Outdoor activities during the summer are hugely popular; from sports and music festivals, people head outdoors when the weather is nice. With more opportunities for both, many are itching to head outside for a run or a rave. However, temperatures are rising, meaning you’ll need more sun protection to do your activities comfortably.
Sunglasses are crucial for keeping your eyes safe from damage, and they help enhance your performance and visibility while elevating your look to the next level. Sports sunglasses are becoming more popular for this reason, with expectations for the market to grow by $1.40 billion as they give wearers an added boost when playing sports or running. If you’re still not convinced, here are reasons why sunglasses are a must-have outdoor accessory:
UV protection
One of the most critical functions of sunglasses is protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Leaving your eyes unprotected for too long can lead to short and long-term effects; this can be especially damaging if you spend a lot of time outside on runs or hanging out at desert festivals. The sun can damage the delicate skin of your eyelid, cornea, lens, and other eye parts. You can also experience photokeratitis or “snow blindness,” which is essentially a sunburn of the eye that can occur from direct sunlight exposure or when UVA and UVB rays are reflected off surfaces.
To protect your eyes when outside, look for a pair of shades that block out 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation and screen out 76 to 90% of visible light. Wraparound sunglasses provide the most coverage, keeping the sunlight away from multiple angles. You can also pair sunglasses with a visor or hat for extra protection.
Style
Whether you’re out for a run or heading to a festival, it doesn’t hurt to look your best. A pair of stylish and functional sunglasses are essential to complete your look while keeping your eyes safe outdoors. Oakley showcases how lifestyle and sport performance shades come together with the latest technologies to protect your eyes and keep you looking sleek. If you want something more “you,” you can customize the look of your shades to match your style. Do you want a timeless look on the road or in a crowd?
The Holbrook style provides that classic and simple vibe without being boring. For good protection and a more eccentric look, the Sutro model offers wraparound coverage and a futuristic image, which will work for outdoor sports or jamming to your favorite hits at a festival. You can pick a style for your sunglasses that suits your activities and lifestyle, so you can sport the pair wherever you go.
Improved visibility
It’s never fun to get light in your eyes when you’re outdoors. It’s inconvenient when you’re at a festival, and you have to squint to see the artists on stage, and it can even be dangerous when you’re doing outdoor sports and can’t see your surroundings properly. Sunglasses prevent light from affecting your vision and reduce reflected glare from surfaces such as water, snow, and glass. Polarized sunglasses are especially effective for minimizing glare; they sharpen the contrast between light and dark, increase visual comfort, and prevent eye strain.
Brands like Maui Jim showcase that these lenses are easily accessible and stylish, allowing you to benefit from reduced glare wherever you go. Improved visibility with polarized sunglasses helps you perform your best when playing outdoor sports, allowing you to see more clearly and avoid hazards.
You can easily push yourself and increase your stamina when you’re able to spend more time performing at peak condition. Reduced glare is also great for festivals, allowing you to see comfortably and enjoy the performances without straining your eyes. You can keep your eyes protected and relaxed when you aren’t affected by the light.