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An unscientific journey to test Spy's new Discord shades
Spring comes in like a lion. This gear will help.
Columnist Jakob Schiller loves these shades with removable side panels that block glare: “If I’m on the skin track all day, my eyes feel significantly less fatigued when I get back to the car,” he wrote. “When I’m on the road, freeway driving in the sun and…
Gear columnist Jakob Schiller loves the Weekenders. “They look great, have high-quality lenses, and are so affordable that I won’t worry about them getting a little bit dinged up,” he says. “It’s rare to find one pair of shades I want to wear for 80 percent of…
The Lowdown Slim is one of our favorite all-around sunglasses ever. “I find myself reaching for this same pair every day, no matter the activity,” our tester wrote. The Slim 2 is even better: it’s smaller and lighter, but still has the rubber nose pads that keep it…
With a pair of Army SPECS and a little ingenuity, Pit Viper’s cofounders built a brand that nobody could have predicted
The Singlefin is one of our favorite pairs of women’s sunglasses. “They’re nice and snug, so they stay put for hours on the trail or working out without slipping,” wrote our health editor. “They are ideal for running, but pass for casual shades just as well.”…
We featured the Crossrange in our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide. Its lenses “pump up detail and depth, even in flat light, while mirroring mitigates glare,” wrote tester Mike Steere. “It comes with swappable temple and nose pieces—one set more heavily rubberized for sport, one toned down for…
Our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide tester Mike Steere picked the Switchfoot as the best pair of shades for driving: “In the sun, the polarized synthetic lenses offer incredible depth, detail, and glare reduction,” he wrote. “You won’t look so bad, either, in these big shades that harken…
We like the Cascade for bike commuting. Its large lenses “provide ample coverage to keep debris out of your eyes, but still look good with a button down,” wrote our tester Jakob Schiller. “We also appreciate that Zeal makes the frames with a plant-based material instead of…
These quick-change sunglasses are some of our favorites for cycling. The glasses come with two interchangeable lens options that switch out with magnetized clamps. The ChromaPop lenses provide sharp, high-contrast color definition to keep you seeing clearly on the bike.
The Explorer has been part of our Gear Guy’s spring ski-mountaineering kit for nine years
It’s 2021. Let’s retire the cringeworthy label already.
The Ombraz Leggero forgoes sidearms for an innovative nylon strap, which is both good and bad
Not only do we use this stuff for 130 days every summer—we're not exactly nice to it in the process
As summer gives way to fall, these are the items that our staff has been reaching for time and again
These glasses aren’t techy—they have polarized lenses and a tight, secure fit that we love—but they are super fun, especially if you customize them on Knockaround’s website by picking the frames, lens color, and arm design. You can mix and match options until you come up with…
Randolph Engineering aviators are made in America and actually worn by military pilots
These picks will be your go-tos for those sunny summer trails.
These understated specs are more than meets the eye: the polarized lenses increase clarity while cutting down on glare, and the adjustable temple tips keep the glasses in place. Thanks to the durable frame, they’ve survived countless drops and missteps.
Shades that’ll protect your eyes and turn heads
Contributor Jakob Schiller wrote about these sunglasses in his roundup of his most-used quarantine gear. “They’re great for activities because they have rubber grippers on the nose that keep them in place when I’m hiking or running,” he wrote. The polarized Chromapop lenses provide crisp, detailed vision on drives…
From tech gadgets to apparel upgrades, some of our best-reviewed gear make great presents.
After tireless testing, these were our favorites under $150
From wind-resistant undies to traction devices, build a kit to brave the cold this season
Leave the snow pants, helmet, and goggles at home
From reading material to the perfect breezy outfit, these 10 items deserve space in your suitcase
The Sunski Treelines are great for skiing and everyday adventures
This bag is wildly useful and perfect for your weekend adventures
“We couldn’t help but love every part of the Glendale, and that earned it Gear of the Year,” we wrote in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide. The Glendale’s interchangeable lenses are high-impact and scratch resistant. We especially liked the front vents that kept our lenses fog-free even during our…
Sunski’s version of the classic wayfarer silhouette features polarized triacetate cellulose lenses that offer a full spectrum of UV protection in a frame that weighs just one ounce. Plus, all of Sunski’s frames are made from recycled plastic and come in non-plastic packaging.
Technical pieces that breathe new life into old materials
Cool capability returns with the best shades for winter
Because remote, untracked snow is worth the effort
Gear editor Jeremy Rellosa talks us through his two-week test of blue-light-filtering glasses
Howler Brothers just launched an entire collection of cool-weather gear that will have you covered—head to toe—from now until Thanksgiving
Better products may come at a higher price, but their value will serve you on many occasions, in some cases decades
Forget dorky sun hats and zip-off pants. These versatile pieces will keep you looking great and your carry-on light—no matter the adventure.
The Rambler’s polarized lenses reduce glare, while the nylon frames are flexible enough to withstand the wear and tear of a hectic, on-the-go college schedule. And these sunnies are stylish enough to fit in most settings.
Croakies uses miniature nylon climbing rope for this burly retainer. PVC rings slide onto your sunglasses’ arms, and the whole thing weighs just nine grams, so you barely know it’s there, even as it’s keeping your shades from hitting the deck.
Is the Vault overbuilt? Maybe. But if you really want to protect your shades, this semirigid case pairs a crush-resistant exterior with a soft liner to ensure that both lenses and frames remain intact. The mesh pocket in the lid can hold a cloth or a retainer, but it also…
Running rapids or tackling bumpy singletrack? You want a tight fit on your shades. The Orbiter’s stainless-steel wire has a lock-down cinch system, so you can snug them to the back of your head for security.
Fingerprints and dirt stains are annoying. This nonabrasive microfiber cloth lifts oil and other crud off your lenses, so you can rock your specs without smears.
It’s not fancy, but this polyester-cotton pouch will keep lenses from getting scratched and smudged when you drop them in a pocket in your backpack. And we don’t mind the flashy floral hibiscus print one bit.
The biodegradable spray in this kit is a simple combo of water and mild soap. Make a habit out of giving your lenses a spritz after a hard day on the trail, then wipe them clean with the included microfiber cloth. The ritual will go a long way toward maintaining…
Huckberry found the formula for stylish, quality glasses that don’t qualify as a splurge
Suncloud manages to bring quality ingredients (a flexible and durable Grilamid frame, polarized polycarbonate lenses) to an inexpensive set of shades that performs well on the go. We dig the sporty rimless look and full coverage. And Megol pads at the nose and temples help the Contender stay put.
These new glasses from Smith come with two pairs of interchangeable ChromaPop lenses—one for low light, one for full sun—and a magnetic frame that unlocks to make swapping easy. They’re light, and the middle-of-the-road coverage doesn’t make the Caravan look huge on your face.
Forget classic frames. Spy goes futuristic with its Tron 2, which is oversize and has a massive field of view for near goggle-level protection. The shades offer 100 percent UV protection and are made from super durable yet flexible Grilamid.
The polarized lenses in these sunnies change tint based on light conditions, getting darker in bright rays and lighter when you’re under tree cover, making them ideal for trail running in the woods. The adjustable temples and curved frame give you full coverage and a snug fit in a package…
There’s nothing crazy about the Swank, just a retro frame with shatterproof and scratch-resistant lenses that offer complete UV protection while the hydrophilic rubber nose pads keep everything in place. It’s hard to find more capability at this price point.
Zeal took the same Automatic Lens technology it uses in its goggles and brought it to the Big Timber: the tint of the lenses adjusts to the available light. The frames are also made from plant-based Z-Resin (instead of petroleum-based plastic), and Proflex rubber on the temples and nose affords…
I prefer to not have to choose between looks and capability
Stuff to keep you comfortable for a day (or a month) on the trail
Gear so capable, the trout will practically come to you
Boards, apparel, and accessories for all kinds of watery pursuits
Protect your eyes with these polarized sunglasses for women. The lenses reduce 99 percent of visible glare from water, snow, sand, and even pavement for better visual accuracy and decreased eye strain. An anti-reflective and hydrophobic coating help them resist reflections and water.
Reliable gear to help you navigate the unpredictable sport
If you’re looking for a solid pair of polarized, multi-sport shades, grab the Comstock. The grippy nose pads keep the frames in place even when you work up a sweat. Though these sunnies run wide, so try them on beforehand if you have a slimmer face.
The Dipseas sunglasses have long been one of our favorites. According to our testers, “the [Dispseas] turns up the style dial with delicious frame colors…and the outlook is cool and clear through polarized emerald lenses that are better than you’d expect at this price.”…
These glasses were designed specifically for water sports, with gray wraparound polarized lenses that cut through the glare and a buoyant foam frame core that keeps the glasses afloat if you drop them. The lenses are shatterproof and offer 100 percent UV protection.
The Marzen has an interesting feature: its glasses come with two sets of interchangeable arms, one sporty and one casual. More importantly, it’s made with superlight, impact-resistant nylon frames and polarized lenses with 100 percent UV protection.
These women’s sunglasses offer 100 percent UV protection in a polarized, polycarbonate injection-molded lens that gives you a high quality of polarization over cheaper lenses.
The Marshall blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays with its polarized polycarbonate lenses, which also cut down on glare. The temple pieces are made from bamboo to help minimize their impact on the planet.