Whether you are looking for a pair of sunglasses as a fashion accessory, requiring them for better visibility while cycling, or as eye protection against glare at high elevations or on a glacier – specialized sports eyewear takes on a multitude of form and function. In our Buyer’s Guide, you’ll find all there is to know about buying a pair of sports sunglasses to match your needs.
What shades for which rays?
Sport-specific eyewear is a must-have for any sportsperson. Having a pair of sunglasses that match up to your sport, not only means that the lenses will be appropriate, but you’ll simply enjoy what you’re doing more! They stay in place more securely, they protect from wind better, and they also help your other glasses last a lot longer. Let’s face it, you’re getting your brand-new aviators sweaty and nasty every time you go for a hike, how much longer will they last for everyday use? While many people choose sunglass lens colours purely for aesthetic reasons, did you know that different lens colours actually serve different purposes? The tint of your sunglass lenses can enhance your depth perception and reduce eye fatigue in different environments, improving your performance across a number of sports and activities. Unless you’re a sunglass collector, there will be no need to invest in any more than two or three pairs, depending on your variety of sporting activity. With a choice of two to three good, quality sport-appropriate eyewear, you will have already covered a wide range of outdoor sports. Budget-conscious and equipment minimalists may ask why on earth they require more than one pair of good, solid sports sunglasses. There’s only one answer: Sunglasses that have been designed for specific sporting activities are tailor-made for that sport and that activity alone. A pair of sunglasses designed for running will still sit perfectly on the nose, even under the impact of vibrations that are typical for running. A pair of glacier sunglasses are polarised to ensures optimal protection of the eyes and protect against glare and snow reflection. Cycling eyewear comes supplied with interchangeable lenses to optimize for various lighting conditions, especially riding in and out of forests or mountainous areas where you may incur changeable weather.
One of the first things to consider when buying sports eyewear is how much UV protection in the lens you are requiring. There are five different categories, or levels of translucency, that range from clear lenses (e.g. to keep bugs and wind out of your eyes) to very dark lenses (e.g. glacier eyewear).
- Category 0 – Light absorption: 0-20%
Translucency: extremely high; clear or very light lenses
Purpose: protection from wind and insects at night or in low lighting conditions - Category 1 – Light absorption: 20-57%
Translucency: high; light to medium lenses
Purpose: increasing contrast and improving vision on cloudy days and in bright lighting conditions - Category 2 – Light absorption: 57-82%
Translucency: medium; medium to dark lenses
Purpose: sun protection at low elevation and medium latitudes - Category 3 – Light absorption: 82-92%
Translucency: low; dark lenses
Purpose: for the beach, mountain and winter sports use - Category 4 – Light absorption: 92-97%
Translucency: very low; very dark and mirrored lenses
Purpose: use on the water, in deserts and on glaciers
Caution: Not suited for driving!
Lens Tint
The lenses are the most important components of sunglasses and sports eyewear. Many manufacturers also offer certain models that can accommodate inserts for prescription lenses behind the tinted lenses.
There is a wide variety of lens tints, each of which is designed for specific lighting conditions – style points are an extra bonus.
Effects of different lens colours:
- Blue lenses: Clear and high-contrast, with cool vision as a side effect.
- Grey lenses: These lenses are very neutral and barely change how things look. Ideal for every-day use.
- Yellow lenses: Enhance vision in flat lighting conditions (clouds or fog). Ideal for fast-paced sports like biking, especially in variable lighting conditions.
- Orange lenses: Enhance contrast, especially for green tones. Ideally suited for sports like golf.
- Brown lenses: Brown lenses distort the colour spectrum least, especially primary colours; therefore well-suited for driving.
- Colourless lenses: Best for protecting your eyes from wind, spray and insects.
Types of sport sunglasses
1. Cycling eyewear
Aerodynamics, good ventilation, appropriate lenses – these are factors that play a central role in a good, quality pair of cycling sunglasses. Bike-specific sunglasses have been around for a few years – however, function and especially the choice and variety has widened significantly. Fit is crucial. Nothing is more annoying than a pair of sunglasses, which are constantly slipping off your nose and need to be pushed back up every 5 seconds. To avoid pressure points, it makes sense to try the sunglasses on in combination with your own bicycle helmet. Some manufacturers also offer sports straps to make sure your sunglasses stay where they belong – regardless of how bumpy the ride. Tip: Though your eyelashes should not be touching the lenses, a snug fit does generally help achieve a solid fit when all is said and done. Adjustment options, e.g. of the nose pads, can also be extremely helpful in fine-tuning the perfect fit. For commuting or cycling in traffic, it is important that the sunglasses do not limit your peripheral vision. Sometimes removable glare-protection side pieces can be a good solution.
2. Trekking and hiking sunglasses
Sunglasses for mountaineers are characterized by superior comfort and high stability. The focus is more on a straightforward design that can handle a slightly rougher treatment and a pair of sunglasses that are sturdy enough to handle being tossed into a backpack along with other gear.
Basically, you can do the least wrong in this category, since the high impact load and the associated vibrations that are given when running or cycling are not the cases here. Only one thing is important: Avoid at all cost wearing a cheap pair of supermarket sunglasses into the mountains. These sunglasses may come at a bargain price, however, your eyes won’t thank you in the long run.
3. Running eyewear
A pair of sunglasses especially for running? That’s what the cycling glasses do! That may be true – with one restriction. Because even more than when cycling you need while running eyewear, which sits at 10o% safe. Due to the constant jerking movements, which are even more intense than when cycling, badly fitting glasses quickly slip off the nose. In addition, every gram disturbs too much that you carry around with you. Long-distance runners can sing a song of it. Because even some “standard sunglasses”, which you wanted to take to run, here completely fails the service – especially if you have a runner as a “slippery” nose shape!
Absolute professional in this segment is Nike. The Americans, for example, with the Tailwind a perennial favourite in the program, which ensures by its minimalist weight and optimally positioned rubber pods for an excellent grip. In addition, Julbo offers the Aero Zebra, which has been tested on the toughest mountain runs and has a versatile nose pad. The Adidas sports glasses Tycane series are also suitable for running because of their relatively low weight.
4. Glacier sunglasses
Mountaineers enjoy all things above the tree-line and the one piece of equipment that can’t be avoided in high altitudes is a good pair of glacier sunglasses. Glacier eyewear offers higher UV protection and stability compared with other outdoor eyewear. Designed primarily for protecting climbers and mountaineers from the unique challenges of ultraviolet rays, snow refection and heavy glare that go with being up that high, these athletes are more likely to develop permanent eye damage if they don’t find good eye protection. Put simply, without them you would soon become snowblind (a very painful condition). Good quality polarised sunglasses are categorised according to their suitability.
5. Ski sunglasses and goggles
Ski goggles and eyewear is a science unto itself. Glare reducing, increasing contrast, protection from the cold are all good reasons why ski sunglasses or goggles are an invaluable piece of ski equipment. The selection is vast and ski eyewear has thoughtful, application-specific technologies that are as extensive as the selection itself. Bergzeit stock Julbo, Scott and Oakley, while Dragon and POC are available in the way of ski goggles.
6. Children’s sport sunglasses
Why should adults be spoiled in the choice with the latest and most efficient technologies in eyewear yet children are treated with “emergency solutions” only? Fortunately, more and more manufacturers are expressing the same view. In particular, Julbo and Alpina have released sport sunglasses for children into their collections that offer junior athletes optimal protection in every situation.
Depending on the manufacturer, children’s sports sunglasses are divided into age groups, the technologies used are in no way inferior to the “older siblings”. Some of the sunglasses have a strap that protects them from slipping and, moreover, they are symmetrical so that they can not be put on “upside-down”. A true classic among children’s sunglasses is the Julbo Looping. It impresses with an unbreakable design and child-friendly handling.
Details, to look for when buying sunglasses
- Non-slip rubber inserts on the nose bridge and on the temples for a secure grip during movement-intensive activities
- adjustable (and bendable) temples prevent the glasses from slipping during strenuous activities
- Individually adjustable sunglasses (such as those made by adidas) have a sweat-absorbent bar at the top of the frame that prevents the ingress of moisture and fogging
- Air vents provide improved ventilation and a clear view – especially important in sweaty sports
- Various manufacturers rely on an anti-fog coating, which prevents fogging of the lenses
- Mirrored or polarized sunglasses reduce glare, allowing for an improved field of view – for example, Oakley’s Prizm technology
- Small, removable side sun visors repel light from the side and additionally protect the eyes (only necessary for glacier sunglasses)
Cleaning and Care
- Always store your sports eyewear in the hard case they come with.
- Paper of any kind should not be used to clean lenses since the fibre acts like sandpaper.
- If the lenses to need to be cleaned, it is best to use water, washing up liquid and a microfibre cloth.
- Clean fingerprints off the lenses as quickly as possible, since they may otherwise burn into the lenses when in contact with sunlight.