Running Sunglasses Are Really Worth It (Plus a Few to Try)
One summer while on vacation, I realized the value of running sunglasses. One sunny morning, I walked out of my family’s hotel room wearing sneakers, realized I didn’t bring my usual sun visor, and grabbed my sunglasses from the car instead. Everything should be fine, right? But as soon as I started to sweat (and it was right away), the glasses rolled off my nose. If you’ve ever seen that video of a squirrel sliding down the greased support of a bird feeder , that’s exactly what was happening on my face with every step.
When I got home, I bought myself a pair of Goodr sunglasses for $25. I took them out for a run on a similarly sweaty day and they didn’t run off my face at all! I’ve since tried the Nathan running sunglasses and they are fantastic too.
What to look for when choosing running sunglasses
Before that fateful vacation run, I had heard about running sunglasses, but I never understood what was so special about running sunglasses. So here’s a quick rundown of the design features that make them useful. Specifications vary by brand, but note the following:
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Tacky coating or surface . Look for rubber nose pads (they may be hidden, so look closely) and a non-slip surface on the inside of the temples.
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Appropriate size . Too big and they will slide off despite your grip. Goodr, for example, fits my relatively small head well, but they also offer the BFG line for people who need a larger fit.
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Light weight . The heavier the object, the more it can bounce. Lightness is a plus here.
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Polarized lenses . When sunglasses are polarized, they filter light reflected from horizontal surfaces. This means less glare from water and road surfaces, at least in theory. Not everyone likes polarized lenses, so try them out and see what you think.
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Scratch-resistant lenses . Running sunglasses are for utility, not fashion, so you probably won’t coddle them. Some brands, such as Knockaround , tout the durability of their lenses. I’ve seen complaints on Reddit about Goodr lenses scratching more easily than others, but I haven’t noticed this on my over a year old pair.
Whatever you choose, protect your lenses by keeping them in a protective case when you’re not wearing them (many brands come with a microfiber case). When trying them on, be sure to try them on with other accessories you might also wear on your run, such as a cap or visor, headband, and headphones. Then enjoy reliable sun protection.