Hiking is a great way to exercise, challenge yourself, or enjoy time with friends and family. Whether you prefer casual day hikes with your dog or scaling high-altitude terrain, a pair of hiking sunglasses is essential.
Check out our list of the best hiking sunglasses for your various endeavors. Each pair uses top frame and lens materials to provide UV protection and obstruction-free views.
Different trails require different types of gear. Your fashion sunglasses may be suitable for easy daytime outings with friends. But outdoor activities need activity-specific sunglasses with boosted eye protection.
Lower altitude hikes pair well with lightweight shades that offer eye protection from UV rays at the periphery. For glacier hiking or mountaineering, choose sunglasses with side shields and rounded rims. These features provide optimal coverage from blowing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.
Wherever you hike, polarized sports sunglasses are essential to help you see clearly and avoid damage to your eyes from the sun’s rays.
The Best Hiking Sunglasses of the Year:
Maui Jim sunglasses look good and provide protection from potentially harmful UV rays. The Maui Jim Seacliff 831 sunglasses exemplify both of these qualities, making them an easy pick for the Best Hiking Sunglasses.
These aviator-style frames are crafted in lightweight metal for durability. Its plastic-coated temple tips curve inward for optimal comfort behind the ears. Maui Jim’s proprietary lens technology offers ultra-clear, distortion-free views.
So, put on a pair and take in every bit of scenery.
Oakley uses performance technology to create durable, ultra-lightweight sports sunglasses for any activity. They also offer interchangeable lens options for select frames. These features make the Oakley Turbine our choice for the Best Polarized Sunglasses for hiking.
Lens options include Oakley’s Twin Toric technology in HDO™, Polarized, and Iridium™ lenses. Each lens type provides glare reduction in varying light conditions and improves contrast.
When you head out to the trail, opt for the Oakley Turbine, and enjoy a wide, crystal-clear viewing field.
The Nike Adrenaline 22 sunglasses have a wraparound profile and no-fuss design. Yet, they’re favored as a durable, reliable pair of sport sunglasses at a fair price point. This makes them our choice for the best hiking sunglasses under $100.
The frames are made from lightweight performance plastic with temples that contour around the head. The nose pad is designed for elevated comfort that prevents slippage on especially sweaty treks.
Regardless of the terrain, Nike Adrenaline sunglasses will protect the health and comfort of your eyes.
If you’re the type to scale high mountains, your sunglasses need to be as ready for the elements as you are. The Oakley Clifden sunglasses are specifically designed for the conditions on mountains. This makes them our choice for the best sunglasses for hiking at high altitudes.
Oakley Clifden sunglasses feature mountaineering-style frames with vented side shields. The shields’ ability to block wind and flying debris gives them similar protection to safety glasses. The comfortable head strap allows for easy adjusting and a secure fit.
Head to the highest heights wearing these durable sunglasses from Oakley.
Revo Traverse sunglasses are engineered to help you see every inch of the climb clearly. Traverse frames feature a classic mountaineering goggles design without the extra bulk. Their durability and clarity are what make them the best glacier sunglasses.
The frames come with NASA-based polarized lens technology. This technology reduces glare and increases contrast in bright conditions. The leather shields on the sides of each lens provide protection from the wind and snow.
Take to the ice confident in the safety of your eyes wearing the Traverse sunglasses from Revo.
For days spent in the open wilderness, your sunglasses need to be as tough as you are. This is why we chose the Wiley X WX Helix sunglasses as the best sunglasses for trekking. These universally flattering rectangular shades feature a slightly wrapped profile. The close-fitting frames offer protection from the sun’s potentially harmful rays.
Wylie X WX Helix frames have a lightweight performance construction. Their shatterproof plastic lenses meet the ANSI safety ratings for high-speed impact resistance. Not to mention, the slick shark fin temples add an air of retro-chic cool.
Look and feel your best on your next long day trek wearing the WX Helix sunglasses from Wiley X.
Backpackers need lightweight, durable gear that doesn’t take up too much space. We chose the Ray-Ban Justin sunglasses as the best sunglasses for backpacking due to their sleek profile.
The frames are engineered to endure the mishaps of days on the trail. For the added convenience of prescription sunglasses, add your vision prescription to the lenses. Get comfortable UV light protection with these fashionable sunglasses from Ray-Ban.
Earning credibility as the “tough guy” of sports sunglasses, Oakley Flak 2.0 are the go-to shades for any outdoor activity. The semi-rimless frames are designed to block wind and glare for superior comfort.
Oakley Flak 2.0 have polycarbonate lenses for greatest impact resistance. They also have added lens width for exceptional visual field clarity.
Wherever adventure takes you, these sunglasses are along for the ride and up for the challenge.
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