If you’re spending any time outside this summer, a pair of sunglasses is a must for you.
Sunglasses block the UV light from directly hitting your eyeballs and reduce the chance of certain conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. They further reduce eyestrain whenever it’s bright outside, and in some cases, also help protect your eyes from wind, rain, or any flying debris.
Any pair of sunglasses that blocks UV light will actually work, but finding the right pair is key to your comfort and personal style, whether you’re driving to work, climbing a mountain, or lounging by the beach.
Types of Sunglasses
There are two typical types of sunglasses: casual and sports types.
Casual sunglasses are best for everyday use and basic recreational activities, as they do an excellent job of shading your eyes from the sun while you drive to work and take casual strolls outside.
Casual sunglasses are typically not designed to handle the intensity of action sports. For this, there are sport sunglasses which are designed for activities such as running, hiking and biking These are often lightweight and an excellent fit for adrenaline-filled and rugged adventures. High-end frame construction and lens materials present in these are more impact-resistant and flexible than casual sunglasses. Sport sunglasses also typically feature grippy nose pads and temple ends which are features that help keep the frames in place even when you're hot and
sweating.
Lenses
Sunglasses also come with different lens types and colors. Polarized lenses reduce glare to a great degree, and are a great feature if you enjoy water sports or are especially sensitive to bright reflections. Meanwhile, photochromic lenses automatically adjust to changing light intensities and conditions. These lenses actually get darker on bright days, and lighter when conditions get darker.
Most sports sunglasses also come with interchangeable or removable lenses of different colors. These multi-lens systems allow you to tailor your eye protection to your specific activities and weather conditions.
Sunglass lens colors further affect how much visible light reaches your eyes, how well you see other colors, and how well you perceive your environment.
Dark colors are ideal for everyday use and most outdoor activities. Darker shades are intended primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in bright light conditions. On the other hand, light colors excel in low light conditions. These colors are often suitable for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports. They provide great depth perception and are able to enhance contrasts in tricky and flat-light conditions. This improves the visibility of objects and makes your surroundings appear brighter and more discernible.
At Great Southern Sunnies, we have a variety of sunglass options:
Oakley Radar EV Path
The Oakley Radar EV Path is designed specifically for the conditions encountered when mountain biking. Its Prizm Trail lens highlights reds and browns in order to make sure that roots, trees, and the trail itself are as clear as possible to the rider. The interchangeable lens also has a bottomless frame that provides a nearly uninterrupted field of vision.
The nose pad and temple arms are coated in Oakley’s special Unobtanium rubber that provides an increased grip even when one is covered with perspiration. The wraparound lens shape offers an excellent wide field of vision. Space between the lens and the frame allows extra airflow to prevent fogging. Unobtanium rubber is also used on the arms and nose piece providing a snug and comfortable fit. All in all, the Oakley Radar EV Path is a mountain biker’s
dream sunglasses.
Oakley Turbine Rotor
The Oakley Turbine Rotor are a perfect pair for the active outdoorsman. It comes with durable, plastic frames made to handle the stress and abuse of a wide range of outdoor activities, ranging from climbing, trekking, hiking or running.
The Turbine Rotor is made up of Oakley’s O Matter frame material, which increases its durability and is able to withstand the toughest of weathers. The UV Protection offered is absolute, with the use of Oakley’s Plutonite material, which keeps out 100% of UV rays. These glasses score highly in the style department as well, coming in a variety of color options for both men and women.
These sunglasses are a spin-off on Oakley’s best-selling Turbine series of glasses, and are a popular option for many outdoor enthusiasts. These offer both a superb sense of style while maximising eye protection against UV rays and anything the elements can throw at it.
Nike Ignition
The Nike Ignition sunglasses have you covered – whether you’re on a hike, at the beach, or on your way to work.
These rugged, stylish, outdoors glasses come with Nike’s MAX Optic lenses, which provide enhanced clarity and filter out 100 percent of UV rays. It also comes with a gray lenses feature which is a polarized coating on the lenses which reduces glare, blocks out blue light, and increases color contrast.
The Ignition’s frame is made from nylon to help save weight without sacrificing strength and durability. In order to keep the glasses up to the task for many years to come, the Ignition comes with cam-action hinges which prevent the arms from overextending and becoming loose over time. There is also a slight curve in the arms which keeps the sunglasses in place during vigorous activities, while rubber on the temples provides added grip even when wet.
The Ignition sunglasses offer both a modern and cutting-edge sense of style while maximizing eye protection against harmful UV rays, as well as anything the environment can throw at it.
Oakley Flak
The Oakley Flak line of sunglasses come in both women and men’s versions and are tailored to meet the needs of the most demanding outdoors enthusiast. These glasses come with both fashion and sports innovation technologies, which make helps one look good while experiencing optimal vision clarity and quality.
Flak sunglasses offer the best vision quality through the use of Oakley’s High Definition Optics which makes you see the best contrast in all lighting conditions. The interchangeable lenses allow you to switch out lenses quickly for maximum performance during outdoor activities. The nose pad and temple arms are coated in Oakley’s special Unobtanium rubber that provides an increased grip even when one is covered with perspiration.
All in all, these Flak sunglasses will have you fully equipped and protected either for your next sporting event, or leisurely stroll in the park.
Smith Optics Captain’s Choice
Smith Optics Captain’s Choice Sunglasses deliver sun-shielding performance and progressive styling all-in-one premium package. These glasses are designed to meet the demands of those who live and compete on the water.
These are constructed with a semi-rimless frame which offers a wide field-of-view, while its wide temples and an 8-base wrap provide protection from glare. These glasses are just as comfortable as they are sleek, coming fitted with a Megol nose pad and a temple design that ensures a secure fit and peace-of-mind, whether you’re out on the flats or far from the coast.
The Captain’s Choice is the perfect pair for the most discerning water-borne outdoors enthusiast, offering both maximum protection and cutting-edge style and flair.
Wearing Tips
No matter which pair you use, here are some tips when trying on a pair of sunglasses:
- Be sure the frames fit snugly on your nose and ears, with the weight of sunglasses being evenly distributed. The frames should be light enough to avoid excess friction on these contact points. Also, your eyelashes should not contact the frame. These glasses should also be adjustable to a wide degree, with you being able to adjust the fit of the frames by carefully bending the frame at the bridge and/or temples, and adjusting the nose pieces by pinching them closer together or farther apart.
- A perfect pair of sunglasses should offer utmost comfort, the best protection, while still having a keen sense of fashion and style.
The Perfect Pair
Great Southern Sunnies is your online go-to shop for all your sunglass needs. With AfterPay options and a 30-day return policy, you’re guaranteed a pair of sunnies that’s perfect for all your sporting needs.