This review looks at some of the sweat-resistant sports sunglasses for running, and the key design aspect that seems to be missing in most designs including the top models. If you are looking at sports sunglasses, you will probably be attracted first by the looks, then the price. However, not all sunglasses are suitable for sports.
Read also: How to Select Sports Sunglasses for jogging or running
Why Sweating Resistant?[tie_index]Why About Sweating Resistant?[/tie_index]
It is common sense to expect Sports Sunglasses to be designed for sports under the sun. We always sweat during sports, especially running and biking, or any strenuous activities under the sun.
Recently, we found out from at least two top Sunglasses suppliers that they do not guarantee the effects of sweat on the lenses. Further research online, show that there seems to be a lack of emphasis on this aspect of the design.
Designed For Anti-Sweat[tie_index]Designed For Anti-Sweat[/tie_index]
Firstly, some sunglasses are designed to block the sweat flowing down from the forehead. This is could be an issue if you do not wear a sweatband or running cap, and the sweat flowing down to the eye can be very irritating.
Secondly, we asked if the lenses sweat resistant? Tinted or mirror finish Sports lenses are not guaranteed to be sweat resistant. We are referring to the peeling caused by sweat during a run, and not a pair of sweaty lenses unwashed and left overnight.
We have asked some of the major sunglasses suppliers including Oakley and Rudy Project, and both explained that they do not provide such a guarantee for lenses that peel due to sweat, and heat (from the sun) during a run. We are puzzled then, why would anyone call them “sports” when the sunglasses could not withstand heat and sweat.
As mentioned earlier, most sunglasses meet the basic specifications of UV protection, lightweight and secure frame when running. All that is left for the user to decide is the look (shape, etc), colour and price.
The remainder of this article will only review the brand or model of “Sports” sunglasses which are designed to handle sweat better.
Oakley Lenses[tie_index]Oakley Lenses[/tie_index]
Without a doubt, this is a famous sunglass brand since the early days when triathlon was born. In recent years, some users including myself encountered issues with peeling lenses. The issue was brought up directly to the local brand support centre and they confirmed that the lenses are not guaranteed against peeling caused by sweating.
The Oakley lens peeling issue was also brought up by others around the web. Oakley does not provide a lifetime guarantee for their lenses.
We went as far as to meet the customer service in person, and their reply was that their sports sunglasses cannot be used under the sun and sweat. So we assume the sunglasses cost $200 to $300 but can only be used for indoor sports where there is air conditioning and no sweat.
Read also: How to Select Sports Sunglasses for jogging or running
All of the above did not occur gradually after say 500 kilometres of the run but occurred just after one run. During this run, instead of constantly wiping off sweat like we used to, we decided to let the sweat get onto the lenses during the one-hour jogging under the sun. The Oakley cannot withstand my sweat for just an hour and under the warm (not hot) later afternoon sun.
The above is likely due to manufacturing defects from a particular batch, but Oakley said that the lenses are not designed to withstand the sun. But Oakley is used by many in races like the Ironman that lasts more than 7 hours. We feel that many users are denied the warranty claim that we are entitled to.
Oakley used to be a very reputable brand in the past, and I have personally used them since the early 1990s for triathlons. Based on my experience, the peeling issues in recent years are due to manufacturing defects and Oakley needs to deal with it instead of giving excuses.
Read also: How to Select Sports Sunglasses for jogging or running
Trustpilot Oakley Review
As we are a design review blog, we do not normally go into the review of a business. The review ratings at Trustpilot Oakley Review, show that users are getting very upset with the peeling issue.
Below is an informative review by a recent user for sharing:
| Having purchased many different pairs of Oakley sunglasses and spectacles over the years I was extremely disappointed to find my Crosshair and Nano Wire lenses have begun to peel. Sunglasses are designed to be used to protect your eyes from the sun in potentially hot climates. It appears the coating used on these glasses is not fit for purpose. When a manufacturer of this size develops sub-standard products it makes me wonder if my loyalty has been misplaced. I had originally found Rayban to be my preferred brand. But the design and quality of Oakley won me over around 27 years ago. Miraculously my first two pairs (A wire & E wires) are still going strong. A pair of Whisker lasted less than a week before the lens fell out, a full refund was given. Another pair were dropped and the lens scratched about 5 years ago but I accepted a discount to purchase another pair (my Nano wires) a year later I added my Crosshairs. Despite not being worn for almost two years due to Covid, I find when packing that they have both failed. I reported my Crosshairs as I noticed the peeling lenses when packing. I have been offered 30% off. My Nano’s are suffering the same fate & will be reported when I get back home. I had hoped for a better response from Oakley and am somewhat at a loss as to why lenses can not be replaced free of charge when a clear manufacturing defect has occurred. I have two pairs of Sunglasses made by Oakley which are clearly not fit for purpose. |
Rudy Projects[tie_index]Rudy Projects[/tie_index]
Read also: How to Select Sports Sunglasses for jogging or running
Although we have seen some users recommending Rudy Projects for sweat resistance, we have not used them before. We decided to visit and ask the local rep about encountering issues with peeling lenses. The reply is that peeling lens is not a widely reported issue for the brand. However, even though they do not provide any guarantee for peeling lenses, they have not heard of complaints that the lenses peel during or immediately after a run. In all cases, they emphasise keeping the lens clean where possible and avoid direct heat for a prolonged period of time.
Obviously, we cannot keep the lens free from sweat in 12 kilometres run. For sports sunglasses, it has to withstand sweat (and heat) even if we do not clean them during a run, just for late morning or afternoon jog. We are not even talking about long races such as triathlons like Ironman, or marathon, where runners raced throughout the day under the hot sun.
There is a gut feel that Rudy Project’s lenses are in fact sweat resistant. We tried to search for “sweat” at Rudy Project Run but there was no mentioning of such a sweat-proof feature. The reason for not having any written warranty for sweat could be to prevent some users who may cover their negligence by claiming they are damaged by sweat. For example, it is hard to verify if the peeling was caused by the runner, who left sweat on the lens overnight, or for several days without cleaning them.
Perhaps Rudy Project could send us a sample which we can test run for 500 kilometres.
Sweat-resistant does not imply sweatproof.
Decathlon Sunglasses[tie_index]Decathlon Sunglasses[/tie_index]
We have tried the cheap, good and real sports sunglasses from Decathlon, and results have proven that they are durable against the sun and sweat. Some of them may lack the shiny, mirror outer coating on the expensive Oakley, but that coating does not affect your vision significantly during a run. There are also models that come with mirror finishes and they can withstand the sweat and sun better than the Oakley.
This could be due to good manufacturing standards, which may change subsequently like the Oakley. So we might just buy additional sunglasses to when the current batch has good performance. Just because one batch of products is good, does not guarantee all future batches will be the same.
Even if you scratched them by accident, you can buy 10 pairs for the price of one Oakley sunglasses. Forget the Oakley Iridium and Prism technology which are non-scratch proof as well.
After you start running the first kilometres, you will soon forget if you are wearing $25 sports sunglasses or a $250 Oakley. At the end of the run, you will rinse the sweat off the $25 sunglasses and use them for another 1,000 kilometres. For the $250 Oakley, you will need to buy another new one for the next run. They feel like $250 disposable lenses.
Looking Out For Better Options!
We will be looking out and review other sunglasses in due course. However, our search will focus on those high-end, high quality running sunglasses, and not cheap makes. Unless we are lucky to find one that cost less than $30 and beat Oakley in sweat resistance. That would be great!
At the price that users are paying for the high-end sunglasses, they would expect real “sports” sunglasses that is sweat resistant. Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions, and we may even buy them to try them out!
Latest update: We have shelved the idea of searching for expensive, “high-end” sports sunglasses that is sweat-resistant. The Decathlon sunglasses have proven to be the most cost-effective solution for our run.
Read also: How to Select Sports Sunglasses for jogging or running
