The Best Sunglasses for the Outdoors in 2026

Sunglasses Comparison Chart

How We Tested Sunglasses

GearJunkie editors have spent years learning about outdoor products, including sunglasses. We meet with brands to learn about the latest technology. Then, we research and test the best products on the market to ensure they perform in their intended environment.

Our goal is to help you find the best products for your outdoor pursuits. And we’ll do our best to find them within your budget, too.

The lead author of this article, Sean McCoy, has worked in the outdoor gear testing industry for nearly 15 years. He began his career serving customers as a rock climbing specialist at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis. He then worked at newspapers to hone his reporting and research skills.

As GearJunkie’s former Editor-in-Chief, he tested hundreds of pairs of sunglasses over his 10 years at the helm. Today, he oversees editorial production across multiple websites, and he still loves testing gear.

Mary Murphy also contributed to this article. A former managing editor at GearJunkie, Murphy put optics to the test as an avid hiker, paddleboarder, and skier. GearJunkie editors Adam Ruggiero and Rachelle Schrute also contributed testing notes for this article.

Our lead women’s sunglasses tester is Rebecca Parsons, an avid outdoorswoman living in Oahu, Hawaii. Rebecca has been a freelance writer for over a decade and has spent the last two years exclusively testing and reviewing gear, so she knows quality when she sees it. Rebecca spends every hour that she isn’t on her computer outside hiking, running, surfing, and standup paddling, among other things.

To test the women’s sunglasses on our list, she spent a few weeks in each of the shades, doing multiple activities in each to see how they fared across the board. Throughout her testing, Rebecca noted how stylish each pair of sunglasses was, how comfortable they felt, how they fit, the lens color, optical quality, and how secure they felt during both high and low-intensity activities. She hit the trails and the water and wore the sunglasses when it was sunny, cloudy, and misty to see how they performed in a wide range of conditions. 

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Sunglasses

If you’re shopping for sunglasses, we’re here to help. Below, find our best advice for choosing sunglasses for any budget. If you’re searching for women’s sunglasses specifically, be sure to check out our guide to the Best Sunglasses for Women. How about fishing, running, cycling, and driving? Don’t worry, we’ve covered the Best Fishing Sunglasses, running sunglasses, cycling sunglasses, and driving sunglasses, too.

Best Sunglass Brands

What are the best sunglasses brands? After in-depth testing and research, our team agrees that Costa del Mar makes the best sunglasses you can buy, period. We base that judgment on lens quality and durability, which we’ve found to be unrivaled even by other top sunglasses.

But if Costa isn’t your jam, don’t worry. There are many great premium sunglasses these days. The other best brands for sunglasses, according to our testing and research are Maui Jim, Bajío, Smith, and Spy. Roka makes great sunglasses for athletes, as do Julbo and Dynafit. Ombras and Shwood are both remarkably good for small brands.

Among the classics, Ray-Ban and Oakley are still excellent brands, and some of their classic styles are among the most popular on the planet.

If you want some party sunglasses on a budget, don’t forget about Pit Viper, the bombastic brand that builds wild styles with quality lenses.

As an outdoor publication, we do not consider fashion-first sunglasses from designer or fashion-first brands. In our opinion, they do not match the quality of more focused sunglasses. If you’re looking for styles from Chanel or Versace, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Frames

When choosing sunglasses, frame material helps dictate both appearance and weight. Among our favorite models, you’ll see recycled plastic from fishing nets and even titanium used for the frames.

Titanium makes an exceptionally light frame material we prize for its durability, but you’ll pay a premium price for it. Other metal frames include Monel, Flexon, and aluminum. Most of our test glasses for outdoor use do not use metal frames.

The majority of the frames we test are made from various types of plastic. Common plastics include zyl (zylonite or cellulose acetate), nylon, epoxy, and cellulose acetate propionate.

These are durable, light materials but have questionable sustainability. We look for brands that use recycled plastics when possible, such as the Costa Del Mar Pescador above.

Fit

Fit is important, especially if you plan on wearing your sunglasses while you work out. Many of the sunglasses on our list include sizing guidelines on their website, which are worth checking out if you don’t have the opportunity to try on your sunglasses in person. Whenever possible, we recommend trying glasses on to ensure that they will fit your face.

Our tester has a narrow face and found that most of the medium frames were a little big on her face and slid down her nose while working out. Glasses like the Revo Daphne also come in a petite size, which is great for those with a narrow face.

Similarly, the Tifosi Swank comes in an XL size for larger faces and an SL version for lighter weight and smaller facial structures. For individuals with a wider face, wider glasses like the Costa Del Mar Catherine could be a great fit. 

Bridge Width

The bridge width refers to the distance between the two lenses. It’s the part of the sunglasses where the frame rests on your nose. The bridge width affects the overall fit and comfort of the sunglasses depending on the width and profile of your nose bridge.

Lens Height/Width

Lens height refers to the distance from the top of the lens to the bottom, while lens width is the distance from the left side of the lens to the right side. These measurements help you determine how large the glasses will look on your face and how much coverage they provide.

Temple Length

This measurement refers to the length of the temples, or arms, of the sunglasses. This measurement is taken from the hinge to the tip of the temple. This measurement is important as it helps ensure that the sunglasses are long enough to extend behind your ears without poking too far out. 

Lens Material and Tint

For optical clarity, there are no better lenses than mineral glass. They also provide excellent scratch resistance, so they’re a top choice when clear vision is a priority. However, glass lenses have some flaws. They are heavy, expensive, and more prone to shattering than plastic lenses.

Next down the scale for optical clarity are lenses made from a material called CR-39. It performs nearly as well as glass but weighs about half as much and is less prone to shattering.

Polycarbonate and Trivex are two other materials popular for their impact resistance. While both have less optical clarity than glass or CR-39, polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are much more impact-resistant than other types of plastic and thus popular with cyclists, shooters, and others who put a premium on physical eye protection.

Sunglass lenses come in many different tints. You may think the lens tint is simply for style, but different tints serve different purposes. Additionally, different lenses allow varying amounts of light to transmit through them for use in different lighting conditions. Similarly, lenses come in both polarized and non-polarized options, so you can choose what works best for your needs.

Gray/Black

A neutral choice, gray and black lenses are one of the most popular sunglass lens options. The subtle tint minimally alters the outside world and provides true color perception with more of a cooling effect. They can also help minimize glare off the water and help reduce eye fatigue with their dark tint. They are a good pick for a wide array of uses but are especially popular for driving as they provide a balanced view of the road while reducing glare. 

Brown/Amber

Brown and amber lenses work to enhance contrast by blocking blue light. They amplify contrast and depth perception, making them a good pick for overcast conditions. Where gray lenses tend to provide a cooling effect, brown and amber lenses are more warming. They are a popular pick for hiking, fishing, and skiing.

Rose/Red

If you spend a lot of time on your computer or your phone outside, rose/red lenses could be a good pick for you as they filter out blue light. They also help filter out natural blue light rays emitted by the sun, so they’re a popular driving option.

Finally, they improve visual depth, reduce eye strain, and offer more contrast than any other lens color. For this reason, they are often a good choice for doing activities in lower-light situations and are popular with mountain bikers and others who spend time in the forest in mixed-lighting conditions

Blue/Purple

Blue and purple lenses have the unique ability to filter out the infrared spectrum of light. They also can help reduce glare, define contours, and enhance color perception. They also tend to work well in areas with lots of blue hues, making them a popular choice for water sports. 

Yellow

Yellow lenses work well in low-light conditions such as dawn, dusk, or foggy/stormy weather. They help enhance depth perception and visibility where there is minimal natural light. They are popular for snow sports like skiing and snowboarding and for precision sports like hunting, shooting, and mountain biking. 

Green 

Green lenses strike that happy medium between color accuracy and contrast enhancement. They have a soothing effect on the eyes and can help reduce eye strain and help your eyes feel more comfortable during long periods exposed to sunlight. They are a popular pick for sports like tennis, golf, and cycling. 

Shape & Design

Beyond style (and let’s face it, style is important), the shape of sunglasses has a big impact on performance. Wider, larger sunglasses will offer more optical and physical eye protection.

Wraparound styles will protect eyes from the sides as well as directly in front. But larger sunglasses do not fit every face well. Those with smaller faces will want sunglasses that stay secure when moving the head up and down and side to side.

Similarly, those with larger heads and faces should favor larger shapes and designs. Smaller sunglasses will not protect the eyes well here, and too snug a fit can cause headaches for the wearer.

Polarized Lenses

Many sunglasses can be purchased with either polarized or nonpolarized lenses. For fishing, watersports, or other activities where glare reduction may be beneficial, polarized lenses are a much better choice. By cutting down on glare, polarized lenses allow the wearer to see into the water much better than non-polarized lenses.

They also tend to make blue skies pop more vividly. Some prefer nonpolarized lenses for driving, as they can cause strange aberrations with some windows.

Visible Light Transmission (VLT)

The amount of visible light that a lens allows to pass through it is known as the Visible Light Transmission, or VLT. This is typically expressed in a percentage, with higher numbers allowing more light through and vice versa. What works best for you depends on your eyes’ sensitivity to light, the light conditions, and possibly the activities that you’re doing.

Most, but not all, manufacturers post the VLT percentages for their lenses so you can easily find the best option to suit your needs. Smith Optics is a good example, as they have a VLT scale on their website that shows the percentage for each lens option along with the conditions for which it is best suited.

For bright conditions, a lens with a lower VLT — in the 10-15% range — will block more light but may be too dark in dimmer lighting. A lens with a higher VLT may be preferred for activities in mixed light or dimmer conditions but may not be dark enough for super bright conditions.

For example, many mountain bikers will use rose or yellow-tinted lenses with VLTs in the 40-60% range while riding in the forest. Many will even opt for totally clear lenses on cloudy days or when riding around dusk.

Photochromic

When purchasing sunglasses, photochromic lenses are often available as a lens option, particularly for sports sunglasses. These lenses adapt to ambient light conditions and automatically transition from light to dark and vice-versa. The lens tint does not change instantly, mind you, but in a handful of seconds, the lenses will get darker or lighter to suit the current light conditions.

For example, the Chromapop Photochromic lens we tested with the Smith Bobcat changes between 12% and 67% VLT. So, they will darken for bright and sunny conditions, and the tint will get lighter when it’s overcast or you’re out past sunset. This eliminates the need to swap lenses for varying light conditions.

Price & Value

There is a wide range of prices for sunglasses. The models we tested cost between $25 and $269. What’s the difference, and are more expensive shades worth the extra cost? We’ve found that when it comes to optics, the more established brands have put more time and money into creating excellent lenses.

What are we buying? Well, we’re GearJunkies, of course. We generally prefer the premium optics and feel of brands like Oakley, Smith, Costa Del Mar, and Ray-Ban. That said, we also love great value and that brands like Goodr, Tifosi, and Knockaround exist for those who aren’t willing or able to shell out the big bucks for high-end shades.

Budget

Since we don’t all have $200+ to spend on high-end shades, we covered a few budget-friendly models above. Several brands are disrupting the market by offering sunglasses at dirt-cheap prices. Goodr, Tifosi, and Knockaround are good examples of brands that are undercutting the competition by selling good sunglasses at a fraction of the cost of the premium brands.

While the optics and longevity of more affordable sunglasses aren’t quite up to par, the models we’ve tried from brands like Tifosi and Knockaround are pretty darn good for the price. Budget-conscious shoppers or those who are prone to scratching, losing, or breaking sunglasses will find a lot to love here. And, in many cases, you aren’t giving up much, if anything, in terms of style.

For just $35-38, Knockaround sunglasses come in a huge range of frame styles with polarized and non-polarized lenses in a variety of tints and reflective coatings. The optics are decent, they look more expensive than they are, and they will barely make a dent in your bank account balance. Heck, at that price, you can buy several pairs and stash them in the car, backpack, and around the house, so you’re always prepared.

Tifosi glasses also stand out for their impressive value. At $60, the Tifosi Swank with polarized lenses provides a clear step up in optical clarity and frame quality. The brand also offers a huge range of frame styles and lens options from $25 non-polarized casual shades up to $80 performance models that come with three interchangeable lenses.

Mid-Tier

As we climb above the $100 mark, we see glasses from more established brands along with notable improvements in optics, durability, and models designed to meet more specific performance demands. In general, we find lenses that provide a better visual experience by enhancing color and contrast and reducing glare. Often, the lenses are also more durable, with more resilient protective coatings.

In the mid-price tier, an interesting newcomer is Ombraz, with its unique Armless Sunglasses ($160). This brand has done away with frame arms in favor of an adjustable cord that wraps around the head for a secure, stable fit. This design choice dramatically reduces the chances of them slipping off your face or breaking them in your pocket or backpack. On top of that, they come in six different frame styles with your choice between three colors of high-quality Zeiss polarized lenses.

Another standout is the Julbo Fury. These sporty shades might not be the best for casual wear, but they became Sean McCoy’s go-to for activities like running, biking, or backcountry skiing. With loads of coverage and a light-on-the-face feel, these glasses shield the eyes well and have excellent lenses. The Spectron CF lens will set you back $140, or you can upgrade to the self-adjusting REACTIV lens for a $60 bump in price — but you’ll be prepared for any light condition.

Premium

While it may sound absurd, we’ve found that when you shell out $200 or more, you can expect greatly improved durability and optical quality. Our top-rated sunglasses from brands like Costa Del Mar have proven themselves over years of testing, and they still look almost new today. That’s why the brand’s sunglasses are consistently some of our favorites — they work very well and last a long time.

Lenses are the primary reason you’re paying more for premium sunglasses. Brands like Costa Del Mar, Oakley, Smith, and others have invested lots of money and time into research and development to create lenses that are crisp and clear and enhance your ability to see the world around you. We are particularly fond of Costa’s Polarized Glass lenses we tested in the Fantail Pro ($292), which are stellar for use on and around the water but are surprisingly durable, too. On top of that, Costa uses an eco-friendly but tough Bioresin for its frames, which has helped our test pair stand up to over 4 years of regular use.

While the performance differences between the premium models and the budget options may not be that important to many users, we’ve found that they are noticeable and typically worth the added expense, in our opinion. Getting your money’s worth is another story, and your ability to treat your sunglasses with care should be considered when choosing what sunglasses are right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions