Running is a style sport, haven’t you heard? Everyone’s ditching their raggedy college T-shirts for running apparel that not only lets you run better and more efficiently, but gear that makes you look pretty damn good, too. From your shoes to your hat, your running kit nowadays can easily go from the finish line to the runway (just ask On and Loewe). The same goes for your eyewear, an often overlooked piece of running equipment that could easily help shave minutes off your race time just because you spend less time squinting under the morning sun and more time breezing past the competition.
Nike makes a few pair of sunglasses meant for running, with one if its best sellers being the Nike Flyfree sunglasses. They’re good, and perfectly in line with the big names that are already in the space—Article One, Oakley, District Vision—but it felt like the Beaverton brand was trailing behind in options. Now, the Swoosh has added the Nike Flyfree Shields to their repertoire, and we wanted to put them to the test to see if the brand that helped make running cool could make it to the podium—or if they’re miles away from where they should be.
• Frame Size: Lens width: 72mm width; bridge width: 5mm; temple length: 130mm
• Colors Available: Smoke Grey, Clear
• Warranty: None
Do You Need Running Sunglasses?
I’ve run without sunglasses for years, and never thought I needed them until I tried a pair of eyewear designed specifically for sports. As a prescription eyewear wearer, I’ve had to run with my regular ‘ol glasses, which meant particularly sweaty runs required constant glasses adjustments to avoid my frames falling off my face. After trying a pair of glasses for running, usually marked by their ability to stay on your face, protect your eyes from wind and debris (sort of like goggles), and of course block out the sun, I realized that runners—especially those who race—should invest in a pair to help them run better and farther. That’s not to say you won’t clock a PR just because you decided to go bare face one day. TL;DR: No, you don’t need running sunglasses. Yes, you should get a pair.
How Do the Nike Flyfree Shields Look?
Sporty sunglasses are in, and the Flyfree Shields fit right in. These feature a single-lens design, whereas the original Flyfrees had dual lenses. These definitely live up to the “Shield” name in that they feel like they’re deflecting light, wind, and whatever Mother Nature has to throw my way. Would I wear them casually? No, but stepping out of my apartment, wearing these, I feel like people know I’m ready to get down to business (i.e. clock some serious mileage), and they feel complementary to the fit that I put so much thought into (again, because running style is cool).
How Do the Nike Flyfree Shields Fit?
If your running sunglasses are bouncing around as you’re clocking your miles, then there’s no point in having them on your face. What’s great about the Flyfree Shields is how well they can conform to your face so they’re firmly in place no matter how much you try to shake them loose. The arms are made of flexible silicone that you can bend into shape so that they grip your head firmly. (Just make sure they’re not too tight or else you’ll get a tension headache after wearing them for too long.) These also have adjustable nose pads—an even extra set of safeguards to prevent slippage. As someone with a low bridge, I was grateful for those adjustable nose pads because I could make them incredibly tight so that they’d stay put on my nose without worrying about them slipping down my bridge—something that plagues me on the daily with my regular eyewear.
The Flyfree Shields sit pretty close to your face, almost like a pair of safety goggles. I was worried that running with them and having them pretty much flush against my face would cause irritation, but they managed to stay put, and stay comfortable, mile after mile.
Are Nike Flyfree Shields Worth It?
I’m not a marathoner, and I do all of my running for fun (and my mental health). That means I’m not really trying to run super fast or super far, but I do like the ability to personally challenge myself, whether it’s by clocking a faster mile that before or running a few extra kilometers than the week before. I’ve noticed in my past runs that I’ve spent quite a few precious minutes having to either pause my run, or at least slow down, to adjust my glasses, and that wearing the Flyfree Shields have made it so I totally forget that I’m wearing something pressed up against my face.
At $239, these shades are by no means cheap, costing more than your average running sneaker. They do, however, come with interchangeable lenses, so it’s almost like you’re getting two pairs of running sunglasses in one. The different lens options—one that’s darker, and one that’s a slightly clear orange—are designed for different light conditions depending on whether you wear them in the day or at night. Like any hobby, running offers the ability to invest in certain aspects of your kit, whether it’s your shoes or even your sunglasses, and the Flyfree Shields feel like a worthwhile investment to improve your overall ability. Plus, they look cool—even if people are only getting to catch a glimpse of you before you’re getting your fit off at the next block.
