Best valueThe spare pair you can afford to lose
Goodr OG Polarised
Genuinely good optics at a price where losing them off a suspension bridge is annoying rather than expensive; the frames are plastic and they will not survive being sat on.
Best overall
Side coverage without committing to full glacier lenses
Julbo Shield M
Removable side shields, photochromic options
3.4 on Amazon (21 ratings)
The one pair that works from Lukla to the Cho La — shields on for snow, off for the walk-in. You pay roughly double a normal sports sunglass for that flexibility.
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What you get
- Side shields stop the reflected light that actually burns eyes
- Photochromic versions cover a whole day of changing light
- Grips a sweaty nose better than most wraparounds
What it costs you
- Expensive
- Shields are easy to lose once removed
- Big on a small face
Do not buy this if: A short trek that never touches snow. A decent Category 3 wraparound at a fifth of the price does that job.
Treks we recommend this for
Not every route needs it. These are the ones where our guides would put it on your list.
The alternatives
Everything else we recommend in sunglasses, including the ones we think suit a different trekker.
Best value