Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Proper gear can make the difference between some great plays or giving up on a new pastime. While most gear is sport-specific, the right pair of sport sunglasses can serve you well in a variety of activities.
Sport-specific sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyeballs from adverse conditions like sun and wind. UV protection is highly recommended to help you avoid a condition called photokeratitis, where the surface of your eyes gets sunburned. Basically, if you need sunscreen, you probably need some proper eye protection while working up a sweat, too.
For sports that could involve anything flying at your face, lens quality is crucial. Look for an impact-resistance rating like ANSI Z87.1. This independently verified rating assures buyers that the lens can withstand a 17.6-ounce spike when dropped from 50 inches.
Tinted lenses help your depth perception by increasing the contrast of the road, while polarized lenses can reduce glare. Try out a couple of different lens colors to see what works for you. One rule of thumb is to wear polarized lenses around reflective surfaces, like water or snow. A yellow or brown lens, on the other hand, can help in low-light conditions.
To help you find the right shades, we dug through thousands of reviews for a variety of sunglasses available online. Based on our research, these are the best sports sunglasses you can get right now.
Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
Bea-Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses
If heavily tinted sunglasses are not your thing, the Bea-Cool offers a lighter tint in a sporty wraparound style. The adjustable, rubberized nose pad customizes the sunglasses’ fit and the hollow plastic arms help keep the glasses lightweight. A rimless bottom design makes these glasses easier to clean, reducing the gunk that can collect in the frame. With a range of colors for frames and lenses, these glasses can match your other outdoor gear, too.
Reviewers were impressed by the included pouch, glasses case (with a clip), and keychain screwdriver. While a few shoppers had the arms split after a couple months, most reviewers were very happy with their purchase.
The Duduma Tr90s offer a unique look, with a split arm design and several polarized lens colors. These are less sporty-looking than a wraparound design, so you can wear them to the golf course or the pub. The sunglasses come with a microfiber pouch and cloth.
The company no longer offers a warranty on the glasses. (Some older reviews mention a lifetime guarantee that’s not available anymore.) Other reviewers found the hinges to be a weakness, with a few folks having them break within a couple months. Check out the sunglasses when they arrive; some reviews note hard-to-see distortion in the lens.
A small Italian company, BNUS offers a unique nylon frame that it advertises as being pet-friendly. Since the frame is not varnished, BNUS says their process uses plant pigments that are not a harmful substance. So if your pet chews them, your only worry is that you’ve lost a pair of sunglasses.
My dog’s preference for my sunglasses isn’t something I’ve considered, to be honest. However, if the toxicity of your sunglasses is a concern for you, this brand is worth a look. Besides the low toxicity of the frame, the Corning glass lenses are a great feature, as are the spring hinges.
Shoppers also liked the packaging, with an included hard case. Several reviewers praised the quality here, with a few noting they purchased extra pairs in different colors.
The shape of these Oakleys is iconic—chopstick arms with a wraparound mono lens. And they look equally at home on a golf course, a bike, a baseball diamond or a running trail.
For any sport that requires sunglasses, these sunglasses send a message that you are here to play. The frames are vented, making them a particular favorite for cyclists. However, the straight arms can sometimes cause issues with helmet fit.
The lenses are available in a range of colors and tints. Plus, many of the lenses have a high impact-protection rating of ANSI Z87.1. Reviewers raved about the Radars, often commenting on their improved vision in low-light environments or water sports. With a couple of included nose pieces, the fit can be customized for comfort and to reduce bounce.
Replacement arms and nose rests are easy to find. While these sunglasses aren’t cheap, the comfort and the high-quality lenses explain their popularity.
If you’re unsure which color of lens would cover your sporting activities, fear not. With BangLong Polarized Sports Sunglasses, the included five interchangeable lenses cover blue, clear, yellow, gray and an additional colored lens. The only polarized option is the gray, so keep that in mind if you need polarized lenses.
The sunglasses come with a unique inner frame to mount prescription lenses, but reviewers found it flimsy and poorly secured. So if a prescription lens is important to you, you might want to check out one of the other options here.
Reviewers liked the extra accessories, including a zippered hard case, a microfiber cleaning cloth, eyewear retainer cord and a slipcase. The company advertises a one-year warranty, but a couple reviewers found that the company didn’t honor it.
As an eighties kid, these glasses are the ones I imagine in any song about sunglasses and nighttime. While we don’t recommend wearing them at night (the lenses are very dark), they do deliver that retro swagger. The wrap style isn’t as extreme as other sports glasses; they’ll go well with a simple leather-jacket look.
Like other wraparound styles, the arms are slightly wider, blocking sunlight from the sides as well as in the front. With a type of lightweight polycarbonate for the lens, reviewers found these sunglasses durable and have a great fit. Most of the complaints involved knock-offs from sellers, so choose an approved seller.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered.
Follow Reviewed on Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
TikTok,
or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Meet the tester
Rebecca Boniface
Contributor
Rebecca Boniface is a certified PADI dive instructor, full-time nomad, and DIY enthusiast.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.