There are several things to think about when deciding what type of sunglasses to add to your collection: how they look, how they protect, and how they can improve/optimise your experience.
Here’s the best guide to choosing sunglasses to suit your lifestyle.
Are They Fit for Purpose?
It’s important to think about what situations, environments, and activities you will be in while wearing your sunglasses. Anyone that has had sunglasses slip off while playing sport will agree with this.
Are you looking for some beautiful Cartier sunglasses suitable for lying on a sun lounger, or will you be wearing them to ski? Sunglasses are needed in both scenarios, but you will need different characteristics to make sure you’re getting the most out of them.
What UV Protection?
Given the variety of options available, finding the right pair can be overwhelming. For a wide selection, consider exploring GlassesUSA.com’s extensive range of eyeglasses online, where each pair is designed with the intention to be worn in the sun. When your skin is exposed to the sun, you use UV protective sunscreen and your eyes should be no different. UV-protective sunglasses will not only protect your health from degenerative eye disorders and cancers but will also allow you to make the most of your time outside without worrying about glare, clarity, and poor visibility.
It is important to remember that even if it isn’t warm outside, the sun might still be there, so you should always consider UV protection when you plan any kind of outdoor activity. You could always choose sunglasses with a lens category of at least 2 or above, as these provide a good level of UV protection and sun glare reduction.
Lens Categories
The weather can differ as much as people do, so it makes sense that sunglasses come with a range of lenses to suit varying conditions and environments. However, there are traditionally five different types of lenses used in sunglasses:
- Category 0 lenses are clear or have a very faint tint. These are used in day-to-day spectacles, reading glasses, and safety goggles.
- Category 1 lenses are tinted, but should only be used for cosmetic use, not sun protection. They contain no UV protection and therefore should not be used as sunglasses.
- Category 2 lenses are the most common you will find in sunglasses. These lenses provide good protection from UV rays but don’t have as dark a tint as the category 3 or 4 lenses.
- Category 3 lenses give you extra protection from UV light and will block out the majority of visible light to protect your eyes. They are recommended for use on mountain ranges when you are closer to the sun and as a result, require a higher level of protection.
- Category 4 lenses are best being used at higher altitudes but are not to be worn when driving as they are too dark for this. They are not suitable for use as everyday sunglasses but will protect you from strong UV light.
For sun protection, look for glasses with category 2 lenses or above.
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