Best Hiking Sunglasses for 2022

With years of experience in hiking, we don’t only prioritize the gears that we’re going to bring, but also the accessories that we have to use to protect ourselves. We understand the feeling of a glaring sun shining right at you, or snow getting into your eyes, which is why we tested and reviewed the best current models of sunglasses.

After reviewing many great sunglasses and brands, we can confidently conclude that the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is the best overall pair of hiking sunglasses, because it’s suitable for all types of adventures, and is comfortable to use. We also have selected the best sunglasses for men, women, kids, dogs, and the best pair under $50.

It can be difficult to choose which sunglasses can best fit someone, which is why we’ve taken this responsibility, and tried them all out for you. We evaluated the sunglasses based on their comfort level, frame built, lens quality, eye protection, and case quality.

 

Best Sunglasses: Our Quick Answer

• Best overall hiking sunglasses
• Best sunglasses for women
• Best sunglasses for men
• Best kids’ sunglasses
• Best sunglasses for dogs
• Best hiking sunglasses under $50

 

Go to Comparison Table

Best overall hiking sunglasses

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL

Frame Material: Lightweight O Matter^TM frame material with ellipse metal icon accents

Lens Material: Oakley Plutonite Lenses

Lens Size: 59mm

We chose the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL as the best overall pair of hiking sunglasses because of its ability to adapt to any activity, block direct sunlight, protect you from UV light, and still provide comfort equal to that of more expensive models.

What we like about the Flak 2.0 XL is that it’s one of the most comfortable pair of sunglasses we’ve ever tried in backpacking, running, cycling, or in whatever activity we’ve partaken. The Unobtainium^TM rubber nose piece and ear socks felt secure, even when we were sweating, and it spread even pressure so we didn’t have a red spot beside our nose when we took the glasses off.

In terms of durability of the frame build, we were very impressed with how flexible and sturdy these sunglasses are. The hinges are big enough that we believe it can sustain abuse, but (of course) we don’t recommend that you throw them around.

The Flak 2.0 XL have great lens quality. We were able to hike during the day without having to squint hard. It’s worth taking note that once you’re in a lake or at the brightest hour of the day, you might experience some minor flashes of light. If you want better protection, you have the option to upgrade to polarized lenses for just $30, which can improve glare reduction.

The Flak 2.0 XL come with the Oakley Soft Vault’s case and a microfiber bag, which can also be used as a lens cloth. We especially like the case since it’s pretty durable. During our testing period, we tossed the case in our backpacks, and dropped it a couple of times to look for any noticeable wear and tear. It’s protective enough that you don’t have to worry about breaking your glasses while traveling.

The only thing that we didn’t like about the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL however is that they only best fit and provide great eye protection to medium-size faced travelers. Although it worked great on some of our medium-size faced hikers to block off any dust and wind in their eyes, the small lenses don’t work well on our larger faced hikers. We indeed noticed a gap between the glasses and their eyes.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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Just like any other equipment, you need to properly take care of your sunglasses to make them last longer. It’s easy to damage your sunglasses by using the wrong cleaning technique or a strong cleaning solution which is why we recommend that you follow our guide to know about the best way to clean and protect your sunglasses. 

 

Best sunglasses for women

KastKing Alanta Polarized Sport Sunglasses for Women

Frame Material: Grilamid

Lens Material: Polarized, Impact-resistant Tac Lenses

Lens Size: 63.2mm

The KastKing Alanta Polarized Sport are considered by many hikers as some of the best pairs of sunglasses for women, because they fit any face sizes, don’t slip off, don’t grab any hair when propped on the head, have great blaring protection, and are comfortable and affordable.

What we like about the KastKing Alanta is that, because of their Grilamid frame, they’re lightweight enough for women to wear all day. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dropping them thanks to the anti-slip nose and anti-slip temple pads.

Compared to other products in this review, these sunglasses already come with 1.0mm polarized lenses, which effectively reduces the sun’s glare. Plus, the KastKing TAC (Triacetate) lenses ensure that you won’t feel any optical distortion while moving.

Like mentioned earlier, we’re happy to say that the KastKing Alanta can fit any woman’s face size. The measurements of the lenses (2.4” lens width, and 1.6” lens height) perform great to protect your eyes from dust and wind.

Finally, one of the many things that we love about these sunglasses is that they come with a Prym1 Camo microfiber pouch, and a molded custom hard case. The pouch can be used as a cleaning cloth as well, which is great because you don’t have to look for a lint-free cloth when you need to clean it.

What we didn’t like about the KastKing Alanta Polarized Sport sunglasses however is that it can easily get dirty and imprint your fingerprints. It’s also a little tough to clean since you would need to use the microfiber cloth, and use warm water to clean it effectively. Additionally, we strongly suggest that you don’t dip it into saltwater since it can damage the lenses easily.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses

Frame Material: Super TR90 stress-resistant O-Matter, Polycarbonate Frame

Lens Material:  Dual Lens Polaric Ellipsoid Geometry Lenses with S1 Coloring System

Lens Size: 69.8mm

The HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses are some of the most affordable options in our “best sunglasses for women” category, but the optical quality of these sunglasses is close enough to our higher-end models. You can use them for almost any activity, but they work great when you’re hiking or cycling.

What we like about the HULISLEM S1 is that they’re light and comfortable. Many campers mentioned that they didn’t feel any pressure point on their nose and ears while they were using this product. Additionally, what puts it above other products is that the optical quality is the same when you’re looking through your peripheral vision.

In terms of lens quality, these sunglasses are already polarized, so you can already expect good sun protection from them. The color rendition is great, but because of the affordable price, it doesn’t completely block during a full bright day in the sun. We also noticed that there’s no anti-reflective coating on the backside of the lenses, so you might notice a little light reflection once in a while.

What we didn’t like about the HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses is that we received an item that had an imbalanced frame, which means that one side of the frame sat tightly on our ear while the other side was floating. We were able to fix it (DIY style), but we noticed that the same issue was mentioned in other reviews.

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ELITERA Rectangle Polarized Sunglasses

Frame Material: Aluminum Magnesium

Lens Material: Policarbonato, UV 400, Polarized

Lens Size: 62mm

ELITERA is known as one of the leading manufacturers of apparel accessories, and their Rectangle Polarized Sunglasses is one of their best-selling pairs of sunglasses for women. Known for its lightweight, durable construction, and polarized lenses that protect you from UV rays, you’ll be surprised how affordable and high-quality this product is.

What we like about the ELITERA Rectangle sunglasses is that they have a unique design that will not only make you feel attractive, but will also do a great job at protecting your eyes from the sun. Their aluminum-magnesium alloy frame makes the glasses flexible enough for you to prop them on your head.

The lenses do a great job at blocking the sunlight, and the high-quality optics give a crisp and clear view. While they’re a lot darker than what we expected, they’re great sunglasses if you’re going to hike, or if you’re going on a backpacking trip.

The sunglasses come with a case and a cleaning cloth, which we suggest you to use since we noticed that it can easily get scratched and the coat of the lenses can wear off. Since it’s an affordable pair, we don’t expect too much from these sunglasses, and this downside is already a good bargain.

What we didn’t like about the ELITERA Rectangle Polarized sunglasses however is that it can be a bit uncomfortable once you wear them for a couple of hours. We experienced slight pressure behind our ears mid-day through our hike. We suggest that you get a pad that you can put as an ear sock to fix this issue.

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Best sunglasses for men

DUCO Men’s Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Frame Material: Metal

Lens Material: Polarized Triacetate

Lens Size: 64mm

One of the best-selling pair of sunglasses for men on Amazon is the DUCO Men’s Sports Polarized Sunglasses, which is why we really had to try it. At it’s below the $50 price tag, we were surprised by how reliable, durable, and flexible these China-made sunglasses are.

What we like about the DUCO Men’s sunglasses is that, at glance and at the touch, you won’t notice that they’re considered affordable apparel. The frame is made with a metal material that’s surprisingly lightweight and sturdy.

We also noticed how soft the silicone is on the ear socks, which provides good comfort, even when we wear them for long hours. On the last version of these sunglasses, many were dismayed on the nose pad and the frame. Thankfully, DUCO was able to improve this version by providing a better grip nose pad, and a frame and nose pieces that provide more flexibility.

Finally, the lenses on these sunglasses have a great dark tint, which makes them most suitable for outdoor activities. And since they already have polarized lenses, you can expect no glare, nor reflections when you’re driving.

Throughout our testing period, we didn’t notice any wear and tear on the DUCO Men’s Sports Polarized Sunglasses. However, we read some complaints online regarding the adjustability of the nose pads, which can still sometimes fall off your face. Also, there have been some issues when the sunglasses were in contact with saltwater or drinks, where the coating of the lenses started peeling off.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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TOREGE Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Men

Frame Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 150mm

A lot of people tend to constantly change their sunglasses based on the weather or activity they’re partaking, but what if you had a pair of sunglasses that could easily change lenses at no additional cost? The TOREGE Polarized Sports sunglasses for men have everything you need for a fraction of a branded price.

What we like about the TOREGE sunglasses is that the Superior TR90 radian will fit almost all face sizes well. The non-slip, no pressure on the ear socket, and nose pad work great, especially when you’re constantly on the move. Even when we turned our heads or bent down, the sunglasses remained well-put on our faces.

Although there have been complaints made online about fogging incidents, we didn’t experience any of this, even when we were hiking towards our camp at sunrise. The ventilation system, or the hole on each side, works great, which allowed us to feel extra comfortable during our trip.

Perhaps what we like the most about the TOREGE sunglasses is that they have three included lenses, which you can replace yourself. The colors will depend on the frame that you choose. In our case, we tried the black red frame with red lenses, and it looks great in cycling, running, hiking, or even just when we were sporting around.

The only thing that we didn’t like about the TOREGE Polarized Sports sunglasses however is that they have a darker tint. This means that you may find it a bit difficult to see when it’s already dark outside. It’s also worth taking note that these sunglasses fit perfectly for medium-sized faces.

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SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses

Frame Material: Aluminum-Magnesium

Lens Material: Composite

Lens Size: 62mm

If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that has the complete package, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on it, then the SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized sunglasses should be at the top of your choices. We included this in our best sunglasses for men because of its durable frame, symmetrical balance, polarized lenses, and affordable price.

What we like about the SUNGAIT Lightweight Rectangular sunglasses is that the frame feels sturdy, durable, and comfortable. The aluminum-magnesium metal material also makes them lightweight and flexible. They’re easy enough to fold whenever we need to put them on the car’s overhead, or on their case, for example.

The nose pad is made with silicone, so they’re comfortable enough to use almost the entire day. We also like the fact that SUNGAIT included a small screw, so that you can adjust the pad arm and hinges on the side in order to custom fit the sunglasses to your face.

Finally, since the lenses are TAC and already polarized, you can expect the tint to be dark. The best suitable use for these are outside activities like running, hiking, cycling, or fishing.

There’s really nothing that we didn’t like about the SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses. Although you might find it difficult to manipulate the pad nose arm even if it’s adjustable, it is what makes this pair durable in the first place.

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Best kids’ sunglasses

ATTCL Kids Hot TR90 Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Frame Material: TR90

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 67mm

The ATTCL Kids TR90 Polarized Sports sunglasses are loved by many parents because of their design and flexibility. If you constantly travel outdoor with your kids, or have plans to go to amusement parks, then this should be your go-to pair of sunglasses.

What we like about the ATTCL Kids sunglasses is that they’re perfect for kids’ faces of any size. If they’re between 2-10 years old, they can confidently wear this item without worrying about it slipping off. The frame is built with TR90 plastic material, which is well-known for being flexible and almost unbreakable.

The polarized lenses are also a great addition. At first, we were skeptical at how effective the lenses are when it comes to darkening the vision since the item comes at a very affordable price, but kid campers said that they enjoyed using these sunglasses because they didn’t have to squint too much when directly under the sun.

The only thing that we didn’t like about the ATTCL Kids TR90 Polarized Sports sunglasses is that they stretch. Yes, they’re flexible and won’t break, but kids around 2-5 years old tend to pull the arms apart of their glasses, which happened during our test period. The sunglasses didn’t break, but they won’t go back to their original frame size.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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RIVBOS Rubber Kids Polarized Sunglasses with Strap

Frame Material: Soft Silicone

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 58mm

If you’re looking for sturdy and reliable sunglasses for your kid, then the RIVBOS Rubber Kids Polarized sunglasses should be on your list. With the soft silicone material on the frame and polycarbonate on the lenses, your child will definitely have a hard time trying to break this product.

What we like about the RIVBOS Kids sunglasses is the previously mentioned soft silicone on the frame and the unbreakable material. We actually let our 3-year-old use these sunglasses to see how long they could last, and we were happy to see that it came back to us in one piece, and with no visible stretching on the arms.

The dark polycarbonate lenses are good enough that the kids didn’t complain about any glares, nor reflections when we were by the lake. Also, we noticed that most of the kids who used these sunglasses rarely took them off, and didn’t complain about any pressure on the side of their ears.

We didn’t notice any downsides to the RIVBOS Rubber Kids Polarized sunglasses. Although, we read some complaints online about the lanyard breaking off. Other than that, the frame itself and the lenses are pretty sturdy and comfortable.

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YAMAZI Kids Sunglasses

Frame Material: Soft Silicone

Lens Material: HD TAC

Lens Size: 50mm

Most kids’ really enjoyed using the YAMAZI Kids sunglasses because of their flexibility, lightweight, and classic retro style. If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that can withstand the beating of a 3-year-old kid, then this should be at the top of your list.

What we like about the YAMAZI Kids sunglasses is that the materials used to create them are durable and almost unbreakable. Indeed, the soft silicone on the frame makes them bendable and flexible, without you having to worry about breaking them. Additionally, this makes it lightweight, and friendly to our kids’ skin.

The TAC and polarized lenses help protect your kid’s eyes when they are out in direct sunlight. Kids enjoyed these sunglasses the most when out cycling around the camp, because they block out any wind or sand that may come directly at their eyes.

The only thing that we didn’t like about the YAMAZI Kids sunglasses is that the paint on the frame can easily chip off, especially when it’s exposed to saltwater. So, make sure that you don’t scrape off with your nails when you see dirt or stains on the sunglasses.

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Best sunglasses for dogs

Qumy Waterproof Pet Sunglasses

Frame Material: Plastic

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 50mm

The Qumy Waterproof Pet sunglasses are some of the most sought out sunglasses for dogs because of their durability, compactness, and protection. If you’re looking for an item that can effectively protect your dog’s eyes without breaking the bank (and that looks great), then this should be at the top of your list.

What we like about the Qumy Pet sunglasses is that they fit almost all our furry friends well. The instructions say that it’s suitable for small dogs, but we still tried them on our small to medium-sized dogs, and they fitted perfectly as well.

The elastic straps make it easier to fit the sunglasses to whatever size your dog is. Additionally, it has a widen nose bridge, which greatly improves the comfort of our dogs. We noticed this since, on other products, our dogs kept trying to pull off their sunglasses, but with the Qumy, they stopped scratching their faces and enjoyed their hike with us.

The lenses are made with polycarbonate materials, so we’re confident that they protect our dogs’ eyes. Plus, they’re impact-resistant, wear-resistant, and waterproof, meaning that dogs can wear them during car rides down to swimming at the beach.

What we didn’t like about the Qumy Waterproof Pet sunglasses is that the lenses might be leaning towards the darker side. We couldn’t see if there was fur stuck inside the sunglasses, which would sometimes need readjustments. Plus, be advised to never let your dog wear them when you’re inside or if it’s already dark, because they might have a hard time seeing through them.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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COCOPET New Version Pet Sunglasses

Frame Material: Plastic

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 50mm

One of the most comfortable pair of pet sunglasses in this review is the COCOPET New Version Pet. With its anti-fog and UV400, and shatterproof and waterproof lenses, you’ll be sure that these sunglasses can protect your dogs’ eyes in almost any given situation.

What we like about the new version of the COCOPET sunglasses is that the size between the two eye sockets is specifically designed to fit dogs’ long noses. Since this is a one-size-fits-all type of sunglasses, we recommend that you use them if you have medium to large-sized dogs.

However, the adjustable back and chin straps make it easy for anyone to fit these sunglasses on their dogs. There are a lot of positive reviews online from people who were able to use these sunglasses on almost any dog. So, whether you have a Labrador, a German Shepherd, or a Shih Tzu, you can definitely use these sunglasses.

The only downside that we noticed with the COCOPET New Version Pet sunglasses is that the foam right on the goggles tends to loosen up and roll outside the goggles’ frame. This makes the adhesive of the foam stick to the dog’s fur, making them rub or scratch their faces. Don’t worry though, as it’s easy to remove. We only advise that you re-apply some strong adhesives to ensure that this doesn’t happen while you’re on the move.

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PETLESO Pet Sunglasses

Frame Material: Plastic, Nylon Tape

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 50.8mm

If you’re looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses for your large dog, then the PETLESO Pet sunglasses could be the answer to your problems. Thanks to its plastic frame and nylon tape adjustment straps, you can fit these sunglasses on almost any large-size dog.

What we like about the PETLESO Pet sunglasses is that most pets that wore these sunglasses didn’t try to remove them from their heads, which means it’s quite comfortable. Although, it’s worth noting that you should give them treats and praise them a lot when you’re just starting to train them to wear sunglasses.

Additionally, these sunglasses have a great fitting system, so they will fit almost all large dogs. The straps behind the ear and under the chin make it secure enough that, even if they start to scratch, the glasses won’t fall off so easily.

The lenses look great, especially if they are directly under the sun or putting their heads outside the window during a car ride. But once you’re inside or if it gets dark, make sure that you remove the sunglasses, as it makes it hard the dogs to look through them.

We honestly couldn’t find anything wrong with the PETLESO Pet sunglasses during our tests. Since it’s in the affordable price range, the materials, durability, and protection of these sunglasses are well worth the price. But if you’re hiking and making your dogs pre-occupied with nature, we assure you that they’ll love these sunglasses.

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When hiking, you will be exposed to bright and sunny weather. Therefore, you will need a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. These can prevent eye damages and let you see properly. For more information, read our article to know why you need sunglasses when hiking. 

 

Best hiking sunglasses under $50

SUNGAIT Vintage Round Sunglasses Classic Retro Style

Frame Material: TR90

Lens Material: Composite-UV400

Lens Size: 55mm

If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that’s comfortable to use, fashionable, and that can protect your eyes without breaking your piggy bank, you should check out the SUNGAIT Vintage Round. With its classic retro style, keyhole nose bridge design, lightweight, and different color variations, you can never go wrong with this pair of sunglasses.

What we like about the SUNGAIT Vintage Round sunglasses is that they are the most comfortable sunglasses in this category. Considering that it’s under $50, you’ll instantly fall in love with them.

It puts a different perspective on the innovative keyhole nose bridge design, and since it’s made with TR90 material, you can expect the frame to be lightweight and sturdy at the same time.

The composite-UV400 lenses have a UV protection coating. So, even if they’re not polarized, you can expect effective protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Additionally, if you choose the mirrored lenses, you’ll definitely be happy since other people won’t get to see your eyes.

We didn’t experience any downside to the SUNGAIT Vintage Round sunglasses. Although, we reckon that the frame is not durable enough to last a year, especially if, like us, you sometimes just throw them in your backpack. But the great thing about this company is its great customer service. Plus, it has a Limited Breakage Warranty and a Money-Back Guarantee options.

Read our in-depth review of this equipment.

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RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Frame Material: TR90

Lens Material: Polycarbonate

Lens Size: 64mm

Some of the most sought out sunglasses under $50 are the RIVBOS Polarized Sports sunglasses. Whether you’re doing your routine jogging, fishing, driving, or just hiking your way to your campsite, these sunglasses will surely exceed your expectations.

What we like about the RIVBOS Polarized Sports sunglasses is that they come with TR90 and polycarbonate materials that are known to be lightweight and flexible. We didn’t have any hard time getting them out from the included portable case, and found them compactible.

The Switzerland TR90 material frame gives these sunglasses a stylish look. Paired with polarized and mirrored coating, you’ll surely be protected from UV lights when you’re on the move. Additionally, we noticed that these sunglasses reduce the glaring reflection we often experience when driving around.

Also, compared to other sunglasses that turn the sun amber or darker, these sunglasses will turn it into a somewhat blue tint, therefore reducing the drowsiness that you might sometimes experience with glasses. Something worth noting too is RIVBOS’ excellent customer service. Indeed, when some users received a defective product, they had a quick response and replacement team, which might make you forget that this is affordable apparel.

There’s only one thing that we didn’t like about the RIVBOS Polarized Sports sunglasses, and that is the rubberized earpieces. They’re not as durable as the other parts of the sunglasses, and they will often fall off. We tried gluing them back, but they just kept getting loose.

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DUBERY Vintage Polarized Sunglasses

Frame Material: Plastic

Lens Material: Anti-reflective

Lens Size: 61mm

Nothing could go wrong with the classic retro square design of sunglasses, and the DUBERY Vintage Polarized sunglasses got you covered. The frame and lenses come in different colors that you can choose from. These lightweight and polarized sunglasses can make you feel like you’re wearing a branded item at a much lower price.

What we like about the DUBERY Vintage sunglasses is that they make you reminisce on how sunglasses used to look like in the past. If you prefer an old school style and a minimalist design, then this should be your go-to product.

The frame feels sturdy and lightweight, making it ideal to use during long driving hours or hiking to your campsite. The polarized and anti-reflective sunglasses also reduce the sun’s glare and reflections to ensure that you won’t have to squint your eyes every now and then to feel comfortable.

Also, these $20 sunglasses come with a glass cloth, a pouch, a hard case, and a polarized test card for you to feel confident that you can bring them with you anywhere you go. One great thing about this product is that it doesn’t fall off easily when bending over or playing around.

What we didn’t like about the DUBERY Vintage Polarized sunglasses however is that the hinges on the arm of the sunglasses tend to get loose, and you’d have to screw them back again. We also noticed that this product is more suitable for medium face sizes.

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Best Sunglasses Comparison Table

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What to look for in hiking sunglasses?

Sunglasses are some of the most essential accessories that you need to bring when you’re backpacking. This is to ensure that you won’t constantly squint your eyes when the sun is high, and to protect your eyes from the wind, dust, and even UV rays.

In this section, we’ll discuss the factors that you need to consider when looking for hiking sunglasses. For a quick summary, you’ll need to check the durability, weight, quality of the lenses, UV protection, comfort, and resistance to scratches.

• Durability
  

  With all the different materials that are being used to create sunglasses, it’s important that you look for a frame that has excellent durability to ensure that you won’t have to purchases sunglasses over and over again. In most cases, acetate and plastic frames are ideal not only because they’re almost unbreakable, but also because they’re flexible.

• Weight
  

  The weight will typically be the result of the material that’s used for the frame. Plastic and silicone materials tend to be more lightweight than frames with metal. Having a lightweight pair of sunglasses can help your eyes feel more relaxed, even if you’re constantly moving.

• Lenses quality
  

  Different sunglasses have their own type of lenses. You can either choose polarized or non-polarized; and mirrored or non-mirrored. It’s ideal to choose polarized lenses since these can protect your eyes in long-term cases, and greatly reduce the glare you’ll typically experience when you’re moving.

• UV protection
  

  Since we’re already talking about the quality of the lenses, it’s important that you choose a pair of sunglasses that has UV protection to ensure that your eyes will be protected. The most ideal types of lenses are categories 3-4, because these are the ones that give the best protection.

• Comfort
  

  When choosing sunglasses, it’s important to take note of the size of your face and the frame. This is to ensure that you won’t have a pair of sunglasses that’s either too loose or too tight. Since you’re going to wear them almost the entire day when you travel, make sure that you choose a pair that you feel most comfortable with.

• Scratch-resistance
  

  Since you’re investing in sunglasses, choose the ones with a scratch-resistant coating to guarantee that it will last you years. Some sunglasses also have anti-fogging, anti-slip, and anti-reflective features.

 

What is the best UV protection in sunglasses?

Having UV eye protection matters because exposure to UV radiation does not only harm your skin on the eyelid, but can also damage the lens, cornea, and other parts of your eyes. When hiking, choose a pair of sunglasses that has high UV protection.

Look for hiking sunglasses that:

• block 75-90% visible light;
• have grey-colored lenses, because those bring out the proper color recognition;
• block 99-100% of UVB and UVA rays;
• are equipped with lenses that have no distortions.

UV rating categories

There are five UV rating categories for lenses that can further protect your eyes. Here’s a quick summary:

• Category 0

  These are usually lenses that are used for fashion items. They let 80-100% of UV lights in, which is why they are not ideal to use if you want to protect your eyes. These are best suitable when there’s little to no sunshine.

• Category 1

  These lenses let light in within the 43-80% range. You’ll also find these lenses on fashion sunglasses, meaning that they are more suitable to use when there’s low sun exposure.

• Category 2

  These let 18-43% of UV lights in the lenses. Although these lenses can already be used to protect your eyes, it’s still not ideal to wear when you live or hike in sunny areas. It’s ideal to use when there are partially cloudy skies.

• Category 3

  This is the second most ideal category if you want to protect your eyes from strong sunlight, since it only lets 8-18% of UV lights in. These are ideal to use when you’re driving, jogging, hiking, or just doing your day-to-day activities in the sun.

• Category 4

  These are the darkest lenses you’ll find on the market. They only let 3-8% of UV lights in, making them the most ideal category if you want to protect your eyes. Since they make your surroundings darker, they’re the most ideal to use when you’re at the beach, in high-altitude areas, or when there’s extreme sunlight. We don’t recommend that you use these on a daily basis, or when you’re driving.

 

So, which pair will you choose?

Choosing the best hiking sunglasses is not a difficult task. With proper research and comparison of products, you can definitely find a pair of sunglasses that fits you and your daily activities. By remembering the factors that we’ve mentioned earlier, it will be easier for you to decide which sunglasses would best fit you.

If you are looking for eyewear suggestions, we highly recommend that you get one of the sunglasses that we reviewed in this article. You won’t have to worry about their quality and performance because everything we listed are the best of the best and the top choices for their respective categories. Trust us, you won’t go wrong with these sunglasses.