10 best sunglasses for the Camino de Santiago
It Is Essential to Choose the Perfect Sunglasses!
After carefully selecting your footwear and backpack, choosing the right eye protection will be the next important decision for your pilgrimage to Santiago. Sports sunglasses will serve as your shield against the sun as you make your way along the trail and will accompany you throughout your journey. If you choose the wrong sunglasses, you may struggle for miles with irritated eyes and fatigued vision.
We have curated a collection of DEMON sports glasses featuring the 10 best models to help you undertake the Camino de Santiago.
Let’s start with some simple rules:
Travel Light! When I ask fellow pilgrims what they learned and what they would do differently, the number one response is, “I would bring less stuff!” Overpacking can lead to a heavy load, and no backpack, no matter how comfortable, can alleviate that burden.
Bring Only the Essentials! Choose sunglasses that provide adequate protection in various light conditions while ensuring maximum coverage in a single solution.
Choose Comfort: Once you have decided on the type of glasses you think are most suitable, make sure they are comfortable and stable on your face. It’s important that the glasses protect against light while remaining secure, even on the bumpiest sections of the route.
Train, Train, and Train Some More: After purchasing your sports glasses, prepare for your journey by loading your backpack with your desired base weight and engaging in several months of training. Ensure your shoulders, hips, and back feel comfortable. If you experience issues with the fit, don’t hesitate to adjust your setup! Comfort is essential, as the journey will be long.
Think Small: When creating your packing list, aim for a total weight of around 15 pounds and a base weight (excluding shoes and clothing worn). This will enable you to move easily and comfortably.
Think Strategically: Don’t pack items that you can purchase along the way. Snacks, drinks, and food can be obtained multiple times a day, so avoid overstocking. Personal hygiene items and a first aid kit can also be acquired every few days, so keep your kit basic. Clothing can be hand-washed daily, so two pairs of each item should suffice.
Nothing Beats Training: No matter how much time and money you invest in acquiring the perfect gear, if you are not physically and mentally prepared, your chances of completing the pilgrimage will significantly decrease.
Considering the trail conditions, we recommend that pilgrims evaluate flexible and lightweight sunglasses that offer maximum light protection while ensuring stability and comfort. Furthermore, choosing the right glasses will also allow you to use them for all your excursions after the Camino.
What to Look For and Features to Consider
Many would-be pilgrims spend a lot of time shopping for and researching equipment online. When it comes to backpacks, sunglasses, clothing, and footwear, this can present some real challenges, as it is often better to try these items on in person. To help meet this challenge, below is a list of features to pay attention to when reviewing photos, technical data sheets, and descriptions of the equipment.
- Lightweight: Look for lightweight sports sunglasses for enhanced comfort.
- Correct Fit: Ensure the glasses are neither too big nor too small for your face.
- Durable: Choose frames made of TR90 (a combination of nylon and carbon fiber), which is highly resistant to extreme temperatures, impacts, and stress, ensuring durability over time.
- Comfortable: Seek glasses that provide maximum comfort for your face.
We will now explain the strengths and weaknesses of the 10 best sunglasses for pilgrims walking along the Camino de Santiago.
ALTAVIA Mirror lens – Price: €84,90
These sporty glasses feature high-definition smoke mirrored lenses, making them excellent for the Camino de Santiago. They have very wide lenses that provide maximum protection not only from light but also from dust and air. The ultra-thin temples ensure maximum comfort, and the non-slip nose pad is made of soft, hypoallergenic Megol. The high-contrast mirrored lens will effectively protect your eyes from intense light, even during prolonged use.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Light, comfortable, durable.
Cons: With low light intensity the lens may be dark
OUTDOOR Polarized lenses – Price: €89,90
These sports glasses with polarized lenses are ideal for the Camino de Santiago. This particular model is equipped with a removable sweat sponge, making it perfect for those who experience eye watering due to airflow. This accessory also provides additional protection from light. It features an adjustable elastic cord for enhanced comfort and stability. The polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural color contrast for prolonged use in strong light conditions.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Light, comfortable, durable.
Cons: The polarized lens can make it difficult to read LED screens.
PLANET Polarized lenses – Price: €69,90
These sports glasses feature polarized lenses that are ideal for the Camino de Santiago. The enveloping shape of the glasses ensures maximum protection from light, while the removable side parts (included) provide additional protection from side glare. The nose pad is adjustable and made of non-slip hypoallergenic rubber. The polarized lens offers excellent visual comfort and enhances natural color contrast for prolonged use in very bright conditions.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want versatile glasses for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons: The polarized lens may make it difficult to read LED screens.
PLANET Photochromic lenses – Price: €94,90
These sports glasses feature photochromic lenses that are ideal for the Camino de Santiago. The photochromic lens is a specialized lens that adapts based on light intensity, darkening in strong light and brightening in low light or cloudy conditions. This ensures maximum comfort, as the lens will always adjust to provide the necessary darkness for optimal visibility along the route. The nose pad is adjustable and made of non-slip hypoallergenic rubber.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses suitable for the Camino de Santiago that can be used in all lighting conditions.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons: Higher price compared to non-photochromic sunglasses.
GRAVEL Mirrored lens – Price: €69,90
These sporty goggles feature high-definition smoke mirrored lenses, making them excellent for the Camino de Santiago. Their standout feature is the very wide lens, which provides maximum protection not only from light but also from dust and air. The ultra-thin temples ensure maximum comfort, complemented by a non-slip nose pad made of soft, hypoallergenic megol. The high-contrast mirrored lens effectively protects your eyes from intense light during prolonged use.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses suitable for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable, and reasonably priced.
Cons: The lens may appear too dark in low light conditions.
DOME Polarized Photochromic Lenses – Price: €124,90
These are the ideal sports glasses not only for the Camino de Santiago but also for hiking. The unique polarized photochromic lens makes them excellent for use on ice and snow, ensuring they remain a great option for excursions after the Camino de Santiago adventure. The frame is ultra-light and features removable side parts that provide additional protection from light. For greater stability, an elastic cord is also included.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward, especially in high mountain conditions.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons: Higher price point (top-of-the-range lens from the DEMON collection).
XLITE Polarized lenses – Price: €69,90
This is one of the most popular models for the Camino de Santiago, alongside the XLITE J (a unisex option for small to medium faces). It is designed for medium to large faces, making it particularly suitable for men with broader facial structures. The frame is ultra-light and features removable side protectors for added light protection, as well as an elastic cord for stability. The polarized lens ensures maximum visual comfort and enhances natural color contrast, making it ideal for prolonged use in very bright light conditions.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons: The polarized lens may make it difficult to read LED screens.
XLITE J Polarized lenses – Price: €69,90
This is the top-selling model for the Camino de Santiago, alongside the XLITE J (a unisex option for small to medium faces). The frame is ultra-light and features removable side light protectors and an elastic cord for added stability. The polarized lens ensures maximum visual comfort and enhances natural color contrast, making it suitable for prolonged use in very bright light conditions.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses for the Camino de Santiago and all their adventures afterward.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons: The polarized lens may make it difficult to read LED screens.
INFINITE OPTIC Photochromic lenses – Price: €94,90
These are sports glasses with photochromic lenses, ideal for the Camino de Santiago. The photochromic lens is a special type that adapts to the intensity of light; it darkens in bright conditions and brightens in low light or cloudy weather. This feature provides maximum comfort, ensuring the lenses are always appropriately tinted for the ideal visibility on the route.
The nose pad is adjustable and made of non-slip hypoallergenic rubber. Additionally, the glasses can be fitted with a clip-on view for correcting myopia and astigmatism.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses that can be used in all light conditions during the Camino de Santiago.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable, and includes the option for a clip-on prescription lens.
Cons: Higher price compared to non-photochromic sunglasses.
832 Photochromic Lenses – Price: €67,90
These are sports glasses with photochromic lenses, ideal for the Camino de Santiago. The unique feature of this model is its ultra-light, minimal frame, allowing you to walk for hours without even realizing you’re wearing them. The photochromic lens is a special type that adapts to the intensity of light, darkening in bright conditions and brightening in low light or cloudy weather. This provides maximum comfort, ensuring the lenses are always appropriately tinted for optimal visibility on the route.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want glasses that can be used in all light conditions during the Camino de Santiago.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, and durable.
Cons:
