The best rock climbing sunglasses are the Oakley Turbine Rotor because of their unique, shield-style lens, lightweight frame, and premium lens technology. But the Turbine isn't your only option for rock climbing sunglasses, especially if you're into specialized adventures like mountaineering. As with any tool, some sunglasses can work better in specific situations than others, so we combed through hundreds of frames to find the Best Sunglasses for Rock Climbing.
When shopping for a pair of protective sports glasses for any athletic endeavor, look for frames with shatterproof lenses made in lightweight yet sturdy performance materials. For rock climbing specifically, choose fully wrapped frames with curved temples and a head strap that secures the eyewear to your head as you look up and down a rock face. Mountaineering and high-altitude glacier glasses consist of rounded frames with side shields and cable temples for maximum coverage and an ultra-secure fit. Belay glasses consist of a pair of reflective mirrors that face upwards so you don’t have to crane your neck to watch your climber scale a rock face. Because many belay glasses easily clip onto conventional glasses or sunglasses, our list includes the best frames to wear with mirrored belay sunglasses.
The Best Rock Climbing Eyewear of the Year:
Oakley’s relentless attention to detail is on full display in the Oakley Turbine Rotor, making them our choice for the Best Overall Sunglasses for Climbing. The sleek wraparound frames feature a single visor-style lens for maximum coverage, and a wide viewing field for scaling a rock face. The Oakley Twin Toric lens technology with HDO™ provides distortionless optics, and the Unobtainium™ ear socks and nose pads get grippier when wet to prevent slippage when you move or look down. Experience elevated performance climbing or hiking steep trails wearing the Turbine Rotor sunglasses.
Belay glasses consist of a set of mirrors that clip onto prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, allowing the belayer to see a climber without craning the head and neck. We chose the Smith Parallel Max 2 as the Best Sunglasses To Wear With Belay Glasses for their sleek, rimless profile and single bridge that can easily accommodate a clip. The carbonic lenses offer impact resistance, so you can be comfortable knowing your eyes are safe from falling pebbles and rocks, while the Megol temple tips and nose pads provide a secure fit. Keep your climber safe and anchored with ease wearing the Parallel Max 2 sunglasses from Smith.
Oakley makes superior-quality sunglasses and eyeglasses for the hardcore athlete. The Clifden sunglasses provide optimal peripheral protection for summiting peaks, making them our pick for the Best High-Altitude Sunglasses. In our list of the Best Hiking Sunglasses, we highlighted the Clifden for its side shields and impact-resistant O Matter construction that safeguards your eyes from snow, wind, and debris as you take on some of the world’s highest peaks. The integrated leash keeps the frames in place, and Unobtainium® nose pads increase their grip when wet for an ultra-secure fit. Enjoy high-altitude gear that works as hard as you do in the Clifden sunglasses.
When you rock climb, you need glasses or sunglasses that hug your features and provide a secure, comfortable fit. The Costa Harpoon sunglasses boast a comfortable 8-base wraparound design and megol nose pads that earned these sunglasses top honors as the Best Prescriptions Sunglasses for Rock Climbing. The state-of-the-art Costa 580® lenses provide 100% UV protection to safeguard your eyes as you look up and down the rock face, and to resist impacts so you’ll never worry about falling rocks or dust as you climb. Enjoy a clear field of view and elevated style wearing the Costa Harpoon shades.
Reach for the Zeal Optics Red Cliff and discover a pair of rugged sunglasses that claimed the top spot as the Best Sunglasses for Mountaineering. Crafted in Zeal’s Z-Resin Bio-Plastic, these shades offer durability and impact resistance—perfect for climbing some of the world’s highest peaks. The fully wrapped rectangular design hugs your features for optimal eye coverage at the periphery, and the scratch-resistant coating on the Ellume Bio-Plastic lenses provides superior reliability. The flexible temples contour around the head for a secure, comfortable fit beneath any hat or helmet. Complete your mountaineering gear with the Red Cliff sunglasses from Zeal Optics.
We chose the Revo Traverse (RE1036) sunglasses as the Best Glacier Sunglasses because they’re engineered to withstand the wind, moisture, and low temperatures associated with climbing a reflective glacier face. Revo’s signature NASA-based polarized lens technology provides ultra-clear views and cuts glare from reflective snow, and the ultra-durable nylon construction resists impacts for reliable extended wear whether you’re traversing a range or skiing back down. The six-base wraparound lenses offer a wide viewing field, and the leather side protectors safeguard your eyes at the periphery. Revamp your glaciering gear with the dependable Traverse shades from Revo.
Choose mountaineering sunglasses with category 4 lenses and side shields that will keep high winds and snow from reaching your eyes. The frames should also be lightweight and crafted in an impact-resistant material so that they will not break if you fall. Mountaineering is not for the faint of heart and your sunglasses should be as tough as you are when taking on the world's highest peaks.
Mountain climbers often opt for sunglasses like the Oakley Clifden or REVO's Traverse shades. Both of these styles offer innovative technology as well as superior comfort to keep your eyes safe and protected as you summit.
The point of glacier sunglasses is to protect the climber’s eyes from high winds, snow, and blinding glare. The side shields keep out fast-moving debris at the periphery while high-tech polarized lenses offer ultra-crisp views—perfect for those who live in the mountains. While they've become a bit fashion-forward in recent years with their unique round lenses and goggle-like silhouette, glacier sunglasses are meant to keep a mountaineer's eyes safe.
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