Whether you’re exploring the Peak District, walking the Welsh coast, or trail running around the New Forest, sunglasses for hiking are essential gear. They protect your eyes from UV exposure, glare, wind, dust, and debris—boosting comfort, performance, and safety. Here’s a crisp guide to choosing the best hiking sunglasses, featuring a standout model from GR8 Sunglasses.
Key Features of Great Sunglasses for Hiking
1. UV Protection & Lens Technology
Look for UV400-rated lenses delivering complete UVA/UVB protection. This shields your eyes from intensive UK sun exposure, especially at altitude or near water surfaces.
2. Polarised Lenses
Polarised hiking sunglasses cut glare off water, rock faces, or wet ground—helping with contrast and clarity, and reducing eye strain during long days on the trail.
3. Durability & Build
Hiking demands robust gear. Materials like polycarbonate offer lightness and impact resistance, while sturdy, rubberised frames help sunglasses endure rough outdoor conditions.
4. Comfort & Secure Fit
Nice features include non-slip nose pads, rubberised temple arms, and lightweight construction, ensuring your hiking eyewear stays put throughout every step.
Benefits of Wearing Proper Sunglasses for Hiking
1. Reduced Eye Strain
Cut down harsh light and colour washout on bright hillsides. This lets you spot trail hazards easily without squinting.
2. UV Shielding
Especially at altitude, UV exposure intensifies. Good UV protection sunglasses for hiking can help prevent long-term eye damage.
3. Remove Wind, Dust & Debris
Sunglasses act as a barrier during windy moorland walks or gritty trails.
4. Sunburn Prevention
UV can harm eyelids. Covering up reduces the risk of sunburn even on overcast days. Especially relevant in moister climates like the UK.
5.Enhanced Safety & Comfort
Polarised lenses boost contrast—ideal for river crossings, rocky gorges, and slippery paths. Also helps prevent trip hazards on masked trails.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses for Hiking
1. Lens Colour & VLT (Visible Light Transmission)
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Grey lenses: Neutral colour, perfect for bright, all-day exposure.
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Brown/amber/yellow contrast in low‑light or misty conditions.
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Photochromic lenses: Adapt to changing light—ideal if you start in the sun and finish in the cloud.
When trail running at pace, sunglasses for trail running need to be lightweight (<40g) with grippy features. For mountain hikes, a higher Category 3 or even 4 rating may be crucial.
2. Style vs Function
There’s more to hiking sunglasses than looks. While sleek frames like aviators (e.g. Ray‑Ban) are trendy, hiking sunglasses should prioritise protection and stay on securely. That said, sturdy outdoor models often come in stylish shapes these days, so you don’t need to sacrifice aesthetics.
Sunglasses Care and Maintenance for Hiking
To keep your hiking sunglasses performing at their best, it’s essential to care for them properly. Outdoor conditions can be harsh on eyewear — with dust, sweat, rain, and knocks all part of the adventure — so regular maintenance extends their life and protects your investment.
Here’s how to look after your sunglasses for hiking:
- Clean regularly, but gently.
Use a microfibre cloth to wipe away smudges or sweat. For stubborn dirt or salt marks, rinse the lenses with lukewarm water first — this avoids scratching.
- Avoid wiping when dry and dusty.
Dirt particles can act like sandpaper on your lenses. Always rinse before wiping, especially after gritty or muddy hikes.
- Store in a case
Whether you use a hard case or a soft pouch, always store your sunglasses when not in use. Throwing them loose into a backpack can lead to scratched lenses or bent frames.
- Avoid extreme heat
Don’t leave sunglasses on a car dashboard or near campfire heat — excessive temperatures can warp frames and damage lens coatings.
- Check screws and hinges.
If your sunglasses have metal hinges, check them occasionally for tightness. A loose arm can be fixed easily at home or by an optician before it leads to breakage.
- Replace damaged lenses
Scratches reduce clarity and may compromise UV protection. If lenses are poorly marked, consider getting replacements to keep your hiking eyewear safe and functional.
Taking a few minutes to care for your outdoor sunglasses for hiking after every trip helps ensure they stay clear, comfortable, and protective for many adventures to come.
Best Sunglasses for Hiking
1. Carrera Unisex Shield Wrap‑Around Black/Grey Hyperfit
- Design & Fit
This is a unisex wraparound model with Carrera’s Hyperfit system, designed for flexible, secure fitting. The frame hugs the head snugly, reducing bounce or slipping during active use, making it suitable not just for casual wear but also for hiking, cycling, or running.
- Lens Features
Grey-tinted Category 2 nylon lenses offer moderate sun protection, filtering 57–82% of visible light. This makes them excellent for mixed UK weather — sunny spells but also cloudy conditions. They provide UV400 protection, shielding against both UVA and UVB rays.
Why is it Good for Hiking?
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Wraparound design shields peripheral vision from wind, dust, and light glare.
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Flexible Hyperfit arms mean they stay in place during movement.
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Nylon lenses are impact-resistant and suitable for rugged environments.
2. Carrera Unisex Shield Wrap‑Around Black/Clear Hyperfit 10/S 7C5
- Design & Fit
Similar frame to the above — same Hyperfit tech, same secure flexible arms, and same wraparound shape.
- Lens Features
Clear Category 2 nylon lenses provide basic UV protection while maximising light transmission. This is ideal for lower-light hiking conditions, like forest trails, overcast weather, or evening walks when you want wind and debris protection without darkened vision.
Why is Good for Hiking?
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Offers eye protection from dust, wind, and debris.
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Suitable for shaded environments or low-light trails.
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Same rugged, flexible design as the grey-lens model.
3. Converse Men’s Rectangle Wrap‑Around Crystal/Navy SCO245 880B
- Design & Fit
This Converse model features a semi-wrap rectangle frame with wide arms for side coverage. It’s a lightweight acetate build, offering a sporty look and reasonably secure fit, though not as advanced as Carrera’s Hyperfit.
- Lens Features
Blue-tinted lenses (probably Category 2 or 3) with UV protection, ideal for general outdoor use in mixed light. They’re not mirrored or polarised but give good contrast enhancement in overcast or bright conditions.
Why is Good for Hiking?
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Affordable and lightweight, making them a good casual hiking option.
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Offers decent peripheral coverage and sun protection.
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Stylish design transitions from trail to town easily.
4. Converse Men’s Rectangle Wrap‑Around Crystal/Navy SCO245 880B
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Frame/Lens: Transparent acetate wrap frame; medium-blue Category 2 tinted nylon lenses with UV protection.
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Fit & Build: Lightweight and sporty with decent wrap coverage. Not as snug as Hyperfit but suitable for casual trail and countryside walks.
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Best For: Budget-friendly option for general hiking, walking, and outdoor use.
Conclusion
Choosing the right sunglasses for hiking is not just about style it’s about safeguarding your eyes, enhancing your outdoor performance, and ensuring comfort on every trail. Whether you’re navigating rocky ridges, open moorlands, or shaded forest paths, the right pair of hiking sunglasses can make a massive difference to your experience.
When selecting outdoor sunglasses for hiking, prioritise key features like UV400 protection to shield your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays, polarised lenses to cut through glare on water, snow, or wet rocks, and durable, lightweight materials like polycarbonate or TR-90 to withstand the demands of the trail. A secure, comfortable fit — often helped by adjustable nose pads or rubberised temple arms — ensures your sunglasses stay put during long hikes, steep climbs, or trail runs.
