Awesome Eyewear for Athletes
These nine options are colorful, stylish and functionally fabulous for athletes across the spectrum.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
In keeping with the athleisure trend, sunglasses these days have to be multipurpose, moving easily from high-performing eyewear on the field or court to cute and trendy shades at the beach or brunch. These nine options are colorful, stylish and functionally fabulous for athletes across the spectrum.
Adidas Excalate
Recommended for: outdoor endurance sports, golf, jogging
This eyewear blurs the lines between performance and lifestyle while delivering crystal-clear vision under all conditions. These glasses come in a wide variety of fresh colors, and you can mix and match your lenses and frames to personalize your pair. Bonus: The frames are also compatible with prescription lenses.
$99-169, adidas.com
Costa Kare
Recommended for: stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking
Designed for water sports, these sunglasses from Costa feature polarized lenses and a durable (yet lightweight) bio-based build. The Hydrolite nose and temple pads keep the Kare in place, even after any not-so-planned spills on the paddleboard.
$169, costadelmar.com
POC DO Half Blade
Recommended for: endurance athletes — cyclists, runners, triathletes
Improved peripheral vision and a lightweight build are the hallmarks of this high-performance pair of sunglasses. The DO Half Blade features a frameless bottom and single-piece lens to increase visibility, and the anti-fog and ripel lens treatment keeps the lens fog- and dirt-free for long efforts and fast descents.
$230, pocsports.com
Nike Helix Elite
Recommended for: CrossFit, beach volleyball, hiking, other outdoor activities
A streamlined, ultralight frame and a single-piece lens for superior coverage and clarity make this eyewear stand out. The glasses also include several self-adjusting elements for an individualized fit, as well as a ventilated nose bridge and temple arms to prevent fogging and sweat buildup during intense training. Performance ready, these glasses offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
$210 store.nike.com
Danger Cat, From Electric
Recommended for: stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, kayaking
Paying homage to the cat’s eye frames of yesteryear, these shades have patented bronze-tinted OHM lenses, which are infused with melanin to block not only harmful UV rays but also HEV blue light. This means clear, crisp, haze-free vision and no squinting — your affordable solution for preventing crow’s-feet!
$120, electriccalifornia.com
Roka Monaco
Recommended for: cycling, running, beach volleyball
Both stylish and sporty, the Roka Monaco is an active woman’s go-to. The lightweight nylon frames paired with the Geko nose and temple pads keep them from falling off your face during hard workouts. Better yet, the Carl Zeiss Vision lenses include anti-scratch, anti-fog and anti-reflectance coatings to guarantee your best vision possible.
$170, roka.com
Ray-Ban RB8317CH
Recommended for: tennis, hiking, driving with the top down
Perfect for tennis or wine tasting, this pair of aviators from Ray-Ban includes proprietary Chromance polarized lenses that filter glare and light for brighter color and sharper definition. The lightweight temples and rubber earpieces guarantee a secure fit for those sweaty, sun-soaked workout sessions.
$290, ray-ban.com
Smith Attack
Recommended for: endurance athletes — cyclists, runners, triathletes
Smith has developed the ultimate solution to those time-consuming lens changes: an interchangeable magnetic technology that enables fast lens swapping with a simple click. These proprietary ChromaPop lenses snap easily onto lowbrow rimless frames, offering a vast field of view and increased ventilation. The nosepiece and temples are composed of Megol, which reacts to perspiration by gently adhering to the skin for a comfortable, no-slip fit — at any velocity! The eyewear includes two ChromaPop performance lenses for varying light conditions and a bonus Contrast Rose Flash lens with purchase.
$250, smithoptics.com
Under Armour Getaway Multiflection
Recommended for: leisurely outdoor activities — walking, cruising on a bike, rollerblading
These badass aviators offer 100 percent protection from harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays, and the lenses have a patented Multiflection coating to guard against scratches, smudges and intense sunlight. They also feature adjustable nose pads for a customized fit and — like all Under Armour glasses — are protected for life against manufacturer defects.
$135, underarmour.com
Maui Jim Kapuo Gap
Recommended for: hiking, biking, running and outdoor adventures
The ideal glasses for the adventurer, the Kapuo Gap combines the classic aviator silhouette with a thin injected nylon frame — making this eyewear light as a feather. Created with MauiBrilliant lenses, Maui Jim’s most advanced lens material that features optics as clear as glass at half the weight, these are designed for longer wear time and superior quality. This style is available in several colors with adjustable nose pads and rubber temple inserts for comfort.
$229, mauijim.com