Meet the reviewer
SunGod Miras: first impressions
Unlike some other styles from SunGod, which are built for specific activities, these sunglasses are intended for everyday use. But as we've come to expected from the the Verbier-based brand, they're built for a certain degree of performance and actually make a decent pair of hiking sunglasses.
What sets the Miras apart from other styles is that they're built for people with small faces. Other than that, they're made from the same materials as the SunGod Tempests (except these frames are made using 100% recycled plastic, which is a huge upgrade for us) but have less performance-specific details.
• List price: $105 / £65
• Unisex: Yes
• Weight: 0.7 oz / 20g
• Sizes: Small face size
• Lenses: Standard, Polarized, SunGod's 8KO™ lens technology
• UV protection: 100%
• Lens and frame colors: Many
• Best use: Hiking
The most noteworthy aspect of these shades when you put them in just how light they are. At a mere 20 grams, you can easily forget they're on your face and on a long hike, that's no bad thing. The frames are flexible and screw-free, so even though they feel a little flimsy, they can hold up to a little bit of pressure and a few drops. That said, what would really help is a hard case in place of the pouch that's included.
These sunglasses are 100% customizable, so you can pick between standard, polarized or SunGod's 8KO polarized lenses in a variety of colors and choose your preferred frame color while you're at it.
These shades are straightforward, comfortable and stylish for small faces, and a decent price for SunGods too. They're a good choice for travel or easy day hikes where you don't need anything too technical, like wraparound shades, as long as you don't try to pick up the pace – then they'll definitely slide down your nose.
SunGod Miras: in the field
It's always a bit of a risk agreeing to test sunglasses when you live in Scotland. Will I actually get any sun this summer? Answer: no, but fortunately I travel a lot, so I've been testing these in the Grape frame/Gold lens customization during several trips to the Alps this summer.
Here’s how they performed:
Sizing, comfort and staying power
I don't necessarily think of myself as having a small face, but photos taken with friends suggest otherwise and these glasses confirm it. They're just about perfect on me. I love the oversized sunglasses look for the city, but not for hiking so these make a better choice, and if you have an even smaller face than me then I think you'll be really happy with the sizing.
They are extremely comfortable to wear all day, and that includes when I was out in hot, sunny weather following the UTMB runners around the 106-mile course in Chamonix as well as several long hikes in the Swiss Alps. Basically, I don't even notice I'm wearing them and there's no pinching or pressure on my nose or ears.
Sometimes, that can mean that shades will slide down but these stay in place well for hiking, even with sunscreen on my face. That said, staying power has a lot to do with nose shape so I can't promise the same for you. As a test, I did try trail running with them in Chamonix and that did not work out at all, but they're not designed for running.
The only slightly funny thing that's worth noting is that they're so small that when I wore them with a trucker-style cap, if I pushed them up on my head they actually popped off, so you'll need to wear a lighter cap with these.
Visibility, cleaning and maintenance
As long as I've given these a good wipe with the pouch included, the lenses are super clear and I'm doing my best to not smudge or scratch them.
I went with polarized lenses and they're great in really bright, high-glare situations, such as next to a lake, and a little dark in low-light situations such as the type we get here in Scotland, so I'll probably be saving these for my travels. Remember that the lenses are totally customizable so you can choose whatever you need. The frame is noticeable around the edges, but it's not huge so it doesn't block peripheral vision.
I own the SunGod Tempests, which I really love, but I find it quite hard to get those lenses completely clean, while these are better in that regard. I love having the cleaning pouch, but I'd also love a plastic case (my Tempests have recently lost a leg due to lack of hard case).
Durability and style
These sunglasses do feel a bit flimsy and while mine popped off the top of my head a few times and landed on the ground without so much of a scratch, I'm aware that I'll need to get a hard case soon before they come to grief. The flexible frames really do help with durability, and it's unlikely they'd break by being dropped but they need a bit more protection when they're inside my backpack.
I must say even though I'm usually a fan of an oversized frame, I do really like the slightly retro vibe of these sunnies, and am happy to keep them on when I get off the trail and back into town.
SunGod Miras: the bottom line
If you've been looking for a pair of SunGods that are suitable for hiking but not ultra-technical and come at a decent price, these are a great choice, though of course you also need a smaller face to wear them. They're featherlight, comfortable and protect your eyes and are made with lots of recycled content so you can feel happier about your choice. For something a little more technical, check out the SunGod Tempests.
