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There’s a moment that we’ve all had. You get into your car, open up the garage, back out into the day, and as soon as you turn the wheel to head to wherever you’re off to, you’re blinded by the searing sun. Yep, you either forgot or don’t have a pair of driving sunglasses. Driving is already comprised of a thousand different distractions but one of the biggest is that great ball of fiery gas in the sky: the sun. And it can ruin a perfectly lovely drive through the mountains if you can’t see where you’re going. But with so many options available, where do you start?
You start here, with The Drive and our guide on the best driving sunglasses.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Oakley Holbrook Prizm Polarized
- Best Value: Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses
- Honorable Mention: Tifosi Vogel SL Sport Sunglasses
- Best for Women: Ray-Ban Erika Round
- Best Unisex: Pit Vipers
- Best Polarized: Maui Jim Aviators
Our Methodology
I’ve owned a ton of sunglasses in my lifetime. Hundreds. Mostly due to my inability to keep them from getting scratched or broken or lost in the hundreds of cars I’ve been tasked at reviewing each and every year. I’ve owned inexpensive and expensive units and I know what to look out for. For this buying guide, I went with a handful I’ve owned in the past, a few I still own, and a select group that, though I haven’t had them in my hands, they’re from legit brands and are sworn by left, right, and Sunday by folks who love driving as much as I do and I trust.
Best Sunglasses for Driving: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Oakley Holbrook Prizm Polarized
Pros
- Indestructible
- Polarized
- Industry Leader
Cons
- Expensive
I’ve been wearing prescription glasses all of my adult life. In this profession, I’ve tested glasses from countless manufacturers. When comes to spending my own money, I always go back to Oakley. If I’m driving around town, in the canyons, or on the racetrack, I’ve always been able to count on Oakley’s optics. Prizm lenses maximize contrast allowing me to easily go from full light to shade without losing detail. Polarizing cuts the glare off shiny surfaces in and out of the car.
I am partial to straight arms that don’t curve down behind your ears. I find this style is easier to get on and off while I’m wearing a helmet. Also, thin arms are more comfortable for hours on the track. I have four different helmets for different uses, both open and closed-face. If you also plan on using these with a helmet, I would recomend taking your helmets with you when you go glasses shopping and try them on. Everyone’s head is different and every helmet is too. Put them on, shake your head around. Wear them for more than 30 seconds. Make sure you’re getting what you need and want.
Best Value: Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Polarized
- Three-pack
Cons
- Cheap lenses
- Cheap frames
I chose these sunglasses from Kaliyadi, as I actually own them and use them for driving almost every day. This three-pack comes in a variety of lens colors and tints and is extremely affordable. They’re also reasonably robust in their design and these glasses have to take the punishment of someone who constantly forgets where he left them, which is when children find them and get their grubby paws on.
These are polarized sunglasses and work extremely well reducing the overall glare of both windshields and water. By no standard or stretch of the imagination are they the best driving glasses out there, but their value and that they come in a pack of three makes them worth the inexpensive price of admission. And if you lose one, you have two more to select from.
Honorable Mention: Tifosi Vogel SL Sport Sunglasses
Pros
- Scratch-resistant
- Retro look
- Case and cleaning cloth included
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
- Not a name brand
Cyclists are experts on a few things. Where to stop for coffee and pastries on any popular riding route, and what sunglasses are not only functional, but the cutting edge of fashion in Europe. Tifosi sunglasses are sitting on cafe tables alongside helmets and carb gel packets all over the world for good reason. The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses offer 1005 protection from UVA and B while also weighing only 26 grams.
The Vogel comes in six different colors with tints optimized for outdoor sports performance. The arms and nose piece are covered in hydrophilic rubber so they won’t slide around, no matter how sweaty you get while driving. As a bonus, these are very affordable. It’s hard to beat all of this performance for under fifty bucks. At that price, buy an extra pair and throw them in your glove box for emergencies.
Best for Women: Ray-Ban Erika Round
Pros
- Unisex design despite being women’s glasses
- Ray-Ban quality
- Fully polarized
Cons
- Ray-Ban price tag
- Can snap if you’re not overly careful
I’ll be honest. These sunglasses from Ray-Ban are dope no matter your gender. I used to have a set and loved them and was very sad when they went the way of the dodo after a particularly long road trip. They were my constant companion in many a sports and supercar. As they’re Ray-Ban, the quality is impeccable and they’re fully UV-protected, as well as polarized.
The wireframes are robust enough to withstand short drops and won’t deform unless you really put your foot on them. And the lenses are scratch-resistant to a degree, as if you really want to, you can put scratches into the lenses. They also come with Ray-Ban’s name-brand price point, but you get what you pay for.
Best Unisex: Pit Viper Sunglasses
Pros
- Great peripheral visibility
- Multiple designs
- Impact-resistant
Cons
- Design is not for everyone
- Lenses could be more scratch-resistant
Do you like keggers and high-fiving the bros for no reason at all? Are you an action sports athlete with a taste for Monster and slaying tires? Well then, these Pit Viper sunglasses are the right choice for you. Pit Viper is a relative newcomer to the sunglasses market but it’s made waves by partnering with some of the biggest names in action sports. The glasses are impact-resistant for all you active lifestyle motocross folks, and fully UV-protected.
The frames are impact-resistant plastic with rubber nose and ear pads for increased comfort and weigh very little. How much do they weigh exactly? Numbers are for nerds, brohymn. The lenses are so large that they curve around your head for better peripheral visibility. Pit Viper also offers them in about 10,000 patterns and styles so you can find your perfect look. They’re also not super expensive, which makes them all the more attractive.
Best Polarized: Maui Jim Wiki Wiki Aviators
Pros
- PolarizedPlus2 technology
- Updated aviator design
- Contoured design
Cons
- Super expensive
- Can scratch
Last but not least, as well as another pair of aviators, we have these sunglasses from Maui Jim. Called the Wiki Wiki model, these aviators are everything you’d want in a set of sunglasses with the best polarization around. Speaking of which, these sunglasses feature Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 lens technology which “go beyond shielding your eyes from glare and harmful UV rays by enhancing colors to reveal the true beauty of the world around you.” That means when you pull up next to a Lamborghini, you’re gonna see its real sparkly hues.
The lenses are composite and protected against UV rays, while the frames are titanium. They’re also a more updated design than the traditional aviator sunglasses and are more contoured to the person’s head. However, you’re gonna spend a healthy dime on these sunglasses as they’re the most expensive on this list.
Our Verdict on the Best Sunglasses for Driving
When you’re looking for the best driving sunglasses, you cannot go wrong with Oakley Holbrook Prizm Polarized. They’re made with exacting optical precision, polarized, and extremely comfortable. But they’re expensive, so if you just want a set that you can wear every day and not care about, the Kaliyadis are perfectly adequate, too.
What to Consider When Buying Sunglasses for Driving
Though you may have an idea of what you’re looking for in terms of the style and brand, sunglasses for driving have a host of features you should consider before hitting the Buy It Now button. To get you up to speed and your pupils protected, we put together this buying guide that details all you need to know about sunglasses construction, style, and key features. You’re welcome.
Key Features
Fit
Sunglasses that fit well not only look good, but they’re also very effective at blocking out harmful UV rays by keeping them on your head and not on your dashboard. The author has personally gone through several dozen pairs of sunglasses in an attempt to find the most comfortable for his nose. The sunglasses you get should fit snugly and shouldn’t be too tight or uncomfortable and the frame shouldn’t be very wide, as UV rays may get in through the sides. The center of the lenses should align with the center of your eyes.
UV Protection
The main job of your sunglasses is to protect your eyes from UV rays. Be sure to get sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection as they should protect your eyes from both UVB and UVA rays.
Polarization
Also make sure that the sunglasses have polarized or anti-reflective lenses, which minimize glare. Polarization reduces glare caused by reflective surfaces like water or your windshield and can make driving easier on your eyes and more enjoyable.
Tint
Tints can actually help you see further and more clearly, and aren’t just for aesthetics. Those with gray lenses reduce brightness without distorting color and are ideal for driving. Those with brown or amber lenses have the ability to reduce blue light and glare. Gradient lenses are similar to your car’s windshield. They are usually darker at the top and gradually fade to a lighter tint. Like your windshield, they block sunlight from above but don’t darken your view. Colored lenses can also increase contrast and may be useful for sportier driving.
Sunglasses for Driving Pricing
Driving sunglasses can range from hella cheap to holy crap expensive and depends on the brand, the materials, and its scratch resistance. If you’ve only got the dough for something cheap, you don’t have to spend more than $15 for a set of two on Amazon that’ll serve you well until you inevitably scratch the heck out of them. And then there are those sunglasses that cost what a good day at the track will be—in the several hundred dollar range. This just means you’ve got options.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What is the difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses?
A: Polarized lenses are designed to filter out light and are treated with a special anti-blur and anti-haze coating. Non-polarized glasses reduce the overall brightness of all types of light but don’t reduce glare.
Q: What sunglasses for driving can I wear if I have prescription glasses?
A: If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you can find clip-on driving sunglasses that fit over your glasses or sunglasses that are to your prescription. An extra pair of prescription driving sunglasses are going to cost you more out of pocket, though.
Q: What types of lenses are available with sunglasses for driving?
A: Get lenses that fit your lifestyle. There are polarized and non-polarized lenses as we mentioned above. Polycarbonate lenses are more impact-resistant and are good for those who are into sports, running, or biking. Progressive lenses are designed to help the user see farther away.
