First, a confession: I don鈥檛 usually like wearing sunglasses while running. And I run a lot. I test and review sunglasses for 黑料吃瓜网, but most sunglasses kind of suck for running. They fog when you get sweaty, or they jostle around, or they鈥檙e too heavy and overbuilt. Many lenses鈥攅ven the ones billed as transition lenses鈥攁re too dark for trail running through dimly-lit forests or on early-morning missions with fickle light (which is when I tend to get my miles in).

So, for years now, 滨鈥檝别 run without eye protection. But on longer runs or mid-day outings in bright sun, 滨鈥檝别 started to notice serious eye fatigue. My legs are holding up fine at mile 20, but my eyes are cooked, which makes seeing trippable hazards in the trail even harder. All of which led me on an exhaustive hunt to find the perfect running sunglasses. I tested a whopping 51 pairs of sunglasses over the last nine months (perk of the job!) and I ended up finding the unicorn I was looking for: the Julbo Density.

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Julbo Density Sunglasses

Bottom line: These sporty, barely-there shield sunglasses excel in changing light, thanks to a lens that adjusts on the fly. You can wear them for a wide range of activities and light conditions.

Pros and Cons
鈯� One of the most lightweight, minimal sunglasses we tested
鈯� Expansive field of view and absolutely no fogging
鈯� Comfortable fit, stays put
鈯� Not as durable as other glasses; frame could snap if tossed around

Lens: Comes with either Julbo鈥檚 adaptable photochromic lens, called Reactiv, or a non-photochromic, less expensive option called Spectron.
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large
Weight: 20g

To help me test sunglasses, I gathered a team of Lake Tahoe, California-based multi-sport athletes, who were tasked with wearing a variety of shades while doing every outdoor pursuit they could think of. Afterward, they filled out extensive feedback forms with their input. You can see the sunglasses that rose above the rest in our complete review.

I wasn鈥檛 alone in my love of the Julbo Density. Some testers even argued over who got to wear the shades on their next testing outing. 鈥淭hese were a contentious pair of glasses in our house,鈥� said Jessica Hamilton, who tested alongside her husband, Goran. 鈥淭hey were used every day of the two weeks we had them.鈥�

Between 13 testers and across three seasons, we took the Density out Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, hiking, mountain biking and road cycling, climbing 14ers, playing soccer, and biking to pick up our kids from school鈥攂ut it was trail running where they really shined. In part, that鈥檚 because of the lightweight, understated design. 鈥淵ou hardly know you鈥檙e wearing them,鈥� one tester said. Another added, 鈥淭he frame and lens shape were great for keeping out the wind. Mostly, I was impressed with how light they are.鈥�

Thin rubber temples glide over your ears with ease and stay put, while a streamlined frame just along the top of the lens cuts down on bulk. The lack of frame along the bottom of the glasses also made them great for looking down while navigating technical terrain: There鈥檚 nothing to obstruct your view.

Breezy ventilation and a big field of view come naturally with this lens shape and size. There wasn鈥檛 even a hint of fog inside the lens, even wearing a hat and hood during high aerobic output activities. It鈥檚 definitely an oversized lens鈥攊t worked best on our testers with larger faces. If you have a smaller head, you might be better off choosing the , which has similar lens tech and style but in a more petite shape.

The Density comes with lens options. You can spend less and get Julbo鈥檚 perfectly-good Spectron, a versatile polycarbonate lens that鈥檚 durable but doesn鈥檛 adapt to changing light conditions. Or you can spend about $80 more for Julbo鈥檚 photochromic Reactiv lens, a worthy splurge if you plan to use these in variable light conditions (which is pretty much everywhere, no?).

Forgive me while I gush a little over this lens. It is what sealed the Julbo Density as my top, and only, choice for trail running. Julbo鈥檚 Reactiv transition lens technology has a solid reputation amongst cyclists, but until this test, my running friends and I hadn鈥檛 discovered this beauty yet. The lens tints darker as you move into brighter light and clearer if you鈥檙e in a dimmer place. With road or trail running, the light is always changing, and the lens usually keeps up. Since running is slower than biking or skiing, it allows even more time for the lens to transition. 鈥淭he shift in tint doesn鈥檛 quite adjust fast enough on speedy downhills to make as much of a difference, but it made a big difference on slower uphills,鈥� one tester said.

On low-light days on forested singletrack, the lens was never too dark鈥攏o need to lift the shades onto your head; the lens just transitioned to a clearer tint. 鈥淚ncredible transition precision with clarity in harsh sun and flat light,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚鈥檓 super impressed.鈥�

The Density is definitely a sporty look. You might as well have a sign on your forehead that says, 鈥淚 crush miles.鈥� One tester wrote, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a bit too much of a vibe for the casual outing.鈥� But for endurance athletes鈥攅specially runners鈥攍ooking for a trusty new pair of shades with impeccable optics, this is it.

The post These Are the Only Sunglasses I鈥檒l Wear Running appeared first on 黑料吃瓜网 Online.

Sunglasses are a year-round staple, which is why we tested these shades in all seasons. With help from a hardy, mixed-interest test crew based in Lake Tahoe, California, we took these sunglasses for spins during mid-winter ski touring and Nordic skiing, on spring river trips and volcano-climbing missions, and while trail running and mountain biking all summer long. Our 13 testers came back with scratched and fogged lenses, broken frames, and feedback on which shades held up the best. This collection of sunglasses represents our favorites for every type of outdoor play.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best for Running:
• Best for Water Sports:
• Best Value:
• Best in Mixed Light:
• Best Wrap Around:
• Best Aviator:
• Most Fun:
• Best Everyday Shade:
• Best Ventilation:
• Best for Cycling:
• Most Stylish:
• Best Ultralight:
• Best Polarized Lenses:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Under $25:
• How to Choose Sunglasses
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

If 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 Overall

Bajio 12 South

Lens: Polarized glass or polycarbonate
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cushy rubber temples and nose pad
鈯� Temples hinge out for custom fit
鈯� Ultra-clear, high definition polarized lenses
鈯� Available in a prescription lens
鈯� Heavy at 40 grams

Designed for saltwater fishing but versatile enough for everyday and multi-sport use, the Bajio 12 South sunglasses are packed with smart tech without looking, well, techy. They鈥檙e cool without trying too hard. And they stay put whether you鈥檙e running on the beach or casting a line.

High definition polarized lenses鈥攚hich come in the polycarbonate we tested or a slightly pricier glass option鈥攈ave a patented blue-light blocking technology that made our eyes feel rested even after a day of boating on Lake Tahoe in harsh sun. 鈥淭hese lenses are some of the clearest 滨鈥檝别 ever looked through,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭hey made everything sharper.鈥�

The bridge and arms come with injection-molded rubber pieces for a soft touch, and flexible hinges at the temple made these some of the most comfortable shades in the test on a range of head sizes.

Best for Running

Julbo Density

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely minimalist feel considering the wide field of view
鈯� Pliable rubber temples don鈥檛 snag hair
鈯� Grippy rubber nose pad stays put
鈯� Looks huge on smaller faces
鈯� Feel fragile

These are the sunglasses you forget you鈥檙e wearing until you walk indoors. Even then, the transition lens adapts so shockingly well from bright light to dim darkness that you don鈥檛 need to take them off.

Our testers wore these in a ski-mo race, up a 12,000-foot peak in Yosemite, and while running and Nordic skiing over 100 collective miles. They are invisibly light鈥攁 mere 20 grams鈥攚ith thin, delicate rubbery temples that one tester described as 鈥渞eminiscent of bird bones.鈥� Testers praised the full coverage that didn鈥檛 sacrifice venting, and one called them the 鈥渕ost fog-resistant sunglasses 滨鈥檝别 ever used.鈥�

Testers repeatedly chose the Density (and even fought over who got to wear them) for late afternoon mountain bike rides, early morning trail runs, and ski touring on cloudy days. 鈥淭his is the only pair of sunglasses 滨鈥檝别 used that I could put on starting a ski tour pre-dawn and wear into the middle of a bright April day, while never fogging鈥攄espite lots of uphill slogging,鈥� tester Goran Lynch said.

If you鈥檝e got a smaller face, check out ($145), which is similar to the Density in lens tech and lightweight feel but in a more diminutive frame size.

Read our full review of the Julbo Density.

Best for Water Sports

Zeal Optics Whittier

Lens: Polarized
Frame shape: Square
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Frame made from plant-based materials
鈯� Polarized lens excels on water and snow
鈯� Available in prescription lens
鈯� The square shape isn鈥檛 for everyone

The Whittier won over testers for its simplicity and unique style. It鈥檚 got an edgy and angular timeless look to it. But the real reason you鈥檒l keep wearing it is due to its lens quality: The polarized lens out-performed the competition in water sports from paddleboarding to fishing. One tester said, 鈥淚t cut all glare and made my eyes feel fresh even after a day in full sun.鈥�

A durable, lightweight resin frame made from castor bean oil handled rough use just fine, like being tossed around in a duffel bag on a road trip to the northern California coast. And the fit held comfortably, as one tester reported: 鈥淭he frame felt secure on my face while paddling on Lake Tahoe, without any pressure or squeezing.鈥�

These aren鈥檛 the sportiest sunnies in this bunch, but they鈥檙e one of the more versatile. You could wear them for a river float or a hike, then walk around town without feeling like you鈥檙e in a pair of high-tech optics.

Best Value

Tifosi Sanctum

Lens: Seven color options
Frame shape: Basic shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lens quality punches above its price class
鈯� Affordable enough to buy a few pairs
鈯� Snug fit without pinching
鈯� Lens too dark for mixed-light conditions

This is the extra pair of sunglasses you store in your glovebox for a sunny day. 鈥淲hile these reminded me of the huge brown sunglasses my nana used to wear, I was surprised by how good they felt,鈥� said tester Jessica Hamilton, who wore the Sanctum on a long run on the Pacific Crest Trail. The cycling-forward style may not be for everyone, but for $35, you get shatterproof shades that won鈥檛 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, 鈥淚 was impressed by how well they stayed on my face without applying too much pressure. Possibly the most comfortable glasses at this price point 滨鈥檝别 ever worn.鈥� The straight-top frame鈥攎ade from plant-based castor oil鈥攑aired well with hats.

Best in Mixed Light

Glade Ramble

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic lens made from 50 percent recycled content
Frame shape: Full frame shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight design
鈯� Ample ventilation
鈯� Comfortable nose bridge with no pressure points
鈯� A bit techy for everyday use

You know how some full-frame shield sunglasses look like overkill, as if you should only be allowed to wear them while racing bikes in Leadville or sky running in Chamonix? These are not those glasses. The Glade Ramble is built for sport, but has a laid back, under-the-radar vibe. 鈥淭hese are the non-obnoxious version of full coverage glasses,鈥� wrote one tester, while another added: 鈥淭hey strike the sweet spot of good looks and functionality at the right price.鈥� Hitting just under $100, the Ramble has a high-end feel without the sticker shock of pricier glasses.

Testers wore these while skiing Mount Shasta and on a weeklong ski touring trip in Lofoten, Norway, as well as during summer鈥檚 mountain biking window. They excelled in variable light conditions: The photochromic lenses transition from light to dark, which means when you鈥檙e moving between a forested area where the light is fickle and bright sun, your sunglasses magically adjust as needed to keep your vision clear and comfortable. 鈥淚 unabashedly have a crush on these glasses,鈥� said Tahoe tester Kate Shaw. This is the perfect shade for runners, cyclists, or skiers who prioritize lightweight, durable, style-forward gear.

Best Wrap Around

Rudy Project Kelion

Lens: Cylindrical
Frame shape: Wrap around
Fit: Medium to Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� One of the most fog-free lenses in the test
鈯� Available in prescription lens
鈯� Adjustable rubberized nose piece and temples
鈯� A little RoboCop-looking

The beauty of a wrap-around lens is they provide good peripheral vision and offer sun protection on the sides of your eyes, almost like goggles. If you鈥檙e a Strava junkie with race bibs piled in your garage, these are your new favorite wrap-around shades, designed for multi-sport high performance. Rudy Project鈥檚 Kelion shined best on long mountain bike rides and road cycling, but we wore it ski touring, running, and Nordic skiing, too.

鈥淭hey passed the fog test鈥擨 was breathing hard on the skin track and no fog whatsoever,鈥� said tester Molly Street. 鈥淭he full-coverage style gave my eyes plenty of protection from sun and wind while ski touring.鈥� The sharp, angular look was not loved by all, but everyone appreciated how sturdy and lightweight these plant-based frames felt. Choose between 6 different lens options. Replacement lenses are available for an extra fee.

Best Aviator

Costa Grand Catalina

Lens: Polarized glass or polycarbonate
Frame shape: Aviator
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Removeable, pop-down side walls for side-eye coverage
鈯� Good ventilation even with side walls
鈯� Grippy, comfortable nose pads
鈯� Glass lenses feel heavy at 39 grams

Costa first made the Grand Catalina back in the mid 1980s, when the classic aviator shape was a favorite for everyone from Hollywood actors to fishing guides. In 2024, the brand reintroduced the model with the same heritage styling but more modern technology, like removable pop-down glacier-glass-style side walls and sweat management channels.

One tester wore them while biking 20 miles into California鈥檚 Lassen Volcanic National Park, then climbing and skiing the park鈥檚 namesake 10,457-foot volcano. 鈥淪un, rain, clouds, full whiteout: We had it all,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew I wanted shades with side coverage for the long day on snow and these felt lightweight, fit snug on my face without pinching, and handled the rain, wind, and low light like a champ. My eyes didn鈥檛 feel gassed at the end of a long day like they often do.鈥�

You can choose between glass or polycarbonate lenses. The glass lenses will offer superior optic quality and more scratch resistance, while the polycarbonate option is unbreakable and lighter.

Most Fun

Blenders Millenia X2

Lens: Polarized
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Flashy and cool
鈯� Lightweight design at just 26 grams
鈯� Lenses were easily smudged with fingerprints
鈯� No rubber padding on temples or nose bridge makes them less comfortable than others

Who said sunglasses needed to be so serious? Blenders鈥� Millenia X2 have an 鈥淚鈥檓 just here for a good time鈥� vibe. We tested the Citrus Blast color鈥攁 shiny cotton candy pink frame with a mirrored rose-gold lens鈥攂ut these glasses come in more subdued colors, too, like black or silver.

Multiple testers said these were the sunglasses they picked for springtime apr猫s ski on the deck at Palisades Tahoe, but they held up well in sporting mode, too. 鈥淚 ran and cross-country skied in these shades and was shocked at how clear the optics were,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey are equal parts stylish and functional.鈥�

The tint of the polarized lens we tested was dynamic, perfect for bright sunny days, but not so dark that you couldn鈥檛 wear them as the sun was setting. The frames fit testers with medium to large faces best, but they鈥檙e not so oversized that they look ridiculous on smaller faces.

Best Everyday Shade

Smith Mono Lake

Lens: ChromaPop Polarized, comes in four lens tint options
Frame shape: Classically oversized
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable, smudge-resistant lenses
鈯� Excellent glare protection on bright days
鈯� Surprisingly light for their size
鈯� Too large for small faces

Testers wore 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鈥� soccer, and hiking with the dog.

鈥淚t 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,鈥� said tester Jess Hamilton, who wore them on dog walks in her neighborhood. Another tester wore the full-coverage shades on a sunny road trip to Mammoth, driving past the glasses鈥� namesake Mono Lake. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 wear them mountain biking鈥攖hey鈥檙e not really built for that鈥攂ut I was happy to put them on when I got back to the car,鈥� she said, noting their secure fit and glare-reducing optics.

Best Ventilation

Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep

Lens: Choose from 10 color options, including clear
Frame shape: Sporty shields
Fit: Small

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultra light for endurance sports
鈯� No sweat-induced fogging
鈯� Massive rubber nose pads that stay put
鈯� Too sporty to wear casually
鈯� A little tight at the temples

For running, cycling, and other sweaty pursuits, the Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep was a true champ. 鈥淕reat combo of ventilation and coverage for a hard training ride,鈥� said tester Tristan Queen, who trained for the Leadville 100 in these shades. 鈥淕ood airflow meant I wasn鈥檛 getting sweaty eye area syndrome.鈥� (Yes, that鈥檚 a thing.)

In mixed lighting through forests or dimly lit roads, the lenses鈥攚hich one tester called A+ quality鈥攑opped color and light without distortion. This is a slight, minimalist option for athletic types who鈥檇 rather not wear a massive shield but still want the wind and sun protection of a full-coverage shade.

Best for Cycling

Scott Torica

Lens: Toric-shaped photochromic with interchangeable color options
Frame shape: Torica
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Temples fit multiple bike helmet brands
鈯� Never once fogged
鈯� Well-sized rubber nose tabs lock them in place
鈯� Might look bug-eyed on small faces
鈯� 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鈥� go-to sunglasses. 鈥淚 fell for these glasses hard,鈥� said Kerstin Ulf, an avid mountain biker. 鈥淲ith the lens quality in combination with the comfy goggle-like frame, I would regularly forget they were on.鈥� 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 Stylish

Article One X Mission Workshop

Lens: Polarized, with a low-light option
Frame shape: Vintage navigator
Fit: Small/Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable, high-end construction
鈯� Great in low-light conditions
鈯� Secure, customizable fit
鈯� Heavy

Just because your day involves sporty pursuits doesn鈥檛 mean you should have to wear sunglasses that look like they belong in the Tour de France. These shades from Article One鈥檚 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鈥檛 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. 鈥淭his is one damn nice pair of glasses,鈥� said tester Kerstin Ulf. 鈥淭hey feel premium on your face.鈥� 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

Lens: Three polarized color options
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unscratchable lenses
鈯� Featherweight frame
鈯� Snug fit with no bounce
鈯� 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 $125, they鈥檙e high-end enough to have a lavish feel but not so pricy you鈥檒l panic when they go missing. They鈥檙e also perfectly unisex and flattering on a wide range of face shapes and sizes.

These were among the lightest frames in the test (at just 24 grams) 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. 鈥淭his one takes skinny and light to a whole new level,鈥� one tester said.

The Ojai has a boho, casual vibe, like you鈥檙e 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
鈯� Among the best polarized optics we tested
鈯� Long-lasting durability
鈯� Comfortably snug fit
鈯� Pricy
鈯� Heavy

The Flats, by Maui Jim, are not flashy or stylish, per se. They win in practicality. If you鈥檙e going fishing or paddling on a lake or ocean, these are the sunglasses you want. The glass lens is scratch-resistant, polarized to cut glare and boost color on water-bound exploits. They work well off the water, too. One tester wore them while roller skating on a mountaintop rink at Palisades Tahoe and while catching crawdads off a dock with his kids. 鈥淭hey gave life alacrity,鈥� he said.

Testers who claimed they don鈥檛 usually splurge on expensive sunglasses said these explained why you should. 鈥淎h, so this is why people pay for nice glasses,鈥� said tester Molly Street. 鈥淭he lenses offered the crispest view 滨鈥檝别 ever experienced in a pair of sunglasses.鈥� 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.

Most Versatile

Smith XC Sunglasses

Lens: Polarized in three color options
Frame shape: Flip-up shield
Fit: Medium/large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly breathable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� The look isn鈥檛 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? Because sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don鈥檛 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 dawn. While the glasses sat far enough off the face 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.

Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days, we鈥檙e 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
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Complete protection that鈥檚 affordable
鈯� Lenses difficult to keep clean
鈯� Lenses easily damaged

The OG is Goodr鈥檚 best-selling style, and for good reason: Their frame is almost universally flattering, they come in 25-plus colorways, and ring up at a mere $25.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 usually race in sunglasses, but I wore these in the Berlin Marathon,鈥� said tester Jacqueline de Berry. 鈥淚 thought for sure I would get annoyed by them toward the end of the race and want to toss them away鈥攁nd I wouldn鈥檛 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 PR [personal record].鈥� Hunsucker, who has logged over 1,000 miles in the OGs, points out that they鈥檙e best when it鈥檚 super sunny. 鈥淭hey can affect your depth perception in the shade, so I only wear them on sunny, non-technical trails,鈥� he says.

They may not be as high-tech as other lenses, but they鈥檙e lightweight, don鈥檛 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. 鈥擜shley Mateo

How to Choose Sunglasses

Trying on sunglasses in person is 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 walking? 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, which is 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: 13
• Number of products tested: 51
• Longest trail run while testing: 59 miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail
• Farthest distance traveled during the test: Five airplanes from Reno, Nevada, to Lofoten, Norway
• Number of volcanoes summited during testing: 3 (Lassen, Rainier, and Shasta)
• Number of sunglasses that fogged: 4

To determine our favorite all-around sunglasses of the year, a group of 13 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers were handed boxes filled with five to six sunglasses and told to wear them during their normal routines outside. They exchanged them after a few weeks with another set鈥攅ventually rotating through all 51. Testing commenced in late January and continued through early September.

Testers鈥攚ith a wide range of backgrounds, ages, interests, and face shapes鈥攑ut the shades through the ringer in both winter and summer conditions, from low-light blizzards to mid-day July sun and while doing everything from running ultramarathons to strolling around the neighborhood with the dog. We wore these sunglasses while casting for trout in the Truckee River, Nordic skiing in the Austrian Alps, road-tripping to California鈥檚 Lost Coast, and daily runs, bike rides, and casual walks. Testers were chosen based on a diversity of interests, but mostly because they鈥檙e opinionated about gear and they get outside regularly. Once they鈥檇 sufficiently wear-tested products, they filled out in-depth feedback forms where they reviewed characteristics like lens quality, fit, features, and durability.

Meet Our Testers

Category manager and 黑料吃瓜网 contributing editor Megan Michelson is a freelance journalist and avid trail runner and skier based in Tahoe City, California. She tested sunglasses on long runs, while ski touring and Nordic skiing, and during around-town outings with her kids. Other key testers quoted here include mountain biker and marketing specialist Kerstin Ulf, Palisades Tahoe ski patroller Jason Mack, Peak Design CFO David Anhalt, Flylow Gear cofounder Dan Abrams, and doctor Jessica Hamilton.

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Sometimes you pick a pair of sunglasses because you need it for a singular purpose, like a lightweight shield for cycling or a polarized lens for fishing. But most of the time, you choose a sunglass style for versatility鈥攖o wear while driving, walking the dog, or playing frisbee on the beach. We鈥檙e talking about the one pair of sunglasses you live in whenever the sun is shining, the essential shades you stash in your car or backpack. (And if these sunglasses go missing, panic ensues, and the glove box is torn apart until they鈥檙e found.) Meet our new favorite version of that multi-purpose, must-have shade: The , which hit shelves in January 2024 but is modeled after a pair of classic Smith sunglasses from the 1990s.

Smith Mono Lake Sunglasses

Bottom line: If you want a timeless, retro pair of sunglasses you can do almost anything in, this is it.

Pros and Cons
鈯�聽Durable, smudge-resistant lenses
鈯�聽Excellent glare protection on bright days
鈯�聽Surprisingly light for their size
鈯�聽Too large for small faces

Lens: Comes in four lens tint options
Frame shape: Classically oversized
Fit: Large
Weight: 29 g

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.聽Learn more.

To pick the Best Sunglasses, we tested more than two dozen new sunglasses over several weeks around Lake Tahoe, California this past year. A team of 12 sporty testers wore the shades on a range of activities, from trail running to backcountry skiing. Among those tested, the Smith Mono Lake stood out from the rest for its sleek style, stay-put feel on a wide array of face sizes and shapes, and superior, glare-busting optics. It wasn鈥檛 the most athletically inclined of the frames we tested鈥攜ou鈥檒l find others that are lighter and hug the face better during heavy movement鈥攂ut the Mono Lake handled low-impact activities like ski touring, hiking, and paddleboarding with ease. Mostly, though, it won accolades for being the pair of sunglasses nobody wanted to give back.

鈥淭hey fit great, they stayed on my face and on top of my head, the earpieces were a good length, and they didn鈥檛 slip down. They were also very lightweight,鈥� said tester Kirstin Guinn, who wore the Mono Lake sunglasses on a road trip from Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes, where she drove California鈥檚 scenic Highway 395 along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada鈥攔ight past the glasses鈥� namesake Mono Lake.

Because of the oversized look, the Mono Lake may be best suited for those with larger or wider faces, but they stayed snug on our testers with small mugs, too. 鈥淚 liked the way these fit over my ears. I wore them with a hat, and that combo can give me a headache sometimes, but these did not,鈥� said tester Amelia Stoj, who wore them while coaching her kid鈥檚 soccer team. 鈥淭hey stayed on tight and were comfortable while I was sprinting around the field with the kids. They were so light, and the lenses were so clear I forgot they were on.鈥�

Other testers praised the Mono Lake for the comfy no-slip rubber nose pads, the thin and slick temples that adjust to your head for a custom fit, and a long-lasting, smudge-free lens that looked light and amber-colored but offered plenty of protection from harsh sun. 鈥淎fter a weekend in full sun, I did not find myself squinting. They protected my eyes plenty,鈥� Guinn said.

The frames come in a variety of colorways鈥攆rom classic black or tortoise to a party-ready pink. You also have a choice of lenses. We tested the non-polarized ChromaPop, Smith鈥檚 signature lens that helps reduce contrast and enhance natural colors. For an additional $30, you can get a polarized lens that reduces glare. Splurge for the upgrade if you plan to spend time on water.

Smith Optics is a heritage brand鈥攍aunched in 1965 by an American skier and orthodontist named Bob Smith, who built goggles by hand at his kitchen table, with help from his dental students, then traded them for lift tickets on ski trips to Alta and Jackson Hole. Back in 1991, Smith launched a pair of sunglasses then called the Cornice with glass lenses that were 40 percent lighter than traditional glass lenses. In 1993, the Cornice was renamed Mono Lake as part of a collection of models named after iconic peaks and landmarks in the Sierra Nevada range (other models included the Mt. Whitney and the Tioga). Back then, the Mono Lake was made from a lightweight carbon fiber frame and surprisingly durable glass lenses. Styles eventually changed and the model was discontinued more than a decade ago.

When designers at Smith decided to bring back the Mono Lake in 2024, they made an exact replica of the style and shape of those vintage shades but built it with modern-day lens and frame technology, including bio-based Evolve frame material and unbreakable polycarbonate lenses.

The post Smith鈥檚 Mono Lake Sunglasses Are Our New Favorite Everyday Shades appeared first on 黑料吃瓜网 Online.

In the 1980s only the freaks wore wraparound sunglasses鈥攖he hyper-serious professional beach volleyball players and pro triathletes who did entire Ironman races in just their Speedos and shields. The predominant take-over-your-whole-face sunglasses worn by these athletes were Oakley Blades. I may have been a kid back then, but I still had some sense of style and judgment, and I thought they were dorky.

At some point, they became unpopular and disappeared from the public eye. But today, against all odds, wraparound sunglasses are back again. And not just back鈥攖hey鈥檙e cool. Hipster trail runners are sporting them. So are 20-somethings. As are cyclists on the trail and the road. Heck, they鈥檙e even popular in baseball.

So, despite great reluctance, I had to try them. And, after testing a pair of ($209) over the past couple months, I found out there鈥檚 a reason those top-level athletes from decades ago wore them: wraparound sunglasses are the most comfortable and functional eyewear you can wear while being active.

The large, single lens covers everything from your left to your right temple, and from above your eyebrows to your cheekbones. There鈥檚 no sunglass frame in your peripheral vision, and the undistorted, optical clarity is in that large a field of view is hard to beat when you鈥檙e moving fast on a trail.

The Vert PivLocks have an adjustable nose piece made from a pliable thermoplastic that keeps the massive lens just far enough off my face to be extremely comfortable, and to allow ample airflow in conjunction with聽 two small vents in the top of the lens. That airflow keeps the lens from fogging up, no matter how hot and sweaty I get on a run. The nosepiece and arms also seem to get grippier the more I sweat, which means they don鈥檛 slip down and need readjusting like some heavier glasses.

Another benefit of the wraparound effect is that there is minimal room for insects, like wasps, to sneak in between my face and my sunglasses. 滨鈥檝别 been stung by a wasp on my face while cycling at least three times. It looks like this: said wasp gets hit abruptly by my zooming face and becomes trapped between my sunglasses and my skin, which pisses him or her off enough for them to sting me. It sucks for both of us. These wraparound shades all but rule out the possibility of that happening because of their full coverage and close-to-skin fit.

The pair I鈥檓 testing also have the PivLock function where a simple pivot of the temple arm unlocks the lens, making it easy to change between the massive, one-piece lenses. Mine came with the red mirrored ChromaPop (Smith鈥檚 enhanced color contrast treatment) that block out 15 percent of variable light transmission for bright days, and a clear lens intended for low light conditions. But I have to say that the clear lenses look even worse than the shaded ones, like high school biology goggles gone sporty.

Now the downsides: They still look ridiculous. I instantly become self-conscious when I put them on. I wore them on a two-hour trail run on my hometown trails of Boulder, Colorado, and hoped I wouldn鈥檛 run into anyone I knew. 滨鈥檝别 worn them on a few mountain runs in the Indian Peaks when I went out with just my dog. I won鈥檛 wear them with my regular crew of girlfriends because we take pictures of each other when we run and I think I look like a fool in these shades and don鈥檛 want to be documented.

But that could just be me: my sophomore and my junior high sons keep trying to steal these sunglasses from me. It turns out 20-something trail runners and Tour de France cyclists aren鈥檛 the only ones who think wraparound shades look cool.

I鈥檇 like to take advantage of the performance and comfort of wraparound sunglasses. The key, for me, will be to put them on and not look in a mirror before I head out to the trails or on a bike ride. But I think I have to take that step: these glasses perform too well not to use.

Our veteran gear maven, Lisa Jhung, has been testing gear for 25 years. She鈥檚 sprayed herself down with a hose to test the waterproofness of rain jackets, set up treadmills in her yard for weeks of testing, and stashed shoes in bushes to change mid-run. In this column,聽Vetted, she inspects, tests, and muses on all things outdoor gear.

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Anyone who鈥檚 watched Cody Townsend鈥檚 The Fifty series, which documents his multi-year attempt to climb and ski North America鈥檚 50 most iconic ski lines, knows he鈥檚 a big fan of large-lens sunglasses鈥攏ot the type of giant, round-lens glasses commonly worn by celebrities, but outdoor-focused, wrap-around glasses that look like goggle lenses without the goggle frames. Townsend says he鈥檚 adopted these large glasses for several reasons. For starters, they keep out more of the sun during his 12-hour days on the skin track. And because they鈥檙e big enough to shield his face on most descents, they make for a lighter and less cumbersome option than goggles.

Townsend isn鈥檛 the only one choosing glasses over goggles. If you show up to your local ski area before work, you鈥檒l find plenty of uphill skiers wearing large-lens glasses. Same thing out in the backcountry. When it鈥檚 not hammering snow, skiers love to wear glasses instead of goggles.

For years Townsend wore various models of large-lens glasses from Smith, one of his sponsors, and this year he launched a Smith model of his own design called the . 鈥湵踱�檝别 now spent more time skiing in the Pursuit than any other glasses 滨鈥檝别 ever worn and because of their coverage I find myself leaving my goggles at home more and more,鈥� Townsend told us via phone while he was driving home from a recent ski tour in California鈥檚 Sierras.

I got my hands on a pair in January, skied with them in Jackson Hole, and then brought them back to New Mexico for the rest of the winter. And as big-lens glasses go, the Pursuits are definitely a step above and, in my opinion, worth the eye-watering price tag of nearly $300.

Townsend thought of everything. First, they come with photochromic lenses that change their tint based on the amount of sun hitting them. They adjust from a category one (allowing 43 to 80 percent of visible light through) to a category four rating (allowing only three to eight percent through). This means I can wear them at 7 a.m. on the skin track just as the sun is rising, and keep wearing them comfortably all the way through high noon when the New Mexico sun and white snow collude to try and destroy my retinas. Category four, the highest level, is often what you鈥檒l find in traditional glacier glass lenses.

For extra sun protection, Townsend also included side shields (like you鈥檇 find on glacier glasses) that keep sun from poking in peripherally. The side shades snap into and stay in place when they connect with magnets on the frames, but they fold down easily when you want to pack the glasses away. The shields are removable, but I leave them on because they鈥檙e so well-designed that they never get in the way.

鈥淚 wanted the side shields because light has a way of leaking in from all angles, even with large-lens glasses,鈥� Townsend says. 鈥淚f there are gaps where light gets in, it causes eye strain, so I knew I needed more coverage.鈥�

In terms of size, the lenses are on the bigger side even for large-lens glasses. That has been fine by me because the extra size makes them truly big enough to replace my goggles in nearly every instance. Since getting the Pursuits, 滨鈥檝别 only returned to goggles for a big inbounds day when I was ripping groomers at speed, or when fighting off snow during a blizzard鈥攂oth places where I needed the extra protection offered by goggles that seal to your face.

Some users have complained that the Pursuit will fog because they provide such extensive coverage and don鈥檛 allow enough airflow when you鈥檙e huffing up the skin track. But I never found this to be the case. It might be because I have a large nose and the glasses sit off my face enough to breathe, but I suspect most other people won鈥檛 have problems either, because there鈥檚 plenty of room at the top of the glasses for airflow.

Townsend told me that while geeking out in the design phase, he and the Smith designers spent a lot of time thinking about how far off his face the glasses would sit. He wanted the lower part of the lenses to sit closer to his cheek to cut down on light coming off the snow, and he was fine with a larger gap at the top for airflow. That upper gap didn鈥檛 present as much of a light leak problem because he, like most people on the skin track, usually ski with a hat that shields the sun.

Thanks to rubber grippers on the nose and temples, the glasses always stayed put, even when I was a sweaty mess. Townsend says that the arms are customizable and can be shaped to match the shape of your head and ears. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e wearing sunglasses for a long time you want them to have the perfect fit or they鈥檙e going to start to hurt,鈥� he says.

One other detail I love: the Pursuits ship with a smartly-designed case. It鈥檚 not a traditional hard case that takes up too much space in my pack, or just a fabric sheath that only protects from scratches but not breaks. This case is somewhere in between. It鈥檚 built with a rigid front that should protect the glasses if I accidentally sit on them (I haven鈥檛 yet), and a soft back that allows me to wedge the case into the sunglasses pocket of my backcountry pack. Included in the case is a clear lens that I could swap in if I wanted to use the glasses at night.

The glasses also come with a removable nose guard, which I took off and promptly lost. It鈥檚 the kind of guard you鈥檇 wear if you were climbing Everest and sunscreen wasn鈥檛 enough. I chose to take the guard off because, even though my nose eats sun, I didn鈥檛 want to deal with carrying an extra piece. Reapplying sunscreen works for me.

黑料吃瓜网 of skiing 滨鈥檝别 used the glasses on bike rides and loved the coverage they provided in this context as well. During a windy spring of riding gravel, the side shields kept dust out of my eyes, and the frames fit well under most bike helmets. True roadies will think the glasses are too heavy and cumbersome, but the rest of us who ride gravel, trails, or just commute to work, will find them useful. Anyone worried about the shields affecting peripheral vision on the street can snap the shields off.

I鈥檓 also looking forward to wearing the glasses while driving on long summer road trips because the extra coverage will cut down on eye fatigue. And I鈥檒l be wearing them when I run, hike, backpack, or do just about any outdoor activity I can think of. The only places I won鈥檛 use them are while hunting鈥攂ecause I constantly have my glasses off when I鈥檓 looking through binoculars鈥攐r when hanging out, because they make me look like a total poser. While some of you younger folk can get away with wearing large-lens glasses in social situations, I鈥檒l stick to regular dad glasses when poolside or at work.

Townsend says the aren鈥檛 just something he put his signature on but glasses he helped design from the ground up to solve problems he encounters in the mountains. 鈥淚 never want to just throw something onto the market,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 want to make something that I use every day鈥攁nd that鈥檚 totally true with the Pursuit.鈥�

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Cheap Means Expendable, Which Also Means Less Stress

By Ariella Gintzler

I was five miles into an eight-mile run, cruising along a sandy, winding trail down a ridge high above Santa Fe, when I yard-saled. I don鈥檛 remember what I tripped over. But I do remember landing belly down in the dirt, with my hat and sunglasses ten feet away in opposite directions. I was fine; my sunglasses, however, were toast. Thankfully, they鈥檇 only cost me $25.

I have expensive taste when it comes to gear: My choice sports bra is over $70. My preferred winter puffy is $300. My favorite running shoes are nearly $200. But sunglasses are an exception. This has to do with the fact that I am both a klutz and can be a tad absentminded when enjoying my surroundings outdoors. Proper care and cleaning only get me so far, because inevitably I drop my sunglasses. Or I stuff them, caseless, into my pocket. I fall and launch them into the dirt. I forget they鈥檙e perched above my hat brim and then send them flying when I remove my cap. In an effort to be mindful, I carefully set them to the side during a trail break, only to sit on them or thwack them with the butt of my backpack while digging for trail mix.

Sure, when it comes to specialty eyewear for specific sports (like goggles for skiing or an endurance shield for road biking), I still rock the pricey stuff. But for everyday use on runs, hikes, and travel days, I鈥檓 perfectly happy with the cheap stuff. Actually, I鈥檓 happier, because I can enjoy myself without constantly worrying about ruining the most delicate and accident-prone part of my kit. Does a $25 pair of shades provide the sharp optics of a $100 or $150 pair? No. But I鈥檓 more than willing to make that sacrifice for some peace of mind.

Expensive Sunnies Offer Exceptional Protection, Optics, and Style

By Will Taylor

As a surfer, cyclist, river rafter, trail runner, and all-around gear tester, 滨鈥檝别 tried just about every variety of sunglasses out there, at the full run of price points. And while 滨鈥檝别 lost some to the bottom of the Pacific, broken others in bike wrecks, and scratched still others beyond any serviceable utility, I remain in favor of spending the money on shades. With apologies to ZZ Top, life鈥檚 too short for cheap sunglasses. Quality eyewear is essential outdoor equipment, protecting one of the most important parts of your body, and it makes life under the sun more enjoyable.

UV-blocking and shatter-resistance ratings are usually impressive with higher-end offerings, so you鈥檙e treating your eyes better. And because superior hardware is used on expensive models, they last longer than the convenience-store options. And I don鈥檛 baby them: I tend to use a single pair for everything I do outside, nor am I concerned about wiping them down with a T-shirt or dropping them in the dirt or the drink. I also admit that I鈥檓 vain; I like good-looking shades, and when you spend more, a bump in steez is generally part of the deal. But what you鈥檙e really after is excellent optics. Gazing across the ocean or a whitewater rapid through an outstanding pair of polarized specs is alone worth the investment. What鈥檚 that old saying? Oh yeah: you get what you pay for. That鈥檚 certainly true of eyewear.

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While summer was slow to kick off where I live in the Pacific Northwest, it鈥檚 roasting now. Sunscreen is always a necessity (don鈥檛 make these sunscreen mistakes), but sun hats, sunglasses, and UPF clothing add even more protection to ward off harmful rays鈥攚ithout requiring you to reapply.

The ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, specifies how much radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin, according to the . UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun鈥檚 rays, allowing just two percent to penetrate, UPF 25 blocks 96 percent of the rays, and UPF 15 blocks 93 percent. UPF 50+ is generally the highest rating found in clothing, and anything less than UPF 15 isn鈥檛 considered sun protective. Some non-UPF-rated clothing鈥攍ike a lot of the stuff already in your closet鈥攚ill offer sun protection (), but a measured UPF rating will give a little extra peace of mind and protection for a full day in the sun.

From breathable button-ups to knick-resistant sunglasses, here are a few of my favorite summer essentials for living through a heatwave.

Helly Hansen Viken Recycled Dress ($80)

Most outdoor dresses look frumpy. But the versatile checks all the boxes for an everyday summer piece. It鈥檚 made from Bluesign-certified recycled polyester and spandex, with UPF 50 protection. The fabric has also been treated with 庐, an infusion of coffee grounds in the polyester to boost sun protection and odor control. The A-line silhouette flatters most body shapes, and the adjustable waist cord cinches the fit even more, then tucks into the seam to stay out of the way. The four-way stretch fabric is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for an active day. I usually toss it on over a swimsuit because it dries quickly after getting wet. One zippered inseam pocket stashes a key and ID card, while two hip pockets can hold a smartphone and pair of sunnies. Bonus: it鈥檚 great for traveling because it doesn鈥檛 wrinkle.

Columbia Coolhead II Zero Booney Hat ($45)

The isn鈥檛 exactly stylish, but its wide brim, stowable neck cape, and adjustable toggles on the band and chinstrap make it a mainstay for summer adventures. The hat鈥檚 poplin nylon fabric delivers UPF 50+ sun protection, and there鈥檚 an added section of mesh paneling around the crown that vents heat but isn鈥檛 UPF-rated. The neck cape is great for preventing sunburns while hiking and kayaking when the sun is consistently beating down on your back, and it tucks away into a small pocket when you don鈥檛 need it. The sweatband does a great job of keeping sweat from dripping down into your eyes, and the flexible bill has held its shape through two years of wear.I recommend packing it flat to prevent creases.

Tifosi Optics Sizzle Sunglasses ($35)

The are my go-to summer shades because they鈥檙e affordable and easily transition between outdoor activities and everyday life. I鈥檓 really hard on shades so I鈥檓 wary of anything too performance-driven because I know they鈥檒l likely end up scratched or broken. But after a month of tossing these in my daypack, there鈥檚 not a mark on the lenses or frames. The Sizzles have a single-shield lens (one continuous lens instead of two) so the field of vision is wide, and the frame is durable, light, and comfortable enough for all-day wear. They鈥檙e not polarized, but do offer 100 percent UVA/UVB protection. My favorite detail is the rubber nose pads, which are soft, don鈥檛 leave marks on the skin, and help prevent the glasses from slipping around while you sweat or play in the water.

Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Long Sleeve Shirt ($75)

The fabric and style of the make it a worthy replacement for the now discontinued Chiller shirt, a favorite of mine that still looks practically new after years of use. The Shade Lite can be worn on its own or over other layers because it’s not too fitted or too baggy. And even after crumpling it in a backpack or duffel, it doesn鈥檛 wrinkle. The quick-drying polyester with UPF 50 doesn鈥檛 cling to your skin when you鈥檙e sweating, and side vents and roll-up sleeves increase airflow. One button-closure chest pocket and聽 one hidden zippered chest pocket stores small essentials. Plus, the button-front placket and collar make it equally suitable for going out for a casual dinner on a hot patio.

Jack Wolfskin JWP Shorts ($60)

For the last two summers 滨鈥檝别 lived in . I wear them traveling, working out, and over my swimsuit. The polyamide-elastane fabric is flexible enough for all types of movement and the elastic waistband keeps them snug while I鈥檓 hiking, cycling, and chasing my kid around the playground. They鈥檙e UPF 40+, easy to wipe clean, don鈥檛 stink after a workout, and dry quickly when they get wet聽 at the beach. Two hand pockets are deep enough for my glasses and keys, the zippered back pocket is handy for even more carrying capacity (although can sometimes bunch up), and they come with a small pack bag for stowing.

Outdoor Research Women鈥檚 Echo Tank ($39)

is the closest thing to not wearing a shirt while still wearing one. Its barely-there mesh recycled polyester fabric isn鈥檛 totally see-through, and the looser fit around the torso allows air to circulate during movement. After wearing it while roasting in the hot sun all day, it also doesn鈥檛 stink thanks to the ActiveFresh odor control treatment. The UPF rating鈥�15 in arctic and guava, 20 in other colors鈥攊sn鈥檛 as high as other layers, but it鈥檚 a tradeoff worth making given how ultralight and breathable this racerback tank is. Another reason to love it: it鈥檚 less expensive than other tanks with similar tech.

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Spy released a new version of their popular (from $120) this month with a litany of bold claims about the lenses. These glasses feature the brand鈥檚 Happy Lens Technology, which hit the market in 2013, and it has continued to refine since. Spy claims the new version, Happy Boost, enhances all colors by 30 percent compared to the naked eye. The brand also says it maintains white balance while delivering that enhancement, which keeps that color looking natural (i.e. not distorted by tints in the lens).

滨鈥檝别 tested and been impressed with this technology various times. The basic premise is that it allows serotonin-stimulating blue light through (which some lenses don鈥檛) while blocking all of the harmful rays from the sun. For the Boost version, Spy says they used AI to test over 10,000,000 color and tint combos to find the just right mix to maximize colors while maintaining the white balance. The result, the brand says, makes you happier.

After wearing this polarized pair for all of my outdoor activities and as my daily drivers for nearly three months, I can say definitively that I am not a happier person. I am, however, very happy with the lenses’ clarity, color, and how distinctly they highlighted subtle changes in terrain while mountain biking and skiing in various light conditions.

While I frankly have no idea how to independently test if sunglasses actually make me happier, I did have 15 different people put on the pair and asked them what they thought. Unprompted, every person mentioned the enhanced color. Even my four-year-old daughter said, 鈥淲ow, Dada, you look way more tan.鈥� (That did make me happy.)

On top of getting feedback from my toddler and the peanut gallery of my friends, I wore them for all of my activities during an extremely active early spring and summer. I tested them out in conditions ranging from pelting wet snow to nose-blistering full sun while skiing Mount Bachelor. I also donned them mountain biking in mid-day and flat light. I drove with them on for over 40 hours in my car, and also kept them on while chasing my toddler around most afternoons. I wore them while rowing my raft down a Class II stretch of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. After all that, I鈥檓 comfortable saying that these are undoubtedly special lenses for an outdoor enthusiast.

And 滨鈥檝别 tested plenty: over 100 high-end, sport-specific pairs for this publication over the years, by my last count. In my experience, the Happy Boost lenses deliver more color pop and crispness than anything 滨鈥檝别 tested. Personally, I could give or take the color, but that crispness allowed me to note subtle changes on trails as well as in wet snow, which I really appreciated while recreating in variable spring conditions. I also noted great detail on the surface of the water above and beyond normal polarization, like a small eddyline or V of a few-inch high wave.. The pair of Discords I tested will continue as my daily driver sunglasses for the summer and fall ahead.

But am I going to throw away any of the other sport-specific sunnies in my eye protection quiver? No. My life was not changed by these lenses. Has Spy really delivered on a lens that is legitimately different and will positively affect my experience outside? Absolutely. I suggest anyone looking for new shades this summer, whether as an addition to your stable or as a do-it-all pair, to try them.

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At long last, sunglass designers are knocking down barriers between style and function, closing the gap between how well you see and how good you look. To wit, this season鈥檚 best include lightweight running glasses you can wear for a work lunch; a fun, multicolored take on glacier glasses; an elegant racing shield that鈥檚 lighter than a AA battery; and boat glasses that are seriously sleek. Cautionary note: Unprotected, the optical excellence for which you paid handsomely will degrade in a hurry. Baby your shades the way you would any other piece of expensive gear. Keep them in soft microfiber pouches and clean them carefully.

POC Elicit ($250)

Best for Going Fast

This drastically minimal performance shield is like wearable Zen. It weighs just 23 grams, with a single frameless, synthetic lens that stretches high and wide, so you鈥檒l lose track of where the Elicit ends and your face begins. The color- and depth-enhancing lens encourages high velocity, because you see so much so fast.

Nathan Sunrise ($50)

Best Value

Nathan designed its debut sunglasses for runners, but this street-sport crossover is a do-it-all option for any outdoors enthusiast. In quality and aesthetics, the Sunrise rivals shades twice the price. Polarized synthetic lenses yield a crisp view, while the light, springy thermoplastic frame fits snug but not too tight. (Grippy inserts at the ears help.) Plus, the medium-size frames offer ample protection and a classic Wayfarer look.

Smith Embark ($199)

Best for Trail to Town

Our love of the Embark boils down to color. Yes, with their bright blue detachable side shields, comically mismatched temple tips, and purple frames, these shades are eye-catching and fun. But it鈥檚 the brown-tinted, polarized lenses that make them stand out. The throbbing, vivid optics boost hues and contrast so well that one tester compared them to using hallucinogens.

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SPY+ MONOLITH 50/50 (Polar $190, Non-Polar $150)

Built for the bold 鈥� MONOLITH 50/50 are the ultimate statement-making performance sunglasses. The oversized lens delivers an unbelievable field of vision while SPY+鈥檚 patented HAPPY庐 Lens tech is tuned to boost most and alertness. The durable and lightweight TR-90 frame features Scoop庐 venting for clearer vision as well as rubber nose pads for secure fit, making them the ultimate shades for any adventure.

Spy+ Genre ($120)

Best for Style

Super-wide, blocky temples mate to large, glossy black frames, creating a continuous band around the head. Surprisingly for such fashion-forward shades, the Genre perform decently on mellow outdoor missions. Thank the neutral, gray-green lenses that punch up depth but are easy on the eyes, so you can take them on and off without color shift as you move in and out of shade.

Costa Caleta ($206)

Best for Boats and Beaches

Many serious water shades look bulky or dorky. Not the Caleta. Costa鈥檚 designers snuck in seaworthy features without compromising aesthetics. Sizable but stylish cat-eye lenses make for ample coverage and unobstructed vision. Discreet pads add grip inside the frames, and wide temples block peripheral light. The polarized, gray-tinted glass lenses offer superb optics. Just remember that glass lenses, still the apogee of optics, are not meant for impact sports.

Rudy Project Agent Q ($250 and up)

Best for Extremes

When the wind gusts or mud flies, the Agent Q shines. On its own, this sleek wrap is like any standard pair for cycling or running. But it comes with myriad add-on features like snap-in gaskets around the lenses that breathe but stop particulates; removable side shields; and a detachable elastic head strap. We tested the version with photochromic lenses, which automatically adjust from 26 to 91 percent blockage and are rated to military standards for impact resistance. (Not all versions have these lenses.)

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The end of winter can be terrible. Snowmelt causes mud, which greedily clings to dogs, bikes, shoes, and tires, creating a mess in your car and house. At the same time, warming air temperatures cause wind, which blows dust into your eyes and makes the days feel colder than they should be. To help mitigate the spring suck, 滨鈥檝别 assembled a whole list of gear that makes this season a bit more tolerable.

Orvis Grid Recycled Water Trapper Mat ($170)

I have young kids and two rascally dogs, so the only way I keep my house even remotely clean during spring is to forcefully insist that everyone wipe their muddy, wet feet on as they come in the front door. The tough fibers always knock the dirt off, and even after a year of hard use, there isn鈥檛 any fraying. A waterproof construction has kept snow from seeping through and ruining my wood floors, and its rubber backing ensures the mat doesn鈥檛 slip. I like that you can choose from nine different colors. Bonus points to Orvis for building the mat out of recycled materials.

WeatherTec Floor Mats ($60 and Up)

If you track mud on the normal fabric floor mats that come stocked on most cars, you have to wait for that mud to dry, then bang it off, then rinse the mats, and then wait for the mats to dry鈥攁ll a total pain in the ass. That鈥檚 why I invested in plastic floor mats from . Even if these are caked in mud, it rinses right off with a quick hose spray, and the mats dry in a matter of minutes. WeatherTec makes perfectly measured models for most newer cars. If you鈥檙e like me and drive an older car (I have a 2002 Tacoma), you can get the , which isn鈥檛 quite as nice but still gets the job done.

Buff EcoStretch ($20)

Temperatures are all over the place come spring. It鈥檚 unnaturally hot one day, then some version of winter returns the next. That鈥檚 why I always wear , whether I鈥檓 skiing, running, hiking, or just out watching my kids play soccer. When it gets chilly, I pull it up over my ears and around the bottom of my chin and wear it under my trucker hat. When the weather heats up, I slide it back down around my neck. I go for the regular, non-merino version, because 滨鈥檝别 found the material retains it stretch longer and doesn鈥檛 wear out quite as quickly.

Julbo Fury Reactiv 0-3 Sunglasses ($220)

Large-lens sunglasses seem like overkill, until they鈥檙e not. Try riding your bike into the wind on a dusty day with regular sunglasses and you鈥檒l quickly understand the benefit of shades that shield your entire field of vision and keep debris from flying in. The is my go-to pair in this style, because the lens darkness changes depending on the brightness of the sun. I can wear these to run when it鈥檚 cloudy and they鈥檙e not too dark, and I can also wear them on a bluebird backcountry ski day and end the afternoon without eye fatigue.

Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover ($90)

My 20-year-old Toyota has leather seats that are already beat-up and wash off pretty easily. Still, there are times during spring when my dogs get so muddy at the dog park that I want an extra layer of protection. is quick to install (just a couple minutes), and the waterproof fabric never leaks, even when the dogs are sopping wet. After a big adventure, I take it out, shake off the mud, and let it dry in the sun, which is usually enough to keep it spick-and-span. It鈥檚 also machine washable if you think it merits a deep clean.

Soap in Seconds ($19)

I鈥檓 new to but am now obsessed. It鈥檚 the perfect way to wash my hands after loading muddy dogs into the car or trying to clean my mountain bike. If you鈥檙e not familiar, Soap in Seconds is like hand sanitizer, but does a better job of removing any grime from my fingers and isn鈥檛 full of hand-drying alcohol.

Snow Brush ($10)

I have in all my cars at all times, and I mostly use them to brush off snow. But they鈥檙e also great for scraping mud from my kids鈥� shoes and brushing dry grass and mud off my dogs. If used gently, the brush will also clean muck off a bike before it鈥檚 sprayed down.

Free Fly Men鈥檚 Breeze Jacket ($128)

Traditional old-school windbreakers are great for spring gusts, but the nylon doesn鈥檛 breathe well and lacks stretch. Built with 14 percent spandex, changes that: it鈥檚 stretchy, comfy, and never inhibits my movement. Made from a more air-permeable polyester, it cuts the chill of a cold wind but doesn鈥檛 cause me to immediately overheat when I鈥檓 huffing up the trail or commuting on my bike.

Astorflex Bitflex Boots ($215)

Chelsea boots are having a style moment, but they鈥檙e also a great utilitarian option for spring because the ankle-high build is ideal for walking through rain showers or down muddy trails. They wash off easily, and all the abuse adds a nice patina to the exterior. 滨鈥檝别 tested many different pairs but love 聽for two main reasons: the environmentally friendly, aged Italian leather has a zero-day break-in period, and the rubber soles don鈥檛 track mud but still provide plenty of grip.

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