Active sunglasses

ADIDAS Kentro

£140

Pro: Panoramic field of view and optimum comfort
Con: Very sporty aesthetic, meaning you would probably only wear them for running.
These sunglasses are designed for running and fast-paced activities. The wrap-around style is exceptionally comfortable, and doesn’t slip when you’re moving or sweating. The frames are lightweight so they don’t feel uncomfortable on long runs. When you first put them on, you really notice the high contrast technology: the lenses excel at increasing depth perception and sharpening colour contrasts. They come in six lens shades, which work in different conditions: smoke grey for bright days; blue mirror for running on asphalt or snow; pink mirror to boost contours and colour depth for trails and shady conditions. JT

GUMBIES Daintree Sunglasses

£30

Pros: Made from eco-friendly materials
Cons: Close fitting may result in steaming
These sunglasses are lightweight, polarised (great for reducing glare reflected from the water), and close fitting. The frames sit almost on my face, which means very little light leaks in around the sides. They are comfortable and stay put when paddleboarding, cycling and running, although I found they steamed up if I stopped moving – perhaps because they are so close fitting. The only issue I had was the fit around my nose. The side arms held the glasses so well that they lifted at the front, which may simply be due to face shape. At £30, they’re good value for swimmers who a lot of spend time on or around the water. SG

SUMARPO Matte Sunglasses

£46

Pros: Good for cycling and running
Cons: Not everyone will like the sporty styling
Billed as lightweight cycling sunglasses, these came into their own during a tropical SwimQuest swimming holiday. Not while swimming (although they’d be fine for head-up breaststroke on a sunny day) but while watching the water from the boat between swims. Dark enough to be comfortable in the brightest light, large enough to block out sunlight from all directions, and polarised to reduce glare and make it easier to see sharks and dolphins. They also come in a solid case to keep them safe. SG

SUNSKI Estero

£97.95

Pro: A great balance of style and outdoor functionality
Con: Comes with a soft case rather than a hard case
A modern take on the classic Aviator style, the Estero sunglasses strike a good balance between style and rugged outdoor functionality with robust steel hingers, tough metal frames and sculpted nose pads for comfort. The amber tinted, polarised CR-39 2mm lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and give superior optical clarity compared to the cheaper triacetate cellulose lenses found in many budget sunglasses. Although they don’t look sporty, they don’t budge when running or playing games on the beach. JT

KYLOE IN THE WILD Flounder

£68.99

They say: Whether hitting the pool, the beach, or trying out some extreme water sports, do them in style with our NEW Floating Frames. Their cutting edge design and advanced ULTRA+ lens technology will give you crystal-clear clarity, in a frame that is built to float. With our unique non-slip material and durable super-flex frames, you can be sure that your Fins will stay put. Even if you take a dip, they will stay afloat, so no worries about losing them in the depths!

We say: Having lost a fair few pairs of sunglasses on swimming and SUP adventures over the years, these floating sunglasses are a godsend. We wore the Flounder glasses while doing head-up breaststroke in a lake on a sunny day, and the polarised lenses performed well at shading our eyes from the late afternoon sun and reflections on the water. Tentatively, we cast them into the water and they did indeed float. Our tester also tried them out during out during a game of pickleball and the non-slip coating ensured they stayed put, no matter how sweaty their nose got!

GILL Verso

£84

They say: Tested to perform, our Verso Sunglasses feature FFT (Floating Frame Technology), so if you drop them all hope is not lost! The removable headband also ensures additional on the water protection. With impact-resistant Polycarbonate Polarised lenses, you’ll have superior optical clarity and glare-free vision. 100% UV 400 protection and removable anti-glare side-shields, make this perfect for wear in even the sunniest conditions. The saltwater-resistant coating helps to shed water and reduce salt residue, so you can focus on what you do best.

We say: The first thing we did was throw them into the water to see if they did, in fact, float and we are pleased to say they passed the test! Although it might be hard to spot them in darker water. These are comfortable, stylish and we loved the polarised lenses which gave a super view in sunshine and cloudy conditions. The side shields are a great idea, but we also liked the fact they are removeable, so when in less sporty conditions they are a classic style. Really loved that they came with a headband, which easily clipped on. With the band on we did a jump test and they stayed on as we plunged in.

ALPKIT Raft

£29.99

They say: Raft are lightweight, water sports sunglasses with a floating frame design that means they won’t sink if they come off while in the water. They’re performance sports sunglasses with great visibility in and out of water. Being lightweight they’re comfortable to wear and a durable polyamide frame means they’re rugged, too. Raft come in two colours with the grey colour having a slightly smaller fit for slightly smaller heads. Mirrored lenses seal the deal.

We say: These inexpensive floating sunglasses feel so lightweight when you first pick them up, but once on they’re surprisingly secure and stable, with a barely-there comfort. The durable polyamide frames are robust and feel like they should last. Combined with the reasonable price, we don’t feel precious about chucking them in our kit bag. The mirrored grey lenses take the glare off water, keep colours looking natural and aren’t too dark for driving. We can confirm, they float!

ALPKIT Flux

£16.99

They say: Flux are designed for sunny days when activity isn’t necessarily the priority for the day, but will probably feature nonetheless (we just can’t help it!). Designed to protect your eyes and look great, the lenses give both great clarity category 3 UV protection, making Flux ideal for anything from mountain hiking to relaxing on the valley floor. Adventure is always on the cards, so Flux are designed to meet the demands of an active, adventurous lifestyle. The frame itself is made from TR90 – incredibly durable, comfortable and lightweight.

We say: We wanted to include a pair of sunglasses in a less sporty style and the ALPKIT Flux fit the bill beautifully. Despite being lightweight, the wood effect frames have a level of durability suited to an active, outdoor lifestyle and the lenses are coated to prevent scratches. We also liked the amber lenses, which made the greenery around our local swimming lake all the more vibrant. Although not a floating style, they felt secure enough to wear in and around the water at the beach, if not for actually swimming. Both Alpkit styles came with a soft cloth bag.

VALLON Waylons

£108

They say: The Waylons are an unrivalled combination of style and performance. Handcrafted from acetate, the frame is durable yet lightweight (32g) and delivers a truly premium feel. The polarised V52® performance optics (Cat. 3) and optional headstrap ensure this is the ultimate hybrid of sports and lifestyle sunglasses. Wherever you end up, you’ll never go wrong with the Waylons.

We say: Although not specially made for swimmers, we really rated the Waylons, with their stylish rounded style and technical specs that suit people who love to be in or around the water. The lens clarity is exception, perceivably better than the more inexpensive sunglasses on test, with polarised lenses that reduce the glare on water with a warm brown tint for enhanced contrast. While they don’t float, they come with a detachable dark green elastic strap to guarantee your sunglasses stay on in the water, plus a faux-leather case and cleaning cloth.

WATERHAUL Fitzroy Navy Blue

£95

They say: Our bestselling sunglasses, suiting a broad range of face shapes ready for both adventure performance and all day wear. Navy-coloured rectangular unisex sunglasses frames that suit a broad range of face sizes, making it our best-selling model. Made from recycled fishing nets and lines, and paired with our Polarised Mineral Glass lenses, offering complete sustainability and ultimate UVA/UVB 400 protection.

We say: Waterhaul repurposes ‘ghost gear’ into rugged sunglasses, transforming the strength and durability that make these abandoned fishing nets such a treat for marine wildlife into super-strong frames. Specifically designed for ocean adventures, the Fitzroy features polarised lenses and saltwater-resistant components, while the mineral glass gives exceptional clarity. While not a floating style, they felt secure enough to take a knock from a wave. All Waterhaul sunglasses come with a lifetime warranty. Prescription (£110) and non-polarised (£65) versions available in the same style.