Zeal Optics Avon
The most versatile eyewear of 2021.
Eyewear
Whether you’re trekking across bright snowfields or hiking during the long, sunny days of summer, having the right backpacking eyewear is essential. Find the best hiking sun glasses and tinted backcountry ski goggles with expert reviews from Backpacker Magazine.
Latest in Eyewear
Rheos Coopers
The best value eyewear of 2021.
Smith Lowdown 2 Core
The most eco-friendly eyewear of 2021.
Deal of the Week: Smith Lowdown 2 Sunglasses
See clearly on the trail with these durable shades.
Deal of the Week: Julbo Coast Sunglasses
These wraparound shades handle mountain glare and sea spray without looking too technical.
Ombraz Sunglasses
The best parts about these new-school shades are what they don't have.
Sneak Peek: Sweet Protection Interstellar Goggle
Your coat is Gore-Tex. Soon, your goggles could be too.
The 4 Best Sunglasses of 2018
Protect your peepers with the best sunglasses of the year.
Julbo Vermont Classic Glacier Sunglasses
These above-treeline buddies are a blast from the past.
The Best Sunglasses and Goggles of Winter 2017
Protect your eyes with these enlightened picks.
Sven Can See Anti-Fog Gel
Anti-fogging potion
Giro Facet
Women’s pick
Julbo Explorer 2.0
Best protection
ZEAL Portal//RLs
Easiest lens swap
ABOM HEET
Best anti-fogging tech
Smith ChromaPop Performance
Best lens
ZEAL Optics Capitol
Eco Pick
Sunski Olema
Bargain
Electric Stacker
Most versatile
Dragon Alliance SeafarerX
Best for water
Nike Tailwind
Trail runner’s pick
Julbo Aerospace Goggles
You'll find the best airflow in these goggles—pop the lens away from the frame for instant ventilation.
Smith I/O Asian Fit Goggles
Now one of the best interchangeable goggle series on the market fits more face shapes.
K2 Source Goggles
Get two lenses for the price of one with these goggles—and the best case on the market.
Optic Nerve V12
Usually you have to choose between max coverage and visual clarity in shades. The V12 offers both.
Julbo Venturi Sunglasses
These photochromatic lenses adapt to anything, making them our favorite lenses of 2015.
Proof Ontario Wood Sunglasses
Go green with these customizable wayfarers, our eco pick for 2015's best sunglasses.
Smith Pivlock Arena Max Sunglasses
Our favorite interchangeable-lens sunglasses of 2015 offer great coverage with an idiot-proof changing mechanism.
Kaenon Burnett Black Label Polarized G12 Sunglasses
These sunglasses give such clarity and ultra crisp viewing, you can hardly believe you're looking through lenses.
Winter Sunglasses & Goggles
Winter conditions require equal, but different protection from your eyewear. These five models cover all the bases.
Bliz Tracker
Can’t decide between a half or full frame? Get both.
Zeal Optics Range
Green-tech comes to eyewear.
Optic Nerve Amino
Be prepared for any light with four interchangeable lenses— for the price of one.
uvex snowstrike VT
Changing light? This innovative lens adapts.
Anon M2/WM1
Trade lenses fast—without removing your gloves.
Smith Optics Pivlock Overdrive Sunglasses Review
The light weight, snug fit, and interchangeable lenses make these Smith shades extremely versatile.
Gear Review: Costa Del Mar Cat Cay Sunglasses
Full-coverage lenses that let zero light seep, but shades that don't overwhelm a small face.
Gear Guide 2013: Eyewear
Protect your eyes with versatile shades.
Gear Review: Revo Guide Extreme Sunglasses
These multi-featured shades from Revo will keep you seeing clearly during high-altitude exertion.
Gear Review: adidas Swift Solo Sunglasses
These versatile shades from adidas provide no-slip comfort coupled with clear, natural colors.
Gear Review: Costa Tuna Alley with 580G Green Mirror Lens Sunglasses
View the world with clarity wearing these copper-tinted lenses from Costa,
Gear Reivew: Smith PivLock V2 Sunglasses
Get great coverage in a light-weight, zero-fog package with the Smith PivLock V2.
Gear Review: Tifosi Dolomite 2.0 With Smoke Polarized Fototec Lens Sunglasses
Experience all of the benefits of sunglasses with no change in natural color with these shades from Tifosi.
Gear Review: Ryders Cypress Sunglasses
Get great vision at all light levels with these killer deal shades from Ryders.
Gear Review: Julbo Trek Sunglasses
These mountaineering sunglasses keep perspiration away.
Gear Review: Native Eyewear Trango
Our favorite interchangeable-lens sunglasses are also stylish and affordable.
Gear Review: Bollé Rainier Sunglasses
For changing conditions, look no further than these specks by Bollé.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012: Eyewear
Seeing is important. Looking good is nice too. Do both with these sunglasses and goggles.
Gear: Eyewear
High summer is no time to go without shades. These models will protect your eyes no matter where your adventures take you.
Gear Review: Smith Gibson
Frontcountry looks meet backcountry performance with these shades.
Gear Review: Julbo Tensing
With vented wrap-around sidewalls, dark lenses (5 percent VLT), and a face-hugging frame, the Tensing provided high-altitude sun protection rivaling heavier, spendier mountaineering models.
Gear Review: Zeal Zeta
Full-coverage lenses without the huge frames.
Gear Review: Spy Quanta
These sunglasses will stay in place and won't mist up, even during your most difficult hikes and climbs.
Gear Guide 2012: Sunglasses
Four pairs of shades that perform in the wild
Gear Guide 2012: Ryders Clamor Sunglasses
Bargain sunglasses that perform
Gear Guide 2012: Julbo Dust Sunglasses
Sunglasses made for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking
Gear Guide 2012: adidas Terrex Fast sunglasses
No-fog sunglasses that are built for the active user
Gear Guide 2012: Switch Tioga Sunglasses
Interchangeable lens glasses that both sturdy and easy-to-use
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Eyewear
Protect your eyes from sun, snow, and debris with these goggles and sunglasses.
Gear Review: Native Vim Sunglasses
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Gear Review: Revo Guide Sunglasses
A pair of sunglasses that can handle glare from water, snow, and alpine environments.
Gear Review: Julbo Around Excel Goggles
These goggles have all-conditions lens that really perform in all conditions.
Gear Review: Zeal Eclipse SPPX Goggles
These goggles have excellent optics and the best-in-test ventilation.
Gear Review: Adidas Terrex Pro Sunglasses
Fog-free full-coverage eye protection
Gear Review: Costa Del Mar Zane Sunglasses
Worth the price, the Costa Del Mar Zane sunglasses have polarized lenses perfect for spotting fish despite the water's glare.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Smith Optics Heyday Sunglasses
Good-looking performance shades that fit a woman's face.
Gear Review: Zeal Tenacity Sunglasses
High performance shades scaled down to fit small and medium faces.
Gear Review: Julbo MonteBianco Sunglasses
High-elevation glasses that have city street style.
Gear Review: Ryders Eyewear Vela Interchangeable Sunglasses
High quality interchangeable optics for one low price.
Gear Review: Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses
Rimless and interchangeable
Gear Review: Oakley Radar Path Sunglasses
Sporting a pair of Oakley's Radars gives your eyes as much protection as they can get, this side of a welding helmet.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Optics
From sunglasses to binoculars to goggles these six items will help you see better.
Survival: Above Treeline With No Sunglasses
Can't see a thing and forgot your shades at home? We've got a solution for you.
Gear Review: Zeal Optics Airstream
The large frame and polarization of these sunglasses will keep your eyes fresh all day.
Gear Review: Switch Cortina FullStop
The struggle between user and lens is over with these magnetic interchangeable lenses.
Gear Review: Tifosi Logic
These sunglasses come with three interchangeable lenses, so you're ready for anything.
Gear Review: Julbo Contest
Transition seamlessly between seasons with these year round sunglasses.
Gear Review: Gordini Virve
See in any lighting with these interchangeable lens goggles.