These Running Sunglasses Have the Right Mix of Fashion and Function
I’ve long written about feeling weird about wearing sunglasses that make me look too fast. And, admittedly, I also feel kinda weird sometimes about wearing running sunglasses that look too fashionable and not fast enough (kinda like wearing make-up when you work out). I know. I have issues.
But these? The new Nike Bandit ($145) shades that are somehow sporty and fashionable and cool without looking like I’m about to PR an Ironman? Yeah, I can dig this. (And to you Ironmen and women: ROCK ON. I bow to thee. You wear whatever the hell makes you feel awesome.)
They’re kind of like the perfect mix of fashion and function. Available in seven colors (Nike sent me the Matte Black/Bright Crimson, but holy hell, the white ones you see above are awesome), they just look cool.
And better yet, they feel cool on. There are these little soft rubber channels on the inside of the temples of the frames that wick away sweat and help increase airflow. Plus, there are tiny holes built into the top of the frame that allow heat to escape and cool air to circulate — meaning I’ve never had these fog up on a run, no matter how humid it was out. (And, believe me, in Kansas City, some days the humidity is so high it feels more like swimming than running or walking.)
They feel good on, too. These running sunglasses stay on without squeezing your temples (instant headache? No thank you), even when you start to sweat. And the floating nose pad works really, really well — no slippage there (and no little pieces to somehow break). The lens give you just enough tint so that you can see in bright sun, without losing any clarity or having your vision distorted. The thicker frame above the eyes also helps keep some of the sun’s rays from hitting you when you run at noon and the sun is beating down.
The other thing I like about these shades? They’re pretty unisex. Yes, this means that my husband routinely steals them from me to wear during runs or family walks, but, I kind of like how they’re not overly girlie or masculine. They’re just, like I said, cool.
What do you look for in a pair of running sunglasses? —Jenn