Best Hiking Sunglasses

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This is a gear review about the Best Hiking Sunglasses 2023.

A good pair of sunglasses are worth the money. You need a pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes and are comfortable to wear. If you are anything like me you usually buy cheap pairs that don’t last long and end up regretting it later. A good pair makes better sense.

I’ve done all the work for you, in this article we will be looking for the best pair of hiking sunglasses for 2023. I’ve included a mix of the best-name brands and best-budget sunglasses.

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Best Sunglasses for Hiking 2023

The Best Sunglasses for Hiking in 2023 are:

• Oakley Flak 2.0
• Julbo Explorer 2.0
• Smith Lowdown 2
• Maui Jim Haleakala
• Maui Jim Starfish
• Ecoer Cycling Sunglasses
• Tifosi Swank Polarized
• Knockaround Fast Lanes Polarized Sunglasses
• Costa Fantail Polarized Sunglasses
• Julbo Shield

The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses are known for their durability, as they are made from high-quality materials. They are made with a stress-resistant and lightweight thermoplastic frame material. It also comes with Unobtainium nose pads and earlocks which help keep these sunglasses feeling comfortable to wear all day.

The lenses on these glasses offer 100% UV protection, including UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, while also protecting your eyes from blue light. However, with these sunglasses, you have a low light transition level of 11%. This means the sunglasses will be quite dark in low light and shadow conditions. 

The refraction on the Oakley Flak 2.0 glasses is very close to real life. Thus, how close up or far away objects are when wearing these sunglasses is much closer to real life. Some sunglasses change the depth perception sometimes, while the Oakley sunglasses keep things truer in real life.

They are rather expensive but also have the advantage of having replaceable lenses, if you scratch a lens you can buy another one rather than throw the sunglasses away. For those with a big head, they have the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL and there is also a more normal size, the Flak 2.0.

Overall, these are popular and one of the best sunglasses for hiking.

The Julbo Explorer 2.0 offers you the ultimate protection against direct sunlight and any harsh glares. The frame material is made of nylon and really do their best to stop any light coming in, which could cause reflections, thanks to its side shields.

These are extremely comfortable to wear thanks to their soft nose grip and adjustable temples that adjust in every direction. This not only allows for comfort but creates a very secure fit. These glasses won’t be sliding off your nose. 

The Julbo Explorer 2.0 sunglasses come with photochromic lenses that are ideal for bright conditions. The lenses are polarized to reduce glare from any sunlight.

Finally, these lenses have an anti-fog and reflective coating so nothing can affect your vision while wearing these sunglasses.

Overall, these are one of the best backpacking sunglasses on the market.

The Smith Lowdown 2 Sunglasses are right up there with some of the best backpacking sunglasses on the market in 2023.

They offer a couple of frame colors and lens styles. The Chromapop polarized lenses protect against all UV rays.

They also have the Smith Lowdown XL which is a larger size for this with a big head. There is also the Smith Lowdown Slim for those who have a smaller-sized head.

Overall, the Smith Lowdown 2 is one of the best sunglasses for backpacking.

The Maui Jim Haleakala Sunglasses are polarised so you can deal with bright and direct sunlight. Made with a nylon frame and with MauiPure and SuperGlass lenses.

The lenses have good scratch resistance and will protect your eyes from UV and blue light rays. While also being scratch and shatter resistant, alongside water and oil protection. These are durable glasses that are still lightweight to wear. 

These sunglasses will offer protection from the sun and glare. They also come with a two-year warranty, in case you aren’t happy with your purchase. These are expensive sunglasses but you are paying for quality, which should last you a lifetime.

They lack the wrap-around style ear grips so these are not so good for mountain biking

Overall, these are very popular pairs of sunglasses that are often seen on hiking trails. A good buy.

The Maui Jim’s Starfish are similar to the Maui Jim’s Haleakala Sunglasses that we just mentioned above.

However, the difference between them is that the Maui Jim Starfish Sunglasses have been designed for women. Made with a nylon frame material, which is lightweight and easy to wear.

The polarized lenses have good scratch resistance and shield your eyes from any glare and all harmful UV and blue light rays. Also, the lenses come in a range of colors from HCL Bronze and Maui Rose, these are ideal for sunny and overcast conditions.

The Natural Grey lens color is perfect for direct and bright sunlight but some people think the lens is not dark enough. This is a durable pair of sunglasses that will protect you from all UV rays.

Overall, these are one of the best pair of hiking sunglasses for women. They are durable, stylish, and have good quality lenses.

The Ecoer Cycling Sunglasses are made from recycled nylon and fishing nets. Add to that the fact that Ecoer sunglasses are ethically made with workers paid a fair salary. Even though these are called cycling sunglasses I can attest that these make great hiking and backpacking sunglasses.

When I tried and tested these sunglasses my very first impression is just how lightweight they are. They are the lightest sunglasses in this review. The super lightweight frame and lens combine to make them feather-light. And they have a good fit and are comfortable.

There are three color choices and they all have polarized lenses. I like the plain black color that comes with a smokey grey lens. While I would have liked to have the lens a bit of a darker shade, it is not a deal breaker.

Overall, if you are looking for the best sustainable and eco-friendly sunglasses then the Ecoer Cycling Sunglasses are for you. And they are reasonably priced, especially in comparison to some of the name brands listed above.

The Tifosi Swank polarized hiking sunglasses are a good balance between cost, comfort, style, and quality. While there are many polarized hiking sunglasses, the Swank does everything well.

Not only is there a polarized lens, but a nose pad that prevents slipping which is helpful on sweaty days, or when you want to use these glasses for running.

While these are great sunglasses it would be good to remove the annoying Tifosi label on the lens itself. The brand name is on the arms of the glasses, that should be enough.

When choosing these sunglasses be aware that they also come in an XL size if you have a bigger sized head, and non-polarized which are about half the price of polarized.

Overall, the Tifosi Swank is a good pair of polarized glasses for hiking, backpacking, and more.

The Knock Around Fast Lanes Polarized Sunglasses do as they say. These sunglasses come with a matte black polycarbonate frame, which makes these sunglasses incredibly lightweight while wearing them.

These sunglasses have rectangular lenses that suit most face shapes. This pair of sunglasses come with polarized smoke lenses, which decrease the glare from any sunlight, but you still maintain the true color perception of what you are looking at.

These are the perfect sunglasses for a hiker on a budget. They may be on the lower/more affordable side of the market, but they are still durable and perfect for men or women.

With a UV coating on the lenses, these sunglasses will offer protection from harmful UV rays.

Overall, these are the best hiking sunglasses for those on a budget.

The Costa Fantail Polarized Sunglasses are an eco-friendly option. Costa has partnered with Bureo Company, so the fishing nets that are recycled into pallets are then used to make the frames. These frames are available in a wide range of choices, depending on your style. 

Your choice of lenses is between either glass lenses or 580 polycarbonate lenses. The 580 polycarbonate lenses are the clearest lenses to find. They are also lightweight and have impact resistance.

580 lenses give you sharper and deeper colors. Compared to the glass lenses which are also very clear and also extremely scratch resistant too.

All the lenses are polarized which reduces eye strain. The Costa Fantail Sunglasses have nose pads for a more comfortable and secure fit. They come with a lifetime warranty.

Overall, these are one of the best environmentally friendly sunglasses that are comfortable and high quality and don’t forget the lifetime warranty.

The Julbo Shield Sunglasses will provide you with a comfortable and secure fit. This is down to its soft nose pad and soft material placed on the end of the temples. These sunglasses also come with removable side shields, that stop any sunlight from reflecting on your glasses.

There is a range of lens options available to choose from. You have a choice of the spectron polycarbonate lenses or the REACTIV Photochromic lenses.

The spectron polycarbonate lenses are lightweight and are shock and scratch-resistant. Compared to the REACTIV Photochromic lenses that get darker or lighter in response to the light conditions that you find yourself in. These sunglasses also come with a cord attachment for extra security if it is needed.

Overall, these are seriously one of the best pair of hiking sunglasses.

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Other Hiking Sunglasses to Consider

Here are some hiking and backpacking sunglasses that I have either not tested yet or didn’t quite make the list:

• Karun Outdoor Sunglasses: Karun Outdoor Sunglasses are the most eco-friendly sunglasses with polarized lenses. Made from recycled plastic pulled from the oceans around Patagonia. They will be added to the list soon.
• Sunski Treeline: The Sunski Treeline are very popular backpacking sunglasses that will be added to the list once they have been reviewed.
• Smith Parallel 2: The Smith Parallel 2 are another pair of awesome hiking sunglasses that will be added to the list as soon as they have been reviewed.
• Ray Ban Original Wayfarer: The original and the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Look cool in town or on the trail.
• Spy Discord Lite Polarized: The Spy Discord Lite Polarized are tey to be reviewed and may be added to the list at a later date.
• Oakley Double Edge: The Oakley Double Edge with the Prizm lens are my current sunglasses that I use personally but they are not so easy to find nowadays.

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Buyers Guide

When it comes to buying a pair of hiking glasses, any old pair won’t do. There are certain things you need to look for and the most important element you need to consider is what kind of lens you want. Alongside that, you need to make sure that the sunglasses are comfortable.

No one wants a pair of sunglasses that feel heavy and begin to rub your nose and ears as you begin to sweat. Below we are going to go through some key elements you need to know about and think about when choosing the right sunglasses for you.

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Lens Materials

Lenses are either made from plastic, polycarbonate, or glass, each has either pros or cons.

Polycarbonate is a high-quality plastic that is strong and impact resistant. These lenses can scratch if you don’t have an anti-scratch coating but they are very durable, which is ideal when out hiking.

Plastic lenses are much cheaper and a lot less durable. In most cases, they are not the best lens material to take on a hike.

Glass lenses are awesome but often quite expensive.

When you are looking at what the lens is made from, you should be swayed more towards polycarbonate lenses or glass, more than just plastic. However, you should always make sure that the lenses come with coatings such as anti-scratch or glare.

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UV Protection

UV protection is one of the most important things to have on your sunglasses. This is due to the fact that UV light can be really harmful to your eyes.

You want glasses that cover all UV protection, but especially UVA and UVB. However, having glasses that cover all three types that include UVC is really important. Especially as UVB is associated with skin cancer. 

Another lens to consider is the VLT lens which is the Visible Light Transmission Lenses. These lenses will reduce the amount of light that is transmitted to your eyes. It is all about reducing the harsh glare of the sun and direct sunlight hurting your eyes. 

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Polarized Lenses

Most of the hiking sunglasses on this list have polarized lenses, which is really vital when hiking in snow or near large bodies of water. Polarized hiking sunglasses have lenses that filter out reflected light and reduce glare massively. By doing this, colors become a lot deeper and richer.

Polarized lens colors are really a matter of preference, but certain colors are more useful for certain weather conditions. Some lens colors let more light or less light in. Grey is a pretty neutral color that works for a range of conditions. However, it really is just personal preference.

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Frames

When it comes to the frames of your sunglasses, the most durable materials to look for are nylon or nylon and plastic. These frames will last you a lot longer and are suited for tough conditions. Ideally, you should look for nylon frames as they are more reliable for a hiker. There is even a pair of sunglasses in this review made from recycled nylon and old fishing nets.

As you will be wearing these sunglasses while hiking, you need sunglasses that are comfortable to wear. Some sunglasses will come with padding to make them easier to wear. While others will have adjustable features that create a more secure fit, while also making them more comfortable to wear.

Looking at the little details of the sunglasses you want to buy will help you understand if you can wear them on a long hike. You need to remember that you may sweat while on your hike, so you want to make sure that the frames stay on your face but also don’t dig in anywhere. 

You want sunglasses that mold to your face and are extremely comfortable to wear so that you actually forget that you are wearing sunglasses. 

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Price

In most cases, a quality pair of hiking sunglasses are not cheap. Especially if they are from a well-known name brand. While price often reflects quality, there are many affordable hiking sunglasses in this review that come in under $50 with a high-quality frame and good lens. But for the best sunglasses for backpacking and hiking you will pay over $200!

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Conclusion

The Best Hiking Sunglasses in 2023 are:

• Oakley Flak 2.0
• Julbo Explorer 2.0
• Smith Lowdown 2
• Maui Jim Haleakala
• Maui Jim Starfish
• Ecoer Cycling Sunglasses
• Tifosi Swank Polarized
• Knockaround Fast Lanes Polarized Sunglasses
• Costa Fantail Polarized Sunglasses
• Julbo Shield

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Frequently Asked Questions

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