If you were under the impression that running sunglasses were only useful in the warmer months, you’d be sorely mistaken.
There to help with low winter sun, on sunny spring days or with a warm autumnal glow, they’re a cross-seasonal accessory that every runner should have in their equipment arsenal.
When you’re pounding the pavement, track or trail, it’s important that your body feels relaxed - and that includes your face. If you’re having to squint to avoid any uncomfortable bright rays, the tension from your face can travel down to your neck and shoulders, hindering your run with every stride you take - which is where a useful pair of sunnies come in.
When you’re wearing a pair of quality glasses, you’ll feel at ease, and able to focus on the task at hand as opposed to avoiding the light blinding your eyesight. When choosing the right style for you, it’s important to consider the fit, the lenses and the weight. They should be secure without being headache-inducingly tight, offer ultimate protection from the UV rays with polarised lenses being the best for reducing glare, and as lightweight as possible.
From sportswear eyewear stalwarts Oakley to running experts Tracksmith, we’ve researched the best options on the market that will work whether you’re running a short 5k or training for a marathon.
Best running sunglasses at a glance
- Best foroverall performance: Oakley Radar EV Path, £174, Oakley
- Best fora stylish silhouette: Tracksmith The Charles Sunglasses, £259, Tracksmith
- Best forlight-reacting lenses: Sunwise Waterloo Sunglasses Chrome, £69.99, Decathlon
- Best fora bounce free ride: Chimi Pace, £170, SSENSE
- Best forluxury: District Vision Koharu Eclipse running sunglasses, £260, MatchesFashion
- Best forvalue for money: SunGod Classics, £55, SunGod
- Best forshorter runs: Bloc Hornet PT22 Sunglasses, £35, Blacks
- Best for field of vision: Rapha Pro Team Frameless Glasses, £120, Rapha
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Oakley Radar EV Path
Best for: overall performance
Leaders in the performance eyewear market, Oakley’s sunglasses are some of the best you can get.
The Radar EV Path is the latest iteration of the label’s popular Radar design, featuring a taller lens for an extended range of view, as well as all of the features you’d expect with a pair of Oakleys. These include an ultra lightweight frame, earsocks and nosepads for increased comfort and performance, and the option of lenses that will deliver enhanced colour, contrast, and detail. A great investment for more serious runners.
Buy now £174.00, Oakley
Tracksmith The Charles Sunglasses
Best for: a stylish silhouette
For those who want to protect their eyes but not compromise an ounce on style, American running label Tracksmith’s sports sunnies are the ones for you.
Made in collaboration with Article One, a luxury eyewear brand, they’re a high performance design that’s durable, flexible and adjustable, as well as being a secure fit, hypoallergenic, resistant to damage and super lighweight. A classic silhouette that’s available in four colourways, we’re sure these will be going straight in your basket.
Buy now £259.00, Tracksmith
Sunwise Waterloo Sunglasses - Chrome
Best for: light-reacting lenses
If you’re in the market for a versatile pair of sunglasses that will work whether it’s sunny and bright or grey and overcast, Sunwise’s Waterloo design is the answer.
They feature light-reacting photochromic lenses that have three automatic settings, anti-fog technology, a water resistant finish, and 100 per cent protection from UV rays, so you’ll be covered whatever the weather.
Buy now £69.99, Decathlon
Chimi Pace
Best for: a bounce free ride
A limited edition design, Chimi’s futuristic running glasses feature a polarised lens, with 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection, as well as a lightweight frame, adjustable nose pad, and temple grippers crafted from rubber titanium chord for a bounce-free comfort.
Even better, they come with a detachable head strap and running belt should you want to take them off whilst you’re out and about.
Buy now £170.00, SSENSE
District Vision Koharu Eclipse running sunglasses
Best for: running luxury
Combining a modern aesthetic with Japanese engineering is District Vision’s MO - and these glasses are a case in point.
They feature mirrored lenses for maximum sun protection, an ultra-light and durable titanium frame, an adjustable hypoallergenic rubber nose pad and temple tips with a titanium core. The specs are super comfortable too and anti-reflective with 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection,.
Buy now £260.00, MatchesFashion
SunGod Classics
Best for: value for money
Whether you’re chanelling Men In Black or Resevoir Dogs, SunGod’s sleek matte black classics will keep you looking on point when you’re speeding along a track or jogging through the city.
With the option of four lenses, which you can easily compare on the label’s website, there’s an option to suit any taste and budget. Scratch resistant, ultra light and with interchangable lenses and 100 per cent UV protection, these have all of the details you could ask for at a wallet friendly £55.
Buy now £55.00, SunGod
Bloc Hornet PT22 Sunglasses
Best for: shorter runs
Perhaps not the highest quality in the performance sense, which is reflected in the £35 price tag, Bloc’s running sunnies are best for more relaxed runs as opposed to the likes of a marathon.
Tough and felxible, with polarised lenses and 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection, they’ll stay in place thanks to the moulded nose pads, and will feel secure thanks to the specialised sports hinges - and we love the streamlined tortoishell design.
Buy now £35.00, Blacks
Rapha Pro Team Frameless Glasses
Best for: field of vision
Whilst Rapha’s glasses may be designed for cycling, they’ll also deliver great performance for running too.
As a frameless, curved design, you’ll have optimum field of vision and the hydrophobic lens also features a military-grade anti-fogging treatment and an anti-scratch layer, so you’ll be covered no matter what the conditions.
Buy now £120.00, Rapha
