The Best Running Sunglasses for Summer 2023

When it comes to shades, my motto is the bigger the better.

If there’s one type of gear I feel like I’m an expert in, it’s sunglasses. To that end, back in October, I was asked to test and review the best sunglasses for summer 2023. The problem? Brands often don’t often release products that far in advance. (All print magazines have long lead times, but this was particularly insane.) I did my best and I stand by the choices I made at the time, but because I’ve spent the past seven months testing even more sunglasses, I wanted to highlight the newer ones I’m excited about. 

But first: why sunglasses? They started as an easy way for me to cover my face while racing, so no one could see how much I was hurting at any given moment. Also, they’re an easy way to add some personality to your running outfit, and I’m a big believer in the “look good, run good” approach. More importantly, though, sunglasses—especially the oversized ones I favor—protect your eyes from all kinds of things (I wrote a deep dive on that, along with what features to look for in sunglasses, for Runner’s World last year).

I get that some people don’t like have anything on their face while they run. But, if you’re willing to be convinced, there are tons of super lightweight, barely there options on the market these days that will protect your eyes without distracting you from your run. These are a few of my favorites for this summer: 

Oakley Corridor Sunglasses

Back in February, Oakley announced their first running-specific sunglasses (which was news to me, since I ran in Oakleys almost exclusively until the last couple of years). The Corridor ($184) is their new performance style, with a semi-rimless, aviator-esque shape that will appeal to people who want a slightly less aggressive shield style. They’re not quite as comfortable as my go-to race day style, the Sutro Lite ($184), but I find myself reaching for them more and more in training just because they look so cool.

Oakley Actuator 

Released in tandem with the Corridor, Oakley’s Actuator ($223) is a more casual approach to running sunglasses. They’ve got a familiar round shape, with larger-sized lenses to offer more coverage, and all the features you’d expect from Oakley: a durable, lightweight frame; an Unobtainium nosepad with a no-slip grip to prevent bouncing; and Prizm Lens Technology to enhance color and contrast. These feel more like lifestyle sunglasses to me. 

Tifosi Rail XC 

Tifosi’s XC Rail ($79.95) is the new little sibling to the brand’s Rail shades, a sleek, rimless cycling lens introduced in 2022; it’s the same frame with a shallower lens cut for smaller faces (or people who don’t prefer to be so aggressive when it comes to face coverage). I’ve been wearing the Blackout style since October: It comes with three interchangeable lenses (thanks to an easily removable nosepiece and arms) for bright and low light conditions; the clear lens was amazing for running in the snow, and I used the AC Red lens for track workouts that started when the sun was still low on the horizon. 

Tifosi Smirk

If you’ve ever ruined a pair of Goodrs, consider upgrading to the Tifosi Smirk. These have a similar shape, but are of slightly higher quality: the frames are made of hydrophilic Grilamid TR-90 and the lenses from polycarbonate. In testing, compared to the Goodr OGs, the Smirk stayed cleaner, didn’t scratch as easily, and the lens coating didn’t wear off. They start at $29.95, but I’d urge you to buy the polarized $54.95 version for better eye protection.

KOO Nova Sunglasses

This Italian eyewear company is all over the European running and cycling scenes, and now they’re making the jump over to North America. The brand markets the Nova style ($200) as the “ideal ultra-lightweight sunglasses for trail running,” but they certainly don’t need to be reserved for dirt. They are exceptionally lightweight (21 grams!) and offer exceptional clarity courtesy of the ZEISS lenses. Stylistically, these skew a little more towards a cycling silhouette, but I loved all the bright colors. (P.S. Use ASHLEY23 for 20% off your purchase!)

KOO Supernova Sunglasses

I love a single-lens silhouette, and the wraparound design of KOO’s Supernova style ($200) kept these from budging even during my most intense workouts. Honestly, I didn’t notice much of a difference between these and the Novas, although the brand markets the Supernova as “specifically designed to be high performance.” Both are incredibly light and have hydrophobic ZEISS lenses that are shatter-proof, anti-reflective, and offer 100% UV Protection, but the Supernova does seem to have a slightly bigger lens, if that sways you one way or the other. 

ROKA Oslo 2.0

Not every runner wants to conceal their entire face. And I admit that my preferred oversized shield lenses look insane on some people. Enter: ROKA’s OSLO 2.0 ($195), with a “refined design” that works especially well for smaller faces. Multiple wearers tested these frames and said they were so light they could barely feel them—the highest praise for a pair of shades in my book. Compared to the original OSLO, these have upgraded hinges, temples, and GEKO grip placements, all of which help them stay put on the move. Heads up: While the clear frames look clear, they did allow more light in, which might not be ideal in the sunniest conditions. 

100% Legere Coil

A smaller take on 100%’s Legere Round, the Legere Coil ($120) combines sport and style in a single shield silhouette with detailed etching around the perimeter that highlights the reflective lens—which is made from a proprietary UltraCarbon material and is crack- and chemical-resistant as well as hydrophobic and oleophobic (I tested the HiPER Silver Mirror Lens, but you can buy interchangeable replacement lenses). At 17 grams, these were the lightest of all the shades I tested, and I loved them not just for running but for literally anything else outside. 

SunGod Ultras

The SunGod Ultras, running-specific sunglasses from the British performance eyewear brand, nail the rimless, single-lens style that seems to be ubiquitous these days. The company claims their 8KO lenses—made from a 2mm nylon that’s lighter than polycarbonate (used by brands like Tifosi)—are the “most advanced on the planet,” and while I can’t exactly verify that, they did seem comparable to other high-end lenses on this list. The coolest thing, though, is that the brand offers free customization, so you can pair your favorite color lenses with different frame colors (including options made from recycled materials), icons, and earsocks.

Smith Optics XC Sunglasses

In resurrecting the XC ($179), Smith turned an ‘80s Nordic ski style into one that works very well on today’s trails. These shield-style flip-up shades feature ChromaPop lenses—which I’ve only experienced in ski goggles before—which bring out the color and contrast in your surroundings. And when it gets shady in the woods, just flip up the lens (you will look a little ridiculous, but the convenience of not having to take them off your face at any point is worth it).

the rundown

Nike Motiva
The brand new Nike Motiva comes out later this month, and it’s specifically geared towards newer runners and run/walkers. Nike discovered via the Nike Run Club app that the majority of women logging their first run were averaging a 13:00 mile—a pace that included walking, jogging, running, starting, and stopping throughout. So this shoe was designed to accommodate a fluctuating pace. It’s much wider than a traditional Nike sneaker, because it was built around a new last that prioritizes the widened forefoot, arch, and toe box women need. It’s also very soft, and that wavy bottom allows the midsole foam to further compress when you need it to. I did a 5.5-mile run/walk in these, and felt really good—although I think if I had tried to pick up the pace at all during the run efforts, I would have preferred to be in the Invincibles. (FYI: There is also a men’s version, too.)

Mental Training Does Lead to Physiological Outcomes
I know, I know, I talk a lot about mental training being just as important as physical training. It’s because the two are definitely, positively linked! A study came out this month in the European Journal of Applied Physiology that determined “three weeks of mental training modifies central motor command … [and] These physiological changes led to a 10 percent increase in performance in a cycling time to exhaustion test." Ten percent! The mental training portion of the study consisted of watching videos on an introduction to mental skills training and breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety; a “controlling the controllables” lesson; instructions on how to use self-talk and confidence to combat negative thinking and doubt; and a visualization lesson. And you know what? You can YouTube videos on all those topics right at home.

Why Do Runners Still Race With Paper Pinned to Their Shirts?
What an excellent question, I’m so glad the New York Times decided to have someone report on this. It’s kind of hilarious that, with all the technology we have access to these days, athletes are still pinning gigantic pieces of paper to their kits (the Berlin Marathon could especially benefit from downsizing). As Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson says, ““It just reeks of amateurism.” But what it comes down to, of course, is money. That piece of paper is prime real estate for sponsors who want to get their names on TV or the internet—whether or not they actually sponsor the athlete wearing the bib.

Your Wearable May Be Able to Detect Your Mental Health Issues
There’s so much interesting research coming out around wearables and mental health! This recent study looked at the Fitbit data of around 9,000 people and found that total steps per day was the strongest predictor of mental health disorders—specifically, depressive and anxiety disorders. This tracks: When I was first testing the Apple Watch years ago, I would pace in circles around my apartment or head out for an hour-long walk at 11 p.m. to hit my step goal, obsessive habits that didn’t make me feel great about my mental health if I thought about them for too long. The study authors wrote that “given the increasing adoption of wearable devices, our approach represents a promising step toward early detection of depressive and anxiety disorders in the community.” We’ll see…

Ultimate Direction Race Vesta 6.0
Despite my reluctant foray into trail running, I’ve actually tried a lot of hydration vests and packs while running around Denver. The Ultimate Direction Race Vesta 6.0 is *chef’s kiss*. It’s so light, yet it still fit all the extra layers I anticipated needing (and then never took out of my bag) during my 30K, plus an overfilled hydration and an alarming number of snacks that I did not end up eating. And despite being stuffed, it never chafed or rubbed or turned my back into a swampy mess.