Going outside without a proper pair of shades is like hitting the trail without proper footwear. A good experience depends on your ability to see what’s in front of you, and when it comes to sunglasses, the best are built for an active lifestyle. Your sunglasses need to prevent light flares and minimize eye strain, which will reduce eye fatigue that can lead to headaches after long days in the sun.
These five pairs of unisex sunglasses we’ve recommended below will help protect your eyes (and look good while doing it) during your favorite outdoor pursuits. Oh, and they’re all eco-friendly or come from carbon-neutral brands, so you can feel good about your purchases.
We hope you love the sunglasses we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy anything. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Best sunglasses for improved vision outdoors: Bajio Hopedale Readers
Photo: Tim Wenger
Photo courtesy of Tim Wenger
I stare at a computer screen all day for work, and I believe that 14 years of doing so has hastened the progression of my farsightedness. Not severely, but noticeably, particularly when I’m working on tasks outdoors that require the use of my hands. Bajio makes sunglasses for fishing and on-water life, and though that’s not what I most commonly use them for, I’ve found an equally compelling use case: outdoor tasks that require intense focus while exposed to overbearingly bright sunlight. Case in point, last weekend I assembled a foldable kayak on my porch. It was bright and hot outside, and I needed to not only read instructions but be able to complete manual tasks with my hands in a precision manner. When doing such things, I often find myself leaning in so close to the task at hand that I could bump my head on it, but with the Bajio Hopedale Readers, I could sit at a comfortable distance.
The oval-shaped portion of the lens in the bottom-right corner magnifies what’s in front of you, in my case 1.5x. This allowed me to more easily read in bright sunlight as well as put the kayak together. I was better able to focus my eyes on small points a couple feet in front of me when looking into the magnified lens, without sacrificing hand-eye coordination. I’ve also used these sunglasses when working on a bike outside, in this case a task that included the use of a screwdriver and other casual tools. Moving my eyes between the standard lens and the magnified area is nearly seamless, with less than a second needed for my eyes to transition. I tend to lift my head up slightly when using the magnifiers because I’ve found that looking down ever so much provides a broader scope of vision.
The Hopedale Readers fit well across my ears and on my nose with an ergo rubber nose pad. I also appreciate the barrel hinges in particular, as I seem to have a wide head that stretches many pairs of sunglasses. These shades fit my head well, as the hinge allows the arms to stretch out wider than any other pair of sunglasses I’ve owned. For an active guy like me, this greatly improves their lifespan, as the main reason I go through sunglasses quite quickly (other than losing them) is that I break off one of the arms. That isn’t a worry with the Hopedale Readers.
I also love how the rubber nose pads rest on my nose without getting greasy as I sweat. I’ve worn these shades for hours at a time while working outdoors, hiking or biking, or being near to/on the water and they’ve never become uncomfortable either on the nose or the ears. Additionally, I wear a hat most of the time, and have had issues with certain pairs of shades being uncomfortable under a hat, but that’s never been the case with the Hopedale Readers.
Since acquiring the Bajio Hopedale Readers about three months ago, they’ve become my daily driver. I keep them in my key bowl next to the front door and grab them each time I leave the house. At $229, they’re not cheap, but the dual functionality of magnified vision and the flexible arms means they’re significantly more durable and productive than budget pairs — which means buying fewer pairs over time.
Sustainability
Bajio uses bio-based frames and plastic-free shipping, it’s two most noticeable eco-friendly efforts. The brand’s stated mission is to protect the world’s saltwater flats, known as bajios, and to that end also works with a local producer in Florida to provide cactus leather cases for its sunglasses. The brand’s Italian factory is solar powered and its fleet is comprised of electric vehicles for local factory business. The factory also uses heat pumps, a big step in reducing emissions used for heating and cooling buildings.
Best sunglasses for travel and everyday use: Roka Rory 2.0
Photo: Tim Wenger
Photo courtesy of Roka
Admit it: Part of the appeal of a new pair of sunglasses is how you feel when wearing them. I’ve never felt cooler than when wearing a pair of Roka Rory 2.0 shades. I opted for the Matte Black frame with Dark Carbon lenses and found that the sunglasses matched everything in my wardrobe — be that a comfortable outfit for a travel day, a functional setup for tackling a peak, or a t-shirt and hat for happy hour. The polarized shades are light on the nose and ears and never feel uncomfortable under a hat.
The 12 percent light transmission means I can take them on golden hour hikes in the high desert where I live, where sunlight reflects off the shale rock faces to the point of torture at times, without the worry of glare puncturing the lens. Furthermore, the carrying case actually fits comfortably into a small backpack pocket without being bulky or awkward.
As shown in the photo gallery above, I have a young daughter who I frequently load into an Osprey carrier pack and lug along on hikes. She has a tendency to smack my head repeatedly on these hikes, giggling like a possessed clown all the while, and once managed to yank the Roka shades off my head. She proceeded to toss them onto the side of the trail. I credit the lightweight frame and flexibility of the temples for the lack of even a small marking anywhere on the shades after this tumble, and this durability has resulted in the Roka Rory 2.0 shades gaining status as my go-to sunglasses for daily use.
What’s more, Roka specializes in prescription sunglasses. You can submit your prescription when ordering and the company will ship with lenses matching your exact specifications — promptly ending the days of sacrificing both style and functionality for the sake of simply being able to see.
Sustainability
The brand doesn’t boast of green efforts, but the simple fact that you can own one pair of sunglasses that will last for years and match your prescription is an excellent way to cut down on overuse.
I rarely feel like I look very good when I return to the parking lot sweaty and panting after a full day of spring splitboarding or backcountry skiing. That changed this spring with the arrival of the Anon Advocate sunglasses. Designed for active mountain adventurers who value style, quality, and performance, these outdoor sunglasses are expensive but worth the cost if you can swing it.
As far as I’m concerned, the Advocate is the best improvement on activewear shades since SPY Optics shifted the market in 1994. The round eyepiece fits well underneath a hat or helmet, the slight curve of the lenses reflects sunlight from three different angles (which spares your eyes), and the side shields reduce reflection from snow or water on the ground around you. They’re also comfortable to wear: the frame widens just enough around the nose to sit comfortably on your face and stay there, helped by a curved temple tips that hug the ears.
I started using the Advocates this year for backcountry touring, in large part because of how easy they are to wear under a beanie and helmet. Admittedly, with the rounded and larger-than-average lenses, I felt a bit like Val Kilmer in “Wonderland” when I first put them on. But I got over that by the top of the first ascent and now they’re my go-to outdoor sunglasses.
The large frame size and high-performance Perceived Polarization do a great job of controlling bright white light (the type of light reflected off snow). And the unisex design means you can buy yourself or your significant other a pair, and either can be jealous of the person wearing them (or steal them).
I finally have a pair of outdoor sunglasses I want to wear both on the mountain and on the brewery patio afterward. The Advocate is almost too stylish for a brand that largely targets snowboarders, but I’m not complaining. My style has needed a swift kick for some years now, and these shades will play an ample role in making that happen.
Sustainability
Burton, Anon’s parent company, is the role model for how a major snowboarding brand can embrace sustainable business practices. The company aims to be climate positive by 2025 and is actively working to reduce emissions from its supply chain and power all of its facilities with renewable energy.
Ombraz went back to the drawing board to create a pair of shades that won’t fall off your head when you’re constantly on the go. The Classic Regular sunglasses ditch the traditional temples for a polyester strap that tightens to fit around the head. The armless design prevents helmets or hats from pushing on the armband, and it also keeps the shades on your noggin while in motion. This makes them great for travel days as well as activities like cycling, where you need the shades to hug your face tightly and not slip or slide.
I keep my pair of Ombraz in my mountain biking pack so that I always have them with me when I head out to the trail. They store easily in your pocket or backpack without creating a lump. The strap loosens to allow you to wear them around your neck while not in use — a huge plus if you’re like me and are constantly “forgetting” where you put your sunglasses. As a bonus, the lenses are perfectly polarized and the Classic Regulars look good on both women and men.
The Classic Regulars do take a bit of getting used to. For starters, you can’t rest them on top of your head because there’s no side support, and you need two hands to tighten and loosen the strap each time you put them on — though this takes just a second and the secure fit is worth the effort.
My immediate reaction to them wasn’t overtly positive, but the more I used them, the more I got used to the routine. I took them with me on a week-long trip to sunny Mexico and wore them either on my eyes or around my neck the entire time. I was concerned I’d look ridiculous wearing shades without temples, but my wife confirmed that was a non-issue and thought they looked “distinctive.” And another huge bonus? They’re nearly impossible to break, which is ideal if you’ve ever sat on a pair of sunglasses.
Sustainability
Ombraz is a 1% for the Planet member and is Carbon Neutral Certified.
Being on the water can be extra-taxing on your eyes as they have to constantly readjust between sunlight coming from above and reflections from the surface. COSTA addresses this by polarizing its sunglasses specifically for beach conditions, and it’s noticeable. I prefer to wear COSTA Del Mar shades on river trips and beach days and have noticed I can look at the water and the area directly above it more clearly and with less strain.
The Hydrolite nose stays firmly in place even on choppy water, and with 10 percent light transmission and 100 percent UV protection, I can capture the scene around me without burning my eyeballs or lids. The lenses are specifically designed to filter yellow light, making them ideal for coastal areas. I found them comfortable and easy to conform to my big noggin thanks to the customizable core wire.
COSTA sunglasses are some of the coolest-looking shades you can buy, and while they aren’t cheap, they’ll last you for several seasons and can go with just about anything you wear. The shades have gained a dedicated following among anglers due to the enhanced color patterns allowed by the polarization of the glass lenses – it’s easier to spy into the water with improved contrast, and if there’s one thing COSTA excels at above other brands, it’s in designing lenses with strong contrast.
If your time is spent on the sea, the river, or the lake, COSTA’s WaterWoman II and Del Mar are your go-to shades.
Sustainability
The COSTA Kick Plastic initiative means the brand uses BioResin (naturally derived) rather than plastic-based resin as the base material for their shades.
A good hike includes great views. Smith’s Lowdown Split sunglasses are perfect for alpine vistas and seaside overlooks because the wraparound ear frame stays put no matter where your head moves. I’ve worn Lowdowns on dozens of hikes and appreciate their comfort and simplicity. Matador’s outdoor editor also likes the Lowdown (though she uses the non-split, with a full frame around the lens) for hiking because of its excellent ability to filter light and reduce contrast in sunny, heavily wooded areas.
The ChromaPop polarized lenses curve around my eyes almost perfectly, preventing the sun from sneaking in no matter which direction I’m walking – even at sunset. Crossing large scree fields (piles of small-to-medium-sized jagged rocks) means hikers sometimes have to bend over and use their hands to stabilize themselves, which can cause sunglasses to fall off your face and directly into a pile of jagged rocks. But I find that the Lowdown Split shades remain firmly tucked around my ears even when I’m contorted to near-horizontal postures to move across challenging sections of trail.
Another aspect I love about these shades are the silicone nose pads, which prevent grease from building up on your nose and keep the shades comfortable even if you’re out on the trail all day long. The shades look good on both men and women and come in a variety of colors and options ranging from dark to light. You can also choose a lens color that matches your trail style.
Sustainability
Lowdown frames are built with a bio-based resin and with stainless steel temples, rather than plastic.
Sunski is an anomaly among outdoor sunglasses manufacturers. Rather than continually pushing up its prices, the brand keeps shades around $50 per pair. Somehow, it manages to hold onto quality and performance at that price point. I’ve had a pair of Sunski Puertos for over a year now and love them for daily use. The shades are comfortable and polarized, reducing glare and the skin-harming squinting that comes with it.
I take my Puertos with me on road trips because their performance is dependable for just about any activity I might get into. And let’s be honest — items tend to turn up missing on the road, and while losing a $50 pair of shades stings, it stings much less than losing a $200 pair. The Puertos look good on both men and women, and their vibe is versatile enough to wear to summer weddings or outdoor brunches.
Sustainability
The SuperLight frames are built from “scrap plastic” — plastic that would otherwise end up in the trash.
Best sunglasses for bike-commuting: Tifosi Sanctum
Photo courtesy Tifosi
Photo courtesy Tifosi
When riding a bike on the side of the road, or anywhere really, you want a full scope of vision. The same is true for most outdoor adventures, but I’ve found it particularly pressing when riding my e-bike into work and elsewhere where I need to keep an eye out for cars, pedestrians, and other bikers. I’ve long been on the hunt for the right pair of sunglasses for this activity, as most have vision that slightly restricts when you turn your head sharply to the right or left due to the frames cutting into the field of vision. Tifosi addressed this issue with its Sanctum sunglasses, which remove the sight-blocking piece of the frame that runs down the middle of the glasses. In essence, the glasses are comprised of one large frame.
The experience of wearing these while commuting by bike is comparable to riding in a car with a large windshield and an extra-large sunroof — like a Tesla or the Chevy Bolt EUV with the double-sunroof — where you are struck immediately by how much your eyes are taking in. Tifosi dubbed it the Thrive Frame, and since acquiring a pair early in 2024, I never pedal off without them. The shades come in a variety of colors to match your cycling setup, like Crystal Red Fade and Aqua Shimmer. I went with Blackout, as I tend to wear a lot of black.
Polycarbonate lenses on the Sanctum shades are shatterproof and scratch-resistant. With Hydrophilic nose pieces that provide a no-slip grip, the brand claims that the more you perspire, the more they grip — and after two months of use, I concur. Tifosi also got the price right — at only $34.95, you don’t have to break the bank to set yourself up for success on this summer’s commutes.
Best sunglasses for apres-ski: Timberland Matte Black
Photo: Tim Wenger
Photo: Tim Wenger
When hanging out on the patio after a spring day on the slopes, I like a pair of shades with big lenses and black frames reflect the sun. I’ve owned multiple pairs of Timberland sunglasses over the years, and the Matte Black shades have been my go-to this winter for days on the mountain. They’re lightweight and flexible, so you can case them in your backpack while on the hill.
The shades look cool and tend to match most of my ski gear without any extra effort. The polarized lenses reflect bright light even when the ground is bright white. I also appreciate how easy the temples curve around my ears — I’ve worn these on the mountain with my helmet on twice when my goggles fogged up, and they never felt like they were about to fog up. As the photo gallery above shows, I took these with me on a Polaris trip in the Turkish backcountry this winter, and was glad I had them because the sun reflected incredibly brightly off open fields of snow. Now that spring is here, I’ve worn them on a couple hikes, as well.
Sustainability
Timberland’s Matte Black shades are made of 65 percent bio-based plastic as part of its Earthkeepers line. The brand is a leader in creating bio-based shades, which makes it easy to feel good about grabbing a pair to keep with your ski gear.
