The best sunglasses 2024: for hiking throughout the year

It's easy to think that you don't need a pair of the best sunglasses for your hiking adventures during the colder months. However, while the levels of UV are lower in winter and early spring due to the tilt of the Earth, your eyes are still vulnerable, making decent shades essential.

On top of this, if you're someone who ventures above the snow line, the best sunglasses are absolutely vital. This is because pristine snow reflects UV light, virtually doubling the intensity that reaches your eyes. As UV rays can damage your eyelid, cornea, lens and retina and it's not damage that will ever heal, protecting your eyes is clearly important.

Besides, let's not forget, sunglasses also look cool! This guide features a mix of both Category 3 and Category 4 lenses. Cat 3 lenses have you covered for most of the places you'd venture in your hiking boots, while Cat 4 lenses – which aren't suitable for driving – are for extreme environments, such as desserts or high altitude.

We've tested these 10 excellent pairs on coastal trails and mountain ridges to bring you this expert guide. We rate the Scott Vector Sunglasses as the finest pair for their strong flexible frame and secure fit.

Meet the expert

Emily Woodhouse

Based in Dartmoor National Park in Devon, one of Britain's sunnier counties, Emily loves outdoor adventure. She's a member of mountain rescue and a qualified Mountain Leader, as well as being an outdoor gear expert. She was our main tester on this guide to the best sunglasses.

The quick list

This is the quick list, a snapshot of the best sunglasses available in 2024. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each featured pair, see our more detailed reviews further down the page in this guide.

The best sunglasses 2024

The best sunglasses overall

Our expert tester Emily rated the Scott Vectors as the top pair of shades in our roundup, thanks to their supreme comfort. Meanwhile, the Fusion frame and no-slip soft nose pads give them a really secure, close fit. While the frame has at least some flex, Emily commented that it "feels very sturdy and has rubber-coated tips at the end of the arms to help keep the sunglasses in place". 

For the style, the lenses are admittedly large yet, compared to a traditional round frame, they're not as high. There are a range of lens options available and all come with the Scott Precision Optics quality label. The Cat 3, Red Chrome lenses Emily tested receive plenty of airflow, thanks to the narrow slits at the top and side of each lens. This stops them from fogging up during periods of exertion. As you'd expect, they boast full UV protection but it's worth bearing in mind that they're not polarized.

Read our full Scott Vector Sunglasses review

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The best sunglasses for lightweight performance

Versatility is the order of the day when it comes to the SunGod Tempests. Our expert tester Julia reckons they're a great shout for the trails but also states that "they won’t look out of place worn at a sunny sidewalk cafe or at the beach either".

They boast a lightweight, comfortable fit that stays in places, negating the need to push them back up every 10 minutes on the trail. This is aided by a grippy nose pad. These design features are crucial for hiking shades, as it stops them falling off during sections of scrambling. On days when the sun is bright and brilliant, the 8KO lenses provide full protection.

Not only this, the Tempests are reasonably price, have resistance to scratches and they didn't fog up no matter how strenuous our activities. The frames are soft and flexible, while being made from recycled content that doesn't break easily. They come with a soft, microfiber pouch to carry and clean them. The lifetime warranty means you can expect to wear them for many years and you can also customize the lens and frames to suit your vibe.

Read our full SunGod Tempests sunglasses review

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The best sunglasses for customization

Intended for the modern adventurer and boasting a shape and style that suits the office, the commute and the beer garden, as well as mountain trails, the SunGod Sierras are great all-rounders. As we've come to expect from SunGod, there's plenty of customization options when it comes to frame color, lens type and polarization.

Our tester Emily found that the frames were "very flexible and light" during the test, while Pop-Lock hinges mean no screws waiting to come loose. There's the premium offering of the 8KO lenses, which give excellent clarity and color depth, while the 4KO non-polarized lenses come in a little cheaper.

Read our full SunGod Sierras review

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The best sunglasses for mountaineering

Designed with mountaineering in mind, Oakley's Clifden sunglasses sport peformance alongside a classic style. Their mountaineering intent is underlined by the fact that these are the only frames in Oakley's arsenal that boast removable side shields, the sort needed for protection at altitude.

Our expert reviewer Emily tested the Prizm Deep Water Cat 3 lenses, though lower VLT lenses are also available, which take the Clifdens into the realms of Cat 4. The overal package is lightweight, with flexibility in the frames.

Emily reported that she "found that the rubber-like material of the shields and nose pads help to make a secure but comfortable fit around the face". It's quite funny that Oakley have named this material Unobtainium, just like in the Avatar film series. There are half a dozen color and lens configurations available, with various contrasts and detail levels available. For those who value prescription lenses, these are also on offer.

Read our full Oakley Clifden sunglasses review

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The best sunglasses for clarity

The Velans are designed for a wider face shape than SunGod's Sierras and boasts spherical 8KO flexible lenses with the brand's lifetime guarantee, which excludes theft, loss or scratches but breakages will be replaced free of charge. 

Our tester Emily felt that "the wraparound style provided great visibility, especially in the middle of the face". She tested the Cat 3 polarized lenses but there are Cat 2 or photochromic options too, which come in a variety of tints. As ever with SunGod, there are a range of customization options, so you can very much make these your own.

The price is very much dictated by the lens and style you choose, so different prices in the same model are possible.

Read our full SunGod Velans review

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The best Cat 4 sunglasses

"From the moment I opened the box, these Vuarnet ICE Round sunglasses felt premium" says our expert tester Emily. In the same way as a classic watch, these shades are obviously durable, designed for the long haul and intended for use year after year as the only pair of sunglasses you’ll ever need for your more extreme adventures. These feature Cat 4 lenses, which are unsuited to driving but ideal for high altitude.

High-strength bio nylon frames come with adjustable sleeves that can be shaped to fit your head. Our reviewer Emily stated that the sun protection was excellent and that the side shields were easy to pop on and off. 

The lenses provide excellent clarity, while feeling very strong in comparison to other shades in this roundup. There is a choice of 11 color and lens combinations including both Cat 3 and Cat 4 options. The sunglasses come with a two-year warranty. 

Read our full Vuarnet ICE Round sunglasses review

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The best photochromic sunglasses

The clue is in the name. The Bollé Adventurer sunglasses are intended for adventurous souls. They take inspiration, in terms of shape, from classic glacier glasses and come with a choice of photochromic Phantom lenses or Solace4, Bollé’s new mineral glass lens intended specifically for the mountains (Category 4). 

On test, our reviewer Emily found that "these lenses had great optic clarity and anti-fog", while they also boast 100% UV protection, as we'd expect. Unlike many of the mountaineering glasses in this guide, the side shields don't fold down and they can't be removed. There's adjustability in the Thermogrip nose pieces, which means you can tailor the fit to the shape of your face. Thermogrip is also used on the tips for that comfortable, secure fit.

Read our full Bollé Adventurer sunglasses review

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The best sunglasses for versatility

With multiple lens and frame color options, Tifosi’s Swick sunglasses manage to be "both super stylish and completely unpretentious looking" according to our expert tester Pat. They manage to do this while also being hugely functional for use on the trails. On test, Pat found that they were perfectly comfortable, while the flexible and robust nylon Grilamid TR-90 Frame kept them very much in place no matter what activities he got up to. Whether hiking, biking or running, they were enjoyable to wear.

The grip the nose pads supply increases the more the wearer sweats, thanks to their hydrophilic qualities. Meanwhile, to reduce bounce, there's glide coating on the arms. The lenses are polycarbonate, scratch-resistant and shatterproof, with a Cat 3 rating. This makes them suitable for exploring from sea level up to low alpine regions. "Extremely durable, very versatile and super affordable, these sunnies are a great adventure companion for everyone except small-faced high-altitude mountaineers" says Pat. 

Read our full Tifosi Swick Sunglasses review

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The best budget Cat 4 sunglasses

Sometimes you don’t want to jump in at the deep end and buy an expensive or high-tech piece of kit. Maybe you’re just testing the water in an activity or can’t justify the high cost, even if the product might last you a lifetime. If that’s you, the very reasonably priced Quechua range of sunglasses may well be what you’re looking for. What’s better is that budget doesn’t necessarily mean cheap and nasty – we found that these sunglasses performed very well on test. 

The Quechua have all the basic features covered. We thought the wraparound frame is a close fit and, although the lenses are quite small, our vision wasn't impeded. The polycarbonate lenses block 100% UV light and are polarized. Although they are very shock resistant, they are also quite prone to scratches. This model is rated Category 4, with very dark lenses designed for exceptionally strong sunlight (high mountains), absorbing between 92% and 97% of visible light. If you’re not adventuring at this level and want a less dark lens, Decathlon’s Quechua range also has sunnies with Category 3 dark lenses designed for strong sunlight (sea and mountains), which absorb between 82% and 92% of visible light.

The frame is made of a bio-sourced polymer and is quite stiff, which could become uncomfortable with all-day use at the end of the arms and on the nose pads. Having an elasticated leash is a great addition, which is easy to take on and off as you wish. The sunglasses also have a two-year guarantee. 

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The best budget sunglasses for style

Metal-framed and in the aviator style, BLOC's Pilot shades are around the size of a pair of reading glasses and come at a decent price. They're undoubtedly less sporty looking than most on offer, so they make for a versatile pair that can be worn in the mountains and in the city. Lightweight and minimal, the frame doesn't have as much give as others in this guide. The hypoallergenic nose pads are adjustable, allowing for flexibility in terms of fit. This small point of contact helped to reduce sweat and our tester Emily found that there was plenty of air flow. 

This pair of BLOC Pilots are in Category 3, but other lenses available if you’d prefer Category 2. There is no case, but they do come with a cloth pouch that offers some protection from accidental scratching. Emily goes on to say that "the lenses are effective but quite small due to the style and there is no side coverage to block out excessive light". So, they're not really suited to the high mountains.

Read our full BLOC Eyewear Pilot Sunglasses review

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The best sunglasses comparison table

How we test the best sunglasses

Our team of expert gear testers have taken each of the sunglasses in this guide and worn them for extended periods while out and about, walking trails and climbing the flanks of hills and mountains in various conditions and at different heights, to assess their overall performance and comfort levels. Note that although we’ve typically tested one particular lens with each pair of glasses, it’s usually possible to choose different category lenses and often different color frames too.

For more details, see how Advnture tests products.

Meet the testers

Pat Kinsella

Also based in sunny Devon, Pat dons sunglasses for his coastal hikes, moorland ambles and mountain days. Having lived for over a decade in Australia, Pat knows better than most the importance of quality sun protection.

Julia Clarke

As an avid hiker, skier and camper, Julia spends huge amounts of time outdoors, a lot of it testing kit as one of our leading gear experts. She knows the value of a decent pair of shades and always has a pair in her pack – even in Scotland!

How to choose the best sunglasses

There are myriad lens options out there, so here are some important questions to ask yourself that will help you choose the best sunglasses for your adventure. 

What are sunglasses category ratings?

The most important factor when it comes to outdoor sunglasses is the type of lens they use, and specifically, how much visible light they let through. 

The amount of visible light transmission (VLT) is split into four bands: the imaginatively named Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4. These are sometimes abbreviated to just Cat to be less of a mouthful. 

• Cat 1 sunglasses let in 46%-79% VLT so aren’t really that effective. You could wear them when it’s already overcast or just to look good. 

• Cat 2 sunglasses let in 18%-45% VLT and are good for normal sunny days, without snow or altitude being added to the mix. 

• Cat 3 sunglasses have 8%-17% VLT, so are ideal for use in the mountains – these are typically described as being good for sunny days at altitude without snow, or on overcast days at altitude with snow (you may still find them too dark at sea level on a standard day). 

• Cat 4 have 3%-8% VLT, which is exactly what you need when adventuring at high altitude or when exploring in the mountains at altitude where it is both sunny and snow-covered. Note: Cat 4 sunglasses are so dark that in some countries – including the UK – it’s illegal to wear them while driving. 

How should hiking sunglasses fit?

People often ignore this question when buying “normal life” sunglasses, just shopping by price or look, but it’s actually a rather important factor when you’re engaged in outdoor activities. 

You need a pair of sunglasses that fit your face size so that you don’t get loads of extra light coming in around the edges. Or even just be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time or fall off easily. You’re probably going to be wearing these for eight hours a day, so make sure they’re a good fit. 

Most brands allow you to shop by face size, although some you have to guess a bit whether you’re small, medium or large. 

What extra features should I look for in hiking sunglasses?

There are a host of extra little features available in hiking and mountaineering sunglasses. Some will be really key for you, and others won’t matter to you at all. It’s very personal. 

For example, do the glasses come with a case to protect them, or a guarantee for when you sit on them? Do they have removable guards for extra light reduction at higher altitudes? Is the glass durable and scratch resistant? Can you attach a cord to keep them in place or maybe it even comes with a cord? 

Think about your ideal and regular uses for these sunglasses and try to find some special features that will make your life easier and turn these into your favorite sunglasses.

What to do with your old sunglasses

If your sunglasses aren't in good enough condition to donate or sell, you can send them to Bird for recycling, and receive a voucher for 20% off a new pair. Many high street opticians also accept glasses and sunglasses for recycling, so look out for a drop-off point or ask at the counter whether there's a program in place.

If the lenses are scratched, you may be able to have them replaced without buying entirely new sunglasses. Again, your local optician will be able to say whether it's possible for your particular frames.