9 Best Polarized Sunglasses for Skiing and Snowboarding in 2023 (My Favourite)

Jul 24, 2023

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Looking for sunglasses to wear on your next ski trip, when your big bulky goggles take a rest – then sunglasses with Polarized lenses are the best option. Great for cross-country or spring skiing.

Polarization helps reduce glare, protect your eyes from UV, and allow you to more clearly see the contours of the slope in even the harshest weather conditions – from bright bluebird to overcast days. We’ve filtered through to find the absolute best picks.

Polarized lenses reduce 99% of visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement for increased visual acuity and decreased eye strain

The COSTA Rincon Polarized Sunglasses perform brilliantly out in the open, especially on those sunny, reflective snow days at the ski resort. Embedded with a patented 580 lens technology, they facilitate enhanced clarity while minimizing haze and blur, making them perfect for spotting hidden obstacles or minor undulations on the slope. The lightweight bio-resin frame, sourced from castor plant bio-based resin, withstands harsh winter conditions without losing its shape, making it a long-lasting companion for ski lovers.

These sunglasses fits well on a wide range of face shapes and sizes, thanks to its hydro lite nose pads and temple tips that prevent slippage even with rigorous movement. Although stylishly oversized, some might find the size a bit too big; however, it fulfills the need for maximum eye coverage in bright, glaring conditions. The price is on the higher side, but we consider it worthy for the quality of build.

The COSTA Rincon Polarized Sunglasses indeed stand out as our top pick for the best-polarized sunglasses for skiing. Given their durability, functionality, and designer aesthetics, these sunglasses manage to deliver exceptional performance without compromising on style.

Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses feature cutting-edge lens technology that provides superior clarity, color accuracy, and UV protection, ensuring optimal vision and eye protection in various outdoor activities.

The Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses have proven to be a fitting choice for a ski holiday as well as other outdoor activities requiring high-level optical clarity. Its classic design, available in a variety of striking color combinations, adds an extra dash of style without compromising its core function. What separates it from the rest is its impressive Prizm lens technology, which showcases impressive attention to detail by improving color contrast and visual acuity under varying lighting conditions.

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Lightweight yet durable, the frames feature Oakley’s trademark ‘O MATTER’ for added resilience and reliable all-day comfort. Equipped with a reliable Unobtainium ear socks and nose pads system, these sunglasses stay put, even as you work up a sweat on the slopes.

Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses have the most advanced lens technology – together with a comfort-centric design, and robust frame – you cant go wrong.

Oakley Clifden Sunglasses excel in adaptability, offering an interchangeable lens system and adjustable features that allow you to customize your eyewear for different lighting conditions and activities.

In our experience, the Oakley Clifden Sunglasses stand their ground as one of the best men’s ski sunglasses thanks to their combination of utility and aesthetic appeal. Their remarkably unique steampunk look is a welcome change from regular skiing goggles. Moreover, offered in multiple color options, they help you find your kind of style without compromising on functionality.

The standout feature is their integrated Prizm Snow lenses, which are a godsend in harsher mountain conditions. The lenses lend a helping hand when it comes to spotting changes in terrain, invaluable while skiing in varying light and weather conditions. However, it’s worth noting that the price might be a tad on the higher side for some, but the feature set it brings to the table makes it worth the investment.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses make their case for being a perfect skiing companion with their unique design, impressive lens clarity, and comprehensive face protection. Our premium pick for style and comfort.

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Smith Wildcat Sunglasses feature exceptional ventilation, ensuring that your lenses remain fog-free even during intense outdoor activities, providing clear vision and comfort.

The Smith Wildcat Sunglasses distinguishes itself with its striking design and reliable performance that aligns well with the demands of a more advanced resort or backcountry skier. Constructed with ultra-durable, lightweight TR-90 material, the wraparound frame provides valuable protection against adverse weather conditions while maintaining optimal comfort.

Given their unique combination of ChromaPop and photochromic lens technologies, the glasses display unmatched adaptability. With ChromaPop optimizing color and enhancing clarity, and Photochromic lenses responding to varying light conditions, they ensure perceptual comfort and safety across different environments. However, the broader face coverage they offer might feel slightly bulky for more casual users.

Smith Wildcat Sunglasses take the lead when it comes to combining stylish design with functional superiority. Its intelligent fusion of durability, optical clarity, and coverage makes it a standout choice for long days out on the slopes.

Oakley Men’s Radar EV Path Sunglasses offer exceptional optical clarity, thanks to their high-quality lenses and precision engineering, ensuring vivid, distortion-free vision during sports and outdoor activities.

Oakley’s contribution to ski-ready sunglasses, the Radar EV Path Prizm Snow, significantly enhances the overall skiing experience. Blending classic design with versatile lenses, these glasses ensure performance under both sunny and cloudy conditions.

The lightweight frame, along with comfortable ear socks and nose pads, promotes all-day wear without discomfort or slipping, even during high-intensity activities. More than just an accessory, these glasses raise the bar with their impressive rimless lower lens, allowing a fuller view of the terrain. Meanwhile, their Prizm lenses dramatically improve color contrast and detailing, providing near-to-reality visual acuity. While the price may be slightly steep for some, we feel the lens quality justifies the cost.

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The Oakley Radar EV Path Prizm Snow sunglasses offer a well-balanced blend of style, comfort, and high-performance.

The glasses’ fine-tuned vision, lightweight design, and added feature set seamlessly accommodate both competitive skiing and leisurely snow explorations, making these sunglasses a worthy investment for outdoor pursuits.

Sunski Treelines Sunglasses stand out for their eco-friendly design, using recycled materials and sustainable practices to create stylish and environmentally responsible eyewear.

The Sunski Treelines Sunglasses beautifully marry style and functionality. They introduce an innovative design with removable side shields that provide an extra layer of protection on the slopes or to look stylish while après-ski socializing.

However, when it comes to lens technology, the sunglasses do not pack the same punch as some higher-end models, and the side shields can compromise peripheral vision. Nevertheless, Sunski makes commendable strides in reducing environmental impact with its use of recycled polycarbonate in frame production — certainly a bonus for eco-conscious buyers.

The Sunski Treelines Sunglasses offer a stylish, functional, and eco-friendly option for resort skiers.

Pit Viper The 1993 2000s Sunglasses capture the best of ’90s and 2000s aesthetics, delivering a retro-inspired look that’s both bold and fashionable, appealing to those with a sense of nostalgia for that era.

We love how the Pit Viper 1993 2000s sunglasses bring a distinctive energy to your skiing ensemble, embracing a bold, ski-bum attitude while maintaining reliable functionality. Their standout durable design paired with a polarized lens ensures the glasses don’t simply exist for their iconic look. They offer dependable wrap-around UV protection, serving as a substantial barrier against sun glare across snowy vistas.

Although they might not bring cutting-edge lens technology to the table, they undoubtedly hold their own in terms of UV protection and durability. If you favor expressive style as much as functionality, these sunglasses could just be the perfect addition to your skiing toolkit.

Blenders Eyewear Canyon Sunglasses provide superior UV protection, shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays and ensuring eye safety during outdoor activities.

The Blenders Eyewear’s Canyon Sunglasses stand out as the best budget pick. With their sturdy TR90 construction, this pair withstands the rigors of active lifestyles without losing its style. The matte black exterior resists dirt and sweat, ensuring the sunglasses retain their pristine look through all your adventures.

The green mirror polarized lenses excel at filtering out glare on sunny or snow-covered slopes, contributing to more precise vision and decreased eye strain. The sunglasses also provide full UVA & UVB protection, vital when you’re out and about under the bright sun. However, given their medium to large fit, we found they don’t snugly fit anyone with a smaller facial profiles.

Although not best suited for smaller face profiles, they offer great value for their price. For those who appreciate a blend of performance with style, these sunglasses are a great pick.

Sunski Tera Polarized Sunglasses offer exceptional clarity through their polarized lenses, reducing glare and enhancing contrast for vivid and comfortable vision, especially in bright and reflective conditions.

The Sunski Tera Polarized Sunglasses demonstrate a unique blend of style and performance. The removable magnetic side shields add a layer of utility, providing protection against the glare on bright bluebird days, while the polarization effectively reduces strain on the eyes.

The sunglasses’ eco-friendly design, using recycled plastic for frames, is a definitive plus, contributing to reduced landfill waste and minimizing the need for new materials. However, the medium-size frame may not offer the best fit for those with a larger head size.

The Sunski Tera Polarized Sunglasses offer an authentic balance of style, performance, and commitment to sustainability. With features such as polarized lenses and removable side shields, these glasses are built to support your skiing adventuresd

A high-quality lens is the most important characteristic to look for in polarized ski sunglasses. Here are some key lens features we took into account:

The frame design directly impacts the fit, comfort, and field of view of ski sunglasses. Here’s what we looked for:

Your ski sunglasses need to stand up to harsh alpine conditions on the mountain including:

For all-day comfort and wearability, look for:

While we focused on performance, we also factored in style and design options to suit different tastes:

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