The Best Sunglasses for Running

You know all the gear you need for a great run. Comfy, breathable clothing, well-fitted shoes that take the stress off your joints, and maybe some headphones to groove to the beat of your favorite tracks. Do you really think about your eyewear, though? Your eyes need just as much protection from harm as your joints do, and in order to get effective UV protection, you need sunglasses that were made for a runner’s lifestyle. Here are some of the best sunglasses for runners:

Coastal Premiums Sport

There are so many great places to run, but a favorite has to be along the beach. There’s something about the coastal air that refreshes you with every breath in, and the sound of the waves is like an encouraging coach continuously motivating you to go just a little bit farther. Our Coastal Premiums sunglasses for running feature waves of blues and sunrise-yellows to keep you inspired, but the real draw is the rubberized yellow nose pads. They’re laid into the frame and do the job of keeping your shades from slipping and sliding during your run. In our Premiums frame style, they’re well-tailored to a wide range of face shapes.

Desert Fast Lanes Sport

When you need that extra burst of speed, you can feel inspired by our Fast Lanes frames. They’re a bit more rectangular than Premiums and are best for medium to larger face shapes. Desert Fast Lanes are speckled with the colors of the sunset and include rubber nose pads that are dark teal, like a desert sky when the sun goes down. You won’t have to worry when the sun is up, though, because these great running sunglasses come with polarized lenses, and every pair from Knockaround has UV400 protection.

Aquamarine / Fuchsia Premiums Sport

Brightly colored gear is a staple of the running hobby, and these sunglasses are happy to keep the tradition alive. The bold colors jazz up even a quick run around the block, and since they’re made from lightweight polycarbonate material, they’ll still feel light as a feather after several miles. Like our other Sport sunglasses, these Premiums include rubber nose pads in aquamarine and polarized lenses in brilliant fuchsia that contrasts with the neon aquamarine frames.

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Rubberized Navy / Mint Fast Lanes Sport

After those attention-grabbing neon frames, let’s take it down a notch and take a look at a less in-your-face pair. Everything about our Navy / Mint Fast Lanes shades exudes cool, from the fresh mint polarized lenses to the sleek rubberized navy frames embedded with rubber nose pads. They’re just as lightweight as our other Sport frames but have enough grip to keep them from sliding off your face when you’re at the home stretch. These running sunglasses are so stylish, you’ll want to wear them even when fitness isn’t on your to-do list.

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Neptune / Lilac Premiums Sport

It’s all space-age vibes here. Brilliant blue like the outer planet Neptune pops out from these frames in our Premiums style. As space worthy as they are, they still retain that down-to-earth feel that makes them your first choice for a run any time of the day. For added character, the lilac mirrored lenses match the rubber nose pads that identify these as running sunglasses. They may mimic a far-out celestial body, but they still have the UV400 protection that us Earthlings require.

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Cool Runnings Fast Lanes Sport

One shade of neon just isn’t enough. These running sunglasses fade from blue, to green, to yellow in a mishmash of color explosion. Runners with a bold personality will appreciate a pair of shades that can keep up with them. There’s a whole lot to love about these, from the rectangular lenses to the lightweight material and lime green no-slip nose pads. Some running sunglasses just aren’t for the faint of heart, and Cool Runnings Fast Lanes certainly qualify.

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Clear Grey / Sunset Premiums Sport

When you’re dedicated to your run, it doesn’t matter what time you hit the pavement. The early morning light streaming in softly through the whisper of grey clouds makes for the perfect scenery, but what about those gorgeous orange sunsets that close out your day during an evening run? No matter which one you choose, we made sure our Clear Grey Premiums Sport frames with Sunset lenses would match. The understated colors are just right for less conspicuous runners but are still good-looking enough that you’ll wear them proudly.

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Jelly Black / Sky Blue Fast Lanes Sport

If you’re looking for a pair of running sunglasses that can easily transition from your morning run to your commute to the office, you can’t do any better than multi-purpose Fast Lanes with glossy jelly black frames and sky blue polarized lenses. Black and blue is a classic pairing that goes with running gear just as well as it does tailored suits and casual attire. The anti-slip nose pads on these running shades are incognito so they’ll prove useful when you need them but won’t draw attention when you don’t, and as always you can be assured of UV400 protection whether you’re running for fun or to your next meeting.

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Many runners are so focused on foot and joint protection that they neglect an incredibly important asset: their eyes. The best sunglasses for runners should include full UV400 protection, lightweight frames, durable and polarized lenses, and anti-slip features. Knockaround Sport sunglasses tick all the boxes.

Written by Sara Antonuccio for Knockaround.