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There’s been a massive boom in hiking around the world. According to the AllTrails app, hiking was up 50% in 2020 – with gyms closing, people confined to their homes, and no running races, this is no surprise.
This trend has continued and is set to continue as more avid hikers continue exploring new trails. Becoming a regular hiker means being well-equipped with all hiking essentials, including having good quality sunglasses for hiking.
Our eyes are often neglected but being out in the blazing sun (even in the winter months) can do more damage to your eyes than you think, which is why hiking sunglasses have some pretty complex technology.
We’ve listed some of the best sunglasses for trekking and hiking that offer both protection and functionality.
At a glance: Here’s our best hiking sunglasses
A few frequently asked questions about sunglasses for hiking
Before we get into the best hiking sunglasses for women and men, let’s first answer a few frequently asked questions that people have when looking for good quality hiking sunglasses.
Do I need sunglasses for hiking?
Short answer: yes. Whether you are hiking, fishing, backpacking, biking or doing watersports, a quality set of sunglasses is essential. Not only will they protect your eyes from the sun, but they also offer excellent protection from dirt, sand, snow and other ‘things that tend to find their way into your eyes during active outdoor activities.
Are polarized sunglasses better for hiking?
Polarized lenses are an absolute must for hiking, especially if you’re hiking near large bodies of water. Polarized lenses give the wearer added protection from direct sunlight as well as glare from water or snow.
When light reflects off a surface, such as snow or water, the light becomes ‘polarized’. Polarized sunglasses filter out this reflected light and reduce glare.
What makes a good pair of hiking glasses?
Have you ever been on a hike with the wrong pair of sunglasses? Whether they’re sliding down your nose, constantly fogging up, or not giving enough protection from the glare – the wrong pair of hiking sunglasses can really ruin your hike.
Here’s what to look out for in a good pair of hiking and outdoor sunglasses:
- Polarized lenses: Polarized sunglasses are essential for hiking – don’t ever buy a pair that aren’t polarized!
- Anti-fog coating: Foggy lenses block your views – while not always an issue with hiking, it’s an excellent feature to have in a pair of outdoor sunglasses.
- Weight: When you’re wearing sunglasses for a prolonged time, you want a pair that is lightweight for added comfort.
- Non-slip fit: Look for sport- or hiking-specific glasses designed to stay in place – especially if you are prone to get sweaty on your face.
- Durability: You don’t want brittle sunglasses that are prone to wear and tear. Look for frames made of durable materials and lenses that are impact- and scratch-resistant.
- UV protection: Make sure to get sunglasses that provide UV protection. If you want to get really fancy, then get sunglasses with photochromic (transition) lenses that lighten and darken based on your surroundings. These are great for hikes where you’re moving between shaded forest areas and open landscapes.
- Aesthetics: While it shouldn’t be the first thing that you look for, you still want to like the look of your sunglasses. There are enough high-quality sunglasses available that still look good – so you should be able to find a pair that suits your style.
- Price: Don’t always go for the cheapest option; invest in a quality pair that will not only serve you better on the trails but will also last for years to come.
Can I get prescription glasses for hiking?
If you need to wear prescription glasses in your everyday life, you can still get prescription glasses for hiking. Many manufacturers and retailers of sunglasses now provide you with the option to provide your prescription details, and they’ll custom make a pair for you. Ryders Eyewear and Abaco both offer this option.
Alternatively, you can find a pair of “clip-on” lenses or a large pair of “fit over” glasses that can be worn over the top of your regular prescription glasses while hiking.
So, what are the best sunglasses for hiking?
High-quality, comfortable eyewear while hiking can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and one filled with discomfort. Choose wisely when buying sunglasses for trekking.
Here are some of the best outdoor sunglasses:
Abaco Polarized
Abaco makes a few excellent hiking sunglasses are reasonable prices. While they’re not the most technical glasses, they are great for the average hiker.
Their lenses are polarized and have 100% UV protection and 2mm polycarbonate lenses. They are also layered with triple-action scratch resistance and anti-reflective inner lens coating.
Specs:
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: They range from $60 to $100
Enthusiast by IRONMAN Triathlon
These IRONMAN® sunglasses are great for completing races as well as for hiking. The square, wraparound style has a rubberized black plastic front frame with stainless steel detailing on the temples and polarized lenses to reduce glare.
Specs:
- Lens material: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $39.95
Pello – Standard by Ryders Eyewear
Ryders Eyewear offers some great sunglasses for all outdoor and sports activities. We love this particular style as it provides both the ‘sporty’ and ‘casual’ sunglasses look.
Its anodized magnesium aluminide frame is lighter and stronger than aluminium, and its wire core temples and nose pads can be adjusted to sit perfectly on your face. It’s also impact resistant and offers 100% protection from UVA, UVB and UVC rays, and harmful, high energy light to 400nm. That’s a lot of protection!
Specs:
- Lens material: Polycarbonate, hydrophobic
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $149.99
Jackson – Standard by Ryders Eyewear
Another great option from Ryders Eyewear, the Jackson-standard gives a more classic, casual look. It’s also impact resistant and offers 100% protection from UVA, UVB and UVC rays and harmful, high energy light to 400nm.
This pair is an excellent option for women’s hiking sunglasses.
Specs:
- Lens material: Polycarbonate, hydrophobic
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $149.99
Foldable Polarized Sunglasses by Foldies
These aren’t your regular sunglasses for trekking but are perfect for the traveler who loves to indulge in a bit of hiking on their trips (and not have to carry a specific pair of sunglasses with them for it).
The unisex polarized Folding Classics by Foldies are practical, stylish, sturdy, and can easily be folded away to pack into your backpack. They are also 100% UVA + UVB protected and have polarized, scratch-resistance lenses.
They’re the perfect backpacking sunglasses!
Specs:
- Lens: HepTEK™ 7-layer lens system
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $69
Oakley Flak 2.0 XL
You’ll find some great Oakley hiking sunglasses, but the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is a great all-around option for hiking sunglasses. It’s lightweight, comfortably hugs your face, and the frame has a rubber coating for extra grip.
The polarized lenses are optimized with high-definition optics and patented XYZ Optics for razor-sharp clarity. The lenses are also coated with black iridium, which provides a mirror-like reflection giving you more protection.
Specs:
- Lens: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $128
Julbo Explorer Mountain Sunglasses
Julbo Explorer Mountain Sunglasses are designed for extreme conditions. These are for the hikers tackling the big mountains like Mt Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp – they’re a bit of an overkill for average hiking.
The frame material is made from nylon, and the lens material is made from polycarbonate. As for the polarized lens, the Julbo Explorers have full-spectrum UV protection, an anti-reflective coating, and brown color.
Specs:
- Lens: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $229
GOMER – Polarized Smoke Black
Pretty much all the sunglasses from Bomber Eyewear are perfect for hikes where swimming might be involved – whether it’s a dip in a waterfall, lake, or river. Their glasses are all floatable – meaning you won’t lose them if you forget to take them off before jumping into the water!
Their sunglasses are designed for optimal comfort and performance with lightweight, durable materials. They are both polarized and offer 100% UVA & UVB protection.
We love the Gomer Bomb polarized smoke lens sunglasses for its clean lines and retro style for a fun, bold look.
Specs:
- Lens: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
- Price: $62 (use the code 15BOMBER for 15% off)
Travel Dudes
I’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.
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