This pair from Zeal Optics checks both boxes—and then some. I particularly love the clear color contrast you get through these bright, reflective lenses; it makes it easy to see, even on rainy days. Plus, super grippy pads on the nose and temples keep them secure under my helmet without feeling like they’re pinching my head.
Lens material: Plant-based polymer | Colors: 2 polarized options
Best for Running: Woosh Polarized Sunglasses
“I’m a massive fan of Woosh sunnies,” running coach Alli Felsenthal tells SELF. She’s raced her last four marathons in her pair, thanks to how lightweight, durable, and comfy they are. And, importantly, they “don’t slide down while running at faster paces,” she says. That means you can get your miles in, distraction-free.
Just know that some users say they fit best on smaller heads. So if you’ve got a big noggin, you might want to size up to something like the Nike Fire instead.
Lens material: Polycarbonate | Colors: 21
Best Aviator-Style: Tifosi Schwae
As cute as aviator sunglasses are, anyone who puts their long hair back into a ponytail while working out knows how annoying it can be when you slide aviators up on top of your head, only to get them tangled up in your hair. This pair from Tifosi is specifically designed to solve that problem: The nose pads are embedded right into the stainless steel frame with no extra spaces to trap stray hairs—just some small, grippy pads that help them stay put. Plus, Tifosi says the grippiness increases as you sweat, and I’ve found they stay in place no matter how intense my workouts get—I only remember I’m wearing them when I catch my reflection in a mirror.
Maybe best of all, they’re so comfy that I barely notice them whenever I slide them on. The thin frames make them super lightweight (only 24 grams).
Lens material: Polycarbonate | Colors: 1 polarized option
Best for Smaller Heads: Goodr Circle Gs
All kinds of runners love Goodrs: These inexpensive sunnies are lightweight and truly don’t slip, even when you’re dripping in sweat. Plus, they give you both polarization and UV protection.
I’ve relied on a few different pairs for years, and they’ve stood up to several drops on sidewalks and trails, even in the pool a couple times. (The only thing that’s ever damaged a pair is my toddler.) I just wish they had a bit more anti-fog, since they can get a bit cloudy inside during hard workouts when it’s extra chilly out.
Because I have a smaller head, I particularly love the Circle G frames with round lenses and a slimmer fit. Bonus: Fun style names like “Freshly Baked Man Buns” and “Influencers Pay Double” help me head out the door with a smile.
Lens material: TAC (triacetate cellulose) | Colors: 19
Best for Large Heads: Nike Fire
If tight frames constantly give you headaches, consider looking for a roomier fit, like you get with the Nike Fires. Despite being designed for bigger domes, these polarized sunglasses are surprisingly lightweight—I can barely feel them when I take them out on walks or bike rides.
The lenses also offer crystal-clear definition. Just know that if your head isn’t XL, they can bounce a little during high-impact sports like running.
Lens material: Plastic | Colors: 2
How we tested these sunglasses
I tapped eye doctors and outdoor athletes for their top polarized picks that can stand up to sweaty workouts. Then, over the course of a few weeks, I put several pairs to the test on outdoor runs, walks, bike rides, and hikes.
On every outing, I considered how they impacted my vision—whether the light was flat or super bright—plus how well they stayed in place during bouncier workouts like running, whether they fogged up when things got sweaty, and just how comfortable they felt on my head after an hour or two of wear.
What to look for in polarized sunglasses
Not sure if your pair is polarized? “A way to test for it is to hold [the glasses] up to a screen, like your phone, and rotate it—if the screen goes dark, that has polarization,” Dr. Tsai says. (This happens because the glasses’ polarization interacts with the polarization of the screen). But as nice as anti-glare is, it takes more than just a polarized coating to make a solid pair of sunnies. Here’s everything else experts suggest keeping in mind as you shop.
The exact fit you need partially depends on how you’ll be wearing your sunglasses. While cyclists might want something that wraps around the sides of their face for extra wind protection, runners who hit the road in the middle of the day might just want to make sure their glasses lay flush against their eyebrows so no light peeks in from above, Dr. Watt says. Either way, look for “a pair that fits well and doesn’t move on your face,” he says.
Polarization can be added to any lens color, Dr. Tsai says, but certain colors might be more useful in certain scenarios. For driving, she recommends grey or brown lenses for better color and depth perception. For sports where you’re in or around water, she suggests reaching for grey, green, or amber lenses, while golfers (or anyone else surrounded by lots of green) are best off with brown, green, or amber.
Just because a lens is dark doesn’t mean it will protect you from harmful UV rays. Dr. Tsai recommends always checking the label: “It should indicate UV absorption up to 400 nanometers,” she says.
Polarization isn’t the only coating a lens can have. “Some of them come with blue light filtering and anti-reflective coatings as well,” Dr. Tsai says. Dr. Watt points out that some sunnies (like the Julbo Spark) also feature photochromic lenses that get darker depending on the UV exposure, which can be helpful for anyone who’s outdoors around sunrise or sunset (when light conditions can quickly change).
Frequently asked questions about polarized sunglasses
Are there different grades of polarized sunglasses?
Technically, yes, there can be different grades of polarization. “Some can be more fully polarized, whereas some are more partial,” Dr. Tsai says, explaining that it just depends on how far the filters are spaced apart in the coating.
However, you won’t see brands marketing that a particular pair has a higher or lower grade of polarization. “These days, more or less, they make them just with the full amount or without,” Dr. Tsai says.
Who shouldn’t wear polarized sunglasses?
Anyone who relies on a screen shouldn’t wear polarized sunglasses, since the lenses can make it more difficult to see digital devices. That includes pilots, drivers who use screens for navigation in their cars, or cyclists who depend on bike computers.
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