When the snow melts, the days grow longer, and the mountains call again, the most beautiful time of year begins for many people: hiking in spring. However, your first mountain tour after winter should be well planned. While spring may already have arrived in the valley, the mountains may still hold old snow, changeable weather, hard snowfields, or already intense sunlight.

Good hiking equipment in spring is therefore more than a matter of comfort—it is an important safety factor. Experienced mountain guides offer important tips on what really matters on a mountain tour in spring—from proper tour planning to the right equipment. It quickly becomes clear that a good hiking sunglasses are much more than just sun protection in the mountains.

 

Your first mountain tour after winter: start mindfully

After the winter break, motivation is often high. Even so, the rule is: start slowly, plan realistically, and do not try to do too much right away. Your first tour does not have to be the longest or most challenging. It is much more important to regain a feel for your fitness, sure-footedness, and the terrain.

Mountain guide Oliver Stocker recommends: “After winter, it is important to assess your fitness realistically and not try to do too much too quickly. Old snowfields can be treacherous and often require extra caution or equipment. You should also keep a close eye on how the weather is developing. Careful tour planning is particularly crucial here.”

For your first mountain tour in spring, this means choosing shorter routes, allowing plenty of time, checking the weather and conditions, and, when in doubt, making the more cautious decision. Especially in spring, a tour can quickly feel very different from how it looks on the map.

“Start with small goals and build up from tour to tour. This brings greater confidence, enjoyment, and a wonderful experience.” – Chris Garber, mountain guide

 

 

© Johannes Rydzek

Old snow, weather, and time of day: the underestimated risks in spring

When hiking in spring, old snow is one of the most important issues. Even when the trails in the valley have long since dried out, snowfields may still remain in the mountains. They are often frozen hard, especially in the morning, and can become dangerous if you slip.

“Hard, old snowfields along the route should be assessed and crossed with great respect. In spring, they are often rock-hard, especially in the morning, and pose a frequently underestimated danger. If you start to slip, your body can quickly accelerate to almost free-fall speed on a slope with an incline of around 40 degrees—often with serious consequences.” – Jürgen Reinmüller, mountain guide

The warming of the day, possible avalanche danger, loose rocks or remaining snow on the ascent and descent should also be considered on every tour. Anyone who wants to stay safe checks the weather forecast, trail conditions and current conditions—and adapts the tour to their own abilities.

 

 

© Lukas Rinner 

 

Hiking gear for spring: What belongs in your backpack

Good hiking gear for spring is essential. Even seemingly easy tours can quickly become problematic due to changing weather, navigation difficulties or minor injuries.

That is why these basics belong in your backpack on every mountain tour:

• Enough water
• Small snack, granola bar or energy bar
• First-aid kit
  
• Phone with a full battery
  
• Additional layer of clothing
• Sun protection
  
• Suitable sunglasses for hiking
• Weather and navigation app

 

For mountain guide Kevin Prossegger, the following are essential: “A good pair of sunglasses is an essential part of my gear. I also always carry a small first-aid kit, a bivouac sack, sun protection, as well as enough water and a small snack."

 

 

© Johannes Rydzek

 

Sunglasses for hiking: Why gloryfy makes sense in the mountains

A good pair of sunglasses for hiking protects against more than just the sun. In the mountains, clear vision, a secure fit and reliable eye protection matter—especially in wind, snow, falling rocks, icefall, intense brightness or changing light conditions.

Jürgen Reinmüller explains why he never goes without his gloryfy: “As a professional mountain guide, I am constantly exposed to radiation in the mountains and need to protect my eyes as well as possible in the long term. My gloryfy glasses are a constant companion—whether climbing, on a via ferrata, or on a high-altitude tour."

The hiking and sports glasses from gloryfy combine exactly these qualities: unbreakable frames and unbreakable lenses made from NBFX™, low weight, high wearing comfort, and a secure fit. This makes them particularly suitable for anyone looking for robust, durable, and unbreakable sunglasses for hiking.

In the mountains, glasses not only have to look good, but also perform when conditions become challenging. One real-life experience shows how important reliable equipment is:

“What I remember particularly well is a longer high-altitude tour with highly changeable conditions—from glaring sunshine on the glacier to wind and fog on the ridge. One participant had brought a cheap pair of sunglasses, which broke during the tour. We then had to improvise and use an emergency blanket as a temporary solution so that his eyes would at least have some protection. It is precisely in moments like these that you quickly realize how important reliable equipment really is in the mountains. You only get one pair of eyes, so quality is the only option for me.” – Lukas Rinner, mountain guide

© Lukas Rinner 

Mountain guide favorites: These gloryfy glasses come along in the mountains

 

G40 Flatline – wide field of vision with a sporty look

The G40 Flatline impresses with an especially wide field of vision and is available in size L. Rimless at the bottom and framed at the top, it combines maximum visibility with sporty stability. Self-adjusting temples allow the glasses to be individually adjusted in seconds. Ideal for anyone looking for a clear overview and a dynamic look in the mountains.

“Currently, the G40 Flatline Infrared is my favorite. It fits extremely well, offers a large field of vision, and naturally looks really good too. Especially in the mountains, clear vision and a secure fit are extremely important to me – this one delivers perfectly.” – Kevin Prossegger, mountain guide

 

G42 – Shield-style sunglasses with a frame for maximum protection

The G42 is a shield-style pair of sunglasses in size L and ideal for anyone looking for particularly strong protection in the mountains. The wide shield reliably protects against wind and sunlight, making these glasses a strong choice for any mountain tour.

“I love the G42 in the mountains. Because of its wide shield and its style. The shield simply offers the best protection against wind and sunlight.” – Emanuel Pali, mountain guide

 

G15 – compact, narrower-cut, and versatile

The G15 is a more compact, narrower-cut model in size M with a frame. It sits comfortably close to the face, looks sporty without being too large, and is especially well suited to anyone looking for lighter, somewhat more understated sports sunglasses for hiking.

“The G15 with polarized lenses is my favorite because it fits perfectly when climbing and also has an excellent fit in combination with my climbing helmet. The unbreakable material is a safety factor both on the face and in the backpack that should not be underestimated.” – Jürgen Reinmüller, mountain guide