5 Sustainable Running Sunglasses Brands

As a sustainability advocate and runner, I wanted to find running sunglasses that fit my values. Here’s a list of the options I considered, and my experience with the ones I’ve tried.

What makes sunglasses sustainable?

Sustainability has many pillars, so I prioritized these 3 aspects when researching brands for this list of sustainable running sunglasses.

Recycled materials: most sunglasses are made out of virgin plastic, which is made of fossil fuels. When brands use recycled materials, they’re keeping plastic out of the landfill.

Warranty: quality sunglasses should have warranty to show that the brand stands by their work. The less you have to replace your sunglasses completely because they break, the better.

Fair labor: while a lot of the steps in making sunglasses involve machines, people are still part of the process, and they should be treated fairly.

Eco-friendly running sunglasses brands

This list contains affiliate links, meaning that I may make a small commission from any purchases through those links. Your support helps me keep my site running! Some products may have also been PR samples, allowing me to try them free of charge with no obligation for coverage.

1. Used sunglasses

The most sustainable sunglasses are secondhand! You can find high-quality industry favorites for a fraction of the price. Some examples are: Oakley, SunGod (worn by Courtney Dauwalter), and the brands on this list.

I recommend looking on these secondhand platforms:

• eBay
• Poshmark (get $10 off your first purchase with my referral link)
• Mercari (get $10 off your first purchase with my referral link)

Just be sure to read the listings carefully and buy from trusted sellers.

2. Shinzo Tamura

Shinzo Tamura has lightweight, stylish sports sunglasses that have such a pleasing view. When my brother tried mine on, he remarked how it was like seeing a Wes Anderson movie in real life

This family-owned business is from Osaka, Japan. They’re known for their TALEX lenses, which are special polarized lenses that reduce glare, increase contrast, and do not darken your view. I’ve taken mine on snowy mountain runs, beach vacations, and more. They stay put and help me see my surroundings better. I’ve personally been able to try the Tennoji Pyrite and Umeda Carbon—the Tennoji are sportier while the Umeda look more stylish, but both still work for running (the Umeda stay on even when I shake my head and tilt it down). See my full review for more info.

Sustainability-wise, the sunglasses are made in-house in Japan, by craftspeople who have sometimes been in the business for generations. The sunglasses are made from nylon, so I would love to see them switch to recycled materials for their frames.

Finally, the sunglasses have a 5-year warranty, and if you experience any defects, they’ll repair them for free or send a replacement. I actually broke the arm of my sunglasses in 2024, and even though it was my fault, the team sent me a new arm free of charge. I contacted their customer service team with my personal email so they did not even know I was a blogger. They really stand by their products!

Shop Shinzo Tamura here.

3. Sunski

Sunski is one of the more affordable options on the list, with polarized sunglasses for under $68. Despite the lower price tag, they still boast a lot of sustainable certifications and a quality guarantee.

Their stylish running sunglasses have frames made from post-industrial recycled plastic. Their sunglasses cases are also made from recycled plastic, and the sunglasses are shipped in recycled cardboard instead of a poly bag. The brand is part of 1% for the Planet and is also Climate Neutral certified.

Reviews say the sunglasses are light and comfortable, and they also have a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects.

Shop Sunski here.

4. Sea2See

Sea2See collects and recycled 1kg of ocean plastic for each purchase. The frames are made from 100% recovered ocean plastic, and the sunglasses are handcrafted in Italy. They literally list the makers of each step on their site.

The ocean plastic collected is also done by local fishermen in Africa and Europe, and in Africa, Sea2See employment is increasing the income of 500 fishermen by 200%.

Finally, the sunglasses shipping bag is home-compostable, the eyewear case is made from recycled cork, and the cleaning cloths are made from recycled plastic bottles.

Shop Sea2See here.

5. Rudy Project

Rudy Project makes sports sunglasses out of a bioplastic that’s 45% derived from castor oil grown by farmers in India. These cool-looking frames even have a prescription option that is HSA/FSA eligible.

The brand is dedicated to making products that last, with their sunglasses boasting a 2-year warranty. They also offer replacement lenses and parts.

Shop Rudy Project here.

Have you tried any brands on the list? Let us know what you thought!