The Best Sunglasses of 2024: Staff Picks

These polarized aviator-style shades from Sunski earned a top spot for their ability to provide modern-day explorers some stylish, superior eye protection.

The Helio poly and polarized lenses clock in with category 3 protection, blocking 8% to 18% of Visible Light Transmission (VLT). That means high glare from snow and rocks is no problem—even on the brightest days. Removable magnetic, perforated side shields offer enhanced protection from sun and wind, though some users found them fragile. (They are covered by the Sunski Lifetime Warranty in case of defects or damage, though.) 

“My Treelines were an essential on my four-day backpacking trip in the Sierras,” says REI department manager Marissa Stieritz. “I've also reached for these when heading out on a snowshoeing adventure or a quick day hike. The removable magnetic side shields make these sunglasses extremely versatile. On the same trip, I've attached the side shields when on trail in full sun areas, and then removed them for the car ride home.” 

An ultralight 28-gram frame made from proprietary recycled plastic resin diverted from a landfill is comfy enough to wear for long distances while hiking, running, mountaineering or backcountry skiing. This style is a great option for those with oval- and heart-shaped faces. Buy here.

Sunglasses from Ray-Ban are an iconic accessory. The Erika silhouette echoes the brand’s classic Wayfarer style with thinner lines, bright rubber fronts, metal temples and tone-on-tone temple tips, creating a modern twist on the classic design. They’re also effective for eye protection: Oversize, nonpolarized lenses offer generous surface area to block out 100% of UV rays. While we picked them as the top sunglasses for women due to their softer bridge and flattering profile, one customer notes that “they seem like they can be for men as well.”

The tortoiseshell nylon frame is surprisingly durable for being so light. This durability makes them a versatile, comfortable option for transitioning among casual activities like walking the dog, enjoying a brew with friends or hitting an easy trail at dusk, when sunlight is less intense. 

“These sunglasses are a great shape, lightweight, perfect for everyday wear,” raves one customer-reviewer from sunny Los Angeles. The thin temples, rounded shape and brown-gradient tinted poly lenses recall vintage Hollywood—and without external nosepads, they won’t get tangled in your hair when they’re perched on top of your head. “My Erikas have been all over the world with me, from the snow-capped mountains in Austria to the islands of Fiji,” says Pam Robinson, a forecast analyst for REI. She says the Erikas are “lightweight, chic, durable and compliment a range of face shapes.” Buy here.

Looking for a splash of cool this summer? The Lowdown 2 ChromaPop polarized sunglasses from Smith offer 100% UV protection and a fresh take on the classic Wayfarer design from Ray-Ban, creating a perfect blend of rugged style and performance. Whie these are unisex glasses, they're our top pick for men because of their boxy shape and chunky frame that especially flatters a slightly larger, more angular face.

“I bought them for general sunglass use, but these will be a must-have for fishing,” says one customer-reviewer. “My last polarized sunglasses helped for seeing into the water, but there is a big difference in clarity with these.”

ChromaPop poly lens technology livens colors and enhances clarity by filtering out two specific wavelengths of light that can otherwise make colors appear murky. Antireflective coatings reduce sidelight reflections, while water- and oilproof coatings repel moisture and grease so any fingerprint smudges can be easily wiped away. 

The lightweight and durable frames are made from 53% bio-based material, and adjustable nosepads provide a non-slip grip to ensure your eyewear stays with you when you’re on the move. The auto-lock hinges also help keep your sunglasses secure whether you’re surfing or sipping a beachside beverage.

The Wayfarer-esque frame is suitable for almost every face shape. Choose from black matte frames with chroma-polarized gray-green lenses or matte tortoise frames with polarized bronze mirror lenses. The ChromaPop comes with a microfiber storage bag. Buy here.

The Estero polarized sunglasses from Sunski are a top choice for anyone seeking glare reduction and polarized eye protection without sacrificing style. The oversize, square-cut aviator frame and premium plastic lenses offer excellent coverage and 100% protection from UV rays while evoking an updated Top Gun aesthetic. 

If you’re prone to dropping your sunnies, you’re in luck. Lightweight, premium CR39 poly lenses are less likely to shatter than glass and provide high-quality optical support at a lower cost. The frames are durable, lightweight and flexible thanks to stainless-steel and recycled plastic. Sculpted nosepads ensure all-day comfort.

“They look really cool. They also have a great lifetime warranty and lens replacement program, which is awesome,” says one customer-reviewer, who does issue a caveat about the lenses letting in a bit more light than desired. Others find they work great in moderately sunny conditions and provide a crisp, clear view. Buy here.

Super comfortable. Quality frame. Extra-large interchangeable lenses. These are just a few of the reasons the shield-style Wildcat ChromaPop Sunglasses from Smith took the yellow jersey in the cycling category. Engineered for road, gravel and mountain riders who demand performance and clarity, the ChromaPop™ lens technology enhances color and contrast, allowing bikers to see every detail of the trail or road ahead.

Large plastic lenses provide excellent optics and 100% UV protection over long rides and challenging drops. The flexible yet durable hybrid TR90 and TPU plastic frame protects like a goggle and makes switching between lenses—one’s tinted for bright light, the other for riding under overcast skies or dense shade—as easy as coasting down a straightaway. Two-position nosepads and auto locking hinges allow you to keep your hands on the handlebars instead of fixing your shades.

“I use the Wildcats for every backcountry ski/ski mountaineering trip, mountain bike ride, and long trail run,” says Bryan Jackler, who works in product design research for REI. “They provide great coverage when traveling on glaciers (I have the darkest lens), and it’s easy to swap out the dark lens for the clear one when mountain biking. They are super durable, lightweight and the versatility is top-notch.”

John Wolf, a store operations manager for REI, agrees that these glasses are able to go just about anywhere. “As a ski/bike patroller, I can wear them nearly all year round with excellent performance, fit, feel and comfort. Smiths lenses are second to none in the industry at the moment. This product also sticks to your face and does not fog (generally speaking) which makes it feel like they become a part of you after a while.”

Choose among a variety of frame/lens combinations for your perfect pair, and keep them safe and clean with the included microfiber storage and cleaning bag. Buy here.

Whether you’re gently jogging or in all-out beast mode, having your sunglasses slip or bounce is a no-no. That’s why goodr designed the PHG polarized sunglasses with athletes’ eyes in mind. Special grip coating on the temples and silicone nose inserts help keep these stylish sunnies from moving, whether you’re cruising along your favorite trail or pushing yourself to new limits.

These quality sunglasses are designed with glare-reducing, UV400 polarized lenses that block 100% of the sun’s UV rays along with reflected light from snow, water, pavement and glass. The poly lenses are scratch-resistant, while the plastic frame is lightweight and durable enough to accompany you from warmup to cooldown.

The sunglasses come in several colors with three polarized lens options, all of which have Visible Light Transmisison (VLT) between 8% and 18%. The rounded aviator silhouette also flatters most face shapes and fits medium to large heads, making the PHGs a popular choice for those looking for both functionality and flair.

“I’ve always hated wearing sunglasses because I can never find the right combination of coverage and comfort that still looks slick. Everything changed when I found these goodrs, though: Their functional and stylish frame is lightweight without bouncing, super durable (a must for klutzy me) and they don’t slip even if I sweat. I wear them everywhere,” says Ever Meister, six-time marathon finisher and hiking editor for REI. “They helped me look cool and collected in my finishing photos at the 2022 Twin Cities Marathon—the best finish-line photo I’ve ever gotten!”

Some customer-reviewers find that the nosepads' silicone inserts start to show wear after a while, but it doesn't seem to affect their functionality. Buy here.

The Maui Jim Pehu polarized sunglasses are the perfect companion for hiking adventures, whether you’re summiting or switchbacking. Thanks to patented PolarizedPlus2® technology, your eyes get 100% UV protection and amplified views of nature. Choose the lenses that match your activity and environment: Neutral Grey offers the highest light reduction and is best for bright, direct sun; Blue Hawaii describes a stylish blue mirror glaze on Neutral Grey lenses that can help deflect glare; HCL Bronze provides a warm tint and is suitable for everyday use; and Maui Rose offers high-contrast visibility for high-speed and action sports. The stylish frame and large lenses complement diamond, heart, oval and round face shapes.

The Pehu’s poly lenses are scratch and shatter-resistant, and hydrophobic coating helps water or sweat droplets run off the surface so you can feel confident wearing them in most weather conditions. The classic Wayfarer-style frames are made of lightweight, injected nylon and are designed for maximum comfort and extended wear whether you’re bushwacking, beach combing or enjoying a post-hike barbecue. Buy here.

If you’re tough on sunglasses and don’t want to spend a fortune for eye protection, the Premiums Sports live up to the Knockaround brand name and ethos. The polarized, impact-resistant poly lenses and super-lightweight yet durable polycarbonate plastic frames are designed to withstand drops and bumps while minimizing eyestrain-causing glare and blocking out up to 100% of UV light.

One customer-reviewer who uses hers while hiking, biking and kayaking says she thought she broke them—twice—but was pleased to find out the rims “just snapped right back on! I am not careful with my glasses and throw them around—no scratches." 

Super grippy rubber nosepads prevent slipping and sliding during intense activities. Another customer-reviewer says the Premiums “do a remarkable job of staying on my face without feeling like a vice grip around my head. The rubber nose is especially helpful with that. I feel the tinting is just right, dark enough to block the Florida sunlight while providing enough clarity to see detail.”

You can choose from a variety of frame and lens tint options based on your needs: aqua lenses block the most light (9% VLT) and are best for full sun; moonshine (11% VLT) and rose gold (13% VLT) lenses are great for everyday use; and smoke (16% VLT) and mint (22%) work nicely in moderately shaded areas or dappled light. These polarized shades are ideal for knocking around the town or trail (hence the name). Store them in their included protective pouch.

While the Premiums are priced in the same ballpark as the goodr PHG glasses, we chose these as the best budget option at REI because of the wider variety of frame/lens tint combinations. They're so affordable that you could potentially have two pairs based on how you'll use them. Also available in kids’. Buy here.