The Best Sunglasses to Take on an Outdoor Adventure

When packing your gear for a day of outdoor activities, you likely include your trusty water bottle, a shady hat and some tasty trail mix in case you get hungry. However, do you know what to look for when choosing the best sunglasses to take on an outdoor adventure? Whether hiking, biking, running or enjoying water sports, you must protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. While your sunglasses need to provide UV protection, they also need to feel comfortable and stand up to the elements. Visionworks experts share what to look for when choosing outdoor sunglasses and some of our favorite eyewear brands for active lifestyles. We have you covered, whether you’re scaling a mountain or relaxing around the campfire!

Why Is it Important to Wear Sunglasses during Outdoor Activities?

The benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses range from making your day in the sun more comfortable to protecting your eyes from UV damage, which can lead to eye diseases down the road. It’s easy to remember your sunglasses when you’re preparing for a day of lounging in the sun poolside. However, sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of wearing sunglasses when taking on more adventurous outdoor recreation activities. You may even think your outdoor adventure is so wild that sunglasses could hold you back. However, maintaining eye health requires wearing sunglasses outdoors whenever possible. Sunglasses work to protect your eyes and help you see more clearly. Stay adventure-ready with sunglasses from Visionworks and learn what to look for when choosing frames for an active outdoor lifestyle.

What to Look for when Choosing Sunglasses for Outdoor Adventures

There are so many great pairs of sunglasses out there. However, some frames are designed to make a fashion statement, while others are made to keep up with your active lifestyle. Consider the following factors when choosing the best sunglasses for your next outdoor adventure.

Frame Fit

Frame fit is the most important consideration when selecting a pair of sunglasses for your outdoor adventure. Loose-fitting frames can slide down your nose or even fall off during vigorous activity. Instead, opt for lightweight frames that offer a snug fit—and consider selecting sunglasses with adjustable nose pads. Our Visionworks Associates are happy to help you find the perfect fit and make free adjustments—for the life of your glasses!

Frame Style

Different frame styles work better for different occasions. For example, a bold oversized statement frame is excellent for making an impression in the city. However, small, lightweight frames are more suited for active outdoor activities. When getting active in nature, we recommend strong, lightweight metal frames that are durable enough to stand up to the elements, but lightweight enough to feel comfortable on your face.

Polarized Lenses

When it comes to high-quality sunglasses, lenses are the most important component. Visionworks has a range of lens options, including polarized lenses. Polarized lenses block 100% of damaging UVA/UVB rays while eliminating glare and offering superior color contrast. When tackling an outdoor adventure, polarized lenses give you the best view of the road ahead. In addition, polarized lenses reduce glare off water and roads, making them great for watersports, biking and runs.

Lens Material

While you need sunglasses that protect your eyes and eliminate glare, you also need lenses that can stand up to the elements on your outdoor adventure. Consider upgrading your lens material selection to ensure your lenses are durable enough for your active life. Polycarbonate and high index lenses are thinner and more lightweight than traditional plastic lenses. Plus, they offer increased durability, including resistance to scratches, smudges and dust. These lenses ensure your glasses are durable enough to stand up to the elements while light enough, to not hold you back.

Lens Tint Color

While the color of your sunglass lens tint doesn’t affect UVA/UVB protection, it does affect how you see the world. Different color tints have different benefits. Here are some to consider when choosing new sunglasses for your outdoor adventure:

Grey - Grey is a glare-reducing, multipurpose tint that helps improve visual clarity on roads and water.
Brown - Brown tints help improve depth perception and visual color contrast, making them an excellent selection for picking out small objects in the distance.
Green - Green tints filter out blue light and help reduce glare in bright sunlight, making them a favorite among golfers.
Blue - Blue-tinted sunglasses provide increased color perception and work well in foggy or misty weather.
Yellow - Yellow tints block out blue light while increasing object visibility, making them great for outdoor sports.

Light-reactive Lenses

The weather can change throughout your hike. If you don’t want to be bothered switching your sunglasses for regular glasses once the sun sets, consider investing in light-reactive lenses. Light-reactive lenses adjust to the perfect tint in any light, meaning you never have to switch your glasses based on the time of day or carry around a second pair. Always be prepared with the optimum visual clarity.

Hiking, Biking and Running

Active activities like hiking, biking and running require lightweight sunglasses with a secure fit. Get moving without worrying about your glasses slipping. Here are some of our top recommendations for active sunglasses:

Water Activities

While water activities are fun, they put you front and center to the sun’s brutal rays and glare. Keep your eyes protected with larger frames that still offer a lightweight and comfortable fit. Here are our top sunglasses choices for water activities:

Outdoor Leisure and Camping

Not all outdoor adventures have to be fast-paced. Sometimes it’s nice to stop and smell the roses. Enjoy comfortable leisure sunglasses for casual hikes and campsite lounging. Some of our favorite outdoor-approved frames include:

Stay Adventure-ready with the Perfect Shades from Visionworks

Whether your outdoor activities consist of triathlons or lounging in a hammock—and everything in between—we have you covered with the best sunglasses for outdoor adventure. Visit a Visionworks store near you to get fitted with the perfect frames or order sunglasses online for added convenience. We’ll see you on the next outdoor adventure!

Information received through Visionworks^® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.