Fact: hiking isn’t as fun when the sun’s glares are blinding you!
In the US, 89% of sunglasses purchases were planned in advance. That’s because sunglasses, although small, are one of the most complex pieces of your gear. With so many options and features, we spend HOURS educating ourselves before investing in the perfect pair.
This guide will save you all this time so you can make an informed decision right now. We’ve tested 12 sunglasses for hiking so far and selected only the ones that stand out in the crowd. They are unique, boasting of unbeatable polarization and other unique features.
Let’s dive in and see what makes these sunglasses the very best for hiking.
What Are the Best Hiking Sunglasses?
Best Overall: Knockaround Torrey Pines Polarized Sunglasses | Check Price
Best on Budget: goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses | Check Price
Best Features: Smith Parallel 2 Max Polarized Sunglasses | Check Price
Best Comfort: Sunski Tera Polarized Sunglasses | Check Price
Best Versatility: Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport Polarized Sunglasses | Check Price
Best for High-Altitude Hiking: Smith Embark ChromaPop Glacier Sunglasses | Check Price
Knockaround Torrey Pines Polarized Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Let’s start with my all-time favorite – Knockaround Torrey Pines Polarized Sunglasses. They offer a lovely blend of affordability and quality – a mix that’s rare to find and one that we all appreciate.
I have found these sunglasses to be immensely popular on the hiking trails. Wherever I set foot, whether it’s the rugged Sierras or the humid Appalachians, I inevitably find fellow hikers wearing them.
This popularity piqued my curiosity, and I had to give them a shot. They lived up to the hype!
Priced at $35, these sunglasses give you everything you might need on a regular trail. What really left me amazed is their durability and strength. They’ve outlasted many of my previous sunglasses that cost twice as much.
And that’s not just my opinion. Look at REI’s rating for these glasses – a whopping 4.7 out of 5 stars, backed by over 1150 reviews.
They come with one small hitch though. These glasses tend to scratch easily, more so than other sunglasses I’ve had and you need to handle them with care.
Verdict
I recommend Knockaround Torrey Pines as your go-to choice for hiking sunglasses. They are stylish, affordable and offer unbeatable UV protection and glare reduction. Why not join thousands of other hikers in sporting these on the trails?
goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
The Goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses are another solid choice. They’ve got a special grip coating to avoid slippage when you’re breaking a sweat conquering a tough mountain trail. These glasses just stick!
They have a snug and lightweight frame. A loose and bouncy frame can be a real bother when running or hiking but with these sunglasses, the fit was nearly perfect.
I love how affordable they are – only $25! They are so stylish, I even sneak them into my work outfit.
What I didn’t like, though, is that the frame broke for me after half a year. But for such a steal price, it’s almost a non-issue. I just got another pair instantly.
And like with Knockaround Torrey Pines, these sunglasses are kind of easy to scratch. But then again, at this price, can we really complain?
As for their performance, the Goodr OGs have a thumbs-up rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, placing them in the good books of many hikers.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that won’t let you down on rugged trails, and won’t break your bank, here’s your answer – Goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses.
Smith Parallel 2 Max Polarized Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
The lenses of these sunglasses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement – allowing you to have a clear view while hiking in sunny conditions.
They are also interchangeable, great news if you venture from bright, sunny conditions one minute, to low light conditions the next.
However, interchanging the lenses is a little tricky and time-consuming. With a little patience and practice, you should get the hang of it.
The Smith Parallel 2 Max hover around $155 – $165 a pair. That’s pretty steep! But in this case the quality justifies the price, no questions asked.
What makes these sunglasses worth the price? The answer lies in the superior visual comfort they offer. They’ve been meticulously crafted to provide crisp and brighter vision.
They also offer fantastic coverage against the sun. No matter how harsh the sun is during your hike, these sunglasses will keep your eyes safe and comfortable.
Verdict
At the end of the day, these sunglasses have earned a remarkable 4.6 out of 5 stars from hikers. They perform phenomenally well, especially in challenging hiking conditions.
If you’re willing to invest a little more for exceptional quality, the Smith Parallel 2 Max is a choice you won’t regret.
Sunski Tera Polarized Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Sunski Tera is a charmer when it comes to looks. It’s a perfect blend of retro mountaineering style coupled with a spirit that shouts out ski-days nostalgia.
They are, in my humble opinion, the most stylish hiking sunglasses you can lay your hands on. Simply beautiful!
Now, you might have heard of products that offer a 1-year warranty or maybe a 2-year one, but these shades come with a lifetime warranty. This says a lot about the faith Sunski has in their product, doesn’t it?
What I really like is that the Sunski Superlight frames are not made from fresh plastic. Instead, they are made from scrap plastic intercepted from the waste stream, thus contributing towards a healthier planet.
Capping off the features, it’s worth mentioning that these sunglasses perform exceptionally well under bright snow conditions. If you’re heading up the white mountains, this is a reliable choice.
There’s one drawback though – the tabs that connect the sunshades can be a bit fragile as they are made of thin plastic.
Verdict
The Sunski Tera Sunglasses are not only fashionable and environmentally friendly, but they also offer great protection against the sun.
While there may be some durability concerns with the tabs connecting the sunshades, overall these sunglasses are a great choice for any hiker. With their lifetime warranty, you can be sure that you’re investing in a quality product.
Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport Polarized Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Ever picked up a pair of budget sunglasses only to find the frames feeling cheap and brittle? Well, that’s not the story here.
The frame quality of these Knockaround sunglasses was actually a pleasant surprise, far surpassing my initial expectations for this price range.
There’s nothing more inconvenient than having your sunglasses jiggle during an intense hike. Thanks to the rubber on the nose, these sunglasses offer additional comfort and stay in place.
However, after logging a significant trek – say, around the 2-3 hour mark – they did start to feel a tad heavy on my face.
While they’re definitely built to last, I wouldn’t necessarily tag them as the best lightweight option on the market.
Verdict
Are they worth it? In a nutshell, YES. For a mere $35, you’re securing quality frames, comfort, and important safety features.
If you can overlook the slight weight after extensive use, the Knockaround Fast Lanes Sport might just be your new hiking companion.
Smith Embark ChromaPop Glacier Sunglasses
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
If you’re looking for premium sunglasses that deliver in every possible aspect, you’ve just found it. The Smith Embark ChromaPop Glacier Sunglasses are a bit up there in price, sitting around $215-$225, yet they’re worth every cent.
These glasses are literally PACKED with a host of unique features that, let’s just say, are pretty hard to find in other models.
The ChromaPop feature is the real deal when it comes to visual performance. It enhances color and contrast through the full range of the lens. This means you get the best possible view all the time.
It also filters out two specific wavelengths of light that can cause color confusion. It helps your eyes see with greater clarity and imbues the world with a more natural color.
As a result, you’ll find yourself seeing the tiniest details more clearly on your hikes.
Smith Embark comes with Glacier Photochromic lenses. Unlike traditional ones, these lenses are less temperature-sensitive.
They reduce visual acuity and eliminate eye fatigue, and they do it effectively – ever since I’ve been wearing these glasses, I can’t recall experiencing any headaches due to eye strain.
These glasses come with removable and ventilated side shields for peripheral light coverage, and low-profile, adjustable temple arms that let you customize your fit.
Say goodbye to glasses that fall off every time you bend over to tie your shoe laces!
Verdict
The Smith Embark ChromaPop Glacier Sunglasses are a top tier product designed for high-altitude hiking or mountaineering and it’d take too long to describe all its unique features in one section!
If you’re a regular trail hiker, these sunglasses might be an overkill as you might find other options out there that are a bit more budget-friendly.
Nonetheless, if you’re planning to conquer the heights, these glasses come as a highly recommended piece of gear.
Are Polarized Glasses Good for Hiking?
I’d say polarized glasses are a must-have when it comes to hiking sunglasses because you’ll encounter a variety of lighting conditions. The sun can be glaring off water surfaces, bouncing off snow, or even just shining brightly overhead.
This intense light can not only cause discomfort but also make it harder for you to see the path ahead clearly.
How Polarized Glasses Work?
Polarized lenses work by reducing glare. They contain a special filter that blocks intense reflected light, improving your comfort and visibility.
This is particularly useful in high-glare situations – think hiking near a lake or traversing a snowy landscape. Polarized lenses offer superior vision in these scenarios.
They also provide excellent clarity, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful views on your hike without any distortion.
The best polarized options use high-quality lenses, like those made from durable triacetate cellulose. These lenses not only reduce glare but also offer robust protection against the sun’s UV rays.
What Color Lenses Are Best for Hiking?
The best colors for lenses are brown, copper, gray, or green. Different colored lenses can offer various benefits:
- Brown and copper lenses are great because they enhance contrast, which can be useful when you’re hiking in rocky terrain. This enhanced contrast can help you spot any potential trip hazards and keep you safe on your hike.
- Gray or green smoke lenses are also top choices. These colors reduce brightness without distorting colors, which means you can enjoy the true colors of nature around you while protecting your eyes from harsh sunlight.
- There are also rose lenses. They may not be the first color that comes to mind, but they have their own unique advantages. Rose lenses can increase contrast in low-light conditions, making them perfect for cloudy days or late afternoon hikes.
It’s not just about the color. The quality of the lens and its ability to block UV and infrared spectrum light is critical. Make sure your chosen sunglasses tick these boxes too!
Conclusion
So, what is it about these sunglasses that makes them so special? Is it their polarized lenses, designed to reduce glare and protect your eyes from UV rays? Or perhaps their sturdy construction, promising to withstand even the most arduous hike?
I’d say it’s a combination of both, and more.
I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s clear that you don’t need to break the bank for a solid pair of shades. Many of the options we’ve reviewed come in at a reasonable price and have been given a glowing endorsement by hundreds of fellow hikers, which can’t just be a coincidence.
Isn’t it time you invested in your vision? The trail is waiting, and with these fantastic sunglasses options, you’ll be seeing it in a whole new light.
Lukas Heller
Hey there! I’m Lukas, co-founder of BigfootHiking.com, alongside my adventurous wife Martha. Originally from Germany, I landed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2015, where I’ve been scouting out new trails ever since (though they’re getting scarce!). By day, I’m a software developer, but my heart belongs to hiking – I’m always plotting our next trip. When I’m not coding or on the trails, you’ll find me hanging out with our Pit Bull, Zeus.
