This is the season when eye protection is critical, as long days and extended light exposure can cause unnecessary visual fatigue or damage. The key is to find options that provide strong protection without compromising performance or visual clarity, and we’ve tested a number of offerings that accomplish this goal.

Goodr: The Future Is Void ($35) If you haven’t found your favorite pair of Goodr glasses yet, just give it time. The company is constantly cranking out new frame styles – not to mention some clever product names – to suit your every mood. This model is part of the VRG collection of frames with single-panel lenses and futuristic flair. They are a larger frame style for Goodr – bigger than the company’s original OGs but slightly smaller than the BFG collection. There are six options to choose from, all of which have a Wayfarer style, lightweight, plastic frame with a solid, mirror front face that is continuous across the bridge. The all-black VRG models pack a lot of technology into their lenses – they are fully polarized, glare reducing, provide full UVA and UVB protection and have scratch resistant layers on both sides. The frames have non-slip material at the temples and on the bridge of the nose to help them stay in place during your time-traveling adventures. VFGs are available at www.goodr.com.

Tifosi: Swank XL Polarized ($55) This is an oversized version of a popular model in the Tifosi lineup that has styling suitable for hard trail runs or easy beach days. There are seven color options to choose from, but only one (Brown Fade) comes with polarized lenses. All the others are unpolarized and have a price point of $30 instead of $55. Aside from the polarization difference, all Swank XL lenses are crafted similarly from shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that have 100% UVA/UVB protection and are optically decentered for visual clarity. Frames are crafted from lightweight Grilamid TR-90 thermoplastic material – the same polymer used in much higher-priced frames – that has strong durability and a smooth feel against your head, and hydrophilic rubber nose pieces increase their grip the more you sweat. These are a high-quality option at a low price point, but we’d love to see more polarized options available. Available at www.tifosioptics.com.

Smith Pinpoint ($179) Perhaps our favorite feature in trail running sunglasses is lens photochromicity, which changes the tint based on light conditions. This technology provides increased protection when it’s sunny but lightens up the lenses under tree cover so you can keep your glasses on without compromising visibility. A few models in this review include this technology, which tends to come with a high price tag, but the Pinpoint has the lowest price in our group. The polarized lenses have a variable visible light transmission (VLT) of 20-85% based on external conditions, going from almost clear to dark gray as needed. Frames are constructed from an Evolve-injected polymer TR-90 compound that uses 53% bio-based material, with a non-slip nose pad to hold them securely against your face. These glasses come with two different nose pad options for optimal fit. We love the casual, low-profile styling of the Pinpoint and a 6-base lens curvature that provides a bit of side coverage without the hardcore look of wrap-around styles. The Pinpoint comes in eight frame options but only one has photochromic lenses. The others use Smith’s ChromaPop filter technology for color enhancement. Available at www.smithoptics.com.

Rudy Project Deltabeat ($185) A true wraparound style with extensive protection, this model has 10 frame variations and a number of photochromic lens options that block out more light (represented by a lower VLT number) than any other photochromic lenses in our test group. We tested a charcoal matte version with 16-75% VLT, but other options go down as low as 9% VLT. More impressively, the transition from light to dark happens fairly quickly, usually within a minute or so, and the ImpactX lenses also enhance contrast and depth perception, which are critical on the trail. The large lens size is ideal for full coverage, and cutout PowerFlow vent slots in the top and bottom of the lenses provide a bit of airflow to prevent fogging. Deltabeat frames are made from a 100% renewable bio-polymer called Rilsan Clear, which is super lightweight and durable. The wraparound geometry curves wider than other glasses we’ve tested, but an adjustable nose piece and rubber temple pads help make these frames extremely stable without feeling like they’re compressing your scalp after multiple hours of use. Available at www.rudyprojectna.com.

Julbo Aero ($220) Another pure wraparound model, the Aero comes in six frame options, three of which feature Julbo’s REACTIV performance photochromic lenses. The black and green option we tested has a variable VLT of 12-87%. All Aero lenses have an external oil-repellent coating that facilitates water runoff, which comes in handy on hot days so you can douse yourself without worrying about water spots on the lenses. The interior surface has an anti-fog coating that resists moisture buildup, but it also creates a bit of a grip that can be hard to wipe. Aero lenses attach to the frame only at the bridge and temples, providing a full strip of ventilation above the lens to further prevent moisture buildup which, again, makes this model a strong option for running in intense heat. The nose pads are adjustable in every direction to optimize fit, and the ends of the temples have a small shock absorber insert that cuts frame weight while improving their grip without sacrificing comfort. Available at www.julbo.com.

Electric Tech One XL Sport ($220) Electric is known for combining California cool with Italian design, and the Tech One XL has a sleek, 8-base, wraparound design that provides full lateral coverage without going too far down your cheekbones. Most of the seven frame options include infused Polarized Pro lenses that have multiple performance coatings: hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-reflective and flash mirror. Additionally, Electric lenses are melanin-infused to block blue light and provide crisp vision. The gray polarized lenses we tested allow 10% VLT, and these have proven to be our top choice for running in proximity to mountain lakes, as well as for cross-use in watersports. The lightweight Grilamid frames are impact resistant, with non-slip nose pads to hold them in place. They start wide near the lenses for increased coverage, but taper behind the ear and have a minimal feel against the skin. Available at www.electriccalifornia.com.

ROKA Torino ($225) Austin-based ROKA has perfected the balance of crafting high-performance glasses that are equally suitable for the city’s cool hangouts. Their lens technology is state of the art, and one cool thing about this model is that if you don’t like the default lenses each of the three frame options come with, you can substitute your own custom lens from 15 options (for an additional $15). We stuck with a default, dark, carbon polarized lens option that allows 12% VLT and has C3 coating which resists scratching, fogging, reflective glare, water, oil and fingerprints, while providing sharp visual clarity in bright conditions. The lenses stay in place thanks to Geko pads on the nose and temples that get grippy when they are wet. This model provides a larger coverage area than many ROKA models, but the lightweight frames fold into a low profile (unlike wraparound lenses) and have nice flexibility to compression, making them easy to store in your vest when they are not in use. Available at www.roka.com.

Zeal Caddis Auto Sun ($229) This model highlights two significant innovations from Zeal: one is its longstanding utilization of plant-based products and renewable resources in their frame construction, the other is a relatively new auto-sun lens technology. Caddis frames are 100% sustainable, constructed from Z-resin that’s derived from the castor plant and have a nice balance of stiffness and flexibility. They stay secure with all mobility thanks to a sleek profile as well as rubber inlays at the temples and on the bridge. As with all Zeal glasses, the Caddis uses Ellume bio-plastic lenses made from plant-based polymers, which have strong visual purity and sharp color contrast for enhanced depth perception. This model comes in four polarized color options at a lower price point ($160) as well as an Auto Sun option that retains its polarization but is also photochromic through a VLT range of 15-28% – this is best for low-light environments where you want protection without compromising clarity, but for sustained sun exposure we would go with a darker base version. Available at www.zealoptics.com.

Donald is a physical therapist, California native, barefoot aficionado, and father of three with more than 25 years of experience in endurance sports. He was a collegiate rower at UCLA, then dabbled in marathons and Ironman-distance triathlons before falling in love with ultras in the early 2000s. His favorite locations to run include Marin County, CA, and the Sierra Nevada mountains, and he loves exploring America's National Parks. When he's not training for ultramarathons, he enjoys hiking or slacklining with his family in Monterey County, CA.

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