Best MTB Glasses of 2025
July 23rd, 2025
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Eye protection is an essential piece of your mountain biking gear. And when it comes to shades made specifically for riding trails, the details matter. We tested mountain biking sunglasses and assessed optics, comfort, coverage, protection, anti-fogging, and, of course, style to find the best options out there for riders with a wide range of needs and budgets—because while some mountain-bike specific sunglasses can run you hundreds, they don’t have to. We looked for sunglasses with complete UV protection and considered the different visible light transmission (also known as VLT) ratings of various lenses, which indicates how much light can pass through the lenses—both important for mountain bike optics.
After hundreds of miles on the trail, with multiple testers and all sorts of riding conditions, we found these to be the best sunglasses for mountain bikers.
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Comparison table
| SUNGLASSES | TREELINE AWARD | LENS TYPE | VLT RANGE | UV PROTECTION | SIZES | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Wildcat | Best overall Read why |
ChromaPop 5-base cylindrical lens | black: 10%; photochromic: 12%–67%; rose gold mirror: 22% | UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays) | Medium frame | 30g |
| Tifosi Moab | Best affordable Read why |
shatterproof polycarbonate | smoke: 15%, AC red: 39% | UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays) | Medium-large | 31g |
| Glade Ramble | Best photochromic Read why |
Tritan copolyester photochromic | 14%–65% | UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays) | Medium Fit (gender neutral) | 30g |
| POC Devour | Best full coverage Read why |
Zeiss Clarity | 18%–25% | UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays) | one size, adjustable length and grip | 39g |
| Vinco Terra | Best for low light Read why |
polyamide ultra-panoramic | 65% | UV400 ( UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays) | S and L | 27g (size small) |
The winners
Best overall MTB glasses: Smith Wildcat
Lens type: ChromaPop 5-base cylindrical lens
Lens colors tested: Photochromic clear to gray, black, rose gold mirror, clear
VLT range: Black lens: 10%; photochromic: 12%–67%; rose gold mirror: 22%
Sun protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays)
Weight: 30g
Sizes: Medium frame
What we liked: Extremely comfortable, great coverage and field of vision, excellent optics, durable, good style
What we didn’t like: Expensive
After testing dozens of mountain biking and cycling sunglasses over several seasons of riding and across multiple testers, there is one pair that has always stood out for their combination of crisp optics, high coverage, good style, and maximum comfort: The Smith Wildcat.
These sunglasses have all of the features we look for in a good pair of MTB shades, with good style to boot. One tester has used the same pair of Wildcats for five straight seasons of mountain biking in Colorado (riding most days of the week throughout the summer, totalling hundreds of days and thousands of miles), and they’re still going strong.
The Wildcats are far from the most affordable sunglasses in our test. But while we wouldn’t necessarily consider them casual sunglasses for everyday wear, they have plenty of versatility off the bike too, from ski tours to trail runs and beyond, which adds to their value. Ultimately, we think these shades are well worth the price if they’re in your budget. No pair of sunglasses performed as well in every aspect as these.
Smith Wildcat
The Wildcat frames are a hybrid blend of TR90 (a flexible plastic material) and TPU, which makes them flexible and supremely comfortable without sacrificing security. Smith categorizes these as a medium frame with extra-large coverage. While we don’t think the frames are humongous (especially when compared to the POC Devour, our pick for best full coverage) we would consider them on the larger side of the medium spectrum. The auto-locking hinges on the arms are solid and have never posed a durability concern for our testers.
Most options for the Wildcat come with Smith’s ChromaPop lenses, which help to define the trail better and make for crisper optics overall. Some colors also have polarized lenses, which is nice but less important for mountain biking compared to water sports or fishing, where the polarization really makes a difference. All of the lenses have 100% UV protection (Smith doesn't specify whether UVA, UVB, or both) and are shatterproof. They also have a smudge-resistant coating that helps mitigate scratches, sheds water and mud, and helps to keep the lenses looking clean and crisp overall.
As far as testing goes, we’ve truly put the Wildcats through the ringer. One tester has used the same pair as his primary riding glasses for five seasons straight, logging hundreds of days and thousands of miles in them. He even raced the notoriously challenging Breck Epic 6-day mountain bike stage race in them. After all these seasons of testing we’ve yet to encounter a single durability issue with the Wildcat—and that includes a solid handful of crashes from washing out in berms to going over the bars.
The optics of the ChromaPop lenses on the Wildcats were consistently among the best in our test when riding out on the trails. We tested the black, clear, and clear to gray photochromic lenses, all with ChromaPop. The black lens proved to be a great choice for high alpine rides in sunny Colorado, and our testers also loved the versatility of the photochromic lens. Smith also offers multiple other lenses with the Wildcat, including the Rose Gold Mirror, which we think is a great choice for all around versatility on the trails.
The large coverage blocks wind and mud, and we never had any fogging issues, even when climbing on humid and rainy days. Our testers also found the Wildcats to be supremely comfortable, even for full days on the trails.
Ultimately, the only downside we can think of for the Wildcat is the price. They aren’t cheap, but we do think they’re worth the splurge if it’s in your budget. These are a solid pair of mountain biking sunglasses that will perform exceptionally well and are also exceptionally comfortable.
If your budget doesn’t fit these shades, consider the Glade Ramble for a similar look and nearly equal comfort, or the Tifosi Moab for great optics and multiple lenses at an incredibly reasonable price. And if you dig the Wildcat but have a smaller head, consider the Smith Bobcat, which is nearly identical to the Wildcat but made for smaller faces. (The author and our primary women’s tester wears a small helmet and prefers the fit of the Bobcat.)
Best affordable MTB glasses: Tifosi Moab
Lens type: Shatterproof polycarbonate
Lens colors tested: Smoke, AC red, clear
VLT range: Smoke: 15%, AC red: 39%
Sun protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays)
Weight: 31g
Sizes: Medium-large
What we liked: Clear optics, good style, 3 lenses offer excellent value
What we didn’t like: Rigid arms aren’t as comfortable as others in test
A lot of people spout how expensive mountain biking is, and they’re not entirely wrong. You could easily spend more on a bike than you would on a relatively nice car. And even something as simple as a pair of sunglasses designed for mountain biking can run you hundreds of dollars. But that doesn’t have to be the case. The Tifosi Moab sunglasses pack some great optics and features into a very affordable package. These shades have good coverage and decent style, and the lenses are truly impressive for the price. And, they come with three different lenses—more than any other models in our test. For that reason, we think these sunnies offer a pretty incredible value for mountain bikers on a budget.
The frame of the Moab is made of a Grilamid TR90 plastic material that’s both light and sturdy. The lack of TPU means these aren’t as flexible as others in our test, like the Wildcat, but we found the Moab frames to be comfortable and solid overall. The nosepiece is secure and we never experienced issues with the frame sliding off our face while riding.
The Moab sunglasses come with three different lenses, which is an incredible value, especially at this price. We tested the smoke gray, AC red, and clear lenses. For rides below treeline, our testers loved the versatility and crisp optics of the AC red lens, and that’s what we wound up using the most. But all three lenses impressed us with their clarity and crisp optics.
Tifosi Moab
The Moab is also available with a photochromic lens for a little extra money. We tested the Clarion Gold Fototec lens in the Moab Lite (Tifosi’s lighter and more minimal version of the Moab, which comes in a half frame rather than full frame) and were equally impressed with the optics. But in the end, the AC red remained our favorite for trail riding. All of these lenses are shatterproof and provide complete UV protection.
We tested the Moab sunglasses over dozens of days and multiple testers, from rides in the mountains around Colorado to the hot trails of the Southern Utah desert and they performed well across the board. They have good coverage and we never experienced fogging issues.
The Moab sunglasses aren’t quite as flexible, comfortable, or stylish as our overall winner, the Smith Wildcat. And there are glasses with even crisper optics, like the Wildcat or Oakley Sutro Prizm lenses. But we think the Moabs offer incredible value and truly impressive optics for the price. So if you’re keen to save a little coin on this part of your kit, we think any rider would be happy with the Tifosi Moab.
Best photochromic MTB glasses: Glade Ramble
Lens type: Tritan copolyester photochromic
Lens color tested: Reveal photochromic grey
VLT range: 14%–65%
Sun protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays)
Weight: 30g
Sizes: Medium Fit (gender neutral)
What we liked: Excellent value, good optics for a wide range of conditions, incredibly comfortable
What we didn’t like: Optics aren’t quite as crisp or as scratch resistant as others in our test
Glade is a relatively new, Colorado-based company that makes solid goggles and sunnies at very reasonable prices. The Ramble sunglasses have a strikingly similar design to the Smith Wildcat and Smith Bobcat, but come in at a fraction of the price. The Ramble also comes exclusively with photochromic lenses, which make them very versatile.
These sunglasses are among the most comfortable in our test, and given the photochromic lenses that come standard, they’re also some of the most versatile. And that all comes at a price that’s a fraction of other premium bike shades in our testing lineup. So if you’re on the hunt for a versatile pair of sunglasses to wear in a range of lighting conditions and don’t want to splurge on top-of-the-line options, put these at the top of your list.
Glade Ramble
The frames of the Ramble are an injection-molded design that uses 45% bio-based content, which is a cool feature. In the field, these frames feel very similar to the Smith Wildcat or Bobcat in terms of flexibility and comfort, and we found them to be nearly as comfortable and secure, too. They have ample coverage and good fog management.
The lenses on the Ramble are a Tritan copolyester with an anti-scratch treatment and 100% UV protection. We tested the photochromic grey lens and found them to do well in a wide variety of conditions, from shady trails before the sun has fully risen to sections of rec path riding in full bluebird open sky conditions. The optics aren’t quite as crisp as others in our test, including the Wildcat, the Oakley Sutro Prizm, or the Zeiss lenses on the POC Devour, but they still performed well overall. And for the price, we think the Rambles offer excellent value.
We tested the Rambles on dozens of rides around Colorado and Southern Utah. Multiple testers were impressed by the comfort and performance of these shades, especially for the price, and all of them liked the versatility of the photochromic lenses. Even on rowdy sections of trail through rock gardens and drops, these stayed secure, comfortable, and never fogged up while climbing, even in damp conditions.
If a versatile and comfortable pair of riding glasses is what you’re after and you don’t want to pay premium prices, put the Glade Ramble at the top of your list. If you want to save even more money and get slightly crisper optics, consider the Tifosi Moab instead. But, we think the Ramble offers more comfort and style overall. And if you’re willing to splurge, you’ll get better optics overall in the Smith Wildcat, Oakley Sutro, and POC Devour. But for the price and given the versatility, it’s pretty tough to beat the photochromic Glade Ramble.
Best full coverage MTB glasses: POC Devour
Lens type: Zeiss Clarity
Lens color tested: Clarity Trail / partly sunny silver Cat. 2
VLT range: 18%–25%
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays)
Weight: 39g
Sizes: One size, adjustable length and grip
What we liked: Goggle-like coverage with good breathability, great optics, adjustable arms
What we didn’t like: Large frames look a little ridiculous on smaller faces, expensive, does not include hard case
If you’re the type of rider who likes to throttle it downhill, but not so much that you’re in a full face and goggles, you’ll want a pair of sunglasses with maximum coverage but that can still handle plenty of pedaling. The POC Devour sunglasses fit that bill to a tee.
These shades really do bring the shade. They offer the most coverage of any sunnies in our test with excellent optics to boot. Multiple testers used these glasses in a variety of conditions and while some liked the large fit more than others, all of them agreed on the excellent optics and overall performance.
POC Devour
The frames on the POC Devour are made of a fairly rigid plastic with a unique internal frame design that allows the lens to wrap around and provide an incredible field of vision. The temples on these sunglasses are adjustable, which was especially helpful for our smaller testers to dial in the fit.
The lenses on the Devour are made by Zeiss and the clarity of the optics stood among the Smith Wildcats and Oakley Sutros as some of the best in our test. We primarily tested the Clarity Trail partly sunny silver lens and it was one of our tester’s favorite lenses in our whole test. The VLT range and overall optics made it great for all around trail riding in a wide variety of lighting conditions. And despite being so large, the Devours still vented well and our testers never encountered fogging issues while climbing.
It is worth noting that the Devour definitely takes full coverage to the max. These frames are huge and while the optics are excellent, we admit that these sunnies do look a bit ridiculous on our testers with smaller faces. Our primary women’s tester wears a small helmet and felt a little silly in these. But, importantly, the egregious size was only noticeable in the mirror and not on the trail. When riding, she forgot how big these were and actually really enjoyed their on-trail performance. Our men’s testers with larger faces found a great fit with the Devour.
Our only other gripe with the POC Devour is that, unlike every other pair in our test, these don’t come with a proper hard case for storage. And with these also being the most expensive in our test, we most definitely think they should include this. Especially because, since these sunglasses are so large, they didn't easily fit in other spare cases we had laying around.
Ultimately, if you want the coverage of goggles in a package that has the comfort and breathability of sunglasses with great optics, put these at the top of your list—as long as you can stomach the price.
Best MTB glasses for low light conditions: Vinco Terra
Lens type: Polyamide ultra-panoramic
Lens color tested: Terra
VLT range: 65%
UV Protection: UV400 ( UV400 (100% UVA and UVB rays)
Weight: 27g (size small)
Sizes: S and L
What we liked: Excellent optics in low light, sustainable materials, repairable, great style, good field of vision
What we didn’t like: Not quite as secure as others in test, lens color not ideal for high light conditions
Lots of mountain bikers find themselves primarily riding on densely forested trails with low light conditions. If that’s you, consider the Vinco Terra. These uniquely designed shades have a yellow tinted lens that performed especially well in the woods—and that’s exactly what they’re made for.
We tested these over multiple days of riding and they really stood out on a rainy morning of trail riding at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, with dark grey skies and fog hugging the mountainsides. The Terra was the perfect companion, and we dig the style and sustainable materials used, too.
Vinco Terra
The lenses on the Terra are a yellow tint with 65% VLT (and full UV protection), which makes these ideal for days spent in the trees or in any lower light conditions. They also performed well on early morning rides before the sun crested the mountain ridges. Full sun was a little intense with these shades, as to be expected, but on cloudy days in the trees, these provided crisp, excellent optics.
We’re highlighting the low light lens of the Terra in this review, but another standout feature that Vinco has is the unique sustainable materials used in their frames. Rather than TR90, TPU, or other fossil fuel based plastic materials, Vinco uses a biopolymer that’s made from wood fibers. Plus, they’ve also designed the frames to be completely rebuildable, which increases the long term use overall.
How does this translate to the field? The frames are relatively flexible and very comfortable. The arms are some of the lowest profiles in our test and these shades are very lightweight. The temples on the arms are also fully adjustable which helps to dial in a secure fit, although these are admittedly a little less secure feeling on the trail than others in our test. Our testers mitigated that by curving the temples, which kept the glasses on very well, but did make them a little harder to take on and off with a helmet on.
While we like the repairable nature of these sunnies, the lenses aren’t swappable for everyday use, so the Terra won’t be the most versatile in our test by any stretch. If you ride in a mix of lighting conditions and don’t want more than one pair of sunnies, consider a pair with easy lens change options or a photochromic lens, like the Glade Ramble. Vinco also makes a high light version of these sunglasses, called the Sola, which will be more ideal for high light conditions.
But if a dedicated pair of low light glasses is what you’re looking for, put these at the top of your list. Along with the optics, we also love the unique look and style that these shades offer.
Best on-trail optics MTB glasses: Oakley Sutro Prizm
Lens type: Plutonite Prizm
Lens color tested: Prizm Grey
VLT range: 17%
Weight: 30g (for the Sutro S, as tested)
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Sizes: One size fits all, wide high bridge
What we liked: Excellent optics, fun style
What we didn’t like: Rigid arms are not as comfortable as others in test, only comes with one lens
For top-of-the-line, ultra crisp optics on the trail, Oakley’s Prizm lenses can't be beat. And the Sutro frame is incredibly popular among cyclists and mountain bikers alike. There are a lot of excellent optics and good lens options in our test, including the Smith ChromaPop lenses and the Zeiss Clarity POC lenses, but the Oakley Prizm lenses stood out on the trail, making the details really pop. If that’s your top priority in your mountain bike sunglasses and you dig the fun style of the Sutro frames, then these should be at the top of your list.
Oakley Sutro Prizm
The frames of the Sutro use Oakley’s “O Matter” material, which is essentially a type of plastic. These frames have some flexibility, but not nearly as much as the Smith Wildcat. Multiple testers actually found the Sutros to be some of the least comfortable frames in our test, and one tester had issues with them pressing her temples and the tops of her ears, though it did become a little less noticeable after riding for a while.
Despite some discomfort with the frames, the Prizm lenses on the Sutros truly stood out. The optics are incredibly crisp and make details on the trail really stand out. We tested the Prizm grey lens and found it to be surprisingly versatile despite the darker tint. But the 17% VLT certainly helps with that. While we didn’t have a chance to test other lens colors, we think the Prizm Trail Torch lens would also make an excellent choice for versatility.
Multiple testers used these sunnies on various rides, from rainy rides in the woods to high alpine trails and even casual bike commutes to work on the rec path, and the optics were great for all of it.
While the Sutros left a little to be desired in the way of comfort, they’re a secure and stylish pair of bike shades with truly excellent optics. So if that’s your priority, put these at the top of your list.
Other MTB glasses we tested
Smith Bobcat
Lens type: ChromaPop 5-base cylindrical lens
Lens color tested: Black, clear
VLT range: 10%
Weight: 26g
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Sizes:
What we liked: Extremely comfortable, excellent optics, great coverage and field of vision in a frame designed for smaller faces
What we didn’t like: Expensive
The Smith Bobcat is essentially the Wildcat Lite. Smith took the well-loved design of the Wildcat and made a frame more suited to smaller faces. The optics are identical and equally excellent. The frame of the Bobcat is slightly stiffer and even a little more secure than the Wildcat, especially for smaller faces. But it is also equally as comfortable, if not a little more so—our primary tester (who wears a small helmet) found these to be the most comfortable in the test. The Bobcats are also a few grams lighter than the Wildcats. Ultimately, if you love the style and features of the Wildcats but have a smaller head or want to shave a few grams, consider the Bobcat instead.
Bobcat ChromaPop Sunglasses
Lens type: Shatterproof polycarbonate
Lens color tested: Clarion Gold Fototec
VLT range: 12%-50%
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Weight: 27g
What we liked: Affordable, good lens quality
What we didn’t like: Frame shape and style not as good as regular Moab
The Moab Lite is a slimmed down version of our budget winner, the Tifosi Moab. We like the style and look of the regular Moab better and think the regular Moab also has better coverage. But, if you want a light and slim pair of sunglasses with good optics at a great value, these are worth consideration.
Tifosi Moab Lite
Lens type: Zeiss Clarity
Lens color tested: Clarity Trail / partly sunny silver Cat. 2
VLT range: 18%-25%
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Weight: 23g
What we liked: Lightweight and sleek design, great optics
What we didn’t like: Smaller lenses and less coverage make these better for road cycling than mountain biking
The POC Elicit was clearly designed with fast pedaling on the pavement in mind. We didn’t mind these sunglasses on the trails—they performed reasonably well–but we think there are better options out there for folks who stick to the dirt. But, if you often find yourself lycra-clad at the start line of a race, these ultralight shades just might be for you.
POC Elicit
Lens type: ChromaPop 5-base lens
Lens color tested: ChromaPop bronze mirror
VLT range: 14%
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Weight: 27g
What we liked: Comfortable, excellent optics, more affordable than Wildcat and Bobcat models
What we didn’t like: Not as much coverage as Wildcat model, lens change is not as quick
The Smith Motive is a sporty, high-performing pair of sunglasses that do well for trail riding and just about anything else outside. We like the full coverage Wildcat better for dedicated mountain bikers, but if you want a versatile and comfortable pair of sunglasses with less of a goggle-like look for the trails and beyond, consider these. Of course, the optics are great, too.
Smith Motive
Lens type: Zeiss cylindrical
Lens color tested: Copper mirror
VLT range: 22%
UV Protection: UV400 (100% UVA and UVB)
Sizes: M, L
Weight: 25g
What we liked: Great optics, good frame size for smaller faces, cool style
What we didn’t like: Frame fit is snug and not as comfortable as others in our test
We really love the optics on the KOO Alibi. The copper mirror lens we tested performed well in a wide variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to full thunderstorm. The frames are designed to fit well with smaller faces. But, we think they do that almost a little too well. The temples were a bit tight, even for our tester who wears a small helmet.
KOO Alibi
What to look for in MTB glasses
The design of the Wildcat (left) and Ramble (right) shades have striking similarities. The Ramble is a fraction of the price, but the Wildcat boasts better optics and a more secure fit. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Knowing how to choose MTB sunglasses is half the battle. Here are some things to look out for if you want sunnies that shine on the trails.
Lens type (clear, tinted, photochromic, interchangeable)
Comparing what it looks like to see through different MTB sunglasses: the Oakley Sutro (left) and Smith Wildcat (right)
The type of lens you choose will greatly affect the performance of the sunglasses depending on specific lighting conditions. Consider what types of trails you ride most, and what the weather conditions are often like. Our testers live in Colorado where it’s often sunny and many trails rise into exposed alpine areas, making darker lenses a great option for daily use. But riders in the rainy PNW riding dense and tree-covered trails may prefer a lower light lens. We tested in both high and low light conditions on bright, sunny days and on misty days to get a better idea of how these perform.
Many models of MTB sunglasses come with multiple lenses so you can swap them out based on the day’s conditions and locations. And, glasses with photochromic lenses will change with the light.
Coverage and frame size
The Smith Wildcat (left) and Glade Ramble (right) have similar frame designs and both are available with photochromic gray lenses, pictured here on both models. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
It’s important to consider both the coverage of your sunglasses and the frame size, especially relative to the size of your helmet and head and face. Larger frames and lenses will offer more coverage, but bigger isn’t always necessarily better.
Nonetheless, coverage is an important aspect for mountain biking glasses. Not only does high coverage help with extra UV protection, it also helps to block wind and trail debris from getting into your eyes. Some sunglasses will have size options or different models for different sized faces, which will allow you to pick for your exact needs. For example, the Smith Wildcat is a larger frame, but the Smith Bobcat offers a nearly identical design in a frame made for smaller faces; the Vinco Terra comes in two size options; and, if the regular POC Devour somehow still isn’t big enough for you, they also come in a wide version.
Ventilation and anti-fog treatment
The Zeiss Clarity lenses that POC uses provide sharp optics on the trail. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
There’s nothing worse on a ride than having your glasses fog up on you right as you’re climbing a techy switchback. High coverage should be balanced with good ventilation and fog resistance. Look for glasses that vent well at the sides (like the Wildcat) or have venting holes in the lenses (like the POC Devour or Vinco Terra). Many of the sunglasses in this review also have anti-fog treatments on the lenses.
Durability and scratch resistance
Durability and scratch resistance are important to consider, especially for sunglasses meant for the trails. Look for quality frames with solid joints, screws, and arms that will last. And consider high quality lenses with water, dirt, and scratch resistant treatments to help ensure the longevity of your lenses.
Fit with helmet
How your sunglasses fit with your helmet is a huge factor when it comes to comfort and how securely the glasses stay on. Ensure the arms of the sunglasses will interact well with the temples on your helmet. And, as with coverage and sizing above, try to select sunglass frames that match the size of your helmet.
Prescription compatibility
Some premium sunglasses can be made with prescription lenses—both Smith and Oakley have a decent offering for performance prescription sunglasses. If you never wear contacts and must wear glasses when you ride, consider this as an option. Alternatively, if you often ride in shady or tree-covered areas, your regular eye glasses might do the trick! Just keep in mind that they likely won’t offer the same amount of coverage as true MTB sunglasses and know that taking them on the trails means they’re not guaranteed to stay in one piece.
Nose and temple grip
Nose and temple grip are critical for good mountain biking sunglasses. Glasses that are too loose or lack grip will have a tendency to slip down your nose and off your face—annoying at best and crash-inducing at worst. Make sure the nose and temples fit comfortably snug. Conversely, glasses that are too tight on the temples can be irritating on the trail, especially for longer rides. No one wants a gear-induced headache.
Types of MTB glasses explained
Lens types
The clarity of the Oakley Prizm lenses was a standout on the trail. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
There are a wide variety of lens types and colors in the world of mountain biking. First, there are fixed lenses, which come in a wide range of tints and colors, from black and red mirror to clear and rose. Typically, the darker the tint, the more light it will block. Reddish lenses are often great for shady rides in the trees while black and heavily tinted mirror lenses are great for sunny trails. Clear lenses and low light lenses are ideal for super dense and dark forests or dawn and dusk rides.
Photochromic lenses, unlike fixed lenses, have the ability to transition based on the lighting conditions. These are ideal if you never want to have to think about swapping your lens out, or never want to wonder which lens to use.
Frame styles
The large wrap-around style of the Devour makes these sunnies about as close to goggles you can get. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Aside from considering coverage, frame style often comes down to personal preference, at least as far as the shape is concerned. What is also important to consider is the material and flexibility of a frame. One of the main reasons the Smith Wildcat is our Best Overall winner is because the flexible frame is so incredibly comfortable.
Generally speaking, sunglasses will pair best with regular half shell mountain bike helmets. If you wear a full face helmet, consider goggles instead. Because of the snug, full coverage full face helmets are meant to offer, this generally makes them uncomfortable to wear over sunglass arms.
Interchangeable vs. single-lens setups
Many mountain bike sunglasses come with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. Overall, we recommend this. It’s super handy to have and allows you to dial things in for the given day and conditions. Not all sunglasses have this option though, so that’s when it’s especially important to choose a versatile lens. If your lenses are photochromic, you don’t really need to worry about swapping lenses. But it is nice to have the option (like with the Smith Wildcat and Bobcat) in case you scratch or otherwise damage your lenses.
How should MTB glasses fit?
Multiple testers agree: The Smith Wildcats are among the most comfortable MTB sunglasses out there. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Mountain bike glasses should fit snug but comfortable. They shouldn't pinch at the temples or cause pressure points when your helmet is on. They should also fit very securely and not slide down your nose, even when things get bumpy.
Care and maintenance tips
The Wildcat sunglasses have good coverage for the downhills, but they don’t fog on the climbs either. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
It’s always a good idea to keep your MTB sunnies clean and store them in a proper case. If your sunglasses get muddy or dirty, rinse them with water and let them air dry before polishing with a glasses wipe to avoid scratching the lenses.
A note on anti-fog coatings: These coatings are helpful for maintaining the clarity of your lenses, but it’s important to care for them properly. Always use a soft, ideally synthetic (not cotton!) or microfiber cloth to clean your lenses.
FAQ
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Mountain bike sunglasses often have more coverage than road biking sunglasses. They’re also focused more on coverage and overall durability rather than weight or aerodynamics, like many cycling sunglasses are. But, there are a lot of models that do both well, like the Smith Wildcat and Oakley Sutro—both of these are popular for both road and mountain bikers.
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You can definitely wear just about any sunglasses for mountain biking, as long as they’re comfortable with your helmet and stay on your face. MTB-specific sunglasses will often have more coverage and specific features like anti-fog and scratch-resistant treatments on the lenses. But it’s always a good idea to wear glasses when you ride, whether they’re from the hardware store or your favorite bike shop.
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VLT stands for visible light transmission. With both fixed and photochromic lenses, you’ll want to consider the VLT, which is the percentage of light the lens lets through. The lower the number, the less light. So lenses with a high VLT (like the Vinco Terra with a VLT of 65%) will be ideal for low-light conditions while a lens with a low VLT will be better in full sun (like the black ChromaPop Wildcat lens, which has a VLT of 10%).
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MTB glasses are designed to help prevent fogging, especially on the climbs when you naturally heat up. Some have vents, some have anti-fog treatments on the lenses, and some have both.
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It’s generally a good idea to opt for goggles instead of glasses when wearing a full-face helmet. They offer the best coverage, and because full-face helmets fit so snugly, glasses are usually not comfortable to wear with them.
How we researched and tested
The Smith Motive (left), Smith Bobcat (center), and Smith Wildcat (right) all being tested on a muddy day at Crested Butte bike park. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
We tested all of the glasses in our review over dozens—some even hundreds—of days on the trail. We primarily tested on trails in the mountains of Colorado, but also tested on desert trails in Southern Utah. We rode in temps from 90s and full sun to 50 degrees and pouring rain. We also had multiple testers with different sized heads and faces test these sunglasses, and we paired them up with a handful of different helmets, too.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Stasia Stockwell’s summer days are dominated by life on two wheels. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
Stasia’s summer days are dominated by life on two wheels. She learned to mountain bike as a kid in the mountains of northern Utah, and now she rides almost every day on the endless and magical singletrack trails around her home in Breckenridge, Colorado. She mixes things up between her full squish mountain bike and speedy gravel bike, riding hundreds of miles every summer, including 50-mile mountain bike races and even longer ones on the gravel bike. And every time she rides, she’s almost always testing gear—including sunglasses, which in her opinion need to look as good as they perform.
As a writer for Treeline Review, she’s committed to objective and thorough reviews, conducting independent field tests in a wide range of conditions with multiple testers weighing in. Treeline is not obligated to any of the brands in this review, and all awards were chosen by the writer, with input from other riders who helped her test.
As a true mountain dweller, Stasia feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than on a busy city street. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held WFR, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue Certifications and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. She now calls Breckenridge, Colorado and the mountains that surround it her home. In the winters, she racks up as many ski days as possible; she loves long days in the backcountry, but nothing compares to hot laps on the T-Bar at her home resort. In the summers, she’s an avid mountain biker and gravel rider who chronically signs up for races to challenge herself—and who knows, maybe someday she’ll land on a podium. Sometimes you might even find her on a trail sans bike, running slowly but happily. She’s now a full time writer and editor in the outdoor space and has been testing and writing about gear for over a decade. Stasia is also the managing editor for the print publication for backpackers, Trails Magazine.
You can read more on her author page.
