Sports Sunglasses – How to Choose the Correct Eyewear for Your Sport

Looking for the right sports sunglasses for your outdoor activities requires doing a little research. The sunglasses must provide protection from UV rays, harmful glare, and help enhance your performance while being comfortable to wear.
What follows are five tips on how to choose the correct eyewear for your sport. Keep in mind any specific requirements that your sport has in terms of what type of sunglasses you can wear.

UV Protection

First and foremost, the sunglasses you choose should have 100% UV protection. This includes both UVA and UVB which will shield your eyes from damaging ultraviolet light. Remember that UV light can penetrate cloud cover, so be sure that you are wearing sunglasses that can protect you from eye damage that may lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye issues.

Lens Material

You should look for lens material that is both light and strong. Polycarbonate is a good choice thanks to its impact resistance. This means for activities such as beach volleyball, cycling, or jogging, the lenses should hold up under most impacts.
Trivex lenses are another solid option as they provide similar benefits to polycarbonate but have better clarity even if they are somewhat more expensive. And while glass lenses tend to provide the best optical clarity, they are heavier and less resistant to impacts.

Lens Color

You may not think of lens color at first, but this choice will determine how much sunlight will reach your eyes. Dark tints such as brown or gray are good for reducing glare and maintaining color balance on bright, sunny days. While yellow or gold tints work better for cloudy or low-light conditions.
One of the most versatile colors is green, which offers a good color balance while reducing glare under changing conditions. Make sure that the lenses are polarized which will not only reduce the glare considerably, but it will also help you see better over water or snow. This makes them perfect for fishing, sailing, or other water-based sports.

Frame Material

The frames you choose should be lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear. The type of material best suited for sports sunglasses includes polycarbonate and nylon. Both materials are impact resistant and quite flexible. Rubber nose pads along with temple grips will keep the sunglasses in place while not being too tight.
If the sports you participate in involve speed such as car or horse racing, perhaps speedboating or similar activities, then wraparound frames may work the best. They will prevent dust and debris from hitting your eyes from the sides.

Fit & Comfort

Although the most obvious factors for best fit and comfort include lightweight materials and padding for the nose and temples, proper ventilation is important as well. When you sweat, the moisture may fog the lenses leaving you less able to see clearly. Frames with vented sides or lenses that have vents can prevent the buildup of moisture.



Understanding how to choose the best eyewear for your sport will help you maximize your overall performance. Be sure to choose the right pair of sunglasses for your main activity. But remember to choose other pairs that allow for changing conditions.