7 Best Run and Multi-Sport Sunglasses of 2018

Article by Jeff Valliere with Sam Winebaum

RoadTrailRun tested a wide range of run and sport sunglasses in Utah, Colorado, and New Hampshire in all sorts of conditions through the winter and into spring. We selected these top models first for their high performance and secondarily for their style. Each has particular strengths, some are focused on a specific light conditions while others are photochromic, rapidly changing their light transmission as light conditions vary.  We highlight each below and invite you to read our linked in-depth reviews of each.

Oakley EVZero Path with Prizm Road
Best for lightest weight and near imperceptible on face, top notch optical clarity, definition and unobstructed visibility.  Prizm Road lens ideal for moderately brighter conditions and also do well in/out of shade/sun.

Oakley EVZero Path with Prizm Trail - 
Best for lightest weight and near imperceptible on face, top notch optical clarity, definition and unobstructed visibility.  Prizm Trail lens ideal for cloudy days, sharp contrast on snow, and shady trails.

Zeal Optics Sable with Ellume Copper lens - Best for versatility, blending in style for every day use and sports performance.  Polarized lens brings out excellent contrast on wet, snowy, icy trails.  Good for moderately sunny conditions and lighter shaded trails.

Bolle 6th Sense with Modulator Brown Emerald Oleo AF lens
Best for changing light conditions, from moderately shaded trails, cloudy days, early morning, late evenings all the way up to the brightest sunny conditions via its photochromic lens.  Great definition, optical clarity, very light and unobstructed field of vision and very custom fit with malleable ear stems and nose bridge.  

Julbo Aerospeed with Zebra Light Fire lens - Large lens for maximal coverage and frameless design for a wide field of unobstructed vision.  Sam wore them easily and securely over his wire frame prescription eyeglasses. Very light for their size, the Aerospeed is hardly noticeable when wearing and the infinitely adjustable nose piece helps give a custom fit.  The Zebra Light Fire lens is about the best photochromic lens on the market that covers you from dim light to bright sun while also performing well in colder conditions.

adidas Zonyk Aero Pro: Chrome Mirror and Glow Vario lenses 
Best for maximal coverage on the brightest, sunny days with optional brow pad.  Chrome lens struggles to bring out definition on shaded trails.  Not the lightest of the bunch, but secure and high quality.  The Glow Vario lens version is a top pick for dark or cloudy conditions, but unsuited for sunny days.

District Vision Nagata Speed Blade
Best for lightest weight (tie with Oakley), modern yet classic style and most natural eye strain free view. With a 15-31% variable light transmission, they perform well in both sunny and overcast conditions. 

Reviewer Bios

Jeff Valliere is a former pro cyclist who now runs and climbs the mountains of Colorado. He has been top 5 Masters, top 25 overall, at the Pike's Peak Marathon several times, finishing 2d Masters in 2015. Jeff loves vertical accumulating more than 500,000 vertical feet per year, has climbed all the Colorado 14's and 200 of the 13's and has held FKT on several. 

Sam Winebaum is the Editor and Founder of RoadTrailRun. He has been running trails and roads and run shoe and tech geeking for 45 years. As he turned 60 in 2017 he was thrilled to clock a 1:35.24 half as well as 2 days after his 61st birthday a 3:40 marathon.  He also runs trails in rocky rooty New Hampshire and smooth Park City, UT. 

Sunglasses were provided at no cost. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

Comments & Questions Welcome Below!

2018 Previews Page here for 2018 run shoe, apparel, and gear previews. 

YouTube Channel  here for 2018 Run Shoe Previews and Wearable Tech Reviews 

 Index Page here for over 140 in depth 2017 & 2018 shoe and gear reviews

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