I’m often tempted to buy the cheapest sunglasses at the corner store and make them work forÌýthe situation at hand. But much like different snow conditions require different skis, different sports call for different shades. I spent more than a month putting each pairÌýon this list through the paces. I wore them on ski trips to Colorado,Ìýbike rides through Pisgah National Forest,Ìýruns aroundÌýthe city,Ìýand river floatsÌýdown the . These glassesÌýperformÌýwell in their sport of choice, and a few are so good (and good-looking) that I find myself wearing them even when I’m just running errands around town.
Best for Running: Roka Halsey ($95)Ìý
Roka helped redefine sport-specific shades by releasing fashion-forward frames that areÌýlight enough for marathoners. TheÌý is my favorite of itsÌýofferings because, while designed for running, the timeless style of these glasses means you can wear themÌýto the office, happy hour, or a wedding. That versatility has made the HalseyÌýmy daily pair overÌýthe past year. It also performs well onÌýruns, thanks to the frames’ weight (26 grams)Ìýand nose and temple pads that keep the glassesÌýstuck to your face when you’re sweating and moving fast.Ìý
Best for Skiing: Julbo CaminoÌý($75)
Julbo says itÌýbuilt these glacier-style sunglasses for multi-day hikes, but I like for bluebird ski days.ÌýThe side panels cut down glare, but the glasses also have a slight wraparound shape, which means you don’t lose much peripheral vision to those shields, a bonus when you’re charging downhill.ÌýBut my favorite feature is the integrated retainer cord, which you can tighten to give yourself a goggle-snug fit. The polycarbonate lenses are polarized, which helps with the reflection off the snow, but they’re dark, so you’ll only want to wear these on the brightestÌýdays.Ìý
Best for Hiking: Sunski Treeline ($90)ÌýÌý
If you haven’t noticed, glacier-style sunglasses are in right now, and I’d argue that is the most stylish of the lot. The glasses were originally built for trekking through high-alpine and snowy environments in full sun, equipped with shields to block glare fromÌýsnow. On the Treeline, side panels work in tandem with polarized lenses, but you do lose some peripheral vision. It’s not a big deal if you’re moving slow, so I like these for hiking on bright days. You can remove the shields entirely if you don’t dig the tunnel-visionÌýeffect.Ìý
Best for Biking: Bliz Fusion ($95)Ìý
TheÌý has an aggroÌýstyle borrowed directly from the ski-goggle world. I like the completeÌýcoverage of these wraparound shades for mountain biking—especially when tree limbs are trying to poke my eyeballs out. Vents near the eyebrowsÌýcut down on fogging (I’ve ridden with these for a month and haven’t had to air them out once), while impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and super flexible Grilamid frames make them almost indestructible. The temples even have a rubber wire coreÌýthat you can bend and adjust for an even tighter fit. Pick your frame color and lens tint; my lensesÌýare dark, but I was impressed with how well they performed under tree cover on rides—I never felt like I was bikingÌýat dusk.Ìý
Best for Paddling: Rheos Coopers ($50)
You can spend a lot more money on glasses designed for water-based activities, but thanks to , you don’t have to. Their large, square frames provideÌýgenerous coverage in a classic shape that won’t go out of style next year. The polarized lenses haveÌýantifog and anti-oil treatments (to resist fingerprints and fish guts), and tight arms provide a no-slip fit. Best of all, these glasses float, a result of the superlight polycarbonate frame and nylon lenses, so if you eat it while paddleboarding, you won’t have to dive to find your shades.Ìý
Best for Everyday Use: Goodr Super Fly ($35)Ìý
has made a name for itselfÌýby providing glasses with high style and decent performance at gas-station prices. The Super FlyÌýis the pinnacle of the brand’sÌýlineup, with polarized lenses, no-slip nose pads, and bendable earpieces that provide a super snug fit—all wrapped into a package that’s really light (just 20 grams). The lenses won’t last forever (they do scratch easily), but I’ve worn these to run, bike, ski, and drink for the last month and haven’t been disappointed. There are plenty of colors and tints to choose from, but I like the black and green Dirk’s Inflation Station modelÌýfor its 1970s movie-producer vibe.Ìý