Choose The Best Sunglasses for Running

It’s warming up out there (or it will be soon) and many runners with a spring marathon on their schedule are starting to pile on the miles in their training. Runners spend a lot of time obsessing over shoes and clothes: which shoes will give me a performance advantage? Which jacket will protect me from the elements? Which running tights actually look pretty cool? You know getting geared up for running can be more complicated when it looks. So why do so many runners pick up a pair of sunglasses in the drug store just before a race? Sunglasses protect your eyes from more than UV rays and sunlight. When you hit your stride, you can have bugs, gravel thrown by passing cars, dust, raindrops, and even birds flying at your face at frightening speeds. When you run, your face is your windshield, so take time to choose a good pair of running sunglasses from a top designer.

Here are a few factors to consider when buying your sunglasses for running, along with recommendations for designers and models to try.

Fit: Running sunglasses should sit snugly on your skull even if you have to wear a hat, and the lenses should block out the light on all sides. Wraparound profile shades are best. When trying sunglasses on, turn your head up, down, and from side to side while keeping your eyes pointed straight ahead. Are your eyes still looking through the sunglass lenses? If not, you will need a bigger pair of lenses, because the ones you’re trying won’t block the sun from all directions.

Also consider the inevitability of chafing during a long workout. Pressure points include the bridge of the nose, the tops of the ears and areas just behind the ears, where the arm bars end, and the bottom edge of the lens. Bounce lightly up and down or jog a little: if the sunglasses wobble, you could be in serious pain towards the end of a run lasting more than an hour or two. Nike outfits many elite runners, including the women’s marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe. Their Nike EVO475 or 476 sunglasses will suit long-distance runners and most track runners, too.

Safety: Accidents happen. If you fall, collide with another runner, or if a passing car throws up gravel from its tires, you do not want to be wearing lenses that shatter. Polycarbonate lenses are strong and durable, and will not endanger your eye should the lens be struck. Oakley sunglasses are really meant for cyclists, but they are suitable for runners on most points of fit and form. Their lenses are durable polycarbonate. Try the popular Oakley M-Frames, Flak Jackets, Bottlecaps, or Oil Drums for safety and style while you’re running.

Vision: In addition to wanting sunglasses that can be fitted with prescription lenses, serious runners will want sunglasses designed to maintain clear vision in other respects. Lenses that are anti-fog will prevent your lenses clouding up on a cold or misty day (or when you’re particularly sweaty). Polarized lenses block out UV rays while eliminating glare, and lenses and frames that block out as much airflow as possible prevent your eyes from being stung by the wind. In addition to Nike and Oakley sunglasses, you can try TAG Heuer 5101s.

Running isn’t just hard on your legs; it’s hard on your eyes, too. So consider running sunglasses another piece of performance equipment, and choose a quality designer with care.