Hiking with big headphones on can be a real pain. They make your ears sweat, they slide around when you get a bit sweaty, and you really need to hear if a bike is coming up behind you on the trail. I found these Bluetooth hiking eyewear smart glasses to see if they could actually handle my long weekend treks without falling apart.
What are these smart hiking glasses?
These are basically sunglasses that hide speakers in the arms. You wear them like normal shades, but they connect to your phone so you can listen to music or podcasts while keeping your ears totally open to the world. I grabbed a pair because they were super cheap and promised free shipping to my house.
The main appeal is that you get two things in one package. You protect your eyes from the sun and get your audio fix at the same time. It feels a bit like spy gear, but it is actually really practical for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.
Real world features and benefits
The audio quality is surprisingly decent for something that sits on your temples. You are not going to get deep, booming bass like you would with high-end noise-canceling cans, but that is not the point. The sound is clear enough for podcasts and light music while you hike.
Because these are open-ear, I felt much safer on the trail. I could hear birds, wind, and other hikers clearly. Plus, the polarized lenses did a solid job of cutting down glare when I was walking near water or on bright, open paths.
The controls are simple to find on the side of the frames. I did not have to fumble with my phone once during my four-hour hike. They are lightweight enough that I forgot I was wearing them after about twenty minutes.
Honest pros and cons
These glasses are not perfect, but they do a lot for the price. Here is how they stack up after a few weeks of testing.
- Pros
- Very light and comfortable for long wear.
- You can hear your surroundings, which is great for safety.
- Polarized lenses are actually decent for the price.
- Connects to your phone just as fast as expensive earbuds.
- The free shipping option makes them very budget-friendly.
- Cons
- Shipping from overseas takes a long time, sometimes three weeks or more.
- If you are in a very crowded or noisy area, it is hard to hear the audio.
- There is no local warranty, so if they break, you are likely out of luck.
- The battery life is just okay and usually lasts about three to four hours.
- Customer support can be tough to deal with if you have a technical issue.
Who should buy these glasses?
If you are a casual hiker or a cyclist who wants a little background music without blocking out the world, these are a great pick. They are perfect for anyone on a tight budget who wants to try out wearable tech without spending hundreds of dollars on a big brand name.
You should skip these if you are a serious audiophile who needs perfect sound quality. These are also not for you if you need a durable piece of equipment for extreme sports where they might get crushed or smashed. If you rely on glasses for a prescription, these will not work unless you find a way to swap the lenses, which is not easy.
What other buyers are saying
I talked to a few other people who bought these to see if my experience was just a fluke. One guy told me he uses them for mowing the lawn, though he noted that the sound gets lost in the noise of the mower. Another hiker mentioned that the hinges felt a bit loose after a month, so he had to tighten the tiny screws himself. Overall, most people seem happy as long as they remember these are budget tech items and not premium gear.
Final verdict on these glasses
Writing this Bluetooth hiking eyewear smart glasses stereo listening wireless headset UV-protection polarized lenses sunglasses headphones review was a fun experiment. Are they the best sunglasses I have ever owned? No. Are they the best headphones I have ever used? Definitely not.
However, for the price, they are a fun gadget to have in your pack. They do exactly what they claim to do, and they make a long, solo hike much more enjoyable. If you can handle the long shipping wait and keep your expectations realistic, these are a solid, budget-friendly buy that gets the job done.
