In 2011, I had my first real experience in the “influencer” world. I was selected from over 3,000 applicants via Women’s Health Magazine to be an Oakley Women’s Ambassador.
I had no freaking idea what that meant, but it included a trip to Napa Valley, sunglasses and gear…so ya I was totally in. I didn’t expect that I would learn things on that trip, which would forever change my running.
(Making funny faces at the camera since before iPhone selfies were a daily thing)
It turns out sunglasses aren’t just a great thing for holding back my hair, they TRULY impact your running.
Why Sunglasses Matter for Running
Did you know wearing the wrong sunglasses could actually result in a bad run? I am a little ashamed to admit this, but I have spent a lot of years running without sunglasses because they bothered me or didn’t make me look just this cool.
Luckily as part of my Oakley ambassadorship I was able to tour their rolling O Lab for a truly eye opening experience. If you, like me, have never purchased an expensive pair of sunglasses and can’t even fathom why you would need them PLEASE read this.
- Squinting creates stress
- Stress tells your brain you’re doing something hard
- Thinking that running is hard tells your brain it’s hard
- Eye strain leads to fatigue and headaches
- Lack of eye protection isn’t cool running on roads with things flying about
- UV exposure can lead to cataracts and other issues
- All that squinting adds to the lines around our eyes
I was amazed, awed and learned some really important lessons.
(Bonus because they semi-hide the fear when I tackle new races).
Do You Need Expensive Sunglasses?
I’ll admit, I’m cheap.
This isn’t news, I’ve said it before when talking about everything from gear to food. I’ve also said that being cheap doesn’t meant, I’m not willing to pay for something that will LAST and WORK.
None the less, I didn’t understand why I needed to pay for something like Oakley’s. Then I spent a few hours learning that not all sunglasses are the same, watching demonstrations and a few days running in sunglasses that told me what I’d been mistaken.
BUT cheap doesn’t have to mean they aren’t great, as I’m now seeing with brands like Goodr. You just need to know what features really matter.
Durability
I don’t just mean, can you wear them a ton, I mean if you’re running along the sidewalk and a car flips a big chunk of concrete up which smashes in to your face will it protect your eyes?
Most fashion sunglasses are going to break instantly, meanwhile the higher quality sunglasses can sustain things like BB’s being shot at them, which we saw in action in this little booth from Oakley. Let’s hope that’s not the kind of thing you’re dodging on a run, but it’s something we don’t think enough about.
Each brand has their own way of showing you durability and if you can’t find that information anywhere on their site, it’s probably because they aren’t using materials designed for that. These better materials are often less likely to get scratches as well, which is so key for me as I toss them in hydration packs, etc.
Distorted Vision
This is the one that really GRABBED MY ATTENTION.
On the screen below is a clearly focused image…they then placed sunglasses in front of the lens to show how different glasses actually DISTORT the picture and make things blurry. This is due to the difference in quality materials and the curvature of sunglasses (i.e. light through a curved surface naturally wants to curve not move straight).
“there are two tests that speak to the clarity of optics: (1) Refractive power and Astigmatic power and (2) Prismatic power imbalance… layman’s terms they essentially measure the distortion of light passing through a lens; too much distortion and the lens fails the test. “
When this happens your brain needs to work a great deal harder to make sense of what it is seeing and try to get you back to clear.
Let’s think about this. If my brain is working so hard to help my eyes out while I’m also asking it to focus on my muscles for a two hour run…yeah it just doesn’t work out well.
Your entire body is zapped of energy!
Knowing that the cheap glasses are effecting my performance is enough to convince me, but paired with everything else now I truly understand that paying more is actually about getting more, not just getting a name in this case.
Cheaper sunglasses often have a cheaper lens material which distorts vision or they warp over time.
Are you running in cheap sunglasses? Find out how it could be impacting your runs and eye health! #runchat Click To TweetUV Protection
Honestly that single demonstration and thinking about how hard my brain is working convinced me that better sunglasses are now a requirement for my workouts. But UV protection is another huge one because I want my eyes to stay healthy and functional way in to my rip old running age. Higher quality sunglasses better protect you against all types of UV rays.
And if you are not wearing any sunglasses, let me remind you they protect against eye cancer, they protect that cute little skin around your eyes that you don’t want to be all wrinkly in the future and they provide general protection of course from things flying around while we run along the roads.
Running Sunglasses Features
When it comes to your running sunglasses, do you need anything different than the everyday?
The biggest thing for me is no fog! Which honestly seems to come down to how they fit your face. The tighter the fit, the more likely they are to fog and that’s why I tend to wear the Oakley women’s sunglasses over the standard wrap arounds.
Style
I’m putting this first because I think many of you are like me and don’t want to wear the traditional wrap arounds all the time. You’ll often see me in something that looks like a fashion sunglass, but thanks to improvements in technology they’re all sport!! Checkout Goodr, the Oakley Frogskins or Oakley Women’s Game Changer if you want something that doesn’t look so traditionally sporty, but gives you all the key features.
Rubber
Sounds obvious, but finding sunglasses that don’t bounce while your run or say stay put while you’re doing super awesome outdoor yoga is key. Checkout the placement of rubber on the nose and the ear pieces to ensure they’ll stay on and for us ladies, won’t rip out hair.
Polarized
This means when you look at the water, the snow or the glare off of a passing car windshield you won’t go blind. It’s a great feature to have in those cases, but also means you’ll have trouble looking at your smart phone screen, so it may not be a feature you actually need all the time.
Here I’m wearing the Oakley Radar Pace, which also includes in ear coaching and music.
Lens Tints
Ever wondered why sunglasses have different tints? The good one’s do it to change your viewing experience and the cheap one’s do it as a party trick.
- Yellow is great for super cloudy days
- Pink/amber is great on trails where you move in and out of sun to see the ground clearly
- Gray is best for super bright days
Running on the trails, it’s amazing to have a light pink tint which makes it possible to see the trail clearly as you pass from light to shade over and over.
Anti-Fog
This has a little to do with how sunglasses hug your face and if you train in say swampy Florida. Many sunglasses come with a film that should help with this (look for it in features), but you can also spray them with anti-fog if you’re consistently having issues. Otherwise, checkout the options I noted above that don’t sit quite to tight to the face.
There you have it, all the reasons runners need to be wearing sunglasses and the features to look for when buying one’s that will truly protect your eyes.
Did you know all of this?
Do you wear sunglasses?
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Brian says
I have yet to find a pair of sunglasses I can wear in the summer. I feel so much hotter (I mean unpleasantly warm in this context) with shades than without.I have a pair (bought at a both at an expo) that I love for cool, sunny days, but if it's warm and sunny I've had better luck with a visor. (Which is a very recent addition to my running gear).I haven't tried buying an expensive pair of sunglasses, though, since I tend to lose or break sunglasses.
Dawn says
That's interesting. I may only wear sunglasses a few times a year. I have never found a pair I like and I also had laser eye surgery several years ago and I hate to have any type of glasses on now…even if it is sunglasses. I guess I should keep shopping and find something that I can work with. I know its important to protect my eyes.
Heather @ The World says
My mom drilled the sunglasses rule into my head when I was younger. Because we live at such a high elevation here in Colorado, the sun does a lot of damage on your eyes–you can see old timers that never got the glasses memo, and the whites of their eyes are yellow!!!Only problem I have with glasses is that I have long eyelashes and I have yet to find a pair that don't smush them! SUPER annoying!
Rambling Heather says
Very cool! I'm switched to a pair of expensive glasses when the hubby and I started mountain biking. Never tried Oakley but I'm a Native Sunglasses girl. When you find that right pair, you become hooked.
Lisa says
you are stylin' in those shades. i still don't wear sunglasses running, but i always wear a headsweats cap that shades my eyes and protects my face from sun. I could use some good glasses for cycling though; wearing some cheap pair from kmart
Keri @ Blue-Eyed Run says
Wow!!!!! An oakley ambassadorship is AWESOME!!!! Congrats!!!! And those shades are super cute!!
shellyinmi says
So I guess my $6 pair from Forever 21 aren't cutting it. I've never bought an expensive pair because I know I won't take care of them. BALLS!
uthmama says
been desperately looking for just the right pair of running glasses – I've tried several – the most expensive being at the $75 mark. Still didn't like them – I wear sunglasses at ALL times when I'm outside (in fact, sometimes, I forget to take them off inside & wonder why it's so dark in the house/building). Maybe I'll have to save up for Oakleys, the same way I save up for new running shoes – in my change jar, very slowly!
Marlene says
Definitely did not know all of that, nor have I ever invested in a good pair of sunglasses. (GUILTY)Thanks for the info!!
Liz says
I hate spending a lot on sunglasses because they are so easy to break or lose. But my dad found me a good pair on sale for my birthday and they really are worth it.
Laura says
Whoa…news to me…I have a cheap pair of glasses I use…Come to think of it, it is the only thing I have cheaped out on as it relates to my run gear.
DEM says
I didn't know this until I splurged on myself and bought my Smiths….I fell in love, left them on the top of my car and cried a little, ok a lot – then splurged a second time to buy the same ones, because running without them for that week made me realize how incredibly helpful they were to my runs!Great description of the reasoning for the glasses!
SupermomE12 says
You look super cute in those! I never bought a pair of good sunglasses until I started running. They make such a difference and I love them! When you run it is so nice to have a pair that are light, fit right, work well and stay put.
Running In Boise says
I run with sunglasses but they are my everyday prescription sunglasses that I wear everywhere. They are a little too loose for running and I am always pushing them up when they get sweaty and slip down. It is time for me to get a new pair and a separate running pair.
Fair Weather Runner says
oh i'm a sunglass wearer (it all goes back to shielding myself from sun;). i have bolle's right now but am seriously considering some nike running glasses, the cute purple frames (go k-state;) don't hurt my decision either. glad you got on the bandwagon!
Shellyrm ~ just a co says
Wow I never knew this. I wear prescrip. sunglasses so I hope that at least they won't distort images but as for durablity I'm sure Oakleys have mine beat.
Detroit Runner(Jeff) says
I love my prescription Oakleys!
Tricia says
great info
Nelly says
Good post, that is awesome that you were able to visit the Oakley truck! I knew that while running your brain works harder if it has to squint (no shades) than if it did not have to squint (wearing shades). Though I didn't know that if the lenses are distorted that your brain has to work hard too. Great info!
Tara Burner says
wow great info, I'm one who does NOT wear sunglasses because I don't feel comfortable in them and have yet to find a pair I like that feels right, etc….now I may have to go rethink this and search!
NY Wolve says
I had always used inexpensive sunglasses until my wife bought me some expensive Oakleys as a present. I was too scared to put them on — I was sure I would lose them or break them. but once on, WOW. It really did make things clearer. I use a bronze or rose tint and absolutely love them. They really, really did make a difference.And for us older folks, it helps with eyes drying out. the sunglass moves air around the eyes instead of right into them. On cloudy days, I have taken to wearing clear lens. (My young daughter gets a kick out of that. "Dad! They are called SUNglasses! Sun? Get it?")Of course, I did lose them like a month later. So I had to go out and buy a new pair.
Britt says
I don't wear sunglasses while running but do other times of the day. I've always just assumed that they would bounce up and down on my face and that it wouldn't be comfortable on my large nose.
Bethany + Ryan says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Oakleys!!!! I have 2 pairs, 1 for everyday use and 1 specifically for biking and running. I cannot say one bad thing about them. They are perfect in every way imaginable!! Being bright pink helps make them awesomer too! :-)
Katie @ Legally Fit says
Great info! I have a nice pair of oakley sunglasses for running but more often than not I'm not wearing my contacts so I need to wear my prescription aviators. They seem to stay on my face more comfortably for some reason!
Bec says
I always wear sunglasses outside and always wear them when I run. I have Oakleys for working out with really neat yellow lenses. I think they intimidate others and make me look cool.
hauterunningmama says
I run in Oakleys and love them! Best running glasses and are worth every cent:) No bounce and they have the cutest women's line. Ahhhh so jealous that you are an ambassador!!! Go girl!
runningthedawn.com says
i've known for a long time that i need to start running in proper running sunglasses…so now i just need you to give away those cute ones that you're wearing in the picture :)
Happy Feet 26.2 says
well how about an ambassador discount for your wonderful followers :) ????
{lifeasa}RunningMom says
Oh what a great post. I stopped running in sunglasses when I started wearing a hat (both didn't mix well) and now I don't even wear the hat. Sunglasses and bondi band would do well and there is alot of sun in Hawaii.But I guess the $5 sunglasses I buy don't cut it. Oh bother….dear Santa, please bring me some good sunglasses….I know I already got my present early but perhaps…..
Lex R says
I've never spent much on sunglasses because I'm so clumsy, but the cheap ones seem to work just fine for me. I actually need to buy a new pair of athletic sunglasses for running/beach volleyball. There's an Oakley Vault nearby, so I might check them out. Thanks for the suggestion!
Kim G says
I’ve been running in the same pair of sunglasses for years. I really like them because they are sport sunglasses so they deal well with glare from the sun, sweat and they are super lightweight.
san says
I should wear sunglasses more often. I like the ones that you’re wearing in the first picture. What are they?
amanda says
Those are the Oakley Frogs I linked