Polarised sunglasses

Why and How to Choose Polarised Sunglasses?

Better than a thriller or an old detective story, enter the dark and dazzling world of polarised sunglasses with this dedicated buying guide.

What is Polarised Light?

Usually, light waves scatter by vibrating in all directions. However, when light is reflected off a flat surface (snow, a tarmac road, a body of water, etc.), the wave vibrates only on a horizontal axis. The light thus reflected is called ‘polarised’ and creates disturbances in the field of vision. This phenomenon can be mild in overcast weather, but as brightness increases, it becomes more troublesome, possibly leading to glare.

What are the Advantages of Polarised Sunglasses Lenses?

Simply put, polarised glasses block polarised light and transmit only useful light, the one that carries optical information. The advantages are numerous and notably include reducing eye strain. Additionally, visual acuity is enhanced because polarised lenses enhance contrasts and offer a better terrain perception. This could, for example, allow for a better reading of irregularities on an off-piste section in freeskiiing or snowboarding, more accurately appreciate the terrain on a golf course, or decipher the behaviour of a surf spot by observing the water surface. The more advanced the technologies, the clearer and more precise the vision.

Polarising functionality is an addition and, obviously, polarised glasses we offer perfectly fulfil the functions of standard sunglasses, such as protection against 100% of UV rays.

In Which Situations to Use Polarised Sunglasses?

Certain activities are particularly likely to expose you to polarised light. To not be disturbed by reflection, polarised lens glasses are especially recommended for driving, water sports, mountain activities, and many outdoor sports.

Therefore, when you are in car or on a bike, light can reflect off the road, windshields, etc. In water sports, whether fishing, sailing, or stand-up paddleboarding, you can be bothered by the reflection of sunrays on the water. In the mountains, you are naturally more exposed to light since altitude brings us closer to the sun, but additionally, snow is an excellent surface for bouncing light waves. Finally, in golf, hiking, and various other outdoor sports, good polarised glasses will allow you to better read the terrain and appreciate the colours and contrasts of the landscapes.

What are the Best Brands of Polarised Sunglasses?

At Glisshop, you can choose from many brands of polarised sunglasses, each offering their own polarised lens technology. To help you make your decision, we present below the different technologies offered by major specialists in outdoor sport optics such as Oakley, Electric, Julbo, Smith, Maui Jim, Cebe, Vuarnet, etc.

HD Polarised Lenses by Oakley

Californian brand Oakley, known for the performance of its products even equipping the American army, has developed a HD polarizing technology offering great optical fidelity thanks to the absence of glues and films. The brand uses an infusion molding process that produces a complete polarised lens, single layer, without glue and without a ‘sandwich’ effect (layer accumulation), the result is incredible visual clarity offered by Oakley sunglasses.

Electric, Another Californian Optical Equipment Brand

Created by surfers for surfers, Electric offers many models with polarised lenses, water sports enthusiasts particularly appreciate polarised lenses. Polycarbonate polarised lenses from Electric offer a 99.9% reduction of glare, muscle relaxation of the eye, excellent colour perception, and good scratch resistance.

Premium Polarised Sunglasses by Maui Jim

Hawaiian brand Maui Jim is unique as all its sunglasses come with polarised lenses. This high-end sunglasses brand has developed its PolarizedPlus2 technology, which goes beyond its mission of protecting against glare and UV rays, by enhancing the brightest colours and revealing the most complex details. They eliminate 99.9% of glare, manage 95% of HEV light (blue light), and block 100% of harmful UV rays, all while intensively reviving colours.

Maui Jim sunglasses polarised lenses are available in multiple shades, to protect you from glare and provide precise vision in both sunny and cloudy weather.

The PolarizedPlus2 Neutral Grey lens offers the highest light reduction in Maui Jim’s collection, to cope with very bright conditions. This lens protects from bright and direct sunlight while enhancing contrasts and colours.

The PolarizedPlus2 Blue Hawaii lens offers a superb look while providing the best colour contrast and the excellent clarity of Maui Jim lenses. Achieved by applying a blue mirror coating on the outer surface of the PolarizedPlus Grey lens.

The PolarizedPlus2 Maui Rose lens is designed for everyday use in variable light conditions. This shade is very comfortable to wear as it relaxes the eye muscles.

The PolarizedPlus2 Sunrise lens is a high-contrast anti-reflective model. It is based on the Maui Rose lens, to which a trendy and effective pink mirror coating has been applied.

The PolarizedPlus2 HCL Bronze lens is designed for everyday variable light conditions. This bronze shade is discreet and warm, while offering excellent contrasts.

The PolarizedPlus2 Maui HT lens offers a high level of light transmission, making it ideal for lower light conditions.

Polarised AND Photochromic Lenses by Julbo

French brand Julbo offers products dedicated to many disciplines. Alpinists, hikers, skiers, sailors, cyclists, all can enjoy models tailored to their needs thanks to Julbo glasses.

The brand stands out notably thanks to two lenses that are both polarising and photochromic, offering great visual comfort and protection against glare regardless of the lighting conditions.

The Reactiv 2-4 Polarized lens (formerly Cameleon andOctopus) offers a protection rating of 2 to 4 and transmits 5 to 20% of light. It is photochromic, polarising, and benefits from a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating on both external and internal surfaces. It is designed for high-altitude and water sports.

The Reactiv 2-3 Polarized lens offers a protection rating of 2 to 3 and transmits 9 to 32% of light. It is photochromic, polarising, and benefits from an oleophobic coating on the external surface.

Julbo also offers lenses that are only polarised.

The Polarized3 lens, a polycarbonate category 3 lens.

The Polarized3+, a polycarbonate category 3 lens.

The Polarized3CF, a polycarbonate category 3 lens with a mirror coating.

Artisanal Polarised Lenses by Vuarnet

Vuarnet is a French brand that crafts its lenses traditionally in its factory located in Meaux. Vuarnet glasses come with 100% mineral lenses and are available with multiple shades of polarised lenses. They all provide category 3 protection and benefit from various oleophobic, hydrophobic, anti-reflective coatings, etc.

In blue shades, Vuarnet offers the polarized Blue Polar and Blue PolarLynx lenses. Lynx technology brings a mirror effect.

In brown shades, Vuarnet offers the polarized Brown Polar lens.

In grey shades, Vuarnet offers the polarized Grey Polar and Grey Polar Blue Flash lenses.

Originating from a mountain town in the Northwest of the United States, Smith Optics has drawn from its roots to develop sunglasses offering a high level of protection and visual acuity. The brand offers several types of highly technical polarising lenses, each with its specifics. All lenses fitted on Smith glasses filter 99.9% of polarised light to eliminate glare.

The polarized ChromaPop lenses protect you from glare, and boast anti-reflective, hydrophobic, and oleophobic coatings.

The polarized ChromaPop+ lenses are up to 10% lighter than the classic ChromaPop lenses, while offering more clarity and taking advantage of anti-reflective, hydrophobic, and oleophobic qualities.

The polarized Techlite lenses are specifically designed to be both very light and highly resistant to scratches, the polarized Techlite lenses are also very effective against reflections and glare.

The polarized Carbonic lenses are equipped with a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating, and offer high impact protection. They comply with the ANSI Z80.3 impact resistance standard.

Below, Smith details the construction of the polarised lens technologies ChromaPop, ChromaPop+, Techlite and Carbonic. Ultra-thin polarised filters are aligned and combined with finishes such as mirror effect and various coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-reflective, anti-scratch, etc).

Finally, know that Smith also offers a Polarchromic lens, which combines the qualities of a polarised lens with those of a photochromic lens, offering protection against glare regardless of light conditions.

Polarised Lenses by Cébé

The Zone Polarized lens from French brand Cébé offers good performance against glare and eye fatigue. This polycarbonate lens is light and impact resistant. It benefits from anti-reflective, anti-fog, and scratch-resistant coatings. Cébé glasses also benefit from Sensor technology for High Definition vision to better distinguish details during your outdoor activities.

Polarised Lenses by Bollé

Since 2019, Bollé has been offering a range of glasses equipped with a new technology, named HD Polarized. This polycarbonate lens combines a contrasting HD filter and polarisation technology. With these lenses, the colour contrasts of your Bollé glasses are enhanced while eliminating glare phenomena. Additionally, they feature oleophobic, hydrophobic, and anti-reflective coatings.