Clear skies might be cause for wide-eyed celebration, but squinting is no way to spend those precious sunny days. Want to embrace the weather in shaded style? You need a pair of the best sunglasses. This guide is here to provide exactly that.
From cycling shields to recycled shades, the list below features our pick of the top sunglasses for every fairweather pursuit – whether that’s hiking up hills or perching in pub gardens.
There are frames fit for every face, taste and budget – plus some handy buying tips to help you pick the perfect pair. Sunshine sold separately.
The best sunglasses you can buy today:
Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer
Google Glass may have prematurely shattered, plummeting from grace like some optical Icarus by reaching too far, too fast, but its spirit lives on in Ray-Ban’s social shades.
These rig up some of the brand’s iconic spectacle silhouettes with twin 5MP cameras, three microphones, two speakers and a tap-to-snap interface. It’s all discreetly done and, amazingly, adds only 5g to the weight of regular Ray-Bans. Simply touch the frame’s right arm, and cameras will capture stereoscopic stills or 1184×1184 video at 30fps – while an LED glows to alert people that they’re being recorded.
With the glasses paired up to your phone, you can share your fresh content right away via the Facebook View app. That’s right, you’ll need a Facebook account for this, so Meta-haters might have to look elsewhere. Image quality may not match up to the current crop of phone cams, but the Stories deliver results that are certainly good enough for social media – and you can also use them to make calls.
Times Seek
Most sunglasses only flat-pack if you accidentally step on them. Want shades that crush it without being crushed? This hingeless pair has adjustable straps instead of arms. Loop them around your noggin for a surf-proof fit, or let them dangle in the shade. They can even hang incognito beneath your shirt if you stroll from beach to boardroom.
Nomad Celeste
Lose your sunnies in the sea and you’re part of the pollution problem. Don these eco polarisers instead and you’ve helped clean up the waves. Made in the UK using 100% ocean plastic, each 24g pair goes light on the planet, your purse and your proboscis. Plus Nomad sticks two mangrove trees in the Madagascan soil for every set sold
Vallon Howlin’
Fashion is nothing without function. Luckily, these acetate aviators let you look sharp and see clearly. The classic silhouette is Maverick meets American Made, while V52 lenses are the top gun when it comes to optical clarity. And in the unlikely event that the adjustable temple tips don’t hold firm during a jungle runway landing, the optional head strap will.
Izipizi #Speed
You don’t need a champion’s cheque to afford winning eyewear. Take this Parisian pair: Peloton or park run, they offer competitive protection for half the price of most active glasses. Shipped in seven hues, choose between all-weather or low-light lenses depending on when you like to dash. Then use the spare change to buy yourself some new lycra.
Bollé Ascender
Alpine landscapes might look nice on a postcard, but peak pursuits aren’t easy on the eyes. Made for year-round mountaineering, these specs protect against winter squints and off-season sun. With a catalog of lens options, there’s a tint for every high-altitude hobby. Thermoplastic pads get grippier when you sweat on the ascent, while side shields block wind and glare at the summit. Plus they pop off for a low-key aprés look.
Koo Nova
A wayward beam can put you off your stride. Don’t let glare tactics prevent a summer PB: these feather-light specs are built for maximum coverage with minimum drag. A single lens wraps around for aerodynamic protection, while the frameless design keeps weight down to just 21g. An anti-reflective coating gives a clear view of the finish line, too.
Smith Wildcat
Tree roots. Branches. The occasional deer. Obstacles can come out of nowhere when you’re hurtling down a trail. See the wood and the trees with this hybrid visor. Styled like goggles but worn like sunnies, the oversized optic stops woodland debris from puncturing your peepers. Riding into the shadows? Swap the high-contrast Chromapop pane for the included clear lens.
Oakley 2025 Tour De France Sutro Lite Sweep
Want the world to know about your cycling obsession? You could wear a yellow jersey everywhere you go. Or for a subtler saddle aesthetic, try these Oakley shades. A cobblestone pattern on the frame commemorates the Tour’s 50th finale on the Champs Élysées this year, while a swept profile and vented lenses mean they’re fit for a real sprint finish.
Van Rysel NXT Photochromic RoadR 900 Perf
You can’t waste precious seconds switching lenses when you’re chasing down a time trial win. Helpfully, these responsive specs can change as fast as British skies. NXT Photochromic lenses transition in a blink, darkening from category zero to three in just 20 seconds. So you’ll be able to see clearly when the rain is gone. And when it comes back.
Jobe Dim
Anyone planning an active summer full of surfing, boarding or swimming might appreciate these affordable sunnies’ big USP: they float. Losing a pair of pricey glasses could put the dampeners on any holiday, so these non-slip polarised shades are well worth a spot in any sporty water baby’s luggage.
Banton G-OLV-SUN
Designed and made in the UK, these 1950s-style specs come in a rich transparent acetate with a gorgeous olive green tint. They may look bookish, but with their 8mm-thick frames these are durable heavyweights that’ll see you through many long summers.
Bird Suma
Some squinters serially misplace their shades. Helpfully, these standout sunnies should be hard to forget. An angular take on a classic shape, they pair a marbled finish with sustainable sandalwood temples. And if you do lose your Sumas, you can at least feel free from eco guilt: their plastic-free frames can biodegrade within three years.
Waterhaul Pentire
Angling for eco eyewear? Dangle a rod for long enough and you might reel in some jettisoned specs. Or if you don’t have time to trawl, try these lightweight frames – crafted entirely from recycled fishing nets. Saltwater-resistant and shipped in a cork case, each sea-saving pair also supports marine cleaning workshops. And if your green deeds leave you feeling big-headed, you can heat the Pentires to fit your inflated ego.
Bear Essentials Maverick
Most bears don’t wear sunglasses, but even Pooh needs ocular protection when he strays from the shade of the forest. These timber specs don’t betray his woodland home: hewn from sustainably sourced Zebrano and walnut, each hardwood frame features a unique natural pattern. Plus every pair purchased plants a tree, so you’ll be helping to expand the Hundred Acre Wood.
Bose Frames Tenor
Our Dumbo flaps bear quite the daily burden. These sonic sunnies reduce the load on your lugs by combining sound with sun protection. Polarised lenses take care of your peepers, while speakers in the arms supply the soundtrack. OpenAudio smarts also allow the outside world in, without sacrificing that fabled Bose quality – so you’ll be aware of any traffic trying to squash your private party.
Anker Soundcore Frames
As any fashionista knows, sunglass styles change with the season. Want specs you can switch in an instant? These smart glasses come in ten modular styles, so you can go from wayfarer to aviator as you like. Simply swap the front and keep the arms, which harbour flexible hinges, touch controls and a quartet of speakers for immersive OpenSurround sound.
SunGod Ultras
Squinting while sprinting is a shortcut to a stumble. See clearly while you stride with these streamlined jogging goggles. Featherweight and frameless, they sit light at 26g – yet four nose pad options guarantee a bounce-free fit. Recycled plastic arms reduce the environmental impact, while sharp 8KO Nylon lenses limit the risk of a 5K collision.
Oakley Re:SubZero
Old-school shades are nothing new, but these multi-sport specs are more than a retro revival. Fronted by a single sculpted shield, the Re:SubZero are etched to echo the twin-lens originals of the Nineties. Distinctive by design and equipped with colour-boosting Prizm optics, they come in four gleaming schemes – though only the black variant will give you vintage Vin Diesel vibes.
Rapha Explore
Flair eyewear alone won’t improve your trial times, but these stylish cycling specs do more than look the part. Their classy chassis is capped by a one-piece panel which enhances contrast and adapts to changing light – ideal for spotting obstacles on dappled rides. A removable strap also means they’re down to dangle, while anti-fogging tech should stop hot air from blinding you on the climb.
How to choose the best sunglasses
Looking to buy the best sunglasses but don’t know where to start? Here are some things to consider:
- Bridge: Comfy sunnies shouldn’t pinch your sniffer. Many have a fixed bridge, but plenty come with adjustable pads to suit your snout. A few even have swappable inserts to help you find the perfect nasal fit.
- Frames: Rims give structure to classic styles, while frameless specs use a single lens for peak visibility. Several strike a balance, pairing big shields with partial frames for reinforced peripheral vision.
- Lenses: Different lenses do different dimming. Category one is best for overcast days, while category three shields against brighter sunlight. Some frames let you switch tints, while photochromatic filters adjust automatically.
- Size: Most shades ship in a single size, but not all mugs are made the same. If you’ve got a big bonce, pick glasses to match. Find measurements online to check your chosen pair won’t sit too tight around the temples.
Now check out Stuff’s guide to the best fans for beating the summer heat.
