When going for a long road trip or just a quick drive to run some errands, most car owners just put on whatever pair of sunglasses they have. We know you’re guilty of it, too. At least, sometimes.
While let’s just start off by saying, there’s nothing really wrong with that. And while wearing sunglasses is great, when you wear proper sunglasses for driving, you’re going to reap a lot of benefits – especially during long trips.
A decent pair of driving sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sunlight, especially if you’re on the open road and the sun is at an angle that beats your car’s sun visor. It can also block a lot of reflected light from your surroundings which could affect your vision temporarily and cause throbbing headaches.
But we’re not here to talk about decent. We’re here to talk about great pairs of driving sunglasses that will not only shield your eyes but will also provide comfort and elevate your style at the same time!
Check out our top picks below and take your pick!
7 Best Sunglasses for Driving
Carrera 1030
Sunglasses for driving, you say? Well, there’s nothing that could be more fitting behind the wheel than a pair of Carrera sunglasses.
Carrera was born out of a love for racing, specifically the Carrera Panamericana racing event in the early 1950s in Mexico. Hence, the name.
This event was famous among race car drivers and enthusiasts because of its dangerous 2000-mile racetrack.
It’s no wonder why most Carrera sunglasses have bold and unforgettable designs in their sunglasses.
Just look at the Carrera 1030. This bad boy is one of Carrera’s most iconic frames. A full-rimmed frame, a bold brow bar, and the C logo on the nose bridge are only some of its distinctive features that perfectly marries the sporty and urban style.
Not to mention, these shades have all the features that you need in a pair of driving sunglasses: polarised lenses, correct lens colour, UV protection, and so much more.
Oakley Holbrook XL
This beauty is one of our faves from Oakley! Anyone will look great in this retro-squarish frame with a keyhole nose bridge for extra ventilation.
The best thing about it is that it’s incredibly sleek and fashionable but it doesn’t lose the functionality that you normally see in Oakley sports sunglasses.
It’s made from the lightweight and durable O-matter and you can get Holbrook with Prizm lenses as well!
Serengeti Dante
If you’re big on comfortable sunglasses, the Serengeti Dante is the best pair of shades for you. Its wire-flex technology allows the sunglasses to be a snug fit on your face. They’re also incredibly lightweight considering they’re made from gunmetal material.
Its brown lenses also come with photochromic technology which automatically adjusts the light passage throughout the day, so you can see every detail of the road at whatever time of the day you’re driving.
Smith Lowdown
Most driving sunglasses are, essentially, a pair of lifestyle sunglasses as well. Take the Smith Lowdown’s for example. These are a pair of specs that you can level up your eyewear game when driving, during a casual date or even light workout. Without skipping a beat.
Loaded with features like generous coverage, polarised lenses, better-grip-as-you-sweat feature, and more importantly, ChromaPop technology.
ChromaPop is Smith’s patented lens technology that enhances the details and colour contrast of your surroundings. This tech is perfect when driving on a busy street or roads with lots of bumps and potholes.
Now that you’ve learned the lowdown on these Smith sunglasses…
Ray-Ban 3025 Aviator
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the number of options you have, you can’t go wrong with a classic. That’s for sure.
Just take these Ray-Ban 3025 Aviator sunglasses in grey lenses for example. They are the perfect symphony of style and function.
Although they are not polarised, you still get the best protection that you can have thanks to its G-15 mirrored lenses. Mirrored sunglasses can also reduce eye strain by bouncing off incoming light. On top of that, you get the timeless and iconic style of an aviator.
Buy the Ray-Ban 3025 Aviator here.
Prada Linea Rossa 0VS
You may know Prada Eyewear as an elegant and high-fashion brand that gets featured a lot in magazines, movies, and fashion events.
But make no mistake. Prada’s sunglasses are not just runway favourites, they’re highway stunners as well. And Prada 06VS is a perfect example.
This model is part of Prada’s Linea Rossa collection that perfectly blends technical sportswear and modern luxury.
Made from lightweight, yet durable acetate material the Linea Rossa’s are definitely keepers. Although Prada 06VS has no fancy lens technology to brag about its polarised grey lenses should be enough to take care of your eyes on the road.
Dragon Vinyl
It’s no secret that Dragon sunglasses have long been the go-to shades of the true-blooded outdoorsmen. Especially surfers and anglers.
Thanks to its floatable technology and superb colour enhancing wizardry, you can level up your game in the open waters.
Make no mistake, though. A pair of Dragons is not just ideal for when you want to go against the tide. It’s also perfect for a long trip or just a quick ride. Case in point: the Dragon Vinyl.
This pair of medium-fitting sunglasses are stylish and functional and they possess all the qualities of a great pair of driving sunglasses. But with extra functional features, of course.
Much like their big brother, Dragon Ultra, the vinyl’s have Lumalens technology for great eye protection and accurate perception of colour and depth. An added bonus of these shades is the contoured metals in the frame’s temple for durability.
Not to mention, these sunnies are also made from a plant-based resin material! Dragon Vinyl will not only make your eyewear game effortlessly cool but sustainably functional as well.
And that wraps up our list! These are only some of the best driving sunglasses you can score here at Great Southern Sunnies.
Wondering how we came up with our top picks? Well, in our years in the sunnies business, we learned a few tricks of the trade here and there. Continue reading below to learn how you can find the best sunglasses for your next road trip!
5 Things to Look for in a Pair of Driving Sunglasses
Certain factors make a pair of sunglasses perfect for driving. And it’s paramount that you consider these factors when buying one:
Lens Colour
It’s extremely important to see colours on the road accurately especially when looking at traffic lights and signages.
That’s why the best lens colours for driving are grey, amber, copper or brown. These are neutral tints that can maintain the distinction between the colours around you.
Non-neutral tints like green, blue, red, and pink were proven to distort some of the important colours that’s why they’re not recommended for driving.
This only goes to show that lens colour is more than just a fashion statement. They’re a lifesaver as well.
Learn more about the differences in lens colours here.
100% UV Protection
This is a no brainer. Believe it or not, there’s a ton of eye problems that are caused by UV rays. That’s why whatever kind of sunglasses you want to buy, make sure it has UV protection. The sun’s rays can still get you, even when you’re inside the car!
Polarisation
Whenever you’re driving on a sunny day, there’s a good chance of you getting a headache because of all the reflected light coming from the windows of establishments and other car’s windshields.
Your car’s sun visors can only shield your eyes from sunlight that’s coming at a certain angle.
This is where a pair of polarised sunglasses come in handy. They can help reduce the glare and, therefore, minimise your chance of getting headaches while driving.
While most experts note that polarisation is not “necessarily needed” in driving sunglasses, it’s still good to have a pair in your glove box.
Perfect fit
If your pair of sunglasses always falls off your nose or doesn’t rest comfortably on your ears, it means that your sunnies are not the right size for you.
Wearing the right size of sunglasses will not only prevent accidental drops, which can lead to breaking or scratches, but it will provide comfort as well. This is crucial especially during long drives when the sun is scorching hot!
When you purchase cheap sunnies from a shop that doesn’t specialise in them, chances are you’re only going to get a generic style that has been made for the majority. When you invest in a pair of sunglasses from a reputable retailer, you’re likely to be able to find a pair that truly fits.
Here’s how you can find your size in sunglasses.
Style
Keep in mind that a pair of sunglasses is more than just functional eyewear. They also a fashion statement. So, even if you’re not pulling up in a Ferrari or a Tesla, you might as well channel Ryan Gosling in Drive right?
If you want to ride in style, check out some of the most stylish and functional driving sunglasses that we listed above!
Buy Driving Sunglasses at Great Southern Sunnies
Whether you’re looking for a pair of driving sunglasses for your everyday drive to work or your annual road trips, Great Southern Sunnies is the best place to go.
With our wide range of polarised sunglasses, you’ll never run out of options. But here’s the best part, for orders above $80, we’ll deliver it to you for free, wherever you are in Australia! Isn’t that a great deal?
Find and score your driving sunglasses here!