Sunglasses

Buyer’s guide for a pair of sunglasses

Sunglasses are both something that helps protect you from the sun during your ski or snowboard sessions and something that’s trendy and fashionable. The many models available in our store allows everyone to find the perfect match and benefit from the latest optics innovations.

Why should you protect yourself from the sun?

Inuits understood it over 800 years ago. If you want to avoid irreversible eye damage and be able to view properly for as long as possible, you need to protect your eyes from the sun which can be harmful. If the arctic people used to use achaic goggles made of wood or bones with two thin see-through slots designed to reduce the amount of light and reverberation their eyes received, industry has progressed and all modern normed sunglasses can filter all UVA, UVB and UVC as well as visible light. Protection is ranked in 4 classes ranging from 1 to 4. It helps you know how much light the lens filters depending on what use you’re going to have of it.

What class of protection do you need?

Let’s have a look at what each class can do. Class 1 is the ‘lightest’ one with lenses filtering from 20 to 47% of light. Suited for days when light is low or when the sky is cloudy. Class 2 lenses filter from 47% to 82%, they are recommended for moderate light. The class 3 may be the most important as it is the one that should be used when the sky is blue and the sun is bright. And on top stands class 4, the most filtering one, not allowed for driving by the way. These models are suited for extreme sports such as high alpine skiing or hiking on glaciers.

Which sunglasses for which use?

You got the point, you need to pick your sunglasses according to your activity. Of course, the best option is to have a couple of models from each class so you can adapt to varying light conditions. But this is not always possible and not super convenient to carry 2 or 3 sunglasses on you. Another option is to go for photochromic glasses. These high end products adapt to the amount of light automatically. Lenses darken or lighten by themselves. This means you can wear them from dawn to dusk and always get the best protection with the best visibility. The only flaw is that the change is not instant but takes a few seconds. If you ride through a tunnel for instance, you may be out of it before your glasses adapt. You may also be interested into polarized lenses. These are designed to reduce glare on snow or water for optimal comfort. Finally, some models like the Montebianco by Julbo carry lateral protection and others feature anti-fog treatment. As you can see, there are many options but with Glisshop.co.uk, you know you will find the model that matches your jacket while it protects your eyes. Have a look at our selection of sunglasses!