While a pair of sunglasses is an accessory, the protection is necessary, and let’s not forget about style. When you can only bring one pair, consider these sunglasses that will serve you on a remote trail or while strolling city streets.
Julbo Elevate
On a recent hike up Mount Sneffels in Colorado, the Julbo Elevate sunglasses ($130) impressed me with their versatility. Our eight-hour hike started just after sunrise, and I had these glasses on my head the whole day. The Reactiv photochromatic lenses started light and became increasingly darker as the sun increased intensity. When a rainstorm rolled through in the afternoon, the lenses started to lighten again. The lenses are polarized as well, eliminating glare on snowfields that we crossed thanks to a polarizing filter. Lightweight frames have a stylish mountain angle, so as we headed back to Ouray for some post-climb reverie, the glasses stayed with me every step of the way.
Costa Spearo
Costa has seemed to perfect the integration of lifestyle and adventure, creating high performing sunglasses for those who love playing in and around the water. I tested these while stand-up paddleboarding, and I while they have a more masculine frame than other Costa styles, the Spearo ($270) is performance-based with design in mind. Named for spearfishermen, these sunglasses are lightweight yet sturdy, with nonslip nose pads and temple tips for ensured stability. Available in four frame colors, add your own personal flair to your look and choose from a variety of lens colors to keep these unique for you.
Sunski Portola
Go light and fashion-forward with the contemporary look of the Sunski Portola ($68). I wore these sunglasses for a variety of activities on a busy summer Sunday, and they seamlessly transitioned from a hike to brunch to walking the local farmers’ market. The Portola is made from a strong and light special recycled plastic created by Sunski. Mirrored and polarized lenses create the added eye protection I’m looking for while playing and exploring outside, blocking all those harmful UV rays while still keeping my style on point. These sunglasses truly demonstrate style that performs perfectly for days spent close to home or weeks on the road.
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