Ultimate Outdoor Vision with the 4 Best Hiking Sunglasses for Men & Women
Before I learned about a variety of the best hiking sunglasses, I used to just wear cheap, no name shades you’d find at a gas station.
I never wanted to shell out the cash for brand name just because of the ‘look,’ but that was long before I knew about sunglasses with varying levels of UV protection and functions that go beyond sun protection.
Did you know?
Snow can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays back into your eyes. Now I understand the reality of snow blindness! Sea foam reflects up to 25%, sand 15%, and grass soil and water 10%. Learn more about UV rays and your eyes from Eye Site on Wellness’ article The Sun and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know.
If you’re like us, you love camping, hiking, and just being outdoors all around. Without hats and sunglasses, being outside under the sun for even a few minutes can be become frustratingly uncomfortable.
We’re covering your eyes in this article, but if you need headgear, check out these 5 Awesome Hiking Hats for Men and Women.
So what constitutes a pair of the best hiking sunglasses?
5 Pillars Hold Up the Best Hiking Sunglasses
1. UV PROTECTION
Sunlight emits ultraviolet rays that damage, not only skin, but the human eyes too. In as little as 1 to 2 hours, damage can start to occur and many of us are hiking for many more hours at a time. This makes it absolutely crucial to have ultraviolet or UV protection to ensure our vision remains top notch.
2. POLARIZATION
You’ve probably heard of polarized sunglasses and the best hiking sunglasses definitely boast polarization. Polarized lenses add extra protection against UV rays and reduce glare from water and snow. Perfect for hiking and other outdoor excursions.
It’s truly a game changer and the difference will have you never look back to non-polarized lenses.
3. COMFORT
Let’s be real. Sunglasses are often a fashion statement more than a functional piece of gear. Often times people will sacrifice comfort for looks.
Luckily most of the best hiking sunglasses have form and function. You’ll want your sunglasses to feel good over the nose, ears, and temples. Any unwanted pinching or pressure will drive anyone crazy. You’ll be wearing them for hours on a trail and you want them to be comfy just like your hiking shoes.
If you don’t already own a pair of kick-ass hiking shoes, your feet will be incredibly happy with any of these 3 Performance Day Hiking Shoes for Men and Women.
4. WEIGHT
This will boil down to preference and a trade off of features, but weight can make or break your decision when it comes to this list of the best hiking sunglasses.
The lighter the shades, the less you’ll notice them on the trail. But you may sacrifice added protection, durability, and for some, style. You know yourself best, so weigh the pros and cons to make up your mind.
5. DURABILITY
If you’re looking for the best hiking sunglasses, then you’ll surely want frames that’ll last and lenses that aren’t prone to cracks or scratches.
Outdoor activities can be hard on any pair of sunglasses. Damage can result from salt water, sand, dirt, and other debris to bumps and drops to rough surfaces. Be mindful of materials used and double check your shades can withstand some unavoidable abuse.
The best hiking sunglasses are born from these 5 components.
4 BEST HIKING SUNGLASSES FOR MEN & WOMEN
After hours of research, personal testament, and combing through stellar reviews, I’ve made it easy for you.
This list is complete with the best hiking sunglasses for men and women. Every single pair abides by the 5 pillars previously mentioned.
Simply pick a brand, style, and color combination that fits your personality!
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜1. Editor’s Choice
Transfer ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses – Men’s
The Smith Transfer ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses are a crowd spectacle in the outdoor community and they’ve quickly become my personal favorite. These shades bear ChromaPop™ lens technology, which has literally changed the way I see the world. It sounds dramatic, because it absolutely is!
Colors on the trail are incredibly rich and definitive. The colors of foliage look more true to color with these lenses than with my natural eyes. The larger fit is also super comfy for those with larger noggins, like myself.
Straight from SMITH Optics:
Through our proprietary ChromaPop™ lens technology, we help you see detail and color beyond normal capabilities. ChromaPop filters two specific wavelengths of light that cause color confusion. By doing this the lens delivers greater definition, more natural color, and unmatched clarity to allow you to see more detail.
These also boast hydroleophobic coatings! I know, what the hell does that mean? It means that these lenses automatically adjust light transmission from 12% to 20% in changing conditions. WHAT?
And this is the universal truth! I can’t stop wearing mine.
Features
- Smith ChromaPop™ polarized lenses are optically tuned to give you visual comfort and reduced glare, while also offering water and oil resistance and 100% UV protection
- Polarized lenses decrease eye strain by reducing visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement
- Vacuum-applied, antireflective coatings on the back side of the lenses help eliminate bothersome sidelight reflections
- Water- and oil-resistant coating repels moisture, grease and grime—water beads up and disperse without streaking and smudges from fingerprints wipe clean easily
- Hydrophilic Megol® nosepads secure the fit; Megol gently grips your skin to help keep the frame in place, and gripping power increases when introduced to moisture
- Smith auto-lock hinges stay tight and secure so your glasses stay on; built-in side shields add protection
- Proprietary Evolve material incorporates 53% bio-based material
- Leash and prescription compatible
- 8 base lens curvature means sunglasses are curved to wrap around and maximize face coverage more than lower curvatures; Smith uses 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 base lens curvature
- Medium fit with medium coverage (if you have a larger noggin like me, check out the Smith Transfer XL Polarized Sunglasses)
Smith Lowdown 2 Polarized Sunglasses – Women’s
The women’s equivalent goes to the Smith Lowdown 2 Polarized Sunglasses. A stylish, lightweight frame contoured for the feminine lines of the female face.
Don’t worry, these are also rocking ChromaPop™ lenses, breathing new life into all things natural. Heck, these shades look so good you can easily where them anywhere, anytime, in any setting, brunch included.
Features
- Polarized lenses decrease eye strain by reducing visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement
- Vacuum-applied antireflective coatings on the back of the lenses eliminate bothersome sidelight reflections
- Hydroleophobic (water- and oilproof) coating repels moisture, grease and grime—water beads up and disperses without streaking, and fingerprint smudges can be easily wiped away
- Hydrophilic Megol® nosepads gently grip your skin to help keep the frame in place for a secure fit; gripping power increases when introduced to moisture
- 4-base lens curvature rests flat relative to your face
- Smith auto-lock hinges stay tight and secure so your glasses stay on
- Proprietary Evolve frame incorporates 53% bio-based material into these injected-polymer sunglasses
- Includes microfiber storage and cleaning bag
- Medium fit and coverage
2. Minimalist
Maui Jim Ho’okipa Polarized Sunglasses – Men’s
Next, if you’re looking for an extremely minimal, tough, and lightweight pair of the best hiking sunglasses, look no further than the Maui Jim Ho’okipa Polarized Sunglasses. With these you’ll get 100% UV protection and a frame that sits comfortably on your face from sun up to sun down.
Treat ounces like pounds, am I right my fellow backpackers? Thanks to MauiPure, Maui Jim’s most popular lens material, optics are like SuperThin Glass with ultra light and excellent scratch & shatter resistance, perfect for backpacking, day hikes and more.
Features
- Polarized lenses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement for increased visual acuity and decreased eye strain
- Shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses provide durability and protection
- Blue Hawaii lens tint with mirror coating is ideal for any conditions, from full sun to overcast
- Refined rectangular frame complements a range of facial shapes
- Grilamid® nylon frame ensures light weight and durability
- Fixed, saddle-style bridge with nonslip rubber nose pads for comfort
- 8-base frame wraps around your face for extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays
Maui Jim Mavericks Polarized Sunglasses – Women’s
Moreover, we have a minimalist, lightweight equivalent for the ladies. The Maui Jim Mavericks Polarized Sunglasses are a classic unisex aviator, but with a feminine touch of color and flare.
These are equipped with the previously mentioned MauiPure lenses. So you can rest assured these are just as trail ready as the Ho’okipa for men. Choose between Rose Gold frames with Sunrise lenses or Silver frames with Blue Hawaii lenses. Both beautiful colors popping with personality.
Features
- PolarizedPlus2® technology decreases eye strain by reducing visual glare from water, snow, sand and pavement; it also reveals and enhances true, vivid colors in detail
- Rose Gold frames come with Maui Sunrise lenses for versatility in changing conditions with a warm tint
- Silver frames come with Blue Hawaii lenses with a blue mirror coating for amazing color enhancement and clarity
- MauiPure proprietary lens material combines optics almost as crisp as SuperThin Glass with excellent scratch and shatter resistance
3. Stylish
COSTA Rincon Polarized Sunglasses – Men’s
Looking for something more stylish that still maintains all the attributes of a pair of the best hiking sunglasses? You found them. The COSTA Rincon Polarized Sunglasses provide you with the classic west coast look while giving you 100% protection from UV rays.
Lenses are of course polarized and scratch resistant too. Frames are made from bio-resin, a process and part of the company’s Kick Plastic® initiative. Bio-resin is lightweight and tough as nails. They can handle the harsh conditions hiking often demands.
Features
- Patented 580 lens technology reduces haze and blur while providing greater contrast, enhanced color definition and clarity
- Polarized lenses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement for increased visual acuity and decreased eye strain
- Lightweight bio-resin frames hold their shape even in harsh conditions
- Hydrolite nose pads and temple tips provide comfort and prevent slippage
- Glass lenses provide superior clarity and scratch resistance; scratchproof mirrors are encapsulated between layers of glass
- Includes case and cleaning cloth
COSTA Brine Polarized Sunglasses – Women’s
First, I’m personally a complete sucker for tortoise shell shades on women. I’ll even rock tortoise shell myself! Secondly, if you want a stylish, lightweight, durable pair of sunglasses from an environmentally conscious company, check out the COSTA Brine Polarized Sunglasses for women.
With a base lens curve of 8, debris and sunlight is kept out of your peripherals. These may absolutely be the best hiking sunglasses for you.
Features
- Polarized lenses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement for increased visual acuity and decreased eye strain
- Glass lenses provide superior clarity; scratch proof mirrors are encapsulated between layers of glass
- Lenses are 20% thinner and 22% lighter than the average polarized glass lens on the market
- Frames are made from a bio-based, castor plant resin to reduce environmental impact
- Base lens curve of 8
- Includes case and cleaning cloth
4. Under $100
Native Eyewear Wells Polarized Sunglasses – Men’s
I’ll be honest, I came from gas station, unbranded sunglasses before making the plunge for shades well over $100. And it wasn’t easy. With that said, you can still get some serious bang for your buck under $100. The Native Eyewear Wells Polarized Sunglasses proves this.
Lenses provide 100% UV protection and even block 40% of infrared light, reducing eye fatigue. The frames are also made from plant based resin (love how many companies are doing this now), which means they are nearly weightless on the face and can handle high velocity impacts.
All while looking stylish and under $100. What else can you ask for?
Features
- N3 polarized lenses block 40% of infrared light to decrease eye fatigue; lenses also offer blue light filtering and 100% UV protection to minimize haze and enhance clarity
- Durable lenses reduce glare; lightweight frames are built to withstand high-velocity impacts
- Frames are engineered to withstand extreme highs and lows in temperature
- Self-adjusting nosepads help keep sunglasses in place
- Comfortable temple ends hug behind your ears
- Designed to fit large profiles
SunCloud Cookie Polarized Sunglasses – Women’s
Oops! My bias is showing with yet another pair of tortoise shell shades, the SunCloud Cookie Polarized Sunglasses. But hey, these are actually highly rated by women and well under $100! While these sunglasses look more ‘designer’ like, they’re tough as steel.
Instead of glass, these lenses are made from Polycarbonate, which is 20 times more impact resistant than glass and a third the weight! They’re also acid- and heat-resistant. Wow. And yes, the lightweight Grilmid® nylon frames are basically just as impact resistant. Could these be the best hiking sunglasses for women and well under $100?
Features
- Polarized lenses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement for increased visual acuity and decreased eye strain
- Polycarbonate lenses are 20 times more impact resistant than glass and a third the weight; they’re also acid- and heat-resistant
- Grilamid® lightweight nylon frames offer a consistent fit and flexibility at any temperature, and they are extremely impact resistant
- Black frames feature polarized gray lenses to eliminate glare and produce the truest transmission of natural colors
- Rose tortoise frames feature polarized rose lenses with a silver flash mirror coating to eliminate glare and provide an optically comfortable lens
- Tortoise frames feature polarized brown lenses to eliminate glare and enhance contrast while maintaining accuracy of color transmissions
- Medium fit
Get the Best Hiking Sunglasses for Ultimate Protection and Incredible Vision
In this article you’ve learned about the 5 pillars that make or break a pair of the best hiking sunglasses for men and women. UV protection, polarization, comfort, weight, and durability should always be considered when looking for functional shades. Sunglasses on this list go way above and beyond these minimum requirements.
As hikers and lovers of the outdoors, we need a pair of sunglasses that look great and function exceptionally well in any circumstance.
Finding a pair of shades can be exhausting, but I’ve done the heavy lifting. After hours of research, real world testing, and countless customer testimonials, I’m confident you’ll find a pair on this list that you’ll love and enjoy.
So now all you have to do is choose a style that suits you and your budget. You’ll be soon telling others ‘these are the best hiking sunglasses.’
You’ve found the best hiking sunglasses, but this is only 1 of 6 Articles of Sun Protection for Hiking. Be sure to cover all your bases to avoid burns, premature aging, and skin cancer. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated.
Hiking or camping near fresh water? Never buy water again and just drink from the source using the LARQ Water Bottle!
Do you already own a pair of sunglasses on this list? Would you say they’re the best hiking sunglasses? We’d love to know in a comment below!
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