The Best Sunglasses for Hiking

Whether it’s walking through the woodland of the New Forrest or scaling the mountains of the Peak District, hiking is one of the best ways to get out and explore the great outdoors. But before you get out there and enjoy the cool crisp air and beautiful surroundings, you need to make sure you’re well equipped. Along with a good pair of boots and a suitable walking pole, sunglasses are equally as important to remember. If you’re spending extended periods of time outside, you’re going to want to protect your eyes.

Things to Consider

When you’re buying sunglasses for hiking, there are several factors that you need to consider. Firstly, consider what kind of hike you’re going to be doing; is it in a mountainous region with a potential of snow, or is it through covered woodland? Outside of this, keep in mind durability and comfort, as these are key to any purchase of sunglasses.

For Example

UV protection is incredibly important when it comes to hiking sunglasses. UV Rays can be damaging to your eyes, and therefore you should always be looking for a pair that reflects 100% of these rays.
Another key point you need to consider is the design of the sunglasses themselves. It’s important to make sure that the glasses sit comfortably on your face without sacrificing steadiness. You want a pair that won’t fall off when you’re wandering through a particularly thick thicket. Our recommendation is a pair of wrap-around sunglasses that stick closer to the face, as well as considering rubber-tipped arms that provide extra stability.
Sturdiness is also a factor you should be thinking about just in case you take a tumble when you’re out on the trail. You want a pair that can take the potential fall in its stride and won’t suffer any significant damage.
If you have the need for it, you should also consider the potential of having your prescription lenses put in your sunglasses. This means you won’t have to carry around two pairs of glasses when you’re out on your walk, minimising the potential of damaging or losing your sunglasses.
Finally, you should think about polarised lenses. Depending on where you choose to hike, you could encounter water or snow, which reflect UV rays back off their surfaces and back into your eyes. Polarised lenses filter out these reflections, which allows you to see more clearly.