It is essential to choose the perfect pair of sunglasses!
After carefully choosing your shoes, your backpack, and eye protection, the perfect pair of glasses will be the next choice of equipment for your pilgrimage to Santiago. The sports sunglasses will be your eye protection as you make your way along the trail and will accompany you throughout the journey. If you choose the wrong sunglasses, you will have to struggle for miles with irritated eyes, tired and strained vision.
We have selected the 10 best models from the DEMON collection of sports glasses to undertake the Camino de Santiago.
Before starting some simple rules:
- Travel Light! When I ask fellow pilgrims what they have learned and/or what they would do differently, number one answer is “I would bring less things!”. If you pack too much stuff and carry a heavy load, no backpack, no matter how comfortable, can help you. Carry only the essentials! So choosing a pair of sunglasses that is useful for protection in multiple light conditions will guarantee you the maximum protection in one solution.
- Choose comfort: Once you have decided on the type of glasses that you think best suits you, make sure it is comfortable and stable on your face. It is important that the glasses protect from the light, but at the same time they are firmly fixed to your face even in the most rugged parts of the route.
- Train, train and train some more: Once you have purchased your sports eyewear, your journey is ready to start. Pack your backpack with your desired base weight and do some months of training. Make sure your shoulders, hips and back are comfortable. If you have problems with the adjustment or don‘t feel comfortable try to change the set up! Comfort is key, as the journey will be long.
- Think small: When packing your luggage, aim for a total weight of around 15 kilograms and a base weight (without shoes and worn clothes). This will allow you to move around lightly and comfortably.
- Think strategically: Do not put in the backpack what you can buy along the way. Snacks, drinks, and food can be purchased several times a day, so do not stock up. Hygiene items and first–aid kit can also be bought at least every other day, so keep your kit to the basics. Clothes can be hand–washed every day, so two sets of each item are enough.
- Nothing surpasses training: No matter how much time and money you spend to purchase the perfect gear. If you are not physically and mentally fit, your chances of completing the pilgrimage will dramatically decrease.
Given these conditions of the trail, the suggestion to pilgrims is to consider a very versatile and lightweight pair of sunglasses, which offers maximum light protection and stability and comfort at the same time. Choosing the right pair of sunglasses will also allow you to use them for all excursions in your post–Camino life.
What and what characteristics to look for in a sunglass for Camino de Santiago
- Lightness: Look for a lightweight sporty sunglass for comfort.
- Correct Measurement: Make sure the glasses are neither too big nor too small for your face.
- Durable: Choose frames made of TR90 (a composition of Nylon and Carbon Fiber) which is very resistant to high and low temperatures, shock and tension resistant and durable over time.
- Comfortable: Look for the eyeglass that guarantees you the maximum comfort for your face.
We will now explain the advantages and disadvantages of the 10 best glasses for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.
GRAVEL Polarized Lens – Price 89,90€
GRAVEL is a sports mask eyewear with polarized lenses, perfect for the Camino de Santiago.
The peculiarity is that of a very wide lens, excellent for maximum protection not only from light, but also from dust and air. The very thin temples ensure maximum comfort, combined with a soft, hypoallergenic Megol nose pad.
The Polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural color contrast for very long use and in very strong light conditions.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a pair of glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all the adventures after the trip
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable Cons: Polarized lens may make it difficult to read LED screens
Cons: Polarized lens may make it difficult to read LED screensPolarized mountain glasses for camino de santiago
OUTDOOR Polarized Lens – Price 89,90€
OUTDOOR is the sports glasses with polarized lenses ideal for the Camino de Santiago. This particular model is equipped with a removable sweat sponge, ideal for those who suffer from eye watering with the air. This particular accessory also provides greater protection from light. It is also equipped with an adjustable elastic cord for greater comfort and stability. The Polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural color contrast for very extended use and under very strong light conditions.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all adventures after the trip
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable
Cons: Polarized lens can make it difficult to read LED screens
PLANET Polarized Lens – Price 74,90€
PLANET is the ideal sporty eyewear with polarized lenses for the Camino de Santiago. The wrap of the glasses guarantees maximum protection from the light, the removable side pieces are a great accessory (supplied as standard) that guarantees maximum protection from side light. The nose pad is adjustable in hypoallergenic non–slip rubber. The Polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural color contrast for very prolonged use and in very bright light conditions.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who want a pair of glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all the adventures after the trip
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable
Cons: Polarized lenses can make it difficult to read LED screens
PLANET Photochromic Lens – Price 74,90€
PLANET is the sports eyewear with photochromatic lenses ideal for the Camino de Santiago. The photochromatic lens is a special lens that adapts according to the intensity of the light. It will be dark with strong light intensity while it will be light with low light intensity or cloudy weather. It is therefore the maximum of comfort made to lens because it will always be dark “as much as necessary“ for the perfect vision of the route. The nose pad is adjustable in hypoallergenic non–slip rubber.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want to use a sunglass for the Camino de Santiago and can be used in any light condition.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable
Cons: Higher price compared to non–Photochromic sunglasses
GRAVEL Mirrored Lens – Price 69,90€
GRAVEL is a sports mask frame with a smoked high–definition mirrored lens, perfect for the Camino de Santiago. The particularity is that of a very wide lens, ideal for maximum protection not only from light, but also from dust and air. The very thin arms guarantee maximum comfort, combined with a soft, hypoallergenic megol anti–slip nosepiece. The high–contrast mirrored lens will best protect your eyes from very strong light and for very long use.
Ideal for: pilgrims who wish for a eyeglass to use for the Camino de Santiago and all the adventures after the journey
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable, price
Cons: With low light intensity, the lens may appear dark.
DOME Photochromic Polarized Lenses – Price 129,90€
DOME is the ideal sports eyewear not only for the camino of Santiago but also for hiking. The special polarized photochromatic lens makes it an excellent eyewear also for use on ice and snow, so it will be an excellent eyewear for excursions after the adventure of the Way of St. James. The frame is ultra-light and equipped with removable side parts that protect from light, for greater stability it is also supplied with an elastic cord.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all the adventures after the journey, especially in high mountains
Pros: Light, comfortable, durable
Cons: Price (top of the range lens from the Demon collection)
XLITE Polarized Lenses – Price 74,90€
XLITE is one of the most chosen models for the Camino de Santiago, together with the XLITE J (unisex for small/medium faces). In terms of size, it is a model for medium/large faces (this size model is recommended for the male audience, especially if they have wide faces). The frame is ultra light, equipped with removable side light protections and an elastic cord. The Polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural color contrast for extended use and in very strong light conditions.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago and all adventures after the journey
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable
Cons: Polarized lens can make it difficult to read LED screen
XLITE J Polarized Lenses – Price 74,90€
XLITE is the top selling model for the Santiago walk along with the unisex XLITE J model for small to medium faces. The frame is ultra lightweight, with removable side shields from the light and an elastic cord. The Polarized lens guarantees maximum visual comfort and natural colour contrast for extended use and in very bright lighting conditions.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a pair of glasses to use for the Way of Santiago and all the adventures after the journey
Pros: light, comfortable, durable
Cons: The polarized lens can make it difficult to read LED screens.
INFINITE OPTIC Photochromic Lenses – Price 99,90€
INFINITE OPTIC is the sports eyewear with photochromic lenses ideal for the Way of Santiago. The photochromic lens is a special lens that adapts according to the intensity of the light. It will be dark with strong light intensity while it will be light with low light intensity or cloudy weather. It is therefore the maximum of comfort made to lens because it will always be dark “as necessary“ for perfect vision of the route. The bridge is adjustable in hypoallergenic non–slip rubber. The glasses are also adjustable through a vision clip for correction of myopia and astigmatism.
Ideal for: Pilgrims who wish to have a pair of glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago that can be used in any light condition.
Pros: Light, comfortable, durable, possibility to grade sight clip
Cons: Higher price than non–photochromatic sunglasses
832 Photochromic Lenses – Price 69,90€
832 is the perfect sports eyewear with Photochromic lenses for the Way of Santiago. The uniqueness of this model is its ultra light minimal frame, you can wear this eyewear for hours without even noticing it. The Photochromic lens is a special lens that adapts according to the intensity of the light. It will be dark with strong light intensity while it will be clear with low intensity light or cloudy weather. It is therefore the maximum of comfort in a lens because it will always be dark “as necessary“ for the perfect vision of the path.
Ideal for: pilgrims who want a glasses to use for the Camino de Santiago to be able to use in all light conditions.
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, durable
Cons: None
PROTECT YOUR EYES
Use the code SANTIAGO15 and get 15% off the purchase of a new eyeglass. (Discount not cumulative with products on offer or other Coupon codes)
For the protection of your eyes, DEMON has created a line of technical eyewear for all outdoor adventures.
