The Style Race is On: The CrossFit Athletes’ Sunglasses of Choice
The CrossFit tournament is legendary. Running over multiple days, this grueling event incorporates a range of extreme fitness challenges and culminates in the crowning of The Fittest Man and Woman on Earth.
Want the inside track on the shades of choice of some of this event’s most successful athletes?
Keep reading for everything you need to know — as well as our pick of some of the best sunglasses on the market for an all-around workout.
CrossFit Athletes’ Sunglasses
Justin Medeiros – Aviator-Style Shades
Justin Medeiros currently holds the title of The Fittest Man on Earth as the winner of the 2022 (and 2021) CrossFit Games, triumphing over five days of extreme physical challenges.
Throughout the tournament, he was regularly spotted wearing a distinctive pair of sunglasses incorporating an aviator-style black plastic frame and double bridge.
While wearing them may not help you undertake twenty pig flips followed by a three-mile run and a subsequent two-hundred-meter Jerry carry, they’ll certainly lend some muscle to your style credentials.
Get His Look
If you’re a fan of Medeiros’s eyewear look, get his signature style with a pair of Marc Jacobs men’s glasses, model MARC468.
They feature a lightweight black plastic frame incorporating the Aviator-style teardrop shape that never goes out of fashion. These shades are lightweight, easy all-day wear, durable, and offer 100% UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Tia-Clair Toomey – Classic Round Sunglasses with a Twist
As The Fittest Woman on Earth, you wouldn’t disrespect Tia-Clair Toomey’s sunglasses even if they weren’t super-stylish…However, Toomey’s choice of shades is just as cool as you’d expect.
She’s frequently seen working out in a pair of round sunglasses with very light gold (almost transparent) frames. As well as holding four CrossFit titles, the Australian athlete is a weight-lifting champion and Commonwealth Games medallist.
Get Her Look
Choose sunglasses in model Kaka Honey from British designer brand Bird to get Toomey’s look. These shades make a bright, bold style statement and have impeccable sustainability credentials.
Bird is making waves as one of the most sustainable eyewear brands around and takes pride in sourcing and using the highest-quality, most eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes.
Patrick Vellner – The Wayfarer
Patrick Vellner came in sixth place at the 2022 CrossFit Games, putting in a strong performance throughout, particularly in the weight-lifting elements of the tournament. During these stages,
Canadian Vellner was regularly spotted wearing a classic pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers shades — while these may not have boosted his lifting capacity, they certainly made him a tournament winner in the style stakes.
Get His Look
The best thing about a classic pair of Wayfarers from Ray-Ban is that they suit most face shapes.
Vellner opts for a model incorporating black frames and lenses, but Wayfarers are also available in a range of frame and lens colors, so you can choose the pair that perfectly reflect your unique personality and style.
What are the Best Sunglasses for an All-Around Workout?
Whether you’re thinking of training with an eye on the next CrossFit games or would just like to incorporate an all-around workout into your fitness regime, you may be wondering which pair of shades are best.
Below are our recommendations.
Oakley Holbrook
Lightweight, robust, and designed to offer the perfect fit, a pair of Oakley Holbrooks is a sound choice that’ll support a workout that includes running, cycling, and lifting elements.
The rubberized acetate frame is made for comfort, and the lenses ensure distortion-free viewing while offering 100% UVA and UVB protection. Choose lenses in a range of colors, and opt for either polarized or unpolarized versions depending on personal preference.
Ray-Ban Justin
Ray-Ban is known for its timeless, high-performance shades, and the Justin model continues this tradition.
Extremely well-made and designed to stay in place even during the most strenuous of workouts, the shades can even be worn in the pool or sea. This option is a great choice for all-around exercising — and looks stylish, too.
Nike Show X3
Aerodynamic and comfortable even when worn for long periods, these distinctive sunglasses are particularly good for running but can also support a wide range of other sports.
The cleverly designed air vents help keep fogging at bay, while the self-adjusting, anti-slip nose pads guarantee a secure fit. The lenses help block glare and light reflections on roads and running tracks, and they offer first-class UV and UVB protection.
Smith Optics Wildcat ChromaPop
For full eye protection, you can’t get much better than this choice of shades. You’ll receive two interchangeable lenses for visual clarity and sharp definition in a wide range of weather conditions.
The specially-designed lenses repel moisture, dirt, and grease, and the nose pads offer a secure, comfortable fit.
Final Thoughts
The right pair of sunglasses can uplevel the performance of every athlete, from CrossFit competitors to those of us who may only hit the track once or twice a month (or year).
When choosing a pair of shades to wear for exercising or sports, always look for an option that offers 100% UVA and UVB protection, is lightweight, comfortable, and fits well, so all you need to worry about is your workout!