Sunglasses are to your eyes like sunscreen is to your skin. They’re designed to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and just as you would do with sunscreen, you need to pay attention to the finer details to ensure optimal safety. So, before you head into some random popup shop for your next pair of fashion sunglasses, running sunglasses, or glacier glasses, here are some things you need to know.
Types of Sunglasses
Fashion sunglasses, sports sunglasses, glacier sunglasses, oh my! The options truly are endless when it comes to eyewear and in order to get the best experience from your sunglasses, you should be wearing a pair specific to your activity. Here are some of the main sunglasses styles you want to get your hands, or rather, eyes on.
Everyday Sunglasses
The most popular type of sunglasses are everyday sunglasses; the ones you wear on a regular day to do basic activities and tasks. They’re your driving sunglasses, your beach sunglasses, and your “I’m just hanging out” sunglasses. Casual sunglasses are amazing at shading your eyes from the sun just enough to keep your day doing, without any squinting.
Sports Goggles
Sports goggles (and sports sunglasses) are another popular style of sunglasses. These are the kinds that are designed specifically for certain activities, such as hiking, biking, running, playing baseball, etc. More specifically, the frames have a tighter fit to ensure they remain in place (and on your face) throughout your activity. Often, sports sunglasses will also have grips on the nose piece and temple to make sure they aren’t going anywhere, even with all the sweat you ramp up.
Glacier Sunglasses
The third type of sunglasses is often referred to as glacier glasses or mountaineering sunglasses. These are quite unique from all the rest because they’re designed to protect your eyes from the intense UV rays and reflections you find at high altitudes. They take sports sunglasses to the next level.
Mountaineering sunglasses used to trek up to mountain tops, offer lateral protection to further protect your eyes from the intense light you simply can't avoid when you're that high up.
Types of Lenses
Sunglasses can have all different types of lenses. The same style of running sunglasses can have polarized lenses or photochromic lenses. As such, it’s crucial to know the differences so you know what to look for before purchasing your next pair of sunglasses on Julbo.
100% UV Protection
The most basic type of casual sunglasses come with 100% UV protection; the type of sunglasses that are decorated with a little sticker that reads, “UV Protection" and that can also be found in every pop-up shop . While 100% UV protection is better than no protection at all, these sunglasses are usually on the lower end of the scale in terms of craftsmanship, lens quality, comfort and protection, and you’re about to find out why…
Polarized Lenses
Inarguably, one of the most popular choices for casual and sports sunglasses are ones with polarized lenses. These are like the prior, only with the additional bonus of substantially eliminating reflection. Polarized lenses are carefully designed to reduce glare, which blocks out more light, offering you better protection and vision. As such, polarized lenses are popular choices for sports sunglasses, fishing sunglasses, driving sunglasses, etc.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses take technology to the next level. These lenses automatically adjust to the light and conditions around you. When it’s cloudy, they lighten up; when it’s sunny, they darken, and so on and so forth. However, photochromic lenses are not ideal for driving sunglasses as they react to UV rays that your windshield blocks but, they're perfect for sports sunglasses, mountaineering sunglasses, biking sunglasses, you name it.
And you guessed it! The different types of sunglasses lenses can be found in all types of sunglasses styles and frames. So, before you slide into a new pair of sunglasses, you have to know what you’re looking for or else you simply don't know what you're buying.
We make it easy at Julbo, where you'll find all types of sunglasses and lenses, designed specifically for your type of adventure.
Photo credit : Laurence Jeanson
