Hiking sunglasses

Whether you're tackling a challenging mountain trail or trekking through the wilderness, hiking sunglasses are a crucial accessory. Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, irritating wind, and bothersome dust and debris. The right pair can help you appreciate the great outdoors like never before.

Should I hike with sunglasses?

Sunglasses are essential when hiking. Proper outdoor sunglasses should offer quality UV protection, long-lasting comfort and enhanced visual performance. They should be durable and protect your eyes from dust, dirt, debris, insects, and the elements.

What should I look for when buying hiking sunglasses?

• UV protection – Protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays should be a priority for any sport sunglasses.
• Durability – The construction should be durable enough to withstand the rigours of hiking, climbing and camping. Polycarbonate or high-quality plastics are lightweight, impact-resistant and durable.
• Polarisation – A polarised lens reduces glare and improves contrast, making it easier to see the trail and surrounding terrain.
• Coverage – Hiking sunglasses should provide ample coverage to shield from UV rays. Find sunglasses that match your face shape and look for wide lenses, wraparound frames or large temples that provide extra protection.
• Comfort – Adjustable nose pads and temple tips, lightweight frames and no-slip materials minimise distractions and increase comfort.

What colour of lenses is good for hiking?

• Brown lenses – Brown or amber lenses enhance contrast and improve depth perception which is ideal for hiking varied terrain.
• Grey lenses – Grey lenses are versatile and work well in a variety of conditions such as shade or bright sun. They reduce glare and provide true colour perception.
• Green lenses – Green lenses improve vision in shaded and sunny areas. Green is helpful when backpacking or hiking in wooded areas with scattered light.
• Red lenses – Red, rose or pink lenses offer terrific colour contrast for green forests.

Are polarised sunglasses better for hiking?

Polarised sunglasses are essential for hiking. They reduce reflections and glare while providing high contrast for various landscapes. A polarised lens is particularly useful when hiking near bodies of water, on rocky terrain or in snowy areas. Remember to also consider whether mirrored or polarised sunglasses when choosing any walking sunglasses.