What the Best Sunglasses Brands All Have in Common

• Anti-Reflective Protection
• Quality Lenses
• Tinting
• Comfort and Fit

Spring has arrived, and it has not only brought warmer temperatures along with it, but the sun’s bright rays to match. This means two things for the especially weather-conscious - first, summer will be here before we know it. The second is that now is the perfect time to invest in a new pair of sunglasses. While sunglasses are typically viewed as more of a summertime accessory, there’s no harm in wearing them during the spring, especially during the sunnier days of the season. Just because the weather isn’t as sweltering, as it will inevitably become during the summer months, doesn’t mean the spring sunshine is harmless to your eyes. That being said, here are four great qualities to keep in mind as you shop around for new sunglasses this year.

Anti-Reflective Protection

For many people, the most appealing aspect of wearing sunglasses is their sleek, dark lenses. That factor, in combination with the wide variety of frame styles out there, helps wearers to feel cooler than cool, even on the hottest days of the year. However, if you’re going to choose dark frames, you’ll need to consider several additional factors beyond their style. The first is its anti-reflective properties, as this attribute comes from a combination of zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, and silica oxide, which form a coating on your lenses. The purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from sunlight by literally reflecting the light off of the lenses. Always read the label attached to a pair of sunglasses to make sure they can guard you against UV rays.

Quality Lenses

Of course, there’s a lot more to picking out great lenses than just eye protection. There are other elements of quality worth considering as well. This can include your prescription (if you have one), as well as overall durability. The ideal sunglasses lens will be resistant to scratching and good visibility. Keep in mind that the latter attribute may not be perfect. Distortion is common in sunglasses, especially those with curved lenses. If this factor is important to you, try on different pairs of sunglasses to test how well you can see out of them.

Tinting

Tinted sunglasses have become a very popular choice as of recent years, and now they’re as common as traditional black lenses! However, the way the lenses were tinted matters more than you may think. Look for sunglasses with polycarbonate tinting, rather than pairs with directly tinted lenses. The latter can look “off,” mainly due to the unevenness caused by the cut of the lenses.

Comfort and Fit

Just like with any other pair of glasses you may own, you want to ensure your next pair of sunglasses fit well, as a well-fitting pair of sunglasses offers much better protection. They should align with your eyebrows and generally feel comfortable on your face. Additionally, try to look for something that completely covers your eyes. Not only will this help to effectively keep out UV rays, but also allergens, sand, dust, and other debris that can harm your vision.

Of course, don’t forget to take style into account, too! When it comes to any pair of sunnies, they should fit your personal aesthetics and taste just as well as they fit your face.