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The best sunglasses for driving
Wearing a good pair of sunglasses is essential, especially during the summer months when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation, but they also reduce glare, improve contrast and clarity, and enhance your visual acuity.
While driving, wearing the right sunglasses is crucial for your safety. Glare from the sun can create a temporary blindness effect, making it difficult to see clearly on the road. This is especially dangerous when you’re driving at high speeds or in heavy traffic. A high-quality pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses can reduce this glare, making it easier to see road signs and other vehicles, thus improving your reaction time.
Additionally, sunglasses that are specifically designed for driving often have superior lens quality and color that enhances your visual acuity. They can also reduce eye strain and fatigue, making long drives more comfortable.
In summary, wearing sunglasses is not only a fashion statement but a necessity for your eye health and safety. Investing in a high-quality pair of sunglasses with superior lens quality and color, especially for driving, can protect your eyes, reduce glare, enhance your vision, and ultimately make you a safer driver.
Lens Color and Material
For driving, it’s advisable to choose lenses in shades of brown, copper or rose as they filter out blue light, making them perfect for bright and sunny days. Another suitable option is neutral grey lenses due to their versatility. However, it’s important to avoid cheaper lenses in shades of green, blue, or pink, as they can interfere with the ability to perceive red traffic lights, which could lead to an accident.
Regarding lens materials, some people prefer glass lenses due to their superior optics. However, after trying out Maui Jim sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses, it became apparent that good quality polycarbonate lenses can provide optics that are just as good as glass lenses. In fact, polycarbonate lenses are much lighter and come in a wider range of shapes and designs. Therefore, polycarbonate lenses are a viable alternative to glass lenses and worth considering.
Ray Ban Aviator G15 Lens
Tints and Polarized Lenses
It’s important to find a lens tint that isn’t overly dark for driving. While the standard Ray Ban G15 green lens is effective for flying due to its ability to block out 85% of light, it may be too dark for driving. In such cases, gradient tints can be a good option, as they provide extra protection from the sun at the top of the windshield while allowing for more visibility in other areas.
I strongly recommend using polarized lenses while driving, as they help reduce glare from headlights during dusk and also from wet surfaces. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some polarized lenses can make it more difficult to read your car’s infotainment screen, much like reading from a smartphone screen. Therefore, it’s important to choose a polarized lens that balances anti-glare properties with readability to ensure a safer driving experience.
Style and Size
Driving safety is crucial, and one aspect that is often overlooked is the importance of wearing the right sunglasses. The right pair of sunglasses not only provides protection from harmful UV rays but also reduces glare from the sun, which can be particularly dangerous when driving. However, not all sunglasses are created equal, and it’s important to keep certain factors in mind when choosing the right pair for driving.
First and foremost, size matters. The lenses of your sunglasses should be large enough to provide adequate coverage for your eyes. When driving, you’re constantly turning your head and scanning the road, so your sunglasses should properly cover your eyes during this process. If they’re too small, you’ll likely have inadequate coverage from the sun, which can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and even temporary vision loss.
My Favorite Sunglasses
The de facto standard when it comes to sunglasses. Prototyped by Bausch and Lomb in 1936 and called “Ant-Glare”, it was patented in 1939 with the now famous metal frames and designed to filter out the blue light to help aviator pilots deal with the harsh lighting conditions when flying. These Ray-Bans are fitted with a polarized gradient brown lens that are great for driving.
This is my favorite brand due to the phenomenal lens quality and tint. Founded in 1980 by Jim Reynolds in Lahaina, HI, you will be fall in love with the optics and clarity of these sunglasses. For men, I recommend the Kaupo Gap model due to their extremely light plastic aviator frames. You will not be disappointed with this brand.
When I was in prep school, these were the sunglasses to have when the cool kids went skiing. Founded in 1888 by Seraphin Bollé in Oyonnax, France, Bollé googles are revered by skiers and snowboarders for their lenses that give you the clarity needed in snowy and icy conditions. Plus, you will look dashingly cool in your Audi Quattro going up the ski slopes.
Similar to Ray-Bans, RēVO has a history with flight. In 1982 Dr. Mitch Ruda, working for NASA, developed a special lens coating for satellite porthole windows to reduce space radiation. This led to prototyping the same concept to eyeglasses in 1985, and RēVO was started. Astronaut Pete Conrad, football star Jim McMahon, and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick are all ambassadors of the brand. This model called the Descend-N feature rimless frames so they are extremely light and comfortable.
Serengeti Eyewear was founded by Corning back in 1877 so you know they make great lenses. Back in 1982 due to lackluster sales, Corning considered closing the company. Luckily a smart entrepreneur by the name of Zaki Mustafa saved the brand. The line is now owned by Bollė brands. These aviators have a lovely rose color photochromic lens.
Be the hit of the town with these cute Black Rose Sunglasses by Oliver Peoples. Started in 1988 and now owned by Luxottica, Oliver Peoples are made in Japan and Italy.
Hey Daddy-O, if you are old enough to remember movies like Risky Business or the Blues Brothers, you may have a pair of these icons. Designed by Raymond Stegeman in 1952, the iconic Wayfarer has been through numerous revivals in the 1980s and 2000s. This version folds up for travel and is finished in a beautiful tortoise frame.
Most people think Oakley only makes large chunky sunglasses for outdoor use but, their lines are very diverse. Started by James January in 1975, Oakley is now owed by the Luxottica Group. These women’s aviators have a 59 mm lens with Plutonite Lenses.
AO Eyewear Pilot Sunglasses
A true American brand. American Optical (AO Eyewear) started supplying aviator goggles for the US Air Force back in the 1930s. These original pilot sunglasses have been in pilots hands since 1958 and you can still find them at your local PX.
If you want a more boutique version of the military sunglasses, look no further than Randolf sunglasses. Hand made in Massachusetts since 1978, these sunglasses are fantastic for everyday use even if you are not in the field.
