The Best Running Sunglasses of 2023: 9 Lightweight, Durable Pairs for Men

There are few aspects of a summer run I dread more than turning a corner and getting blinded by the sun. I live in Phoenix, AZ, one of the sunniest cities on the planet, and heading out for a run without a pair of running sunglasses feels almost reckless. On my routes, I frequently cross busy streets and navigate around cyclists, cars, and walkers—without clear vision, I can’t see obstacles and avoid other road users. For me, running with shades isn’t just more comfortable; it’s also safer.

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

1. Best Overall: Roka Oslo 2.0

There are lots of great options on this list, but the Oslo 2.0 rose to the top because they combine good looks with excellent performance. Highlights include crystal clear lenses with a robust hydrophobic coating to ward off sweat and prevent fogging. Additionally, the frame arms feel durable and functional, and the spring-loaded hinges absorb some of the bouncing motion of running to keep the sunglasses in place. GEKO grip nose pads and temple tips ensure a comfortable, secure fit. Although the Oslo 2.0 doesn’t offer much adjustability, it should fit medium and smaller faces well, and these shades are bound to up your running style.

[Starting at $195 for non-polarized models; roka.com]

What to Consider When Shopping for Running Sunglasses

Running sunglasses not only have to protect your eyes and feel comfortable, they also have to stay put on your face while you run. Here’s what to consider when shopping.

Lenses

There are a huge variety of lenses available among running sunglasses. To sort through your options (many frames have several different lenses to choose from), focus on a few key factors.

Visible Light Transmission: Sometimes abbreviated VLT, this percentage figure refers to how much light passes through a lens. Lower VLTs of 7 to 20 percent will block most of the light, and they’re best for running in bright sunlight. Higher VLTs, like 40 percent or more, are better for running in low-light conditions.

Polarized Lenses: Polarized lenses block glare. These lenses are manufactured with a filter that blocks reflected light, which travels in horizontal wavelengths, but allows natural light, which travels in vertical wavelengths, to pass through. Usually, polarized sunglasses achieve the best blend of light blockage and vision clarity.

Lens Coverage: For maximum protection, look for larger lenses and lenses that wrap around and extend back toward the sides of your face. The extra coverage will block light and glare that enters your eyes at an angle, and wraparound lenses will improve your peripheral vision.

Lens Coatings: Many running sunglasses have specialty coatings on their lenses to make them more durable and resistant to sweat. Anti-scratch coatings protect the lenses from scratches if you drop your shades, and anti-fog coatings keep the lenses from steaming up when your face gets hot and sweaty.

Fit

The simplest way to keep running sunglasses in place is through a great fit. Lightweight frames are a must—these lighter designs will move around less (all the picks below are made with lightweight materials). In addition, look for sunglasses that have grippy, sweat-resistant nose pads and temple tips (the ends of the frame arms that rest on and behind your ears). These pads will keep the frame secure on your head. Finally, many brands offer fit guides or virtual try-on features on their websites—use these tools to ensure you get a pair that fits your face.

Style

Running sunglasses come in a variety of styles. Some are decidedly sportier, with wraparound lenses and cutaway frames, while others look like more traditional sunglasses, with rounded lenses and classic frame shapes. Aesthetics are definitely a secondary consideration, but it’s important to get a pair you actually like—if you think they’re ugly, you’ll never wear them.

Read on for my guide to the best running sunglasses, including pairs from top brands like Oakley, Goodr, Roka, and more.

The Best Running Sunglasses of 2023

2. Best Value: Goodr OG

Goodr sets the standard for inexpensive sunglasses that perform well for activities like running, hiking, and biking. Goodr’s OG frames, available in a plethora of colors, are the best running sunglasses for the money. These shades sit comfortably on the face, the frames have a textured coating for improved grip, and the polarized lenses cut down glare for clear vision while running. I stash a pair of these in my car as a backup: Even if they do get a bit dinged up, I don’t sweat it because they’re so inexpensive to replace.

[$30; amazon.com]

3. Best for Swapping Lenses: Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL

To me, Oakleys are the classic sport sunglasses: From baseball to biking and beyond, many athletes trust these flashy frames for reliable performance, and runners should, too. The Half Jacket 2.0 XL is ideal for runners who experience a variety of light conditions. The highlight on these frames: It’s super easy to swap lenses. Just gently bend the frame, the lens pops right out. Oakley offers a huge range of lenses, so you can stock up on a few sets and be ready for a run in any weather. No matter which tint you go with, the wraparound-style lens design offers great coverage, and the frame arms hug the sides of the head for a snug, secure fit.

[$146; amazon.com]

4. Best for Trail Running: Ombraz Classic

I borrowed a pair of Ombraz sunglasses on a hike once, and I immediately fell in love with their unique design. Instead of folding arms, these have an adjustable cord attached to the frame. A simple cinch adjuster on the cord allows you to fine-tune the fit around your head, and the snug wrap keeps these shades from falling off, even during vigorous activity. The optics are great, too: These shades are available with polarized and non-polarized lenses in several tints to match various light scenarios.

While Ombraz are a great pick for many activities, I recommend them for trail runs that pass through changing light—you can loosen the cord and let them hang around your neck when running through shady areas. They’re also great for travel and backcountry adventures, as the armless design makes them easy to pack.

[$160; ombraz.com]

5. Best For Bigger Faces: Knockaround Campeones

The Knockaround Campeones is a full-coverage active frame that offers serious performance for less than $50. The high-coverage design is great for folks with bigger faces, and it’s also excellent for winter running, desert running, and high-glare environments where shade or cloud cover is sparse. The large one-piece lens provides increased protection from light and reflections at odd angles. In addition, the Campeones have adjustable nose pads and rubber arms for a customized fit. The lens isn't polarized, but it's designed to resist water, oil, and impacts for good clarity and durability.

[$45; knockaround.com]

6. Best Lenses: Smith Resolve With ChromaPop Lenses

Many sunglasses, especially those with darker tinted lenses, can dull colors and details in your surroundings. The ChromaPop lenses from Smith solve that issue—they’re designed to protect your eyes without dimming your vision. I have the same lenses in my ski goggles, and I love how they simultaneously cut down bright light while intensifying colors and details. The Resolve frames are lightweight and have a comfy, secure fit on the face, especially once you tweak the adjustable nose pads. These frames also have interchangeable lenses, and they include a clear set in case you need eye protection in low-light conditions. For optimal vision without compromise, these are the frames and lenses to go with.

[$169; amazon.com]

7. Best Fit: Rudy Project Rydon

The Rudy Project Rydon offers excellent adjustability for runners who want a customized fit. Many shades have adjustable nose pads, but the Rydon’s nose pads allow you to make adjustments in two directions: You can move them to fit the bridge snugly to your nose and also to shift the shades toward and away from your face. Why is this useful? Shifting the glasses outward moves them farther away from the heat of your face, which helps prevent the lenses from fogging up in humid conditions. The arms are also adjustable, which helps you fit the sunglasses to your head without getting that uncomfortable skull-squeezing feeling. The lenses are interchangeable, so you can swap in prescription replacements or use different tints to suit a variety of conditions. If you want total control over how your running sunglasses work, Rudy Project offers the very best in the Rydon.

[$229; amazon.com]

8. Best for Overcast and Low-light Conditions: Sunski Velo

Sunski makes high-quality, stylish shades at less than half the price of some of the bigger names in the industry. The Velo Rose sunglasses have crisp rose-colored lenses with a lighter tint. These aren’t ideal for strong sunlight, but for cloudy and shady environments, they’re hard to beat. The Velo is designed for active use, and the rubber nose bridge and arm ends help it stay secure on your face. Better yet, the large lenses offer good wraparound coverage, so you get plenty of eye protection, even for your peripheral vision.

[$89; sunski.com]

9. Best Blinder-style Sunglasses: Oakley Clifden

The Clifden is built tough, and it has some super useful features for running in the winter. These sunglasses have opaque blinders on the sides of the frames, a common feature on mountaineering sunglasses. These shields block the strong glare produced by sunshine reflecting off snow and ice. In addition, the Clifden has broad nose bridge plates to provide even more glare protection. (Both the blinders and nose bridge plates are removable.) One note: These are sold with low-VLT lenses, so they aren’t ideal for darker conditions. But for wintertime runs in full, bright sunlight, they’re a great pick.

[$221; amazon.com]