The 6 Best Sunglasses of 2013

Smith Outlier Sunglasses

The Outliers have all the features you would expect to find in sportier-looking models—crisp polarized lenses, rubber-clad nose and temple pads—but without the geeky, go-fast looks. Which is why these shades work just as well at Sunday brunch as they do on Saturday morning rides.

Julbo Tensing Sunglasses

Julbo’s Tensings aren’t quite as secure or adaptable as the company’s higher-end mountaineering models, but they’re pretty damn impressive, especially at this price. You get the same lenses you find in the brand’s top-shelf offerings, and the lightweight frames’ vented side shields keep them fog free.

Native Blanca Sunglasses

“Held on loosely but didn’t let go”—that’s how one tested described the Blancas, with their grippy nose and temple pads. The medium size and generic-in-a-good-way style look good on just about all head shapes, but while the lenses are pretty darn good, they’re not as hi-def as those on the Helix.

Oakley Jupiter Factory Lite Sunglasses

With their machined-aluminum frames, carbon-fiber temples, and titanium hinges, the Jupiter Lites are easily the most tricked-out sunglasses here. But the best part: all the tech disappears when you put them on. They’re lightweight and extremely secure, with Oakley’s trademark polarized, superfine lenses.

Zeal Helix Sunglasses

The Helixes’ two-part earpieces were comfortable and sat snugly, the copper-tinted lenses nixed the harshest glare, and we couldn’t get them to fog up no matter how hard we pedaled. But they may be overengineered, and some testers were distracted by the prominent nosepiece popping into view.

Maui Jim Dorado Sunglasses

The only classic full-wrap sunglasses here, the Dorados earned their place with a sturdy frame design, a secure fit, and good side coverage for everything from snow to watersports. But while the hybrid polycarbonate-glass lenses were the sharpest we tested, they aren’t shatterproof and thus not up for rougher sports.