Review: Summer Trail Shades Roundup

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As the days get brighter and your miles get longer, eye protection becomes a key part of your training kit, particularly if your summer adventures lead you to higher elevations. All of the models we’ve tested below are durable for long term use, while offering quality protection for your eyes while out on the trail.

Goodr Pop G ($25)

We’ve traditionally started our reviews with Goodrs, because they are consistently on the bottom end of the price scale, while providing performance features and design elements that can withstand long trail days. The Pop G is a frame with a cat eye shape, with a slight upsweep at the outer edges where the arms join the frame front. The style is similar in size to Goodr’s original frames and includes a non-slip coating at the temples and bridge of the nose to prevent slipping. They include the same technologies found on all Goodr glasses, such as fully polarized glare-reducing lenses that provide both UVA and UVB protection, with scratch-resistant layers on both sides, and lightweight plastic frames that rest comfortably on your head. Some of the colors come with lenses that have gradient shading which is darker on top, but slightly lighter on the bottom half to help you see the ground in front of you. There are six color options to choose from including the hot pink Approaching Cult Status which will appeal to those looking for a little flair, while the neon blue Pop Art Prodigy is a color you’re not likely to see anywhere else on the trail. Pop G glasses are available at www.goodr.com.

Rudy Project Astral ($165)

The Astral is noteworthy because it incorporates many of Rudy Project’s advanced technologies at a much more affordable price point than most of the company’s product line. It is a wraparound-style frame that we found more suitable to narrower or smaller faces, with adjustable ergonomic nose pads and anti-slip temple arms to keep them securely in place. The lightweight frames have eco-friendly construction in their use of Rilsan Clear, a bio plastic created through responsibly-sourced castor oil. The full windshield-style lenses don’t have quite the resistance of the Impact X lenses found on higher-end models, but are still highly durable and flexible enough for stuffing in a hydration vest. They are also polarized with full UV protection and an angled lens silhouette allows air movement to help reduce moisture build-up. There are six frame colors to choose from, each with a corresponding lens color and VLT (Variable Light Transmission) level between 11–14%, where lower numbers block more light. Available at www.rudyprojectna.com.

Vallon Howlin’ ($142)

Vallon has a relatively limited product lineup, but each of their models pays homage to the past while adding a slightly modern twist. The Howlin’ is an aviator-style acetate frame with a split bridge in front for ventilation, and a thin metal core at the temple ends which can be adjusted for a more secure fit. Newly developed V52 performance lenses are 20% lighter than the previous version but maintain excellent impact resistance as well as full polarization and 100% UVA/B protection. These lenses have a high Abbe value (52), which is a measure of a lens material’s dispersion of light based on the compound it’s made from. Higher numbers (the index spans from 32–59) indicate minimal visual distortion and better optical clarity in a variety of light conditions, although we still needed to remove them in shady spots. Otherwise, these glasses rest comfortably on the head with minimal bounce when fitted properly and come with a removable headstrap to help keep them secure. The company is committed to cleaning 1kg of plastic waste for every pair of glasses sold and beginning in 2023, they have constructed frames created from 85% recycled fishing nets in the form of a highly durable nylon 6 polyamide. Available at www.vallon.com.

Zeal Optics Boone ($159)

This is a new model in the Zeal Optics Z-Lite collection of their lightest models, all weighing less than an ounce, inclusive of both frames and lenses. The key innovation is a Z-Lite compound that combines the company’s existing castor plant-derived Z-resin material with a thin injection process to create a new ultra-lightweight frame material. Z-Lite has excellent pliability, allowing the frames to be bent or compressed without breaking, and the fit is secured with a Proflex plant-based rubber compound at the temples and nose pads that gets stickier with increased sweat. Boone glasses utilize Zeal’s outstanding Ellume lenses made from plant-based polymers that are fully impact resistant and have a hardcoat scratch resistant coating for further protection. Ellume lenses are built to enhance specific wavelengths of visible light while reducing harmful blue light, to eliminate color confusion and optimize color contrast for depth perception. The Boone is classic style frame listed as a medium-fit, and our testers found them better suited for average to narrow faces. Available at www.zealoptics.com.

Ombraz Teton ($160)

Known as a category disruptor, Ombraz eliminates the traditional sidearm structure of sunglasses, instead using an abrasion-resistant nylon cord system that secures the frames against your face and eliminates any chance of them accidentally falling off. Dual adjusters make the cords very easy to manipulate, and there is a tutorial on the website for how to wear Ombraz with long hair, a hat or bike helmet as needed. There is definitely an adjustment period for finding the proper tightness and positioning against your nose and one quirk we discovered is that the bridge is not particularly grippy, so the frames can occasionally rotate backwards to rest against your eyebrows. Ombraz is inspired by Wayfarer and Clubmaster styles and has three different frame colors, each made from lightweight and flexible TR90 nylon that is virtually unbreakable, and three colors of German-engineered Zeiss polarized lenses. A cool feature of these glasses is that unlike all the other glasses in this review, you can mix and match the three frame options with the three lens options for free, to fully customize the look and function of your individual product. Ombraz are available at www.ombraz.com.

Method Seven Silverton ($175) and Huntress ($275)

Method Seven Silverton

This brand is the hidden gem of our test group, with the Silverton model distinguishing itself as our favorite for long trail days and ultra races. Method Seven packs a ton of innovative technologies into its artisan product line, and their Ultra Trail models are designed and tested with pro athletes like Cat Bradley and Avery Collins. The company takes a different approach to lens technology, believing that most sunglasses are too dark and over polarized, compromising trail contrast. Instead, their lenses use a process called notch filtering that uses rare earth elements, advanced coatings and polymers to block the light you don’t need and enhance the light you do. Within each lens, there are zoned micro adjustments to the lighting formula based on the proximity of the ground in front of you. As a result, the lenses remain polarized, but with contrast enhancement for safer foot placement. We found this to work exactly as advertised, even to the extent that we didn’t feel the need to remove our glasses when going from bright sun into dark tree cover. A multitude of coating technologies—hydrophobic, anti-fog, anti-scratch, infrared, UV absorption and anti-reflective inside and outside—maximize comfort and overall functionality.

Method Seven Huntress

This lens technology is found in all three of Method Seven’s Ultra Trail frames, which all have slip-free temple tips and nose pads to stabilize them with movement. The Silverton (as you may guess, lab-tested during the Hardrock 100) is a sleek, unisex style that is something of a cat eye and Wayfarer blend, made from aircraft-grade TR90 polymer that has a slight wrap and a keyhole nose bridge. The women’s Huntress model is based on classic aviator style, but is crafted from a brownish-red Japanese hand-tooled titanium. Both styles are exceptionally lightweight and have an almost imperceptible feel against your head. The Silverton and Huntress are available at www.methodseven.com.

Smith Optics Motive ($185)

A new model from Smith Optics has a number of features pulled from the brand’s extensive performance line in a model specifically designed for road or trail running. They are described as a “slight wraparound” fit, but the lenses are a medium fit with large enough coverage for full protection while maintaining excellent optics. The frames are comprised of a remarkable Grilamid TR90 nylon that is exceptionally lightweight and flexible but is extremely durable and maintains its shape in all conditions. Megol bio-based rubber compounds on the nose and temple get stickier with perspiration to produce a non-slip grip when things heat up. Each of the six frame color options come with two different lenses: one uses ChromaPop lens technology for optimum color, clarity and definition of objects. These are interchangeable with a clear lens for low light conditions, which isn’t super practical for running but has good crossover use for cycling. Vents in the upper corner of the lenses help dispel heat and moisture buildup, while smudge and moisture-resistant coatings help the lenses stay clear and clean easily. Available at www.smithoptics.com.

ROKA Barton 2.0 ($205) & Lola 2.0 ($220)

ROKA Barton 2.0

Named after the best urban swimming pool on the planet, the original Barton is one of ROKA’s most popular models for cool looks on bright days, with serious performance chops. We’ve worn the original for countless ultras and multi-day adventures. The 2.0 version released this year has the same looks and durability, with subtle feature updates including modified stainless steel spring hinges, and a wider palette of frame colors to choose from—11 in total—and by far, the most in this test group. Also new for the 2.0 is an XL version for larger faces. The lenses are 2mm taller and 4mm wider than the regular version, and the XL frame comes in 4 colors. Both sizes use lightweight injection-molded TR 90 nylon frames that are chemical and sweat resistant, with stainless steel core wires in the temples for a customized fit. GEKO pads on the temples and nose have excellent grip when wet, and each pair of glasses comes with three different size nose pads to further customize the fit across your nose. C3 lenses come in nine different shade options and all of them have premium coatings for resistance to scratches and abrasions, fog and water formation, oil buildup and reflective glare.

ROKA Lola 2.0

The women’s Lola 2.0 is a classic cat eye style with the above features including GEKO pads, spring hinges for shock absorption from impact and lens coatings for scratch and sweat resistance. One of our favorite features of this style is the Floatfit ultralight frames for minimal bouncing and sturdy comfort while out on the trail. If you don’t like the standard frame and lens combinations offered, you can customize your own frame and lens for an additional $15, and you can also make these into prescription glasses for an additional $70. Available at www.roka.com.

Julbo Density ($250)

While it looks like a windshield for your face, this wraparound model is so lightweight and minimalist that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it. The Rilsan bio-sourced frames are the thinnest and lightest of any in this test group, making them easy to combine with a hat and headphones if needed, with large grip inserts on the nose and temples to keep them in place. Large cylindrical lenses have ventilation ports above the nose for air movement and provide a completely unobstructed field of vision. Most Density models are offered with Julbo’s outstanding REACTIV performance photochromic lenses and are specially crafted for enhanced contrast or light amplification. We’ve used Julbo’s photochromic lenses for a number of years now, and can attest that the tinting transition speed for them seems to get faster every year. A couple models are available with polycarbonate Spectron lenses for a lower price point. All Density models have an external oil-repellent coating, interior anti-fog coating in addition to 100% UV Protection. Available at www.julbo.com.