Before you hit the trails, you've got to be aware of how to protect yourself while exposed to the elements. Most of us primarily think of protecting our skin, which is very important, but we tend to ignore how vital it is to protect our eyes. Wearing sunglasses while hiking is an absolute must to shield our eyes from UV damage, strain, and irritants.
Luckily, it's easier than ever to find the right pair of shades to guide you as you adventure through nature. We broke it down to tell you everything you need to know when picking out a pair of hiking sunglasses. Keep reading to learn more!
Hiking Sunglasses Buyer's Guide
1. Frame Technology
2. Lens Technology
3. Top Hiking Sunglasses
4. Prescription Hiking Sunglasses
Frame Technology
Comfort
You want your frames to be comfortable enough for all-day wear, so make sure your hiking sunglasses are lightweight and have rubberized temples and nose pads. Rubberized temples and nose pads are typically made with a hydrophilic material that offers padded comfort and a non-slip fit. Hydrophilic material soaks up moisture and sweat, gripping tighter to your face. As Sunglass Rob says, "the more you sweat, the stickier it gets."
Wraparound Frame
You'll also want great coverage in the form of a wraparound fit. Part of feeling comfortable in your hiking sunglasses is knowing you're fully covered and protected from the sun's harmful rays.
When you're hiking, the sunlight reflects off different surfaces and hits you at different angles. Hiking sunglasses with a wraparound design or large lenses will have you covered in every way and protect you from sunburn.
Frame Material
For hiking, we recommend going with a nylon frame. Nylon is known for being lightweight and for holding its shape in extreme weather, hot or cold. Perfect for those early-morning hikes that start cold and end in the triple digits, you have peace of mind knowing your sunglasses won't morph or lose their shape.
Lens Technology
The best tint colors for hiking sunglasses are brown, copper, gray, or green.
- For contrast and color enhancement, go with a copper or brown base tint.
- For a dark lens with no contrast, get a green smoke or gray-green base lens.
Many brands offer a color-enhancing lens technology that will turn an average hike into a unique experience. Check out the blogs below to learn more about each color-enhancing lens technology for your hiking sunglasses.
Top Hiking Sunglasses
Besides having all the components of a comfortable and durable pair of hiking sunglasses, most of us want to look awesome, too. So check out a few of our favorites below and head to the Best Hiking Sunglasses for more recommendations!
Nike Adrenaline 2
These frames check all the boxes. Nike Adrenaline 2 has a lightweight and durable nylon frame, an 8-base wrap for full coverage and protection, and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. With Nike's Max Optics lens tech to top it off, these sunglasses guarantee you'll get the most out of your hike.
Nike Adrenaline 2 in Matte Black & Infrared
Shop Nike Adrenaline 2
Key Features:
- 8-base wrap for a secure fit & full coverage
- Durable & lightweight nylon frames
- Impact-resistant lenses
- Nike Max Optics lens tech for precise vision
- Prescription ready!
Costa Slack Tide
The Slack Tide from Costa is a great pair of hiking sunglasses because they're versatile and stylish, so you can slide right into a well-deserved happy hour after your hike. Their Hydrolite rubberized temples and nose pads give them that comfortable, non-slip fit. To top it off, Costa Slack Tide has a venting system to help combat fog and keep you cool. Available with Costa 580 glass or polycarbonate lenses, the Slack Tide is the ultimate pair of hiking sunglasses.
Costa Slack Tide in Matte Sand with 580 Green Mirrored lenses
Shop Costa Slack Tide
Key Features:
- Hydrolite rubberized temples & nose pads for comfortable, non-slip fit
- Venting system to keep you cooler and decrease fogging
- 100% UV protection & prescription-ready
Prescription Hiking Sunglasses At SportRx
Need prescription hiking sunglasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription hiking sunglasses.
Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Try your sunglasses for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription hiking sunglasses at SportRx today!
