How to Pick the Best Running Sunglasses

Investing in quality running sunglasses is a must for protecting your eyes and enhancing performance when logging miles outdoors. With a dizzying array of lens tints, frame styles, and features to consider, it can be challenging to select the right pair suited for your needs. Follow this comprehensive guide covering fit, lens options, material choices, and more when shopping for running shades. Find your perfect match to help you hit your stride in comfort!

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Benefits of Running Sunglasses

Compared to casual shades, sunglasses designed for running and sports offer athletes key advantages:

• Enhanced vision – Lenses optimized for the sports environment with glare reduction and contrast enhancement make it easier to see terrain, obstacles, and other runners.
• Eye protection – Shields eyes from sun damage causing conditions like cataracts. Filters 100% of UV rays.
• Physical coverage – Prevents wind, dirt, dust, and even insects from striking the eyes at high speeds.
• Durability – Impact-resistant lenses and sport-secure frames withstand vigorous running.
• Staying power – Sweat, bounce and slip-resistant designs keep glasses firmly in place.
• Lightweight – Weighing 1 ounce or less minimizes distraction. Forget they’re even on!

For peak performance across training runs, races, or adventures, running sunglasses are a smart investment to support fitness goals.

Choosing Frame Size and Style

Consider key measurements and preferences when selecting sunglasses:

• Face shape – Frame shapes flatter different face shapes. Ask an optician for the best pairings.
• Bridge width – Distance between the inner edges of the lenses matched to your nose width.
• Temple arm length – Ensure arms extend straight back just past your temples for the ideal fit.
• Lens shape – Rounded, rectangular, or shield lenses provide varied coverage areas.
• Frame style – Compare sporty, minimalist, futuristic options. Should suit personal taste.
• Coverage – Larger lens surface area blocks more sun but also peripheral vision. Find an ideal balance.

Try on several sizes and styles when possible to gauge fit and comfort. Frames should feel snug but not tight. Expect sunglasses to fit more closely than casual shades.

Ideal Lens Features and Tints

Beyond frame style, analyze key lens traits:

• Impact resistance – Prevents shattering if hit forcefully by rocks or balls. Polycarbonate is very impact-resistant.
• Clarity – No visual distortion with precise vision correction. Anti-reflective coatings prevent glare.
• UV protection – Blocks 100% of UVA/UVB rays to shield eyes from damage.
• Polarized option – Cuts reflective glare from water or pavement to see detail better.
• Vented – Air vents prevent fogging when starting cold and then heating up from running.
• Tint color – Brown, amber, grey, green, and rose lens hues sharpen the contrast in varied conditions.

The ideal lenses offer both protection and visibility to take performance to the next level on any terrain.

Best Frame Materials for Active Wear

Look for sunglasses constructed from these active sports materials:

• Polycarbonate – Extremely impact-resistant and durable. Flexible and lightweight. Commonly used lens material.
• Titanium – Ultra lightweight yet strong metal. Resists corrosion. Often used for frames and temples.
• TR90 Nylon – Durable, flexible composite material. Used for sporty frames. Hypoallergenic.
• Stainless steel – Strong, corrosion-resistant metal. Used in frames or accents. Durable but heavier than titanium.
• Rubber – Grips skin better when sweaty. Ensures slip-free sunglasses. Ideal for parts touching the face.

Superior optics require high-performance frame materials built to withstand running. Balance strength with all-day wearability.

Added Features to Enhance Vision

Bonus traits to further boost running eyewear:

• Polarized lenses – Their ability to cut reflective glare makes seeing the path ahead easier.
• Hydrophobic coating – Repels moisture and sweat to maintain lens clarity and resist smudging.
• Adjustable nose pads – Custom tweak fit for stay-put sunglasses. Avoid irritating sliding.
• Anti-fog coating – Prevents foggy buildup when heart rate and temperature rise.
• Removable lenses – Lets you swap tints to match lighting conditions like swapping clear lenses for night runs.
• Retainable straps – Connect to your head or neck to keep glasses on even if jarred loose.
• Case included – Protects lenses from scratches when stored. Microfiber cloth cleans smudges.

The right sunglasses feel like an invisible aid. Invest in lenses loaded with performance benefits to support PRs!

Related Links：
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running