Guide
Outside Magazine: the best sunglasses for sports and outdoor adventures
by Siri Schubert
These sunglasses are as light as a feather
16/7/2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Siri Schubert
The name of the glasses means «feather», and they’re exactly what it suggests – with a weight of 16.8 grammes, you can barely feel them on your nose. «Piuma» are from the Italian brand Out Of, and it’s clear from my test that this lightweight doesn’t hold back.
Running sunglasses: until now, they’ve been more of a necessary evil than love at first sight. Why did sunglasses annoy me when running, you ask? They were too heavy, slipped or pinched and obscured my vision even with the slightest exertion.
The lenses are impressive
The fact they’re extremely light isn’t the only thing that sets these glasses apart. The photochromatic lenses automatically adjust to the ambient brightness. It’s as fast as lightning – I can’t even say exactly how many seconds or fractions of a second it takes. I just know this much: when I switch from sunny meadows to shady paths while running, I can see the ground immediately. I don’t have to take the Piuma off or hesitate and actively avoid tripping.
The light adjustment in the Piuma lies between filter categories two and three. This means they absorb between 82 and 92 per cent of light, making the glasses particularly suitable for outdoor activities in bright surroundings, on the water and in the mountains.
Fit and weight
I wore the glasses for the first five hours of the Backyard Ultramarathon – and actually forgot that they were on my nose. It was only when I wanted to put on my headlamp before dusk, as instructed by the organiser, that I realised there’s something on my head…
The fact that I can hardly feel the glasses is partly due to their low weight and partly due to the fit. The temples are made of carbon-reinforced Grilamid, a polyamide that’s both durable and flexible. This enables the temples to be firmer at the front and more flexible towards the back, as they contain different amounts of carbon fibres according to the manufacturer.
The fit’s always one of those things. Depending on the shape of your face and nose, the glasses either sit well, dig in, or slip off. This model fits me perfectly and doesn’t wobble even during fast sprints. This is most likely because of the nose pad which is formed from two rubber arches and allows you to slide the glasses into the position that suits you best.
The glasses are quite large for my taste. But in the meantime I’ve got used to the look. And since they haven’t fogged up yet, even in high humidity, the large lenses don’t bother me. At least they also block reflections coming up from water surfaces below.
In a nutshell
Super light glasses which adapt to your surroundings
Due to the size of the sunglasses, you’ll notice your appearance in them. But otherwise, you’ll hardly be able to tell you’re wearing Piuma. For me, the fact they hardly weigh anything, are comfortable to wear and react quickly to surroundings are huge plus points.
Still, I’d love it if there were a smaller version of the glasses. That’s not to say I’d deduct any points for this. It’s a matter of taste, and the glasses can look completely different on a taller person with a larger face.
Pro
- Very light and hardly noticeable
- Photochromatic lenses enable fast adjustment to light
- Good fit
- Don’t fog up
Contra
- Look quite big on smaller faces
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
