Find some shade with the best running sunglasses (2024)

Want more tried and tested recommendations from the RW editors? Sign up to our new weekly newsletter, Kit Bag – click here to subscribe.

An every-season essential, from blazing hot summer days to low winter sun, a decent pair of running sunglasses has more impact than you think on your performance.

Not only do sunnies protect your eyes from UV rays, but having tension in your face from squinting in bright light can create tightness in your neck and shoulders muscles, throwing off form and making a run seem harder than it needs to be.

It sounds dramatic, but the advice to smile more when you run is based on the fact that it eases tension in the face and jaw and you relax your shoulders. So, these are our top picks of running sunglasses, tried and tested by our team. Keep scrolling for the full list.

Shop RW's summer essentials:

• Best facial sunscreen for sport
• Best running hats and caps for all seasons
• 10 best anti-chafing creams and products for runners

What's the difference between sport sunglasses and regular sunglasses?

Unlike regular sunglasses, sports sunglasses shouldn't just look stylish on your face – they also need to be durable, have a snug fit and shield your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays.

When it comes to comfort, this is down to the nose piece/bridge and the arms. You want the glasses to sit on the bridge of the nose and ideally have a rubber nose piece to aid grip. If the nose piece is too small or you have a wide nose, then the glasses will sit too high up the nose and may bounce about or pinch (thankfully most decent glasses come with adjustable or interchangeable nose pieces).

The arms need to be secure on the side of the head but not vice-like. You don't want to be half way through your run and realise you have a headache because your glasses are too tight, so make sure you try on a few pairs first.

Another nice to have feature is a low-weight pair of sunglasses. None of the below are heavy by any stretch of the imagination, but 10 grams here and there can make quite a lot of difference when it comes to running in a pair of sunglasses for several hours.

Are polarised sunglasses better for running?

The main reason for buying running sunglasses is to keep the sun out of your eyes, and this comes down to the lens. They're there to block out ultra violet light (UVA and UVB) in all conditions and will come in a vast array of tints and coatings - some useful, some not.

The most useful is a polarised lens. This means the lens is design to eliminate horizontal light waves, only letting vertical light through. This dramatically reduces glare. They also don't have to be expensive so are well worth considering, whatever the budget.

Thankfully, all the specs reviewed below have been run in, sweated on and enjoyed by many different face and head shapes.

How we test running sunglasses

All of the sunglasses below have been hand-picked and personally tested by the Runner's World editors, who regularly clock up over 60km each per week and have completed all kinds of running challenges in all corners of the globe. Using our expert knowledge of performance running products, we've put these sunglasses through their paces on training runs and races, to bring you our final list below based on their fit, weight, protection and style.

The best running sunglasses for 2024, tested and reviewed

The Van Rysel name is part of Decathlon's in-house roster of brands and is making serious moves in the cycling world, which seems to have boosted the brand overall. At just under £40, these are a very good pair of running glasses; they fit securely, they're lightweight (33g), the bottomless frames offer a decent range of visibility and the venting does a fine job of keeping fogging to a minimum. The lens itself is very capable in constant light, but doesn't quite compare to more premium lenses when faced with changing light conditions on varying terrain, but that's only an issue if you're constantly hitting the trails. For the fashion conscious, these will be a hit, too.

A classic shape, polarised lenses and a very reasonable price tag have seen these running specific sunglasses from Goodr become very popular. A decent fit, no bounce and scratch-resistant lenses do make them a great option (especially with clumsier runners), and they come in a bunch of different coloured frames and lenses. If we're splitting hairs, though (which we are), they are a touch on the heavy side.

Great value for technically excellent run-specific sunnies with polarised lenses that deliver precise, natural-feeling vision. They’re extremely comfortable – light, with a broad nose-bridge putting minimal pressure on your hooter but combining with a good hold from the arms to ensure no bounce. They also proved highly durable over extended miles with a few drops and bumps along the way.

Lifestyle aesthetics coupled with some lens craft will appeal to those don't want to go for the traditional wrap around style of running sunglasses and the Koo Cosmo are a great choice. The extra frame weight isn't that noticeable. they don't move about on the face and use the same lenses as the pure running glasses from Koo, the Nova, featured below. Kind on the pocket and you can wear these when not running, too.

The radar is a classic running sunglass; the shape and fit are tried and tested and always perform brilliantly. This latest version, the advancer, has a slightly different lens shape (it's bigger) and the adjustable nose piece first seen on the flight jacket. The bottomless frame allows for nothing to interrupt your line of sight when out running and the wrap around style gives great coverage.

Look closely this summer and you’ll see these wrap-arounds protecting the eyes of Olympians shooting for glory in Paris. Boasting Oakley’s most extended field of view for unobstructed peripheral vision, the frames are designed to virtually disappear while you go to work. No-slip nose pads and ear socks create a lock-tight fit, front vents prevent fogging and they fit well with running caps and visors.