Hiking and Trekking Sunglasses: How to Choose a Pair That Stays Put on the Trail

Water? Packed. Snacks? Packed. Rain jacket, plasters, power bank? All in the bag. Then you reach the trailhead and realise the sunglasses are still on the kitchen counter.

For a lot of people, sunglasses are the last thing they think about before a walk in the hills. They shouldn't be. The right hiking sunglasses make a long day on your feet easier on your eyes, and the wrong ones make you miserable by the second hour. Whether you're planning a Sunday loop or a multi-day trek, here's how to choose sunglasses for hiking you'll be happy to wear all day.

Do you really need sunglasses for hiking?

Yes. Trails are full of things that throw light at your eyes. Open ridgelines have nothing to block the sun. Reservoirs, rivers and wet rock bounce glare back up at you. Even under the forest canopy, flickering patches of light and shade make your eyes work harder than you realise, and you get back to the car with a dull headache you can't explain.

UV is the other reason. It doesn't clock off when the sky turns grey, and the damage adds up over years of weekends outdoors.

Hiking sunglasses vs trekking sunglasses: is there a difference?

Not a big one, but your trip changes what matters most.

On a day hike, you want something light and comfortable that you can pop on and off as the trail moves between sun and shade.

On a trek, you're out for longer, sometimes for days. You'll face more types of light, more sweat, more bumps in the bag, and nobody around to lend you a spare pair. Trekking sunglasses need to be tougher and more secure, with a fit you can wear from sunrise to the last switchback without a second thought.

So if you're shopping for sunglasses for trekking, start with everything you'd want for a day hike, then add durability and a really reliable fit.

What makes a good pair of sunglasses for hiking

• UV400 protected lenses. This is the baseline. It means the lenses block UV light up to 400 nanometres, covering UVA and UVB.
• A secure fit. Hiking means uneven ground and a lot of looking down. If your glasses slide every time you duck under a branch, they're not hiking glasses.
• Low weight. A few extra grams add up fast over eight hours.
• Glare control. Polarised or anti-glare lenses help your eyes stay relaxed on bright, reflective terrain.
• Toughness. They'll get tossed in the bag, left on a rock and knocked off a bench. Choose a pair that can take it.
• Wide coverage. A bit of wrap helps block stray light and wind from the sides.

Polarised or not? A simple way to decide

Polarised lenses are brilliant for cutting glare off water, wet rock and open, bright ground. If your hikes take you past reservoirs, along coastlines or across exposed ridges, they're a great choice.

They aren't essential on every trail. On shaded forest paths, a good anti-glare lens does the job nicely. Polarised lenses can also make some watch and phone screens look dimmer at certain angles, so if you check your GPS all day, test yours before you go.

Which sunglasses for which trail?

Singapore's trails are a good example of how much the light can change in one outing. A walk through Bukit Timah or MacRitchie moves you between deep canopy shade and open, glaring clearings, while the Southern Ridges give you long exposed stretches. Here's a simple way to match your pair to your route.

• Forest and jungle trails: light changes quickly between sun and shade, so a lightweight, anti-glare pair from the Pace, Max, Volt or Blaze series is easy to live with.
• Open ridges and boardwalks: glare is at its worst, so go polarised with the Classic, Flare, Tempo, Coast, Surge or Cockpit series.
• Coastal and reservoir walks: water throws glare back at you, which makes polarised the clear pick.
• Multi-day treks: choose the pair that feels best on your face after hours of wear. Comfort matters more than anything else over the long haul.
• Hiking with kids: the Junior series is polarised and UV400 protected.

Most Sunday Shades lenses are Category 3, which suits bright, tropical trails and the majority of hikes at normal elevations. Heading much higher? Our guide to Cat 3 vs Cat 4 sunglasses explains when to go darker, and our outdoor and mountaineering sunglasses guide covers high ground and snow.

Sweat and slip on the trail

If you hike in a humid climate, you already know sunglasses start sliding the moment you start sweating. It comes down to fit more than anything else, and we've covered what actually works in our guides to sunglasses for humid weather and Asian Fit sunglasses. Not sure which size to pick? The sports sunglasses size guide will help.

What you get with Sunday Shades

• UV400 protected lenses across the whole range
• FitFlow™ fit for all day comfort
• do-not-bounce, no-slide design for uneven ground
• Asian Fit design that also suits European faces
• Unisex styles in a range of shapes
• Polarised options across the Classic, Flare, Tempo, Coast, Surge, Cockpit and Junior series

Looking after your sunglasses on the trail

Keep them in a hard case when they're not on your face. A soft pouch crushed at the bottom of a packed bag is where most scratches start. Rinse off sweat and salt with fresh water when you can, then wipe with a microfibre cloth. Skip the shirt hem, because grit on a dry lens works like sandpaper.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best sunglasses for hiking?

The best pair is the one that gives you UV400 protection, stays secure when you're sweating, and feels light enough to forget about. Fit matters more than any feature on a spec sheet.

Do I need polarised sunglasses for hiking?

Not always, but they help a lot on bright, reflective terrain like ridgelines, rivers and coastlines. For shaded forest trails, a good anti-glare lens works well.

What should I look for in sunglasses for trekking?

Prioritise a secure, comfortable fit, UV400 protected lenses and a tough build. On multi-day treks, you'll want a pair you can wear for hours without pressure points.

Why do my sunglasses keep sliding down when I hike?

It's usually a fit issue. If your nose bridge is lower or your cheekbones are higher, standard frames can rest in the wrong place and slip when you sweat. Asian Fit frames are designed to sit correctly and stay put.

Are Sunday Shades good for hiking and trekking?

Yes. They're designed in Singapore for Asian faces, built to be do-not-bounce and no-slide, and every pair is UV400 protected.

Ready for the trail?

Good sunglasses won't make the climb shorter, but they'll make it a lot more comfortable. Browse the Sunday Shades collection, pick the pair that suits your face and your trails, and get out there.