- The Sunglass Fix

Best Hiking Sunglasses: Gear Up for the Trail

We all love a day on the trail. Whether you’re hiking up and down mountains, through rugged woodland, or across desert valleys, protecting your eyes with hiking sunglasses is essential. We can spend hours outdoors and the sun’s UV rays can cause short-term discomfort and long-term eye damage.

But how do you choose the best trekking sunglasses for style, safety, and comfort? Let’s find out.

When Are Sunglasses Essential on the Trail?

Hiker wearing polarized sunglasses with a forest landscape in the background

Hiking sunglasses are important at all times when you’re on the trail, but especially in the following:

  • High Altitude Hikes: UV rays are stronger at high altitudes and snow, water, and bare rocks can all reflect it, further increasing glare and potential damage to your eyes.
  • Bright, Open Trails: Hiking across open terrain, such as prairie or desert, means very little shade and respite from the sun. Even grass can cause glare, so polarized hiking shades are a must.
  • Snowy & Icy Terrain: Even at low altitudes, snow, water, and ice can cause glare and snow blindness. That’s why the best trekking sunglasses for these conditions will often have polarized lenses.
  • Water Crossings & River Hikes: When crossing or hiking near water, being able to see the river bed through the glare is vital. Polarized hiking sunglasses can cut through this and help you navigate hazardous obstacles safely.

Why Are Sunglasses Important for Hiking?

Close-up of a person replacing the lenses in a pair of black sunglasses

Firstly, hiking sunglasses let us see our surroundings, where we’re putting our feet, and where we’re going. Sunlight and glare can make it harder to see in bright conditions, so the best outdoor activities sunglasses for men and women often use polarized lenses.

Secondly, we want to enjoy our hikes and take in the fantastic scenery. If we’re out all day without eye protection, our eyes can get tired and the discomfort can ruin an otherwise great trek.

Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygium (also called Surfer’s Eye), and corneal damage. There is also evidence that certain eye cancers can be linked to prolonged sunlight exposure.

Key Features to Look for in Hiking Sunglass Lenses

A pair of Oakley sunglasses showcasing orange lenses, perfect for hiking

There is a range of features to consider when choosing the best trekking sunglasses and lenses.

UV Protection and Polarization

Choose lenses with UV400 protection and, ideally, polarized lenses. These block all horizontal light sources and significantly reduce the glare from bodies of water, snow, grass, and even concrete. That’s why we always recommend polarized hiking sunglasses - your eyes will thank you.

Lens Tint and Color

When you’re looking for men’s and women’s hiking sunglasses, you’ll find a ton of different color and tint options. Choosing the right sunglass lens colors is important and will depend on where and when you hike.

If you’re looking for the most versatile lenses for a range of conditions, black, silver, brown, or green are a great choice as they block light, provide a more natural hue, and let you see in maximum detail.

Lighter colors such as yellow, rose, gold, and orange offer good depth perception and are popular for use at high altitudes and in the snow. Blue lenses offer great color and detail perception and help reduce eye strain.

Durability and Scratch Resistance

Hiking shades can get pretty beat up being thrown in and out of bags, rested on our heads, or worn in harsh conditions. The best trekking sunglasses should have rugged, durable frames, and scratch or impact-resistant lenses.

However, sometimes the inevitable happens and lenses can get scratched, cracked, or broken. If that’s the case, there’s no need to throw away perfectly good frames. Instead, explore our range of scratch-resistant replacement lenses to bring them back to life and keep you hiking for years to come.

Frame Fit and Coverage

The frames are as important as the lenses in a good pair of trekking sunglasses, and they should fit on your face snugly and comfortably. Wraparound hiking sunglasses are popular as they provide great protection from all angles - perfect on strenuous hikes.

Because of our different sizes and face shapes, it’s best to look for frames designed specifically for men and women for the best fit. They should also have adjustable nose pads and temple grips to stop them from slipping.

What Are The Best Sunglasses For Hiking?

Man with sunglasses smiling while hiking on a picturesque mountain path

The best hiking sunglasses for women and men combine all the important features we described above. While there are hundreds of trekking sunglasses manufacturers, a few really stand out. Let’s take a look…

Costa Del Mar: Built for High-Altitude and Intense Sun

Costa Del Mar’s range of hiking sunglasses is very popular, and for good reason. They combine stylish, rugged, and functional frames with high-quality polarized lenses with 100% UV protection. In particular, we love the Blackfin for its sporty looks and the Hamlin for trekking shades that can be worn everywhere.

If your Costa Del Mar lenses have been damaged or you just want an upgrade, there’s no need to throw away the frames. We stock a wide range of replacement lenses to bring them back to life.

Oakley: Sporty, High-Performance Hiking Shades

Oakley is one of the most famous names for sunglasses and it’s hard to look past their sturdy yet lightweight frames and advanced lens tech. What’s more, they continually push new designs and set trends. If your favorite pair of Oakleys has been damaged, explore our range of Oakley replacement lenses for models such as the Holbrook, Frogskin, and many more.

Goodr: Affordable and Trail-Ready

For something that won’t break the bank, Goodr sunglasses are a great choice and are designed specifically for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Both men and women looking for their next pair of hiking sunglasses can choose from a range of modern designs and classic looks

We particularly like the OGs for timeless style and versatility, as well as the Modern Day Snake Oils for trail-ready looks. If you need to upgrade your frames, explore our range of Goodr lens replacements.

Taking Care of Your Hiking Sunglasses

Eco-friendly packaging for Sunglass Fix replacement lenses

Taking care of your trekking shades will help ensure they last a long time and keep providing that all-important protection. After you’ve used them, carefully wipe them down with a microfiber cloth to remove the dust and grime. However, don’t scrub too hard in case you scratch them.

When you’re not using them, keep your hiking sunglasses in a hard or soft case, ideally the former. If they’ve gotten wet, dry them off to prevent rust or corrosion before you store them.

Of course, if your lenses have been damaged, or perhaps you just want a change, it’s quick and easy to replace lenses and bring your shades back from the dead. We stock a huge range of replacement lenses for your favorite hiking sunglasses to keep your eyes protected and you looking great on the trail for years to come.

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