If you love mountain climbing, you will know the value of good gear. Being experienced, you might even know the companies that satisfy your needs. However, if you are an amateur, you might need some help with getting to know some of the best ones. There are plenty of things you need to keep in your gear bag, and sunglasses are something you are most likely to forget.
Sunglasses are quite crucial if you are going to high altitudes as the UV rays are quite strong up there. Thereby, here are some of the best mountaineering sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Top 15 Best Mountaineering Sunglasses 2023
1. Julbo Montebianco Mountain Sunglasses
Julbo is a famous company for manufacturing sunglasses of the best quality. They have come up with Spectron 4, a mountaineering lens that is guaranteed to block 95% visible light. It has a polycarbonate lens, which is usually recommended for high mountains.
You can also go for Reactiv Performance 2-4. It comes with photochromatic lenses with a fast activation process, which will help you to see, even if it starts snowing lightly. Another type you can go for is the Reactiv High Mountain 2-4. It has a polarized photochromatic lens, which is quite helpful if you are climbing high altitudes with bright sunlight.
These are the different types of mountain sunglasses you will find in the Julbu Montebianco series. One common feature of these sunglasses is the removable side shields. This would give you lateral protection against harsh sunlight.
You will notice that the temples or arms are a bit curved. This is to ensure that you have a suitable fit around your ears and sit comfortably. There is also a cord attachment hole at the end of the handles. You can attach a cord to the end of your sunglass, so you don?t have to store your sunglass somewhere every time you open it.
It is relatively low on budget and has a plastic frame. Therefore, we would recommend getting these sunglasses if you are going for a small hike in a snow-capped mountain. It is doubtful whether they would be able to restrain much pressure.
2. Julbo Eyewear Unisex Camino
This sunglass from Julbo is made for everyone. The design will appeal to everyone alike. This pair of sunglasses is the perfect buy if you are an amateur and are going for small hikes.
The frame is a good fit and covers a large portion of your face. The lenses are completely covered with layers that will protect your eyes from UVA, UVB, and UVC light. Spectron 4 lenses will block 95% of the visible light, which will help to keep your eyes relaxed and safe from the harsh sunlight.
There is even a removal side shield that provides lateral protection from the sun whenever required. If you feel that the sunlight is hitting your eyes from the side, just put these on, and keep hiking. The design also has a curved temple and a cord attachment in the end.
The curved temple will help the sunglass to fit properly behind the ears. With the help of a cord, you need not worry about losing your sunglass.
The plastic frame and the non-polarized lenses of the sunglass are the main reasons why it cannot be trusted to use for a long duration of mountain climbing. If you are going for more risky adventures, it is advisable to go for sunglasses higher in the price range.
3. Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses w/ Reactive Lens
This sunglass from the Julbo company falls into the category of the best mountaineering sunglasses. Like all the above mentioned Julbo sunglasses, this one comes with Spectron 4 lenses, which is technically polycarbonate lens that block 5% of the Visible Light Transmission. This means if you are mountain climbing at high altitudes where the sun rays are quite bright, you won?t have a problem looking around.
It also has Reactiv High Mountain 2-4. These glasses have a Polarized photochromatic lens, which will help you a lot if you are going for high mountains to climb, ski, or mountaineering. Another interesting feature of this product is the airflow ventilation that prevents fogging in your lenses. When you are hiking or climbing up a mountain, your vision will be 100% clear even if you are perspiring a lot.
Additionally, it has removable side shields that will protect you from the lateral sunrays. There is even a nose grip that sits comfortably on your nose. Usually, sunglasses with plastic frames tend to leaves marks around your nose if worn for a long duration. With this sunglass, the nose grip won?t leave any such mark.
The temples are curved and have a soft material lining. This would sit comfortably above your ears and won’t leave any marks if worn for a long time. You can also attach a cord at the end of the temple to keep your sunglass safe. This sunglass is a bit costlier than the above ones; however, the quality is quite impressive. It is also more reliable and long-lasting.
4. Torege TR24 Sports Polarized Sunglasses
Another top product in the category, this sunglass from the Torege, is sure to become your preferred choice. The polarized lens will be helpful to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. The glasses have 400 UV protection; this will block UVA, UVB, and UVC rays from hurting your eyes.
The sunglass is designed with the comfort of the user in mind. It has a flexible hinge side, which can be adjusted freely to fit the size of the face. The material is quite soft, durable, unbreakable, highly flexible, and ultra-light.
All of these features make it helpful for mountaineering. You can take it with you on dangerous adventures without having to worry much. The design of the sunglass has a 3-point support system, which means that it is slip-resistant and will sit comfortably on your face.
You can even attach a cord at the end of the sunglass. This would prevent you from misplacing it. Additionally, Torege gives a lifetime warranty and a 30-day moneyback guarantee! This is the best choice you can go for if you are on a budget.
5. Julbo Colorado Glacier Sunglasses
The Colorado Mountaineering sunglass is a catch within a budget. Like all the usual Julbo models, this one has a Spectron 4 lens. This would protect your eyes from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
The polycarbonate would help to absorb 95% of the harsh sunlight, giving you a soothing effect. Additionally, it has a mirror coating, also known as an anti-reflective coating. This would reflect the sun rays off the surface, thereby keeping your eyes relaxed.
The design is quite comfortable. It has removable side shields made of nylon, which will protect your eyes from the lateral rays of the sun. The temples are made with rubber and won?t slip down easily. They will sit comfortably without slipping. The lenses overall will give you total coverage.
This sunglass is usually recommended if you are going for high altitudes. The hardy nature and the additional features protect your eyes from the extreme sun rays up there.
6. Julbo Sherpa Mountaineering Glacier Sunglasses
As the name suggests, this sunglass from Julbo is indeed made for the mountaineers. The lenses are relatively lightweight, making them easier on the face. There are even removable leather shields on both sides. However, they are breathable; hence you need not worry about sweating.
The temples are curved and are quite flexible, which will snugly set in. You won?t feel any discomfort with the glasses while climbing the mountains. If you take into consideration the price range of the product, it is quite good.
Julbo is an age-old company, and their products can be easily trusted. A lot of customers believe in investing in a higher price range of sunglasses. If you want a mountaineering sunglass to last longer and be with you even in the toughest of times, you might want to increase your budget. This sunglass has a plastic frame, which makes us question the durability of the product.
7. Bertoni Glacier Polarized Sunglasses
This sunglass is one of the top choices in the best mountaineering sunglasses. Once you have a look at the design, you will realize that it is a mix of comfort and efficiency. The glasses are made in such a way as to give complete protection from bad weather storms and harsh sunlight.
There are four different types of polarized sunglasses you can choose from. You can go for the Polarized Brown Lens, which would block 86% of the light. Then there are the Polarized Mirror Lenses, which have a mirror coating on the lenses and would block 89% of the light.
Both of them fall into the same price range. However, the Photochromatic Polarized Lenses might seem to be a bit pricey, but it is worth it. It would automatically adjust to the levels of brightness. The lens can also block from 68-88% of the light.
The build of the sunglass is commendable. The lens has a leather side shield. Having a leather side shield would mean that you might feel misty over your eyes. For this reason, they have come up with anti-misting aerators. This would make the stiffy leather side shield much more breathable.
There is even removable nose-bridge protection. So if you feel that the sunglass could be loosening up, you can use them. And if they are uncomfortable, just take them off. Another amazing feature of the sunglass is the arms. They are curved, wrapped, and are flexible. This would provide a snug, comfortable fit. It also won?t come off easily.
If you are looking for quality sunglasses under a budget, this is the best option you can go for.
8. Julbo Explorer Mountain Sunglasses w/ Reactiv Lens
The Explorer Mountain Sunglasses from Julbo comes with three different option. There is the Reacitv Performance 2-4, which has a photochromatic lens with fast activation speed, and then there is the Reactiv High Mountain 2-4, which has a polarized photochromatic lens. Finally, there is the Spectron 4 with polycarbonate lenses.
If you are going for high altitudes with a chance of extreme weather, we would recommend you to go for the Spectron 4 lenses. It blocks 95% of the light, which is extremely useful in high altitudes.
If you have a look at the design of the sunglass, you will find removable side shields. This is helpful for times when you just want to wear them like your regular sunglasses. It comes with a nose grip, which is made with soft material to hold the glass in place and even be comfortable.
The temples of this glass are fascinating. You can adjust them to 360? under your comfort. There is also a place for cord attachments to avoid misplacing them.
Among the sunglasses from Julbo, this product is highly preferred by the customers. Therefore, you can invest in this product without having to think much about it.
9. Julbo Vermont Classic Mountain Sunglasses w/ Spectron Lens
Bored of the same design? Julbo brings you the Vermont Classic Mountain Sunglasses. This sunglass protects your eyes while stepping up your style quotient. It has a metal frame with a glass lens, giving it a classic vintage look.
The lens has Spectron 4, which would block 5% of the Visible Transmission Light. In simple words, a total of 95% of the light will be blocked by the lens. This would protect your eyes from extremely harsh sunlight in high altitudes.
There are different colors you can choose from. You can go for the classic black, brown, or even the blue with the respective colored mirrors.
It has leather side shields that would protect you from the lateral rays of the sun. The lens is made in a way that is sure to give full coverage and protection from the harsh UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
You can go for the Spectron 3 lenses even; if the budget is a problem for you. However, if you love mountaineering, we suggest you go for the better lens at a higher price range as this investment would go for a long time.
10. Julbo Tahoe Mountain Sunglasses
Another Julbo product that comes within your pocket pinch and is not compromised in the quality. Being such an old company, Julbo makes sure to keep all sorts of customers satisfied with their products. This aviator style sunglass is sure to make you look stylish while hiking.
It has a polycarbonate lens and frame. Additionally, it has Spectron 3 lenses with a flash finish. This lens is usually used in extremely bright to moderate light conditions.
The Spectron 3 lenses block most of the light. It will also protect your eyes from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. The Polarized lenses provide glare protection. This will be helpful at higher altitudes.
The frame is large enough to give you total coverage. These sunglasses even have side shields. However, unlike the other ones from Julbo, this one does not come in leather. With the Tahoe Mountain Sunglasses, there are fabric side shields.
This gives a modernistic outlook to the sunglass. There is even a grip-tech on the nose-bridge and the temples to keep the sunglass intact. It has a soft material on it to ensure comfort. The temples are also curved for a better fit.
This sunglass from Julbo comes with style and efficiency. Now you can go hiking or mountain climbing and look cool, at the same time!
11. Julbo Monterosa Mountain Sunglasses
Monterosa Mountain Sunglasses have quite a good style and comes at a good price. These glasses will give you total coverage, and the lenses also protect you from UVA, UVB, and UVC lenses. You can choose from a variety of lenses.
You can go for the Reactiv Performance 2-4, which has photochromatic lenses with fast activation speed. Then there is the Reactiv High Mountain 2-4, which has polarized lenses. The Spectron 3 polycarbonate lens is usually recommended for extremely bright to moderate light situations. Lastly, there is the Spectron 4 with a polycarbonate lens with advanced technology to block 95% of the light.
This stylish sunglass even has a removable side shield. While you are up at those high altitudes, you can equip the side shields to protect your eyes from the lateral sunrays. You can remove them anytime you want, to make it look cooler.
It even has Grip-tech in the temples. This would help the curved temples to sit comfortably at the sides. So, now you need not worry about your sunglasses coming off easily while climbing up. There is a place for cord attachment at the end of the temple to avoid misplacing it.
12. J+S Premium Military Style Classic Aviator Sunglasses
These military-style sunglasses by J+S Premium is perfect for a small hike up the mountain. If you are just an amateur in mountaineering and are going for short trips under a tight budget. This is for you!
It has a metal frame with composite and polarized lenses. The lenses are sure to block 99-100% of the UVA and UVB radiations as it is 400 UV rated. As the lenses are polarized, almost 99.96% of the glare will be reduced. This will bring a cooling effect to your eyes. Hence, you can easily wear it on a sunny day up the mountains.
There are a lot of options you can choose from. You can go for the gray and brown lenses. However, they won?t be as effective as the mirror and the black lens. The black lenses reduce a lot of glare to protect the eyes from the harsh sun rays. The mirrored lenses have an incredible mix of polarisation and 400UV ratings. This would reflect the light from your glass.
The design is quite good too. It has adjustable anti-slip silicone nose pads to keep the sunglass in its place. The hinges are specially made with spring so that it can adjust and sit in comfortably. The frame is quite lightweight, too, so that it doesn’t feel like a hassle to carry it around.
13. OutdoorMaster OTG Ski Goggles
There are situations where only the sunglasses aren?t enough. If you are into mountaineering in extreme weather, you will know that any sunglasses won?t be enough to protect your eyes. You will need something stronger. These Ski Goggles from Outdoor Master is exactly what you need.
Wear a pair of sunglasses underneath these goggles, and you are good to go! These goggles have dual-lens layer technology. Along with this, it also has anti-fog technology. So you need not be worried about fogging your glasses. The lenses have 400UV protection, which will bring a cooling effect to your eyes. It can almost 90% of VLT (Visible Light Transmission).
You can choose from a bunch of good designs that appeal to both the young and the adults alike! The TPU frame of the goggle can bend easily. This means that they are quite flexible and will fit the face comfortably.
You can use these goggles without any sunglasses even! If you are under a tight budget, you can opt for this product. Customers have been really surprised at the amazing quality of the product, which comes at such a bargain.
14. Polarized Sports Sunglasses UV400 Tac Glasses
This model from the company of BeaCool is sure to protect your eyes without burning a hole in your pocket. One of the fascinating features of this model is the weight. It weighs only 24g; it would hardly take up much weight of your luggage.
It has Revo Colorful Polarized lenses. These lenses are 400UV rated. It will block 100% of the UVA and UVB rays. This makes it more suitable for higher altitudes.
If you look at the design, you will find it quite innovative. There is a rimless jacket design so that you can have a clear vision on the lower side too. There is an anti-slip rubber nose pad. Made with a soft material, it will hold your sunglass in place and fit in comfortably. The temples are quite flexible and durable.
You can get this model in various colors, and it is sure to appeal to both men and women alike. This model is so fashionable that it would make anyone look cool, whether you are an adult or a youngster.
15. Retro Round Polarized S92 Steampunk Sunglasses
Finally, you have a sunglass with great quality, under a light price range! This sunglass from Sunier has a design that is a combination of innovation and fashion. The metal frame is ultralight, however, made with strong alloys, making it light and unbreakable.
As the name suggests, this retro-styled sunglass has even a side shield. If you look at it carefully, you will find that the side shields aren?t completely covered. This protects your eyes from the lateral rays of the sun. But also, it does not block your peripheral vision.
They come with Silicone Nose Pads, which would help to keep the glass in place. It is also skin-friendly and will sit comfortably in place. There are also alloyed metal hinges in the temples of the glass, which makes the sunglass durable and flexible.
The lenses have a 9-layer HD polarized filtration that will filter out 99% of the glare. However, it would not reduce the glare or have any optical distortion. It would only make the vision more clear. This will help a lot if you are climbing up high altitudes. They also have a 400UV rated coating, which can block 100% of the UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
Factors For Choosing The Best Mountaineering Sunglasses
Now that you have an idea about some of the best mountaineering sunglasses available. It is time to pick the one most suitable for you. Before you do so, let us go through the factors you should keep in mind while choosing.
1. Types Of Lenses
The first and foremost thing to check is the lenses of the sunglasses. There are different categories of lenses that protect your eyes in varying degrees.
- Category I – The first category of sunglasses, will give you bare minimum protection. These are usually known as ?fashion glasses.? You might feel that taking these glasses will be the best idea. However, they won?t protect you from the extreme glare and brightness in the high altitudes. Therefore, completely avoid going for Category I sunglasses.
- Category II – This category of sunglasses would allow 20-45% of the UV rays through the lens. This isn?t helpful either. Both these categories of sunglasses are usually suitable for walking around the town on a sunny afternoon.
- Category III – Lenses under Category III will block almost 80% of the UV rays. This will be a lot helpful if you are going for general hiking. However, this isn?t enough for high mountain climbing and hiking.
- Category IV – Usually, most of the mountaineering sunglasses fall under this category. These glasses allow only 3-8% of the UV rays. They have very low VLT ratings too. All these help you to protect yourself from the intense glare and the sharp UV rays that can even burn your skin.
However, make sure not to carry Category IV lenses for your daily use. Especially while driving, you might end up in a road accident as it allows so less light to enter.
2. Polarization And Coating
The next important thing to keep in mind is the polarization of the lenses. If your lens is polarized, that means it would reduce the glare. While climbing high altitudes, it is essential to protect your eyes from the glare. The higher you go, the more the glare.
The polarized lens won?t affect your eyes much. It will also give you a sharper image and better vision so that you can see your surroundings quite clearly. However, sometimes due to the polarization of the lenses, it is difficult to tell apart ice and snow.
To counter this, some sunglasses use specific coatings. Maybe the polarization will be reduced, but other types of coatings will help you see much clearly.
There are even transitional lenses, which adapt themselves to the amount of sunlight. As the sunlight increase, they will automatically get darker. These types of lenses are quite popular among mountaineers.
3. Extra Coatings
Certain companies even add extra coatings. This makes the sunglasses more suitable for mountaineering. Anti-Scratch is the most common coating of all. The anti-fog layer is quite helpful while going to high altitudes.
If you search hard enough, you might even find a sunglass with both Anti-fog and hydrophobic coating. Both these coatings together is best for humid areas.
4. Lens Tints
Different colored lenses have different functions other than just looking fashionable. Various tints provide different protection to your eyes. Some of them are suitable for some specific locations even.
- First are the mirrored lens. Usually, they tend to make the surroundings look darker. However, they are good at reflecting the glare.
- Next, if you notice the Gray and Green lenses, they are good at preserving the colors of the surroundings. They also give okay-ish protection from the flare. They are alright to use if you are going for small hikes.
- Brown lenses are quite similar to the Gray and Green ones; however, it adds a lot more depth into the vision. This might end up slightly altering the color.
- Usually, the best ones for high altitudes are the Blue, Purple, and Black ones. They tend to increase depth perception. The red lens is also considered to be useful in snowy areas.
5. Materials
Another important factor is the material with which the sunglass is made of. The material of the sunglass usually determines the durability. You will find a wide range of materials used to make sunglasses.
The most common ones are plastic, and they are the least durable ones. If you are going mountaineering, you must ensure that your sunglass doesn?t give in to pressure. The most durable are the ones made of either Titanium or some strong metal alloys. Usually, Titanium could be a bit costly, but it is the most durable and even flexible.
You would also have to consider the materials of the lenses. There are a lot of variations in the lens materials.
- The most common one is glass. Most of the lenses are made out of glass. Though it has amazing scratch resistance, there are high chances of breaking them.
- Then there is polycarbonate. If you compare it to a glass lens, then it is more durable. It won?t easily get broken. However, it can easily get scratched.
- Plastic is another common lens material. However, it is an absolute no if you are looking for sunglasses to go mountaineering. They won?t be able to protect you from the strong UV rays up there.
- Polyurethane is considered to be the best material for sunglass lenses. It is quite strong and is shatter and scratch-proof. It even provides great optics. They don?t even require extra coatings. If you can get hold of a polyurethane lens sunglass, you need not worry anymore. They could be quite pricey, but they are also quite durable. Thereby, it is a smart investment.
6. Coverage
This is another thing you have to check. When you are at high altitudes, the chilling wind will be blowing all over the place. You need to keep your face covered. As you will be wearing sunglasses, you need to keep that area covered too.
Therefore, the manufacturers have added side shields to the mountaineering sunglasses. Usually, they come with removable ones, and you can remove them if you feel suffocated. You can also use goggles as they give full protection to your face.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that there are high chances of fogging. That is why the removable shields are given to let the air through. There are a few sunglasses with aerators that allow ventilation.
Best Mountaineering Sunglasses – Conclusion
Now that you have got a deep understanding of the different factors essential for getting the best mountaineering sunglasses, it is time to make the right choice. The weather tends to be quite harsh at higher altitudes. So, you must have the necessary gear and enough supplies to get the maximum thrill of mountaineering.
If you are just a beginner, make sure you follow all the safety rules and have proper training. It is better to go with a group for the first time. That way, you would get the experience and understand the process better.
FAQs on Mountaineering Sunglasses
Q1. How To Know The Size Of The Sunglasses?
Usually, the sunglasses have their measurements in millimeters. Therefore, it is best to measure your head with a tape. Then, use that measurement and find the perfect fit for sunglasses.
Q2. Are Changeable Lenses Good?
You can go for changeable lenses as you can change the types of lenses with the occasion. However, you just have to keep in mind to not forget them or lose them.
Q3. Can Sunglasses Prevent Snow Blindness?
As you might know, in higher altitudes, there are high chances of temporary blindness. Also known as Photokeratitis, it is caused by the inflammation of the cornea. When your eyes are over-exposed to the UV rays, it causes this.
Therefore, make sure to wear sunglasses with high UV rays protection.