8 stylish running sunglasses to invest in for your next race

It’s no secret that Singapore has caught the run bug. Scroll through your peers’ Instagram Stories and you’re bound to see it: run clubs, community races and marathon training updates filling your feed. You might even find yourself weaving through streams of after-work runners along familiar Marina Bay, MacRitchie Reservoir and East Coast Park routes.

But clocking kilometres in Singapore’s sweltering climate requires more than physical endurance. While slathering on sunscreen has become second nature, protecting your eyes deserves just as much attention. A good pair of running sunglasses does more than reduce glare — it shields your eyes from harsh UV rays, wind, debris and even nasty bugs, helping you stay comfortable and focused throughout your run.

They may even help your performance. When running long distances under the blazing sun, many runners unknowingly spend hours squinting, creating tension that can travel from the eyes to the face, neck and shoulders. Running sunglasses can thus help you relax into a more efficient stride and conserve energy for the kilometres ahead.

The only problem? Running sunglasses tend to have an image problem. Many performance-focused pairs are designed with function as the sole priority, often at the expense of style. So if you’re worried purchasing a pair might ruin your cute running outfit, consider this your sign to reconsider. Ahead we’ve put together a list of stylish running sunglasses at different price points that will have your peepers protected, while making your run club members envious. 

Oakley Eye Jacket Redux ($239.39)

When it comes to fashionable sports sunglasses, few brands do it quite like Oakley. Their iconic Eye Jacket Redux gives a subtle retro feel, paying homage to the original 1994 Oakley Eye Jacket that revolutionized the look of sports performance eyewear. Its sleek oval silhouette strikes the perfect balance between nostalgic and contemporary, making it just as stylish for a post-run coffee stop as it is practical on race day. Its lightweight yet durable frame is built to go the distance, while grippy nose pads and temples ensure a secure, comfortable fit that stays put through every race and run. 

Always in motion sunnies - Tortoise ($158)

Another ‘90s-inspired pick comes from UK-based athletic eyewear brand Always In Motion (AIM). Its sleek tortoiseshell frame goes with almost any run outfit from monochrome to colourful race-day fits. Lightweight yet durable, the frames are fitted with rubberised nose pads and temple grips to stay securely in place through long runs and uneven trails. They also feature UV400 lenses — the highest level of UV protection — so your eyes stay shielded in style. 

Tifosi Navar - Matte White ($63)

Tifosi’s Navar sunnies are made for the long-distance runners who need to lock in, but look good doing it. The sleek half-frame silhouette provides an expansive, unobstructed field of vision – ideal whether you’re lining up for a marathon, training towards a personal best, or just pushing yourself to the limits. Despite their featherlight feel, they’re packed with performance features, including shatterproof polycarbonate lenses with 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection. Hydrophilic nose pads increase grip as you sweat, while Tifosi’s Glide technology ensures a secure, bounce-free fit from your first kilometre to your last. 

Oakley Sphaera Strike ($313.04)

You can never go wrong with a classic big all black pair of running sunnies – and Oakley’s Sphaera Strike is particularly timeless. The oversized shield lens creates a sleek, statement-making silhouette while offering an expansive field of vision that suits a wide range of face shapes and head sizes. Built for high-intensity training, the lightweight, durable and flexible frame features grippy earsocks and nose pads that become even more secure as you sweat, keeping the sunglasses firmly in place through everything from daily training runs to race day.

Izipizi Horizon - Hazel Polarised ($135)

French eyewear brand Izipizi’s Horizon sunnies are the kind of pair you reach for when you know you have post-run plans. Modern and chic, its curved oval design, hazel frame with slight crystal finish and muted green lenses will give any running outfit a sophisticated spin. The wraparound frame is made from a high-performance bio-based material that’s lightweight and durable, while its polarized lenses are water, salt and scratch-resistant, with technology that reduces reflections on shiny surfaces like water or roads, providing a glare-free vision. The lenses also provide 100 per cent protection against ultraviolet rays. 

TIJN Vanta - Burntrail ($80.05)

It’s easy to see why TIJN’s Vanta sunglasses in Burntrail have become such a coveted pair. Featuring a slim, sculpted silhouette, a dusty rose frame and mirrored lenses that shift between yellow and pink, they’re guaranteed to stand out whether you’re tackling an easy morning jog or crossing the finish line on race day. Apart from its sleek appearance, the sunnies feature a highly reflective UV400 lens, perfect for the scorching midday sun, ultra-light TR90 nylon frame that is 30 per cent lighter than conventional materials as well as silicon temple tips for a comfortable and secure bounce-free fit.

District vision Koharu Eclipse, Limestone/D+ Onyx Mirror ($405.42)

If you’re willing to splurge on a truly unique, high-performance pair of sports sunglasses, District Vision rarely misses. The Los Angeles-based, made-in-Japan eyewear label is renowned for marrying technical precision with distinctive design – and the Koharu Eclipse is no exception. Its sleek silhouette feels futuristic without veering into gimmicky territory while the ergonomic frame is engineered to maximise ventilation and widen your field of vision—ideal for long runs under Singapore’s relentless sun. Thoughtful details such as adjustable nose pads and temple tips allow for a personalised fit, while titanium-reinforced temple tips add durability without compromising on comfort. Paired with the brand’s D+ Onyx Mirror lenses, which offer 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection, these sunglasses are built to perform in even the brightest conditions. 

goodr Sonic G - When The World Blurs ($90.09)

Another classic you can’t go wrong with is goodr’s Sonic G wraparound sport sunglasses. The aviator-inspired silhouette, paired with an all-black frame and matching lenses, will give an instantly cool, unbothered look. Built with lightweight, flexible nylon frames, they’re designed to withstand everyday training, while the reflective, polarised lenses minimise glare and keep your eyes protected in bright conditions. They also have no-slip grips that ensure the frames stay comfortably in place, even through profuse sweating and physical activity.