We put the best sports sunglasses from Oakley, Maui Jim, Julbo, Native Eyewear, Rapha, and many more against as many sweat-filled activities as we could to help you find your perfect pair
Prepping the lineup of sport sunglasses for testing.
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Looking for a legit pair of sport sunglasses? We researched 100+ before we settled on the top 26 to put to the test. Our sports-obsessed testers wore these shades climbing, cycling, fishing, running, hiking, riding, and paddling, not to mention walking dogs and schlepping kids to school. We assessed how they performed in the field, the quality of the lenses and frames, their coverage, and the overall fit and comfort of each pair. From sunny runs on the California coast to overcast mountain biking in the Sierras, these glasses saw wind, water, and dirt, and we divulge how they stacked up. Get ready to ditch those worn and scratched backup sunnies and find a pair that plays perfectly to your sport.
If you are looking for maximum coverage and sound performance across a spectrum of sports and activities, look no further. The Oakley Sutro Prizm was our top performer across all categories, and it's easy to see why. These multi-sport sunglasses were great for cycling, running, snowboarding, and mountain biking. Thanks to the large shield-style design, coverage and wind deflection were maximized even at high speeds. Add in the crystal clear, high-contrast optics of the Prizm, and you have a winning combo.
We only had two complaints about the Sutro. Because of their size, they didn't fit great under lower-profile helmets, and because of their ridged plastic arms, people with larger heads said they fit a bit snug. For those with more standard-sized helmets and heads, the Sutro is a great value for such a versatile and capable pair of sunglasses.
A sweat-filled morning 6-mile run in the Santa Maria Valley, CA.
The stylish Sunski Dipseas is our best bang for the buck for a more feminine frame. These glasses scored high in every category except coverage. They ran well, skied well, and sunbathed extra well. Coming in at only 18 grams, the Dipseas are the lightest in our field, and it shows. These are super comfortable glasses with well-built frames and metal hinges. Neither the design nor the price tag will weigh you down.
Coverage is where these glasses take a big hit. The round lenses, while classy, just don't provide as much protection. This is also a more feminine-looking frame, which could be a pro but perhaps makes them less versatile than nearly all of the other unisex glasses in our lineup. Regardless, if you want style and performance on a budget, the Dipseas are a great choice.
The lightweight, low-profile frames of the Dipseas make for great trail running glasses.
Fit: Medium | Tested Lens: Smoke Base Silver Mirror, Polarized, 100% UV
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely light
Good coverage
Very inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Frame quality is cheap
The KastKing Toccoa are easily the best pair of sport sunglasses you will find at this price point. They blew us away with how good the lenses and coverage were, all in a 20-gram, ultra-light, ultra-cheap package. While noticeably lower quality than the top performers in our lineup, we didn't hesitate to climb, fish, and run with these glasses.
The main issue with these sunnies is the lack of rubber on the arms and nose. We recommend using a pair of chums if you take these out on the water, as they do tend to slip with sudden movement. But the polarized lenses offer excellent visibility when spotting fish in moving water. Overall, these are a great pair of shades to keep in the tackle box and not worry if something happens to them.
The polarized lenses on the Toccoa helped with both eye fatigue and seeing deeper into the flowing water.
The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL packs a big punch in a small package. Arguably the best-fitting glasses in the lineup with great use across the sports spectrum. These glasses feature the ultra-sharp Oakley Prizm lens that wraps perfectly around your face. But it doesn't stop with the lenses; the frames are equally stellar, flexing and bending to fit any shaped head and keep them from breaking should you take a spill.
Our only issue with these glasses is the thickness of the arms. Oakley added little wings to the arms that extend a tad too far for our liking; however, they do add a bit more friction, and, even with the extra material, these weigh in at only 25 grams. All in all, the Flak 2.0 is a versatile pair of sport sunglasses with quality parts and killer performance.
The contrast of the Flak lenses proved well on the course.
Quality, quality, quality. Yup, the Maui Jim Spartan Reef has the highest-rated lenses and frames in our lineup. With actual glass optics, metal hinges, and break-back spring arms, these glasses are noticeably top-of-the-line. Thanks to the wrap-around fit, they also have great coverage and a comfortable fit, and were the only wrap-around to not fog up on us after some heavy activity.
The quality of the Spartan Reef does come with a weight disadvantage. They are the heaviest pair we tested at a whopping 47 grams. But thanks to the stellar fit and function of these glasses, they wear more like a 35-gram pair. If quality is what you are looking for and you don't mind spending the cash to get it, these are frames that we heartily recommend.
The reflection of real glass lenses is hard to beat.
Fit: Medium | Tested Lens: Varia Photochromic, 100% UV, 26 - 75% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Sharp, photochromic lens
Good coverage
Adjustable nose fitting
Great range of light
REASONS TO AVOID
Frames could be nicer
Poor finish work
The Ryders Eyewear Seventh Photochromic is a sporty, variable light sunglass that performed well enough to earn it a place in our award lineup. The most impressive part of these glasses is the lenses. They transition from low morning light to mid-day sun with ease and stay super sharp across the 26 - 75% variable light transmission range. The Seventh offers an adjustable nose piece for improved comfort, and at 30 grams, they are easy to wear all day long.
The semi-rim frame quality was just a notch below the top of the pack, and a fuzzy laser-etched logo and plastic remnants still on the frame felt a bit cheap for such a nice pair of glasses. Outside of those two minor complaints, these high-value glasses are ideal for both cycling and running.
Getting ready to put these glasses to the test on windy Verdi, NV roads.
Fit: Medium | Tested Lens: Black Mirror, 100% UV, 10% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile use and function
Great frame quality
Durable and flexible frame
Stylish
REASONS TO AVOID
Red tint is a little harsh
Tight for larger head sizes
The Rapha Classic Sunglasses are our top choice for those looking to marry solid performance with a little style. These glasses look and fit like a standard sunglass yet perform like a high-end sport model. They come with an adjustable nose piece and a high-contrast lens with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings — all at a very affordable price.
At only 26 grams, these glasses are also extremely light and stay firmly on the face. Our biggest complaint is the coverage. While not terrible, we like a bit more coverage in a sports sunglass. The red tint on the lens does get fairly apparent in lower light, but nothing that caused any real discomfort. Performance dialed. Style dialed. Value extra dialed.
The Rapha Classics performed as well as they look after some fun gravel in Dog Valley, CA.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
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Our two primary testers climbing some boulders just outside of Mammoth, CA.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Why You Should Trust Us
We scoured the internet to find the top-rated and reviewed sport sunglasses on the market. We watched videos, looked into product materials, and finally settled on the top sunglasses to purchase and review. We measured, weighed, and inspected each pair, looking at the hinges, features, and every aspect of quality. We then put them to the test in as many sports activities as we could cram into our winter and spring testing season. We tested them side-by-side in high-speed downhill rides, long and sweaty street runs, and we even did a backflip with each pair on to see if they would stay on.
Our in-depth testing process of sports sunglasses breaks down into five rating metrics:
Field Performance (25% of overall score weighting)
Lens Quality (20% weighting)
Fit and Comfort (20% weighting)
Coverage (20% weighting)
Frame Quality (15% weighting)
The full lineup ready for weigh-in and measurements.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Our main tester Rob Gaedtke is no newbie to sunny sports. He has worn, lost, smashed, scratched, and flat-out destroyed glasses of every size, price, and style. He is an ironman and marathon finisher and has completed three-century rides and nearly 50 trail runs. He's also rafted, climbed, golfed, snowboarded, and hiked with countless pairs of sunglasses. When it comes to sport-specific eye protection, Rob has plenty of experience to share.
Nothing puts sunglasses to the test quite like running the San Juan.
Backpacking in the summer heat put these shades through some sweaty adventures.
Sometimes the best low light tests can be found in the kitchen.
Analysis and Test Results
The five metrics we used to test these sport sunglasses are weighted by their importance. We go far beyond what these glasses look like and delve deep into their technical specifications and specific usages. But at the end of the day, all the engineering and planning are useless if they don't perform in the real world. And that is exactly what we do here at GearLab. We used these glasses just like you will and report back on what we found.
Value
Price is always an important part of purchasing a pair of sport sunglasses, and that is why we tested a wide range of specs with various price points. Glasses with the highest value in this review offer solid performance at a below-average price.
Take the Rapha Classic for example, ranking among the top of the pack for performance but at a mid to low price point. Add the fact that these shades can also dress up for a day on the town, and they scream value. Another great value grab is the Smith Parallel 2 Max Polarized — these glasses are a perfect alternative to the more expensive Oakley Flak 2.0 XL. If that price point is still on the high side, take a look at the Native Eyewear Sightcaster, Sunski Dipseas, or KastKing Toccoa — all offer reasonable performance for much more approachable prices.
If you can dish out a little more, the Sunski Treeline Polarized is an exceptional value that prioritizes performance. On the flip side, if you are looking for performance and price isn't an obstacle, the Julbo Aero Reactiv is an impeccable pair of glasses, suitable for men and women, kids or adults. Thanks to the reactive lens, they do fantastic in just about any light mother nature tosses at you.
The Julbo Aero Reactiv out for a ride on a beautiful day.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Field Performance
The most important category in our sport sunglasses tests is field performance. Do they fog up, do they handle wind, will they stay on your head as you cast, and will they fit comfortably under a helmet? These are critical factors when choosing a pair of sunglasses to take on your adventures. Here is how they all stacked up in the field.
The Oakley Sutro Prizm crushed the performance category. There is a reason shield glasses are storming the market, and that's because they block wind, provide ample coverage, and give plenty of protection from the sun. The clarity and contrast of the Prizm lens helped with visibility while running and riding, and the fact that they never once fogged up in the humid mountains of the central coast was a huge plus. They also fit well under most helmet styles, though they were a bit snug on a lower profile brimmed helmet.
The great coverage and tight fit of the Sutro Prizm were perfect for hill running on the California coast.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Fit Matters
The size and fit of your specs make a huge difference for more than just style. Arms that are the right length will keep your frames attached to your face while you play. A narrow bridge holds glasses up on a narrow nose. A pair that is wide enough for your head will help prevent headaches. It's important to look at frame and lens sizes before you buy a pair of glasses. Not sure what size you wear? Grab a pair of shades you already know and love and measure those, or read their measurements on the inside of the bow.
Another high performer in the field test was the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL. These glasses are super lightweight at only 25 grams with a great wrap-around fit, making them feel like they are a part of your face. The slight red tint worked well in bright light and the contrast boosting lens made for excellent visibility. The frames have good flex allowing them to stay firmly on any sized head without causing any discomfort.
Even at 30mph on gravel, the Oakley Flak deflected wind and dust quite well for glasses their size.
Credit: Shayna Gaedtke
The Julbo Aero Reactiv is one of only two reactive lens glasses in our lineup. With a range of 13% - 72% visible light transmission, these glasses are awesome for long, all-day rides. They transition quickly and smoothly from low to bright light, and the visibility is amazing all the way through the spectrum. A thin gap from the lens to the frame along the top and the anti-fog coating helped ensure these never fogged up. But these are not just cycling glasses. We climbed, ran, and snowshoed with these sunnies, and they held up wonderfully every time. Coming in at only 25 grams, the Aero Reactiv was built for all-day fun.
These shades fit perfectly on adults and kids, and they even stayed on for an entire top rope solo.
Credit: Shayna Gaedtke
Our most stylish high performers were the Rapha Classic. These glasses rocked all of our sports and looked good doing it. Touted as a cycling sunglass, it's easy to see why. The rubber nose and ends helped these stay firmly on the face, and the anti-fogging coating did its job when climbing hills. These glasses have a slight red tint, giving enhanced depth of field and contrast. And while our performance tests stopped at the car, these glasses stayed on all day.
A perfect sunny day cruising moderate trail in Dog Valley, CA, and the Rapha Classics didn't disappoint.
Credit: Shayna Gaedtke
The Sunski Treeline Polarized has best-in-class wind protection thanks to the snug fit and magni-snap sidekicks. These glasses are super versatile, comfortable to wear all day long, and fight glare with force. The only ding on performance was a slight fog build-up after a run, but it quickly dissipated and never hindered any view.
It's hard to beat the protection side shields, like those on the Treeline, provide from both wind and sun.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Lens Quality
When it comes to material, the most important part of any pair of shades is the quality of the lenses. And while protection from UV, glare, and dust is critical, sharpness, contrast, and clarity are equally important. We considered all aspects of lens quality, including the types of light they can handle, color enhancement or color-changing properties, clarity, and reflections or glare.
The Maui Jim Spartan Reef glass lenses are second to none, offering a crisp, sharp, clean view with a polarized finish. Maui Jim calls it their SuperThin glass and boasts three protective coatings: anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and hydroleophobic. It is easy to see why people love these lenses. And if you need an Rx in your sunnies, these are also available in prescription.
The Spartan Reefs fit well under the helmet and prove solid wind protection at speed.
Credit: Shayna Gaedtke
The only other real glass lens in our lineup is on the Costa del Mar Caldera. These lenses perform exceptionally well in high-reflection environments blocking glare and enhancing visibility. They are also super easy to clean and shed water better than most.
The crystal clear lenses on the Caldera help hide glare and the polarized coating allows you to see the fish before everyone else does.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
It's hard to find a flaw in the Oakley Sutro Prizm lenses. We tested the Prizm Jade option and found they offer great contrast and solid clarity. These are built for bright light with a VLT of 15%. That said, we did a few morning runs with these glasses, and they never felt too dark. The Sutro lenses offer UV protection and anti-scratch protective coatings, and they also come in prescription.
The Sutro is a great pair of sunglasses for bright days in the snow.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL lenses we tested were the Prizm Golf option. These have a VLT of 30%, perfect for low to medium light. We love this spectrum because of how great it performs in cloudy and shady situations. The contrast on these lenses also helps add clarity and visibility. The Prizm Golf comes coated with 100% UV protection and anti-scratch and is available in prescription.
The lens color on the Oakley Flak is pretty spectacular with the right background.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
If you are looking for a transition/reactive lens, the Julbo Aero Reactiv is amazing. Offering a huge VLT range of 13% - 72%, these lenses can go from nearly translucent to full dark mode. The clarity of the optics is impressive, as is the added contrast they provide. These lenses also come with several coatings, including internal anti-fog, external oil-repellent, and oleophobic.
The range of face sizes the Aero's fit on is extremely diverse.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Another reactive lens in our lineup is the Ryders Eyewear Seventh. We tested the photochromic lens and found it to be razor-sharp and very smooth throughout the 26% - 75% VLT range. The Seventh comes with scratch-resistant, hydrophobic, and oleophobic coatings and is very easy to clean.
After a hard run, the Seventh lenses are sweat-free and crystal clear.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
While not the highest ranking, we wanted to call out the lens quality of the Sunski Dipseas. These lenses performed quite well considering the price point and are worthy of mention. We like the clarity and contrast these lenses offer as well as the reflection dampening of the polarized coating. All in all, these lenses are great in high reflective situations like snow and water.
The Sunski Dipseas are a great choice for a casual ride with the pups.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Fit and Comfort
Another critical aspect of choosing a pair of sunglasses is how they fit and feel. An ill-fitting pair of shades can fall off, give you a headache, chafe your skin, or pinch various parts of your face. Even if your sunglasses are cheap, having them fall to the ground and get damaged is frustrating and can be dangerous if you're mid-sport. Similarly, if your frames give you a headache or hurt a part of your face, you won't be inclined to wear them and you'll be more focused on your eyewear than the task at hand. To assess this metric we paid attention to flex in the frames, padding, and overall shape. We had testers of various shapes, sizes, and ages try them and weigh in. Ultimately, only direct experience on your own face will determine if you've found your match, but we noticed some trends in certain pairs that rose to the top in our tests.
It is hard to beat the overall fit and comfort of the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL. These glasses float on your face, and it is truly easy to forget they are on. The flexibility and rubber of the arms hold them on a variety of face sizes. We noticed that the rubber can snag shorter hair, but this wasn't a problem at all with long hair.
The fit of the Flak 2.0 is great and the contrast of the lenses is extra helpful when trail running.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
The material used on the Julbo Aero Reactiv frames and nose bridge make them super comfortable and well-fitting. The adjustable nose and extra soft and flexible arms allow them to sit perfectly on the face. When you add in the fact that they are only 25 grams, these glasses scream both fit and comfort.
A hot ride out to the edge of Sparks, NV with the Julbo Aero Reactiv.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
While not our highest performer in the category, we wanted to mention the high score for overall fit and comfort of the KastKing Toccoa. Weighing only 20 grams, the Toccoa are extremely light and comfortable. The thin arms are a nice touch, allowing them to easily slide into chums or under a helmet. For a bargain pair of glasses, these fit fantastically.
The KastKing Toccoas were perfect for a full day of belaying the kids out at Pigeon Cliffs in Susanville, CA.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Cases Make a Difference
A good case can really have an impact on the longevity of your shades. It's not impossible to find an aftermarket case that may provide more protection for your investment, but if you're spending a sizeable amount on a piece of gear, it's nice if it just comes with a case that does the job.
Coverage
If you want to protect your eyes outdoors, you'll want your shades to offer good coverage. You know, so they actually do protect your eyes from sun, dust, and debris. The glasses we tested offer different degrees of coverage. To compare them, we analyzed the shape and size of their frames and lenses to see if they adequately filter sun, glare, and flying dirt from any angle. We paid attention to arm width by the temple to see if it also blocks light. Finally, we noted which face shapes and sizes left overly large gaps for unwanted light and foreign body entrance.
It's hard to beat the coverage of the POC Do Blade Raceday. The mix of full shield and wrap-around bend means your eyes are protected and then some. Similarly, the sheer amount of lens on the Oakley Sutro Prizm provides great protection from all the elements. Another high performer is the Oakley Turbine Rotor. These glasses offer good coverage and stay close to the face keeping most elements away.
The POC's are great cycling sunglasses that offer superior coverage and handle sweat well.
The Turbine Rotor stayed tight and offered great protection all day climbing in the City of Rocks, ID.
While shield sunglasses will always have the maximum volume of coverage, wrap-around style glasses like the Maui Jim Spartan Reef , Smith Guide's Choice XL ChromaPop, and Native Eyewear Sightcaster all offer exceptional coverage thanks to their shape and fit.
The most important test for any fishing glasses... did they fall in the river? We are happy to report that the Smith Guide's Choice came home safely.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
These formats are great for avoiding side and under light and truly give that total immersive feeling. The Sightcaster and the Guide's Choice did, however, let one bad element into the inside of the glasses: fog.
Fogging is a common occurrence for those who run hot and sport wrap-around glasses. Here you can see how the Sightcaster fared after a sweaty outing.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
The only pair of glasses in our lineup with side shields is the Sunski Treeline. These shields, or sidekicks as Sunski calls them, do wonders for both light and wind blockage. With these sunglasses, you will feel very protected smashing down the mountain or trail.
Maybe the Treeline doesn't protect against 180 MPH winds, but you don't even have to squint at 40 MPH. We made sure.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Frame Quality
Frame quality is a big part of durability. We researched and assessed each model and put them through the wringer to determine which ones are the most likely to hold up through constant usage. We spent a lot of time jamming these sunnies in bags and cars and flexing frames to see how well they withstand the pressure. We noted anything that scratched or failed to perform as intended. We looked at each frame's materials and construction, paying particular attention to the hinges to see if they're a standard barrel hinge (i.e., don't overextend) or a spring hinge (i.e., are made to overextend). We also carefully examined any nose pads or bow grippies and their attachment points.
It is going to be hard to find a frame better than the Maui Jim Spartan Reef. From the quality of materials to the stylish design, these frames are top-notch. The hinges feature break-back metal springs, and both the arms and nose are padded. It does come with some weight, but it is well worth it.
The Maui Jim Spartan Reefs do an impressive job staying put on sweaty midday runs.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
A few other frames are worth noting. First, the Rapha Classic. With clear, strong plastic, soft and flexible nose and arm ends, and smooth barrel hinges, these shades provide a firm and tight fit. On the other end, the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL frames are super flexible, lightweight, and flex and form to any head size. The Costa del Mar Caldera uses recycled fishing nets for its frames, and the imprinted texture is a nice touch. Finally, the Oakley Sutro Prizm frame is strong yet has enough flex to keep the hard plastic comfortable for medium-sized heads. Add a nice, comfortable nose rubber, and you have a sound frame compared to the competition.
These Rapha Classics are as cool as they look.
It's hard to get used to the look of full shield sunglasses, but they will win you over once you see how they perform.
The flex of the frames on the Oakley Flak is super impressive.
We would be remiss if we didn't give a shout to the Tifosi Swank. The frame quality on this moderately priced pair of sport sunglasses is impressive. The plastic is strong, the hinges smooth, and the lenses firmly held in place.
Cool enough for a young teenager and sound enough for a mountain bike ride.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Notable Mentions
This was a huge lineup of sport sunglasses and while not all made the top of the pack, there are a few worth mentioning.
Our first notable mention goes to the Zeal Incline. These glasses are extremely light, flexible, and have decent lenses (we tested the Dark Gray). And thanks to their lower price point, they pack a great value. We found them excellent for running and fishing but not so great under a helmet.
The Zeal Incline are super light, a great choice for runners or other sports where weight matters.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
The Smith Parallel 2 Max is a bargain if you are looking for super comfortable, low-profile athletic sunny. These glasses are the perfect competitor to the highly rated Oakley Flak 2.0 XL at a much lower price point. Smith also throws in an extra set of low-light lenses and a hard case to sweeten the deal.
The Parallel 2 Max stayed put for an entire day Salmon fishing in the bay and half the time we forget they were even on.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
The goodr OGs, yes, the lowest-scoring pair in the lineup, does deserve a shout-out. While these are similar to the free glasses you get from the dentist, there is just something lovable about them. We found ourselves reaching for them more times than not when performance wasn't a requirement for the day.
The classic matte finish on the goodr OG's gives them a stylish look.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
And our last notable mention is the Suncloud Rambler. If you are looking for a solid B-pair of shades at a lower price point, these are worth a look. The glass is good, the frames hold nicely on the head, and they fit well under every helmet we tested them on. The frames are a tad on the cheap side, but these glasses scream value all day.
If you didn't find what you were looking for, make sure to check out the top-ranked sunglasses, for men as well as our review of the best sunglasses for women, if you want a more casual product.
Running the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey with the Suncloud Ramblers.
Credit: Rob Gaedtke
Conclusion
There are way too many choices when it comes to sport sunglasses, and that only adds to the stress of deciding which pair is right for your specific situation. It's our goal to lower that stress and make it easier for you to decide. Rest assured that we spent countless hours testing the best and highest rated products available, pitting them head-to-head and testing them side-by-side in various environments and situations. We had a ton of fun testing and showcasing these sunnies in action, and we hope our expertise and experience will help you find the perfect pair of shades for your next adventure.
Protect your eyes no matter what the day brings. Have fun out there!
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GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
