Stefaan Engels, who completed 20 Iron Man triathalons in a year and ran 365 marathons in 365 days, wears dark-tinted running sunglasses.
Many runners and bikers find sunglasses to be bothersome because the wrong pair of frames will bounce, hurting the face and causing annoyance. However, if you run or bike during the day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., sunglasses should be a part of your running attire. The right pair of sunglasses will lightly sit on your face, stay in place and you won’t even notice they’re there.
Darryl, LovingtheBike.com
The following seven tips will help you choose the best running sunglasses for you.
Lightweight
Running and biking sunglasses should be lightweight. A lightweight pair of sport sunglasses will be barely noticeable.
UV protection
Felice, TheHappyRunner.com
Sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. If you run or bike in snow or near water, polarized sunglasses will reduce glare. Wrap-around style sunglasses provide ultimate protection against UV rays.
Good fit
Abbie, CyclelogicialGear.com
Running and biking sunglasses should adjust to fit snugly on your face. Adjustable nose pads and ear pieces will prevent your sunglasses from bouncing on your face.
Grips on nose pads and arms further secure your running sunglasses on your face. Remember, these sunglasses need to hold up against sweat. A pair that slips due to moisture are not good for running or biking.
Anti-fogging & Protection
Sunglasses for running or biking should be fog resistant. Some have vents on the sides, while others sit farther from the eyes to prevent sweat and heat-induced fog. The added spacing and padding along with strong polycarbonate lenses provide protection ready for any debris thrown your way.
Lens tints
Serious athletes have several pairs of running sunglasses for different sunlight conditions. Green and grey tints are good for clear days, while amber and brown tints are good for overcast days. On a cloudy, windy day, clear lenses block irritating gusts of wind.
Green and grey tints: Reduce overall brightness and maintain color clarity and are good for clear days.
Amber and brown tints: Good for overcast days as they increase contrast so runners and bikers can see the road and obstacles more clearly.
Clear lenses: Block irritating gusts of wind on cloudy, windy days.
Resources on Sunglasses for Running
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