Fashion

The Future’s So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades. Luckily, We’ve Got The Best Ones For Ya

The Future’s So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades. Luckily, We’ve Got The Best Ones For Ya

Image Credit: District Vision
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Summer is finally in full swing. I’m taking advantage of the longer, hotter days by spending plenty of time on a bike, lounging in the sun, hiking with my family, and getting as many beach days in as I can before fall. If there’s one accessory I’d recommend having for all of the above activities, it’s a reliable pair of sunglasses—bonus points if they’re actually designed for athletic activity. I know I’ve suffered through many a pair that slipped down my nose at every turn or didn’t actually protect my eyes from those strong middle-of-the-day rays. That’s why I’ve rounded up the best sport sunglasses to shop now. 

These activewear sunglasses come with recommendations from some surprisingly enthusiastic product reviewers, who shared all the details on what makes each pair special. We’re talking scratch-proof coatings, unique designs, and all the UVA/UVB protection your eyes need. And these glasses aren’t just functional. They’re stylish enough to wear even when you’re not breaking a sweat. We’ve highlighted pairs that have a timeless feel to them alongside glasses that look positively futuristic and are sure to turn heads on the mountain biking trail, the slopes, or wherever you find yourself.  We’ve also highlighted glasses at a wide range of prices, whether you’re looking to splash out or stick to a budget.

Look through our picks below. We’ll see you out there soaking up the sun soon!

Our favorite sport sunglasses of 2023, at a glance:

  1. District Vision — Koharu Eclipse Pink Moon — $295
  2. Opolis — Champlain — $145
  3. Koo — Demos — $170
  4. Goodr — Circle Gs Polarized Sunglasses — $25
  5. Sunski —Baia — $98
  6. Oakley — Black Encoder Sunglasses — $212
  7. Alo Yoga —Stunner Sunglasses — $150
  8. Athleta —Summit D‑Frame Sunglasses —$98
  9. Quay —On The Edge Polarized —- $95
  10. Goodr —Mary Queen of Golf —- $27
  11. Ombraz —Viale —- $160

District Vision — Koharu Eclipse Pink Moon —- $295

These sunglasses prove that taking your time to create something pays off. They were developed over a two-year technical testing period, during which engineers and athletes worked together to design these. The result? A pair of frames that boasts a hypoallergenic adjustable nosepad, lightweight titanium core, and D+ lens technology that offers 100% UVA/B protection. 

Opolis — Champlain -— $145

These chic sunglasses are stylish and functional. They’re designed to protect your eyes from sea and snow glare with extended sidewalls so you won’t be squinting. The Champlain glasses are made with recycled plastics  we love to see it  and are available with blue, black, or red frames. 

Koo — Demos — $170

The Demos by Koo were designed with cycling and biking in mind, but we won’t tell if you wear them everywhere. Their innovative single lens shape makes for easy panoramic viewing at high speeds and the lightweight frame means you’ll forget they’re there. Koo has a plethora of color options, but the rose lens and black frame picture above are our personal favs.

Goodr — Circle Gs Polarized Sunglasses — $25

At just $25, you might as well grab these sunglasses in a few different colors. I’d be remiss not to mention the amusing names Goodr has given some of these glasses  the pink ones above are “Influencers Pay Double” or you can grab the orange-framed “Freshly Baked Man Buns” glasses. Beyond the fun names and affordable price tag, these glasses also have polarized lenses, lightweight frames, and scratch-resistant coatings that make them ideal for a hike or day at the beach. 

Sunski — Baia —$98

These retro-inspired sunglasses are made with a metal frame (peep the teeny engraved details!) and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. But what reviewers really love is the lack of nose pads. One person wrote, “These are easily my favorite sunglasses I’ve ever owned! I love that they don’t have the nose pads that get stuck in long hair.” Another shared, “They are strong, lightweight, and fit my face perfectly. My favorite feature is they do not have nose pads, which I hate.”

Oakley — Black Encoder Sunglasses — $212

These futuristic glasses are sure to become your go-to companion on the slopes, at the beach, on the hiking trail, and anywhere else you soak up the sun. They’re frameless and made with Oakley’s Prizm lenses, which leverage specific colors so you can spot visual cues you normally might miss (like terrain changes and snow contours). Long story short, these are both statement-making and genuinely innovative. 

Alo Yoga — Stunner Sunglasses — $150

It’s easy to imagine these on street style models and on the mountain biking trail. They’re made with a lightweight frame and scratch-resistant nylon lenses, plus they feature a rubber nose pad for comfort. Snag yours now  they’re available in pink, white, black, and brown. 

Athleta — Summit D‑Frame Sunglasses — $98

Keep it classic with these sunglasses. They’re made entirely with plant-based materials and for every frame made, a tree is planted by edenprojects.com. In other words, these sporty shades are the definition of “look good while doing good.” 

 

Quay — On The Edge Polarized — $95

The celeb-adored brand has plenty of sunglasses worth considering, but these are among the best for outdoor activities. According to reviewers, these polarized lenses (well, it’s actually one big lens, if you want to get technical about it) truly block out the sun and accompanying glare. Several reviewers mention these being out-of-stock, so I’d recommend grabbing a pair now before they’re inevitably gone again. 

Goodr — Mary Queen of Golf — $27

As the name suggests, these would be the perfect accessory for the golf course. But why limit yourself? Wear ‘em to an outdoor workout class, pickleball game, or on a hot girl walk. They’re designed to fit snugly on your face without bouncing around or slipping (even if you’re sweaty). The lenses are polarized and block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. 

Ombraz — Viale — $160

If you often find yourself getting a headache from the tips of your glasses poking into the skin behind your ears, I feel you. These innovative sunglasses might be the solution. They’re secured with a cord instead of the usual sunglass arms. Plus, you can customize your frame color, lenses, and frame size for a pair that’s exactly your size and style. One customer shared, “These glasses live up to the hype. Easily the most comfortable pair of sunnies I’ve owned. They don’t dig into my nose, they sit where they are meant to. They are light. It’s easy to adjust them to your best fit.”

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