Best Sunglasses for Running

Running outdoors exposes your eyes to bright sunlight, wind and glare, especially when running along open paths or near water such as the River Crouch. The right sunglasses can make your run more comfortable and help keep your vision clear.

Many runners from Hullbridge Runners, Carli Langsley Foundation Team and local running clubs visit us for advice on sports sunglasses. 

What to look for in running sunglasses

Good running sunglasses should include:

• UV protection
• Lightweight frames that stay comfortable on long runs
• Secure grip so they do not slip when sweating
• Glare reduction clearer vision
• Durable lenses designed for sport

Affordable Running Sunglasses

Good running sunglasses do not need to be expensive. Frames can start from around £30, making them an accessible option for many runners.

Some runners also enjoy a bit of fun with their kit. A local company based in Rochford called Happystride offers sunglasses that can even match your running kit and socks, which many runners enjoy wearing for races or training runs.

Prescription Options for Runners

If you normally wear glasses, you do not have to rely on contact lenses when running. Prescription sports sunglasses can be made with distance lenses, helping you see clearly while you run.

If you are starting to struggle to see the numbers on your smartwatch or running watch, a sports varifocal lens can also be helpful.

Sports varifocal lenses are designed slightly differently from standard varifocals.  They aim to:

• Give a larger area for reading your watch
• Maintain clear distance vision ahead
• Reduce distracting distortion while running

This means you can glance down at your watch while still keeping clear vision of the path ahead.

Prescription options for curved sports frames

Many sports sunglasses have curved wrap-around lenses.  These are great for running because they help block wind and light from the sides.

However, very curved lenses can sometimes be more complex to make with a prescription.

One option is to have the whole curved lens made with your prescription.  This works very well but can sometimes be a little more expensive because of the specialised lens design.

Another option is to use a prescription insert.

What is a prescription insert?

A prescription insert is a small optical frame that sits inside the sports sunglasses.  Your prescription lenses are fitted into the insert which then clips into the main frame behind the sunglass lens.

This can be a more cost-effective option compared with glazing the full curved lens.

Benefits of prescription inserts.

Prescription inserts offer a few advantages:

• Often more cost-effective than full prescription sports lenses
• Easier to change lenses if your prescription changes
• Can allow you to swap different outer lenses for different conditions.
• Keep the wrap-around sports design for protection from wind and glare

For many runners, this provides a practical way to enjoy the benefits of sports sunglasses while still having clear vision.

Tint or no Tint?

When choosing prescription sunglasses, one of the next decisions is whether you would like a tinted lens or a clear lens.

Tinted lenses darken your vision and help reduce brightness.  You can choose different strengths of tints, for example.

• A light tint to reduce mild glare
• A medium tint for bright conditions
• A darker tint for strong sunlight

Some runners prefer only a light tint, so their vision remains natural.

Polarised lenses

Polarised lenses are excellent for reducing glare. They work particularly well when light reflects off surfaces such as road, water or wet ground.

Many runners find polarised lenses comfortable because they reduce harsh reflections, even on slightly dull days.  They can also help when roads are wet after rain.

Photochromic Lenses

Another option is photochromic lenses.

These lenses change depending on the light conditions.  When UV light increases, the lenses darken to protect your eyes. When the light fades, they become clearer again.

This makes them useful if you run at different times of the day, such as early morning or evenings.

One thing to remember is that even on grey or hazy days, UV light is still present. This means photochromic lenses may still darken slightly even when the sky does not look particularly bright.

Protecting your eyes

Each time you wear sunglasses with proper UV protection, you are helping to protect your eyes from long-term sun damage. Over many years, UV exposure can contribute to eye conditions such as cataract and other sun-related eye problems.

Good sunglasses are therefore not only about comfort during your run, but also about protecting your eye health in the long term.