A good pair of sunglasses not only prevents the runner from having to squint during their runs, but it also helps to protect their eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Study after study has shown that if a person doesn’t protect their eyes from sunlight, then they’re more susceptible to cataracts and macular degeneration. Therefore, it’s a good idea for most consumers to buy a quality pair for running. There are quite a few great brands of sunglasses available, and all the runner has to choose the one that fits them the best. To help them achieve that goal, we’ve decided to review the best sunglasses for running, so now everyone can have the eye protection they need.
Quick Summary of Sunglasses For Running
Reviews
Kast King Hiwassee Polarized Sport Sunglasses
Runners who are looking for quality sunglasses to protect their eyes while they’re running need the sunglasses to meet a few criteria. For one, they want their sunglasses to be durable enough to hold up to the rigors of very active use day-in and day-out. They also want to know that they’re comfortable to wear, won’t cause friction burns on the bridge of their nose or the nook of their ears, and of course, they want the sunglasses to protect their eyes. Fortunately, these sunglasses are capable of doing all of these things very well.
The first thing that runners will notice about these sunglasses when they first put them on is that they’re made with Grilamid—a material that is a polyamide that’s been processed using some remarkable thermoplastic methods. This material is processed to be lightweight and durable at the same time. This material is then fashioned into stylish frames and equipped with a durable pin hinge that makes it one of the more durable sunglasses for runners currently available.
These sunglasses are also equipped with temple pads and an anti-slip nose pad. These essential features make the sunglasses much more comfortable to wear and they help prevent them from causing rub burns on the wearer’s face.
Another thing worth mentioning is that these sunglasses are made with 1mm polarized lenses that are the same thickness found on some of the designer sports sunglasses used nowadays. These lenses also meet all U.S ANSI standards and are capable of blocking 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
These glasses are available with Chartreuse Mirror lenses, smoke lenses, ice mirror lenses, steel mirror, scarlet base mirror, copper, and blue cobalt lenses. Also included with these sunglasses are a molded custom hard case and a microfiber pouch for storing the sunglasses in between runs. All of these sunglasses features come together to make it one of the best ones available.
- They provide UV400 eye protection.
- They’re made with a durable Grilamid frame.
- They are stylish and are comfortable to wear.
- They do cost a little more than other brands of sunglasses.
Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses
At first glance, these sports sunglasses might just look like another pair of good-looking and stylish sunglasses, but after closer inspection, we think most consumers will realize that there’s a considerable amount of technology in them. These sunglasses are not only stylish, but they’re also durable and do a great job of protecting the wearer’s vision against UV radiation. And on top of all of that, they’re also lightweight so the runner won’t feel like their face is being dragged down.
As is the case with most sunglasses, one of the most important things about these sunglasses is their frames. Their frames are stress-resistant, so they can hold up to active use every single day without deterioration. They’re also equipped with air holes that allow body heat to escape and allow proper air circulation around the side of the wearer’s head.
These glasses are also equipped with a slim rubber nose pad, but unfortunately, it sits a little bit lower than we would’ve liked and isn’t adjustable, so it doesn’t quite deliver the level of protection we would’ve liked. It does offer a little bit of rub protection on the base of the nose, but it might not be sufficient for extremely active runners.
Another thing we’d like to talk about is the lenses found on these glasses. They are mirror-flashed coated, polarized, and provide the wearer with complete ultraviolet protection. That means that they protect the wearer against not only UVA light, but also against UVB, UVC, and Blue Light as well.
And because these sunglasses have a wrap-around style, the wearer’s vision is protected from more angles than some of the budget sunglasses available. Taking all of these factors into consideration, it’s easy to see why these sunglasses are not only appreciated by runners, but also by all kinds of athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
- The lenses are polarized.
- They provide complete UV protection.
- They’re lightweight and durable.
- The rubber nose pads are slim and aren’t adjustable.
Mamjoin Polarized Sports Sunglasses
The two things we’d like to mention right off the bat about these sunglasses are that they’re inexpensive and lightweight. And although that might make some consumers think that these sunglasses are just cheap budget sunglasses, they have a lot of things going for them. We did a deep dive into some of their features and walked away impressed at what they offered runners, and other outdoor enthusiasts. In other words, these sunglasses do have a lot going for them.
The next thing that we’re going to discuss is these sunglasses’ frames. They’re made with a quality composite plastic that holds up well to daily use and is designed to wrap around the face to offer the wearer the best eye protection possible.
These sunglasses are also lightweight, weighing only 25-grams, so the consumer doesn’t feel burdened by them as their walking, jogging, or running. And they’re also equipped with rubber nose pads, although we do have to say that they’re not well designed and tend to rub a bit more than they should.
The next thing that we want to talk about is these sunglasses’ lenses. They are 400UV rated, so they’re capable of blocking 99% of UVA and UVB protection. They are also specially tested using a double decentering test to ensure that they are free of optical distortion. These lenses are available in several different colors including black, blue, and silver. The color the consumer chooses depends on their needs and style, but we’re sure that anyone of them will offer a good budget sunglass solution to any runner or outdoor enthusiast.
Once we’ve taken all of this into consideration, we were more than confident in recommending these sunglasses for runners. Are they the absolute best ones available? No, but they’re more than serviceable by runners and other athletes looking for a lower-cost sunglass solution for their outdoor activities.
- They provide great UV protection.
- They’re lightweight.
- They don’t cost a lot of money.
- The nose piece is poorly designed.
A Guide To Running Sunglasses
Okay, let’s come right out and say that although this guide is meant to serve as a guide for runners looking to buy the best sunglasses available, just about anyone can use this guide to choose a great pair of shades. In this guide, we’re going to go over some of the basics that all athletes and outdoor enthusiasts should think about before they purchase their next pair of sunglasses. Sound good? Well, if it does, then we recommend that everyone spend a few moments with this guide as we lay out some of the basics of buying and using sunglasses.
Make Sure They Fit The Face Well
One of the first things that consumers are going to need to think about are how the sunglasses fit their face. A pair of sunglasses that fit the face well are more comfortable to wear and cause less irritation. It’s also a good idea for the consumer to consider wrap-around glasses. Yes, we know that a lot of runners don’t like wrap around sunglasses because they look old-fashioned, but these types of sunglasses really do offer the best protection against light by blocking out the light that might come through the sides of the sunglasses.
Make Sure They Offer UV Protection
The next thing the consumer should make sure is that the sunglasses they’re interested in buying provides them with UV protection. If they don’t offer UV protection, then the consumer should look for a pair that does. Of course, different sunglasses offer different levels of UV protection, so it can be difficult for some consumers to figure out which one is right for them. We’re going to take the mystery out of it right now and tell our readers how to buy the sunglasses with the best protection.
According to the experts, sunglasses should block out at least 99% of both UVA and UVB rays. They should also block out anywhere from 75% to 90% of visible light. Consumers should also make sure that the sunglasses they choose are tested for any optical distortions that could impede the wearer’s vision or reduce the efficiency of the lenses.
Choose An Appropriate Color For Their Lenses
A lot of people choose the color of their lenses according to what they like or what fits in the best with their style. Unfortunately, that’s the wrong way to pick a pair of sunglasses. That’s because what some people don’t realize is that the different lens’ colors are all appropriate for different situations. To help our readers find the sunglasses that best match their needs, we’ve given a brief overview of what some of the lens colors provide to the wearer.
Grey Lenses
These lenses provide true color perception, provide the highest level of light reduction and are used for general purpose use. As a result, they’re not a good color for runners or other outdoor athletes to consider.
Green Lenses
These lenses are also designed for general purpose use, and as a result, they’re not the best for any single situation. They’re designed to give the user good color perception and they provide excellent contrast in low-light conditions. They also have a tendency to brighten shadows, while they’re dimming glare.
Red And Pink Lenses
These lenses provide the greatest road visibility and are used heavily by drivers, skiers, and cyclists. They also offer great visual depth, the best amount of contrast and they reduce eye strain. An added benefit that pink lenses have over red lenses is that they are also useful for reducing migraines and other types of headaches—at least, that’s what the latest data has suggested.
Blue Lenses
Blue lenses are designed for foggy or snowy conditions. They’re designed to reduce the amount of glare that reaches the eyes and help the eye to define contours. Another added benefit of blue lenses is that they also enhance color perception.
Yellow Lenses
Yellow lenses are used by both outdoor enthusiasts and those who work on computers. Outdoors, these glasses provide the best clarity in low-light conditions and fog or haze. Indoors, they help to filter out blue light and that can reduce eye fatigue and headaches caused by workers using their computers.
Other Things To Consider
Before we go, we would like to give our readers a few other things for them to consider. Although the following features likely won’t be the most important features found on the sunglasses, they are worth thinking about when deciding on a new pair of sunglasses for running or for other physical activities.
- Lens Polarization
- Ventilation Holes
- Scratch-Proof Lens Coating
- Durable Pin Hinges
