Josh Kerr wears glasses (usually sunglasses) when running mainly for psychological and branding reasons, not because he needs them to see.

Core reason: mental edge

Josh Kerr has said he started wearing sunglasses to give himself “a bit more of an edge” and to be “a little bit different” on the start line.

He likes that rivals cannot see his eyes, which he uses as a form of psychological mind game in the call room and during races.

  • He says the glasses help him stand out and signal that “when the glasses go on, it’s game time.”
  • Because the lenses are dark, other athletes cannot tell where he is looking, which he enjoys because it can unsettle them.

Style and recognition

Kerr has become known for his trademark Oakley sunglasses in major races, which are now part of his public image.

This distinctive look makes him instantly recognisable on TV and at the start line, adding to his persona as a confident, combative racer.

Is it about vision?

Fans on running forums often wonder if the glasses are prescription, but discussion threads note there is no clear evidence that he needs prescription lenses in races.

Most coverage from interviews frames the glasses as a performance psychology and style choice rather than a medical necessity.

TL;DR: Josh Kerr wears glasses while running because the dark sunglasses give him a psychological advantage, hide his eyes from rivals, and create a bold, recognisable race-day persona—not primarily because of vision needs.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.