high-tech as other lenses, but they’re lightweight, don’t budge, and offer plenty of eye protection for an attractive price. Any athlete with a penchant for losing or damaging sunglasses should consider having a pair or two of Goodrs on hand. —Ashley Mateo
How to Choose
Trying on sunglasses in person can always be helpful to make sure they fit and flatter your face shape and size. These days, a lot of sunglass brands also offer virtual try-on features online. Your face shape can determine what works best for you. Larger, rounder faces tend to work best with oversized or shield glasses; smaller faces might be more suited to round or wayfarer styles.
Consider what you need from your sunglasses before you buy. Are you wearing them for high-motion sports like cycling or running, or for water sports like fishing or paddling? Or do you need them for everyday use, like driving or taking a walk? Some versatile shades can do all of those things, but others are more specialized. And if you plan to use your sunglasses in low-light conditions, consider a lens suited for that or an interchangeable lens that you can swap out based on the light.
In terms of lenses, you have a few options there as well. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more durable, and shatterproof, usually designed for high-output sports like running, biking, or ski touring. Glass lenses tend to have superior optic quality but are heavier and can be easier to break. If you plan to wear the glasses on water or snow, spring for a polarized lens, which is usually pricier but helps cut glare significantly better than non-polarized options. Some glasses come with options for lens tint and that’s really up to personal preference and where you plan to use the glasses most of the time. Yellow or pink lenses will help boost color and can work well in low-light or on snow. Green and blue lenses cut glare. Gray lenses function well in both low-light and full-sun conditions, while brown lenses can improve contrast.
How We Test
- Number of testers: 15
- Number of products tested: 66
- Number of 50Ks run while testing: 6
- Number of Lake Tahoe crawdads caught while testing: 18
- Number of frames broken during the test: 2
To determine the best new sunglasses of the year, a group of 15 testers rotated through 66 sunglasses and were told to put them to the test during their typical outdoor outings in a range of light and weather conditions. Testing took place during late summer and throughout the winter in North Lake Tahoe, California. Testers—each with their own unique style, preferences, and face shapes—sampled the shades while doing a range of activities, including a backpacking trip into Desolation Wilderness, long gravel rides around Tahoe, and a surf road trip down the coast.
Sunglasses were also tested in all sorts of winter conditions, protecting peepers while Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, winter running, snowshoeing, dog walking, road-tripping, hot-tubbing, pushing strollers, and more. Testers were selected based on a range of qualifications, but mostly because they’re opinionated about gear and they get outside regularly. Once they’d sufficiently wear-tested products, testers filled out in-depth feedback forms where they reviewed characteristics like lens quality, fit, features, and durability.
Meet Our Lead Testers
Category manager and Outside contributing editor Megan Michelson is a freelance journalist and avid trail runner based in Tahoe City, California. She tested sunglasses on long runs and around-town outings with her kids. Other key testers included mountain biker and marketing specialist Kerstin Ulf, cyclist and Arcade Belts CEO Tristan Queen, and dog owner and Peak Design CFO David Anhalt, who tested sunglasses mostly while gardening in his yard.
Winter testers included Tahoe-based marketing director and snowboarder Kirstin Guinn, who tested shades while on a family road trip to a handful of ski resorts around Utah. Robotics engineer Goran Lynch, who also lives in North Lake Tahoe, put sunglasses to the test while walking his dog along snowy paths, backcountry skiing out his door, and chasing his high-speed kid around his home ski resort of Alpine Meadows. Dr. Jessica Hamilton, a long-distance runner, climber, and skier, gave feedback on sunglasses she wore doing all of those activities in one of Tahoe’s snowiest winters on record.
To find the top picks during the summer 2023 (two of which carried over to this year’s list), Ashley Mateo distributed sunglasses to four testers based all over the country—from the high-alpine trails of Colorado to the humid hills of Atlanta to the congested streets of New York City—and gathered their feedback on comfort, durability, clarity, and, of course, style.