The Best Winter Sunglasses of 2024
This article originally appeared on Outside
Eyewear nerds will tell you there's no quiver-killer when it comes to shades. Almost all of the pairs we tested this winter came close, however, balancing good looks with sharp optics, protection, and durability. We skate-skied marathons of miles, ran through winter slush and mud, and climbed snow-drenched peaks in the Sierra to find the very best of the season.
The Winners at a Glance
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Best All-Around: Costa Mainsail
Lightest: Roka Torino
Best for High-Output Activities: Anon Winderness
Lowest Environmental Impact: Baijo Toads
Best Aviators: Zeal Optics Skyway
Best Budget: Tifosi Smirk
Most Durable: Under Armour Scorcher
Most Versatile: Smith XC Sunglasses
The Reviews: The Eight Best Winter Sunglasses of 2024
Best All-Around: Costa Mainsail ($182)
Pros: Crisp optics
Cons: Mild styling
Our testers fought over who got to wear the Mainsail the longest: this was a crowd-favorite on snowy and sunny days around the Sierra. Though Costa tends to make glasses for water sports, we tested these shades in the snow: shoveling, backcountry skiing, and on an inbounds bootpack at Mammoth Mountain. With durable frames, scratch-proof lenses, and a locked-in fit, they felt versatile enough for both low-key and high-motion activities. Full coverage sides kept the sun out and clingy nose and temple pads stayed put on the move and didn't slip even when sweaty. Optic clarity was the best in the test, thanks to high-contrast polarized lenses: "My eyes felt refreshed and the world looked vibrant," said Tahoe-based tester Jessica Hamilton.
Bottom line: A secure pair of shades with superior lenses
Lightest: Roka Torino ($190)
Pros: Lightweight and super stylish
Cons: Oversized retro look isn't for everyone
These sporty, retro-looking shades are technical enough to run or bike in but chic enough to wear for apres ski. The 26-gram Torino feels featherweight on your face--the frame is made from a lightweight thermoplastic nylon--and they're oversized, best suited for those who like big glasses or have wider faces. "Lightweight but durable," said one tester after wearing the glasses while spectating a World Cup ski race at Palisades Tahoe. "I got a ton of compliments while wearing them," she remarked. Grippy, sweat-resistant nose pads keep the Torino from slipping down, while temple pads center these sunnies without pulling hair. The sturdy polycarbonate lens comes in a polarized option--worth the splurge if you'll be on snow or water.
Bottom line: Trendy, lightweight shades for active sports
Best for High-Output Activities: Anon Winderness ($250)
Pros: Super comfortable
Cons: Pricy, larger nose bridge detracts from field of view
The Winderness is a multi-sport performance shade from Anon that's best suited for speedy pursuits, like cycling, skate skiing, or running. It has a low, lightweight profile that sits close to your face and blocks wind like a brick wall. "I felt faster once I put these glasses on," one tester said after a skate ski outing in Tahoe City. Its technical aesthetic, however, made testers feel a little silly wearing the Anon around town. "Exceptionally lightweight with both good coverage and ventilation," reported North Lake Tahoe-based tester Goran Lynch. The dark lenses swap out easily with an included low-light lens that tints in the sun and has a hydrophobic coating to prevent smudging and fogging. Bonus: the plush, low-profile case holds the glasses and extra lens in separate, no-scratch sleeves.
Bottom line: Super-active types--Nordic skiers, winter runners--will find these just right
Lowest Environmental Impact: Bajio Toads (From $209)
Pros: Best-in-test glare-reduction, bio-based frame material
Cons: On the larger side
These polarized fishing glasses (polycarbonate or slightly pricier glass lenses) cut glare better than any other lens in test, especially on frozen water. They didn't shift during high motion activities like a pick-up hockey game in Truckee, thanks to no-slip rubber nose pads and temple tips with a firm grasp. Though they're a larger-sized frame, they fit most of our testers' faces without issue. The glasses come in a lush faux-leather case made from cactus, and the frames are made with bio-based materials.
Bottom line: Slick, bio-based polarized glasses that excel on water or snow
Best Aviators: Zeal Optics Skyway ($199)
Pros: Classic aviator style in a lightweight package
Cons: Questionable durability
The Skyways look like the wire-frame sunglasses your grandfather wore in the '70s at Sun Valley, but they're modernized with polarized lenses and sustainable, durable metals. Testers wore these aviators--a new addition to Zeal's metals collection--hiking, road-tripping to Utah, and hanging out on a tailgate at Utah's Snowbasin Ski Area. They loved the polarized lens in full sun, the wide visual field, and the classic vibe. "Impressed by the comfort, fit, and feel of these glasses," reported North Lake Tahoe-based tester Kirstin Guinn, who praised the comfortable metal nose pads. The recyclable stainless steel frames are thin and nimble, and the lenses are made from a plant-based polymer.
Bottom line: Modern polarized lenses in a throwback metal frame.
Best Budget: Tifosi Smirk ($30)
Pros: Very affordable, good-looking
Cons: Not as durable as some higher-end sunglasses in test
If you're someone who frequently leaves your sunnies on bus seats and park benches, a $200 pair might be a bad idea. Enter Tifosi, a brand known for quality optics that don't cost much more than a large pizza. The new Smirk is an everyday lifestyle shade that our testers wore on dog walks and road trips. The medium-size frame fits a wide array of faces, and the arms stretch easily to accommodate bigger or smaller mugs. A traditional round wayfarer shape gives them versatility, and rubber nose pads prevent shifting. Durable polycarbonate lenses held up surprisingly well for this budget price point and, as one tester remarked, had "excellent clarity." You can upgrade to a polarized lens for $55 more.
Bottom line: Well-built, aesthetically versatile shades you won't be too upset to lose
Most Durable: Under Armor Scorcher ($80)
Pros: Very secure
Cons: Heavy
While it's primarily known for its sports-centric apparel, Under Armor has been in the eyewear game since 2006. The new Scorcher is our favorite entry from the brand so far. Testers praised the impact-resistant recycled plastic frame and mirrored polycarbonate lens for their sturdy, well-built feel. "Go ahead and try to break these glasses," one Tahoe-based tester challenged. Wide, robust temples easily stretched around the head and stayed securely in place, while subtle, eraser-sized rubber nose pads glued these shades to our tester's face on a long, snowy run in Tahoe.
Bottom line: A durable, heavy-duty pair for everyday outings.
Most Versatile: Smith XC Sunglasses (From $169)
Pros: Highly breathable
Cons: The look isn't for everyone
Smith went back to its 1983-84 collection to find inspiration for these one-piece flip-up sunglasses. Why, you ask, would anyone need this feature? Sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don't want the lenses in front of your eyes. Case in point: tester Jakob Schiller took these glasses for an early-morning run in Mexico City and was able to flip the lenses up until the sun peeked over the buildings and then flip them down to create needed sun protection after the dawn. And while the glasses sat far enough off their faces to breathe well, testers said sometimes it was nice to flip the lenses up while exercising in order to get a full blast of fresh air in their faces. Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days we're all out there wearing bright colors, form-fitting tights, and any number of funny-looking gear in order to have fun and feel good.
Bottom line: Get past the looks to appreciate the versatility
How to Buy
Consider your intended use: Do you want a new pair of sunglasses specifically for sports like cycling or running, for water-based exploits like fishing or paddling, or for lifestyle-oriented activities like driving or walking around town? Think about the frame style and shape, too--oversized shields can be good for bigger faces, while smaller, rounder glasses work best on smaller faces. Frame materials are a balance between price and durability, with plastic on the low end and titanium on the other: Constantly losing your glasses? Maybe cheap plastic shades make more sense. Lenses matter above all. If you need to cut glare on snow or water, look for a polarized lens. If you need protection on low-light days, opt for photochromatic glasses, or pairs that come with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions.
How We Test
Number of testers: 11
Number of sunglasses tested: 37
Number of frames broken during the test: 2
To test sunglasses, we asked 10 people with widely divergent taste in eyewear to put dozens of glasses to use in a range of settings, light conditions, and activities. After eight weeks of extensive testing, they evaluated each on comfort, fit, optic performance, and functionality. These sunglasses were tested mostly around North Lake Tahoe, in all sorts of winter conditions and across all kinds of activities, protecting peepers while Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, winter running, snowshoeing, dog walking, road-tripping, hot-tubbing, pushing strollers, and more.
Meet Our Lead Testers
Category manager and Outside contributing editor Megan Michelson is a freelance journalist and avid alpine, backcountry, and Nordic skier, based in Tahoe City, California. She's been covering the outdoor industry as an editor and writer for over 15 years. Other key testers include Tahoe-based marketing director and snowboarder Kirstin Guinn, who tested shades while on a family road trip to a handful of ski resorts around Utah. Robotics engineer Goran Lynch, who also lives in North Lake Tahoe, put sunglasses to the test while walking his dog along snowy paths, backcountry skiing out his door, and chasing his high-speed kid around his home ski resort of Alpine Meadows. Dr. Jessica Hamilton, a long-distance runner, climber, and skier, gave feedback on sunglasses she wore doing all of those activities in one of Tahoe's snowiest winters on record.
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