One thing about a trip to the mountains is, it’s often much sunnier than you expect it be. And, in addition to that, the glare from the snow can be dazzling even in relatively muted sunlight. Which means that a good pair of sunglasses for skiing is a must.
While any pair of sunglasses for your ski trip might be fine, actually, there are some nuances and factors to consider when it comes to choosing your eyewear. As mentioned, the glare is a big thing, but so also is being able to use your sunglasses on piste. And you also need a pair that is stylish for your apres ski attire too.
So we’ve picked our favourite selection of snow sports friendly eyewear to pack for your next trip to the mountains.
Most (if not all) of the ski sunglasses on our list below are unisex.
1. Tribord Sailing Floating Polarized Sunglasses
Coming in securely at the affordable end of the sunglasses spectrum are these excellent polarized sunnies from Decathlon. These are marketed as sailing sunglasses, mostly because they float. I actually bought them for paddleboarding but they offer excellent protection, the polarised lenses are some of the best I’ve seen on any pair of sunglasses, let alone budget sunnies. And, perhaps the reason they became a firm fave for my snowboarding trips is that they offer a secure fit – so no coming loose with all that action.
They come with a nice mirrored tint and are, technically, unisex.
And, if you do happen to do any water based sports too, they float! A definite bonus.
For those worried about quality at this price, I can confidently say that these are a really well built set of ski sunglasses. Well above what you’d expect at this level – and I’ve been rocking these shades for a couple of years now both on water and on snow.
I love these sunglasses for snowboarding so much that I actually bagged several pairs in a mix of colours. And at under £25 they’re a bargain!
Buy from: Decathlon
Price: £24.99
2. Pit Viper Extra Wide Polarized Sunglasses
One for the style crew this one. Pi Viper are renowned for their sporty and stylish shades, and the Viper makes a particularly head turning set of eyewear. With their wraparound protection and polarized lenses, these are perfect for both soaking up the rays at the mountain bar, or even riding down the slopes.
And if you’re already rocking a pretty eyecatching style on snow, these will be the perfect compliment.
These are marketed as unisex, but would be better suited for those with a larger face.
- Buy from: Blue Tomato
- Price: £90
3. SunGod Tempests
While you could almost pick any set of sunglasses for skiing from the SunGod range, I prefer their Tempests for their slightly snugger fit.
SunGod offer standard tint, polarised lenses and their own 8KO and 9KO polarised which offer a level up from the standard polarization. For their snow goggles this is a big deal, and while I haven’t tried it out for their sunglasses, I can see where this could appeal. The 8KO certainly offers a level of visual crispness that can make a massive difference, especially in challenging light conditions.
As it stands, I think their polarized sunglasses are great for skiing and snowboarding with good definition and protection. I’ve also owned their Sierras and Renegades, which are great ski sunglasses too. Somehow though the Tempests just fit that slight bit better…
SunGod also offer a lifetime warranty, so if they get damaged you might be able to get them fixed or replaced.
SunGod sunglasses are mostly unisex, with womens frames usually offering some more feminine choices for lens tints.
Buy from: SunGod
Price: From £80
4. Bollé Unisex’s Strix Sunglasses
Bollé will be a name familiar to snow sports fans for their range of snow goggles, helmets and accessories. So it’ll be no surprise that they make some great ski sunglasses too. Their range of eyewear for skiing and snowboarding are sturdy and made to last, and include non-slip features to ensure you don’t end up watching your sunnies go flying off your head while you’re on the chairlift.
The Strix sunglasses are polarized, meaning better visual clarity and protection in that snow glare.
Thanks to their mixture of great design and styling, Bollé are a great choice for ski holidays just as much as any other activity such as hiking or just lounging on the beach.
There are a good selection of Bollé sunglasses for skiers to choose from on Amazon, but we thought the Strix looked like a unique style with some great colourways.
Buy from: Amazon Bolle store (with free returns in the UK)
Price: £69
5. Oakley Clifden Matte Black
Bringing a touch of the explorer aesthetic to the slopes, these cool shades from Oakley are certainly unique. And with a comprehensive coverage for better protection, as well as polarized lenses, these make some stylish and functional sunglasses for snowboarders and skiers alike.
With nose bridge protection, wider eye coverage and a leash for added protection, these are the shades you’re looking for for your next off-piste adventure.
Buy from: Blue Tomato
Price: £200
6. CHPO Rickard Turtle Brown Sunglasses
We think these ultra cool shades look great and also offer extra eye protection with that added side coverage. And to ensure there’s no nasty glare, they’re also polarized and mirrored.
While these might come in at the lower end of the budget spectrum, reviews suggest that the quality of CHPO glasses is good and sturdy.
The brand themselves are very much sustainability focused, so the frames are made from recycled plastic. Although, to be honest, most frames on this list are.
With that said, we do like the brand and their ethos. So if you’re looking for an independent eyewear brand with their sights set on the snowsports scene (pun intended) then check out CHPO.
Oh, they also do lots of unisex and ladies sunglasses too, as well as snow goggles.
Buy from: Blue Tomato or CHPO
Price: £35
7. Bloc Riser XR1 Unisex Sunglasses
Another brand which will be familiar to snowsports fans are Bloc, who make some great goggles and helmets. Their sunglasses for skiing and snowboarding are also great quality and very stylish too.
The Riser XR1 are a very stylish pair of polarised glasses, with a very funky yellow lining to the frames.
These are unisex frames, ideally suited to small to medium sized faces.
Buy from: Amazon
Price: £32
Sunglasses for skiing and snowboarding
We do think a good pair of sunglasses is an essential addition to your ski packing list. Many of these are also much cheaper when bought in advance online, rather than in the resort, where you’ll usually pay much much more.
Make sure to look after your eyes on the slopes this year – and don’t forget your sunscreen too!
