We are big believers that it is important to protect our eyes and to have the right sunglasses when traveling, for both myself as an adult, and for my child too.
When buying sunglasses for traveling with, we should be looking to protect our eyes from the effects of harmful UV and UVB rays.
Many of us choose holiday destinations that are sunny and bright which increase our exposure to these harmful rays.
What is UV Rating?
The UV rating system is ranked from 0 – zero (let’s in about 80% – 100% of UV light) to 4 (let’s in around 3% – 4% of UV light).
It’s recommended that we choose lenses that have a rating of 3 (lets in 8% – 18% of UV light) as these are the best for all-around wear.
If you are planning on going sailing in extremely sunny conditions then you can opt for lenses which have a rating of 4 as these will protect your eyes from the continuous sunshine.
You should also choose this rating if you are going to be spending an extended period at a high altitude i.e. skiing.
Sunglasses by the pool
POLARIZED LENSES
Another important thing to take note of when picking sunglasses is whether or not the lenses are polarized.
It is important to note that these polarized lenses are not suitable for use when driving, and they can reduce your visibility in normal conditions.
It does make the overall cost a bit higher, but it is a great investment as polarized lenses reduce the effects glare off of reflective surfaces like sand, water or snow.
Making them a valuable long-term investment for your eye health and for your children’s eyes.
Selecting Sunglasses
When choosing sunglasses it can be easy to get caught up in how they look and ignore how comfortable they might be for long periods.
A common mistake that we’ve all probably made when buying a pair of sunglasses, is picking a pair of frames that are overly heavy. This extra weight can lead to headaches that force us to choose between being blinded by the sunshine or dealing with an almighty headache.
It can also lead to our kids refusing to wear their sunglasses, even though they really should.
We would recommend that you choose a lightweight pair of frames that will be comfortable for hours on end.
If you are having to choose sunglasses for kids then this is an absolutely essential requirement, we all know that little ones can be fussy when it comes to their comfort.
If the sunglasses are lightweight and therefore comfortable then they might be more inclined to wear them for longer periods.
If you plan on doing more than lying by the pool all day we suggest that you choose a pair of frames that are made from a high-quality plastic as it will survive a few hard knocks and be a little more durable.
This is an especially good tip when choosing sunglasses for your kids, plastic will be more likely to survive some careless handling.
Sunglasses for sports
Top Tips for Choosing Sunglasses for Travel
UV Protection:
Look for sunnies which have a high UV protection rating and block both UV and UVB rays.
It’s recommended to choose lenses which have a rating of 3, as they are best for every day use and sports.
Polarized Lenses:
Spending a little extra on this is a great investment, as reducing harsh glares protects your eyes in the long run.
Lightweight:
Look for acetate or plastic frames that are not bulky, as this will ensure they are lightweight.
Comfortable:
Do you think that you could wear these for long periods of time without feeling uncomfortable?
Sturdy:
Plastic and acetate frames will be able to handle a little careless handling so will last longer especially important for kids or those who are active.
Prescription:
If you or your child needs prescription lenses, check that the frames you or they like can be ordered and purchased with the correct prescription.
It’s also important to ensure that the prescription is up to date.
Lightweight sunglasses
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