A pair of sunglasses are not just for people who are always outdoors, even athletes must wear sunglasses when they are out playing their respective sports.
Outdoor sports such as cycling, running, mountain climbing, to name a few, are spent most of the time out in the sun. That’s why athletes must wear prescription sport sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun..
While playing sports you cannot afford to be distracted from your game. Squinting due to sunlight and the wind blowing debris in your eyes can be a distraction. But wearing prescription sunglasses can save you from eye fatigue because your eyes no longer have to squint. Your sunglasses can block out sunlight and debris for you.
They can also provide benefits to your vision. Wearing sport sunglasses can improve your game performance and visual clarity. It helps reduce glare and increase contrast. This helps you see the ball and the track clearly. Because it reduces glare, it also ensures that your vision is as clear as possible.
Choosing sport sunglasses can be overwhelming. In this article, we will give you the proven tips to consider in choosing a good pair of sport sunglasses.
1. Plan According to Your Budget
The first step to making any purchase is figuring out your budget. There are many available prescription sport glasses online so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. These can range from around $99 dollars to more than a thousand dollars.
There is no need to shell out a lot when buying sports sunglasses though. You can find cheap prescription sport glasses that fit your needs. This is why you have to be familiar with exactly what you need and what budget you are working with.
2. Think About Where You’ll Wear Them
There are many types of prescription sport glasses as there are also many styles that would fit the location and type of sport that you play. Some sports, such as cycling, already have specialized sunglasses so it is already easier to know that buying these glasses will most likely give you what you need.
However, if you’re playing a different sport, let’s say golf, then you might need a different pair of sunglasses. You will be exposed to a lot of sunlight and you will be exposed to a lot of green, so get special lenses to help you see better.
If you play multiple sports, you may need a more versatile piece. So think about where you will wear the sunglasses you are planning to buy and choose according to this.
3. Get the Proper Frame for Your Needs
There are many frame types for sports sunglasses. The frame is the foundation of your sunglasses and it is used to support the lenses. Maybe you are playing a sport where heavy sunglasses would be an issue.
First, you would have to consider the frame temple shape. There are three types: straight, bent, and adjustable. The shape of your frames is important because you may have other equipment such as a hat, or a helmet on.
For cyclists, the most recommended shape is the straight frame type, as this will be easier to fit with a helmet on. For running, fishing and triathlons, bent temples are commonly used. Adjustable frames are used in hiking or climbing, as you may be wearing hats, and these flexible frames can easily be worn with hats or gears with straps.
You also need to consider your frame material. For runners or bikers, you need frames that are light so that you won’t even feel that you are wearing them. This prevents you from being distracted or dragged down by your sunglasses. There are many types of materials, however, the lightest ones may come a bit pricier than others.
Another thing you need to consider is the coverage of your frames. There are square frames, semi-rimless frames, and shield-type frames. Square frames are the most versatile type of frame. While semi-rimless frames provide seamless vision as they only have the top rim and provide good ventilation from the bottom. If you will be facing a lot of elements and may need extra protection from dust and debris, the shield type will be the most desirable coverage for you.
4. Choose Your Lens Material
The most important factor for your lenses is that it provides 90-100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. These are the most essential use of your sunglasses as you can avoid eye damage, strain, and skin cancer.
There are many materials to choose from when choosing one for your lenses. These are:
- Glass Lenses: These type of lenses provide the best clarity. However, if you are playing contact sports or sports where things could potentially fly in your face this may not be the one for you. One of its disadvantages is that they are easily scratched or shattered when dropped.
- Polycarbonate Lenses: These are very popular types of lenses as they are light impact-resistant. They are the best option for sports that involve flying or fast-moving objects.
- Plastic Lenses: These are affordable options for your lenses. However, they are also easily scratched if you do not opt for a resistant coating.
- Trivex NXT Lenses: The priciest of the lens options, these give you the same clarity as glass lenses. Its advantage over glass lenses is that you will not have the same problem with scratching and breaking.
5. Choose Your Lens Tint
Most sport sunglasses offer a variety of tints for your lenses. This is done because various environments and weather conditions may give you a need for various color adjustments. These are easily adjusted by wearing different lens tints.
Here are some tint colors and their uses:
- Gray/Smoke Tint: These are the most popular tint choice for basic sunlight protection and brightness adjustments.
- Amber/Brown Tint: This type of tint gives you a higher contrast. Objects will appear sharper and this can improve your distance judgment.
- Yellow Tint: These are used in dull or hazy environments. This is helpful if you suffer from low visibility due to environmental conditions.
- Red Tint: This lens tint combats blue light effectively. It helps with eye strain and helps with depth perception.
You can incorporate these different color tints even on your regular prescription sunglasses depending on which color you’re most comfortable in.
6. Consider Getting Add-Ons
Because of the need for further flexibility and customizability in sport sunglasses, a lot of add-ons are now offered.
You may now get polarized lenses that reduce glare and block additional UV rays. This is best to use when you are participating in activities where you are exposed to high amounts of glare.
However, getting these may make it harder to see details in your environment. Mirrored lenses can be used instead of polarized lenses when you need protection from glare but need enhanced depth perception. The cons of getting mirrored lenses, however, is that they may scratch easily.
You can also get transition lenses which are lenses that adjust depending on the environmental conditions. They get darker if the sun is bright and lighter under low light conditions.
If you are competing in watersports, you may want to consider getting a hydrophobic coating for your lenses. This coating helps water easily slide off your lenses so that they don’t block your vision.
Some frames also allow you to have interchangeable lenses. This allows you to get the best of everything as you can buy multiple lenses for every need. This can be a bit pricier though but very convenient depending on your usage.
Conclusion
There are unlimited choices when buying prescription sport sunglasses. Surely there will be one that fits both your budget and your needs. We hope that our tips provided you with enough information so that you can make the right purchase according to your needs!
