Nothing beats a beautiful hike in the great outdoors, but it’s important to protect your eyes while doing so. The best hiking sunglasses have polarized UV400 lenses to shield your eyes from UV rays and reduce glare. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and styles, from sporty options to retro round frames, so you can find a pair you love slipping on your head before you venture into the wild.
When selecting the best pair of sunglasses for hiking, you’ll want to look for UV400 lenses that provide full protection from nearly 100% of ultraviolet rays. (The dark tint of sunglasses without UV protection can actually cause your pupils to dilate, thereby defeating the purpose of guarding your eyes.) A polarized coating will also filter reflective light and eliminate glare, which is vital when hiking near bodies of water or in snowy environments. The lens color makes a difference as well, especially if you want to fully enjoy your surroundings while you trek. Gray lenses offer a view that's most similar to nature, but if you plan to hike on an overcast day, amber and brown lenses will boost the contrast of your vision. On the other hand, green lenses do a great job of balancing light and reducing glare, making them ideal for sunny-day adventures.
