Sports Sunglasses

Cycling Sunglasses

Aerodynamics, good ventilation, and the right lenses are the core elements of a good pair of cycling sunglasses. To avoid creating pressure points, it makes sense to try on sunglasses in conjunction with your own bike helmet. Some manufacturers also offer exercise straps to ensure your sunglasses stay where they should be, no matter how bumpy the ride gets. For commuting or biking, it's important that sunglasses don't limit your peripheral vision.

Trekking and Hiking Sunglasses

Mountaineering sunglasses feature excellent comfort and high stability. Its simple design can withstand a little rough handling, so it can be thrown into a backpack with other gear. When it comes to this type of sports sunglasses, only one thing is important: avoid going into the mountains with a cheap pair of supermarket sunglasses at all costs. Lower price may mean less protection levels.

Running Sunglasses

Running sunglasses are specifically worn while running. Ill-fitting glasses can quickly slip off your nose due to constant vigorous activity, but running glasses can avoid this problem. Its extremely light weight and unique curved design ensure excellent grip. Many running glasses are also tested on the toughest mountain runs and feature multi-functional nose pads.

Glacier Sunglasses

One piece of equipment that is unavoidable at high altitude is a good pair of glacier sunglasses. Glacier sunglasses offer higher UV protection and stability compared to other outdoor glasses. It is primarily designed to protect climbers and climbers from the unique challenges of UV rays, snow reflections and glare from heights. If these athletes do not find good eye protection, they are more likely to suffer permanent eye damage.

Ski Sunglasses and Goggles

Ski goggles and eyewear are a science unto themselves. Reducing glare, increasing contrast, and protecting against the cold are all good reasons why ski sunglasses or goggles are a must-have piece of ski gear. The selection of ski goggles is vast and features thoughtful, application-specific technology that is as broad as the selection itself.

Children’s Sports Sunglasses

More and more manufacturers are introducing children's sports sunglasses in their collections to provide young athletes with optimal protection in various situations. Depending on the manufacturer, children's sports sunglasses are also divided into age groups, and the technology used is no inferior to adult sunglasses. Some sunglasses have a strap that prevents them from slipping, and they are symmetrical so they cannot be "turned upside down."

Gray and Black

They are the most popular lens colors. It reduces all light evenly without increasing contrast or changing the color of objects, and is best used in bright and sunny weather. Some manufacturers use black rather than gray lens colors because it sounds more "modern," but it's misleading (truly black lenses aren't of much use).

Smoke

"Smoke" is used as the lens base color when lenses are mirror-finished. It is similar to gray but often has a brown or blue tint.

Amber, Vermilion and Brown

These pops of color increase contrast (everything in your field of view will appear sharper), they provide a warm look, and work well in situations where judging distance is important, such as golf. These good all-around colors are suitable for most weather and light conditions.

Yellow

This is a light-enhancing color suitable for low visibility, dark, hazy and cloudy conditions. It provides excellent contrast and enhanced depth perception, but is not suitable for use in strong sunlight or high glare conditions.

Transparent

Sunglasses in this color protect your eyes from impact, dust, dirt or abrasion.

Green

It provides soothing color tones that help reduce glare and enhance contrast. Sometimes described as a grey-green, it is a good alternative to solid gray in bright sunlight conditions.

Red, Rose and Orange

These lens colors filter out blue light that causes eye fatigue. They are high-definition and high-contrast colors that make objects appear clearer. They work in most lights and are especially suitable for overcast conditions. These colors are popular with golfers, cyclists, skiers and shooting enthusiasts.

Blue

It is a fashionable color but also helps emphasize the yellow, useful for tennis players (yellow ball) and archers (yellow/taurus).

Purple

Purple is now a popular color among clay target shooting enthusiasts. It dims green backgrounds, such as trees or grassy banks, and helps users see black, white, orange or pink clay targets better against darker backgrounds. It offers soothing shades that are suitable for a variety of lighting conditions. Golfers will also benefit from wearing purple lenses.

MIRROR and "REVO"

Mirror and mirror-revo are coatings applied to the front of the lens. Mirror coatings come in a variety of colors. The term "revo" usually applies when the lenses are available in more than one color, such as red-orange or teal. This mirror coating is often chosen for its aesthetic effect. They also block an additional 10 - 60% of visible light, providing greater comfort in intense full-sun conditions. Because they limit the exposure to light that can cause photokeratitis (snow blindness) on sunny days, they are often chosen for snow sports, high-altitude hiking, and mountaineering.

Flash Mirror Lenses

Flash mirror (consistent with the basic color of the lens) is not a full mirror effect, but produces a slight reflection.

Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses are lenses that change tint based on light conditions. Typically, they start 20-30% lighter and darken to 60-80% (in strong sunlight).

The following tips can serve as helpful tips for everyday sports sunglasses maintenance.

Don't Use an Old Rag

Avoid using old rags or even new rags. Since rags are usually abrasive, they can scratch lenses and frames. Continuous scratching and abrasion will wear down your lenses and frames faster than if you choose to use a microfiber cleaning cloth. If your glasses don’t come with a microfiber cleaning wipe, ask the manufacturer or a professional optometrist if one can be provided.

Do Wash Hands

Washing your hands thoroughly before handling your glasses can prevent the transfer of excess dirt and oil. Our hands have residue from everything we touch and it eventually builds up. To reduce fingerprints and smudges, have your hands washed with mild soap and warm water and avoid touching anything else before cleaning your glasses.

Don't Use Everyday Materials

In addition to avoiding rags, keep your sports sunglasses away from everyday items that are often handy. It feels more convenient to grab the nearest item or even part of your shirt, but most materials are generally more abrasive and too rough for the delicate surfaces of glasses. Specific things to stay away from include: clothing items, facial tissues, napkins, hand or body towels.

Do Correct Cleaning Method 

If you find that your sports glasses need a good cleaning, you should dry them with warm water and a microfiber towel. However, avoid using hot water as this can also damage your glasses. Turn the faucet to lukewarm and place your sunglasses under the stream for best results. Adhering to the required cleaning schedule for your lenses will help maintain their clarity and integrity.

Don't Buff Scratches

There is nothing we can do to protect our faces or glasses from debris. Therefore, you're likely to find a scratch or two on your lenses at some point. It's okay if this happens, but it's important to remember not to let them go away. Often, attempts at polishing will increase the number of scratches. It can even cause fuzzy, cloudy spots where you're trying. It's best to visit the manufacturer for help. Polishing damaged lenses may result in the need for expensive replacements.

Do Properly Store Sports Glasses

Your sports sunglasses are most likely your second or third pair. In this case, it is crucial to keep them safe when not in use. Storing them correctly will also help improve overall cleanliness and reduce the need for additional cleaning. Given the increased handling and debris involved with sports glasses, it's a good idea to carry a to-go bag with the right cleaning supplies so you can clean them on the go.

The Color of the Lenses Affect Its UV Blocking Capabilities
There is a notion that the color of sunglasses affects their ability to protect the eyes from the sun. It may help to know that the UV protection eyewear can offer highly depends on its lens material or treatment. You will get the same level of performance from sunglasses with gray UV-blocking lenses and yellow UV-blocking lenses. There are colored lenses that can increase contrast, which is ideal for individuals playing sports, like golf and softball.

UV-Blocking Sunglasses are Costly
It isn’t uncommon for people to think sunglasses with total UV protection is costly. Fortunately, you can now get ones with 100% UV protection for reasonable prices. The price of this eyewear varies by manufacturer and frame material. Usually, what you can get for a few dollars can offer the same protection as products with a hefty price tag. Keep in mind that high-quality sunglasses are more likely to last longer, not have distortions and fit better.

All Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes from UVA or UVB Light
Sunglasses are not all made equal because some do not come with UVA/UVB protection. Don’t purchase products without this feature to avoid irreversible damage to your eyes. Luckily, you don’t need to spend as much to buy UV protective eyewear these days. They are also available in various styles to complement every outfit and occasion.

The Darker the Lenses, the Better Protection They Provide
Just as lens color doesn’t define how well a pair of sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun, light lenses can defend against UV rays just as well as dark ones. Lens tints can serve other purposes that don’t have anything to do with UV protection.

Photochromic Lenses Don’t Block That Much UV Rays
Photochromic lenses feature trillions of small silver halide and chloride molecules, which react when exposed to UV rays. Under the sun, they turn from clear to dark. After an eye examination, a specialist can determine if this eyewear is ideal for you. Photochromic lenses can keep your eyes safe from UV rays just as any other type of lens with UV protection. During the day, they can help people with myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism drive better. However, when it’s really bright outside, wearing sunglasses might be more comfortable.

Extra UV Coating is Always Better
You might have already seen sunglasses with extra UV coating, claiming they can offer better protection from UV rays. The truth is, if your lenses already come with UV protection, additional UV coating isn’t necessary.

Polarized Lenses are Better for UV Protection
Polarized lenses with UV coating will protect your eyes the same way as other lenses with UV protection will. They come with a special chemical with molecules that keeps some light from penetrating the lenses. These lenses work well in cutting glare, making them suitable for outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, golfing, skiing and snowboarding. There is also a common misconception that sunglasses that block UV rays are not necessarily polarized. Before purchasing a new pair, check its label to see if it is polarized. You can always consult your eye doctor for assistance when choosing the ideal eyewear for your needs.

Adults Need Sunglasses More than Children
People of all ages will benefit from wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, especially younger ones. In fact, they need more protection from the sun than adults. A child’s lens can allow 70% more UV radiation into the retina compared to an adult’s lens. Parents should be aware that wearing sunglasses is just as important as applying sunscreen when going outside.

You Need Sunglasses When It’s Sunny Outside
No matter if it is sunny or cloudy, you still need to wear sunglasses. Not because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean there are no UV rays present. When the weather is outcast, it will help to wear a different tint or lens type to see better. It could be hard to see outside with dark-colored lenses.

Summer is the Only Time You Must Wear Sunglasses
Even during the colder months, sunglasses are a must, especially in snowy environments. Your eyes can receive twice the amount of UV rays from sunlight reflected off the snow than from the sky. In the fall, you should also wear proper eye protection because it’s usually the time of year the sun shines directly into your eyes.

Scratches on Sunglasses Won’t Affect Your Eyes
While scratches on sunglasses lenses won’t reduce their ability to protect your eyes from UV radiation, they can contribute to eye strain. It’s because your eyes need to work harder to see through compromised lenses. It’s one of the many reasons to be careful with your glasses and replace them if they have scratches.

The Size of Your Sunglasses Doesn’t Matter
Did you know that wraparound frames and larger lenses can protect your eyes better against the harmful effects of UV rays compared to standard-sized lenses? The larger the lenses are, the more sunlight they can block. With bigger sunglasses, you can keep UV rays away from the different sides of your eyes. When purchasing a new pair, you must always consider the size.