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Leave your rivals in the shade.

As you know, exposure to the sun brings myriad benefits to your health – but it can also be a pain in the cornea when it gets in your eyes. No one wants to be blindsided by glare as they negotiate a roundabout on their two-wheeled exploits, or squint their way through a red-hot 10K. If you regularly train in nature’s gym, your Aviators will be glaringly inadequate. And that’s where sports sunglasses come in.

In a hurry? Here are the bestsellers, or see below for the full list.

• Best Overall Running Sunglasses - Oakley Radar EV Path, £214 • Best Budget Running Sunglasses - Runperf 2 Cat3 HD Adult Running Glasses, £29.99 • Best Sports Sunglasses For Golf - Oakley Mercenary Sunglasses, £111.20 • Best Classic Shape Sports Sunglasses - Goodr OG Sunglasses, £26.99 • Best Day-to night Sports Sunglasses - Bloc Titan Xr630, £30.56 • Best Trail Running Sunglasses - Oakley Radar EV Advancer, £91.50 • Best Cycling Sunglasses - Rapha Pro Team Frameless Glasses, £120

They’re an essential piece of gear when the mercury rises, or really whenever it’s bright out. The right pair of sports sunglasses – or running sunglasses, if you’re so inclined – won’t just shield your eyes and stay comfortably in place when you’re moving at high speeds. They’ll filter glare off water (or snow), heighten contrast for ball sports and, in some cases, even play a performance-enhancing backing track to your montage-worthy training sessions.

Keep scrolling for our edit of the finest, high-spec sports sunglasses and running sunglasses available, so you can stay laser-focused on the fitness. Shine on, people.

Consider the following points before making a purchase.

Much like sports sunglasses, the best running sunglasses can be identified using two primary purchasing points: comfort and lenses. Although you’ll be bobbing up and down, running sunglasses shouldn’t be restrictive — the nose piece, the arms and the bridge should fit snug without feeling tight. That’s where that all-important grip comes in.

And again, you’ll need lenses that block out UV light (both UVA and UVB) in all conditions. Like sports sunglasses, running sunglasses come in an array of tints and coatings that are designed to eliminate horizontal light waves, only letting vertical light through. This reduces glare – keeping eye strain at bay – and enhances colour, so everything appears clearer.

Whether you’re heading out on a 30-mile trail or dipping into a few rounds of beach volleyball, our pick of the best sports sunglasses will have you well and truly covered.

Among the best running sunglasses on the block, the Radar frame scores highly for shape and fit. This latest version, the Path, uses patented material on the earsocks and nosepads that increases grip as you sweat, keeping the glasses in place through intense training and rainy conditions. Plus the lenses are tested under extreme high mass and high velocity circumstances, Oakley says – so they won’t let you down.

Colours: Choose from 22 colours, dependent on lens Lenses: Available with polarized, photochromic, golf, Prizm (colour and contrast enhancing) and prescription lenses Extras: Hard case

As with all Kalenji frames, these are fit for purpose and kind to the wallet. Yes, they look like something your dad wore on holiday when you were a kid, but 90's fashion is back! Plus they’re vented, they fit well (thanks to an adjustable bridge) and the lens provides a decent level of wrap around. If you’re after a wallet-friendly pair of running glasses, these are for you.

Colours: Choose from 2 lens colours, blue or slightly cheaper grey Lenses: Category 3, 100% UV filter

Oakley is deservedly renowned for splicing optical quality with rock-solid durability. The minimalist style features “sleek double-bridge architecture”, which means larger lenses and extended protection on your field of view. These golf glasses offer long life, increased grip when you’re sweating and lenses that enhance colour on the links. These effectively block UV rays and give you a heightened sense of contrast, allowing you to read greens better. They’re comfortable for a full 18 holes, and the nose pads keep them in place with your head over a six-footer.

Colour: Black Lenses: Prizm enhancing lenses as standard, can purchase extra polarised lenses

These versatile sports sunglasses are superb: the lenses adapt to varying light conditions and give crystal clarity, while the flexible, lightweight frames are fitted with sports hinges to move with you. Vented lenses increase airflow and prevent fogging, so you can focus on what matters – whether it’s hill repeats or a swift pint.

Colour: Black frames Lenses: Polarised, with maximum UVA and UVB protection

If you don’t mind sporting last season’s shades, snap these up while they’re on sale. They’re super lightweight, stay put while sweating and feature a clever adjustable fog-fighting nose piece. The large lens is great for visibility and comes in three types for different light conditions.

Colours: Choose from 3 colours, dependent on lenses Lenses: Prizm trail torch, Photochromic, Prizm snow sapphire

You’d be forgiven for not realising these are sports sunglasses, what with their classic shape and ridiculously-named colourways (Flamingos On a Booze Cruise, we’re looking at you). But there are a number of reasons why they deserve a spot on this list: they’re affordable, polarised and don’t bounce, plus the lightweight frame has a grip coating to minimise slippage when you’re sweating. And you don’t have to worry about them rattling around in your gym bag, as they’re scratch-resistant too.

Colours: Choose from 11 colours, including purple and black Lenses: Polarized, UV protection

While these sports sunglasses were originally intended for long distances on the trail or track, the featherlight design makes them ideal for self-propelled trips to the office. (They will also look the part for post-work “rehydration” in the sun, too, when the time comes.) Though designed for demanding sports where light conditions change dramatically, they’ll also provide relief from rays when you’re sweating out a hangover by pounding the pavement. The stress-resistant frame will handle anything you throw at it, and grippy earsocks keep them locked in place.

Colours: Choose from 6 colours Lenses: Available in polarized and specialised golf lenses

These supremely light sports sunglasses are designed for your fastest rides on two wheels - our tester was seriously impressed with the weight, plus how well they stayed put. The hydrophobic (water-resistant) lenses come with a military-grade protective treatment that makes them easy to clean, scratch-resistant and ensures that dirt and water won’t stick. Crucially (and unsurprisingly from super-stylish Rapha), detachable lens colours mean that you can always customise your set to match the kit that you’re riding in. After all, looking the part is important, too.

Colours: Choose from 6, including black, navy and Rapha’s signature pink Lenses: High-contrast, UV400, with 10 - 21% light transmission, depending on colour

Thanks to strategically-placed magnets (hence the name), with the Smith Attack MAG you can swap between bright light and low light lenses in a matter of seconds - pretty impressive. Both sets of lenses use Smith’s ‘ChromaPop’ technology for enhanced detail and colour, and are smudge and moisture resistant. Plus adjustable nose pads and no-slip temples hold your specs in place during the bounciest of rides.

Colours: Choose from 7 colours, including violet and red lenses Lenses: Interchangeable bright and low light, contrast and colour enhancing, 100% UV protection Extras: ChromaPop Low Light Amber lens, microfibre bag with spare lens sleeve and case

If you can’t quite sport a headband like Federer, these sunglasses from adidas come with an interchangeable sweat blocker built-in, so the only thing in your eyes will be the finish line. Suitable for any sport, they’re ventilated so you don’t need to worry about fogging, have a non-slip, flexible frame, and the lenses are interchangeable too.

Colours: Available in 4 colours: black, white, yellow lenses, red lenses Lenses: Polycarbonate

Bolle says these are for mountaineering, and with a great shape, lightweight frame and decent lenses, they’re pretty much the complete package. Style wise, they’re not the greatest or latest, but when all you want is decent sun protection, these are well worth looking at.

Colours: Choose from 7 colours, dependent on lenses Lenses: Category 3, category 4, polarized and anti-fog

Bose electronics hidden in the temples of these sports glasses promise to produce an immersive soundtrack to your run, cycle or round of golf for up to 8 hours. Despite having the most traditionally stylish design on test, they’re still practical, blocking 99% of UV rays and being sweat-resistant. They connect easily via Bluetooth, and the mic lets you take calls from your smartphone. Impressively, the sound is rich without blocking out the noise of surrounding traffic to keep you safe too.

Colour: Black Lenses: Polarized Extras: 3 silicone nose pad options

Designed in conjunction with ultra trail champion Sebastien Chaigneau, these running sunglasses hit that sweet spot between lightness and durability. Both frame and lenses (which are anti-fog) are shatter-resistant, while the nose grip does its job excellently. And as for the price - well, you really can’t go wrong.

Colour: Black Lenses: Category 3, UV400 Extras: Zip case

In a retro sweep shape, these vented lenses keep you cool on the sweatiest of runs or rides. Earsocks moulded to the temples plus no-slip nosepads keep them in place, and the light yet durable frame is comfortable for all-day wear. Along with the ‘Prizm’ lenses (which boost colour and contrast) and the wide field of vision you’ll have great visibility, and they’re impact-proof, just in case.

Colours: Available in 3 colours: Ruby/Yellow, Pink or Orange Lenses: Prizm Road (for medium light), Prizm Ruby (for bright light), Prizm Trail Torch (for medium light)

Maui Jim’s wrap-style sports sunglasses are both comfortable and decidedly durable. The robust frame can handle anything you throw at it short of a sledgehammer – even if you face-plant at high speed on water skis – while the rubberised contact points hold things together when you’re trying not to lose your cool. These are peerless: in terms of optics, they’re the most technically advanced we tested. The polarised lenses are distortion-free to the edges and cut glare, so your eyes won’t feel fatigued even if you’re on the water all day.

Colour: Marlin/Neutral Grey Lenses: Polarized

There’s a reason these elicit something of a bug-eyed vibe - you can expect exceptional perception. With a frameless design, wraparound lenses and sharper vision courtesy of light-filtering ‘Clarity’ technology, you can truly focus on the road ahead while clocking any and all potential obstructions. They’re designed to feel weightless but are durable and scratch-resistant, and repel technology protects against sweat, salt, dust and dirt. Even better, they’re partially made from recycled materials.

Colour: Available in black and violet Lenses: Category 2, for bright and overcast conditions Extras: Two nose pieces, carrying pouch and hard case

If you’re keen to keep up your carefully curated look while on the run, or just want to add a touch of luxe, this fashion/sport hybrid pair of shades from Prada have got you covered. The frames are made with ultra-light nylon fibre while polarised, polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. They’re rubberised for comfort and grip, and while they come in a wide fit, Prada says the universal fit nose pads will accommodate most face shapes.

Colours: Choose from polar grey or grey/blue/red for a splash of colour Lenses: Polarised or mirror