Performance and Sport Sunglasses

The boom in outdoor sports activities like mountain biking, snowshoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, golfing and in-line skating has also created the extreme popularity of sports- and performance-oriented sunglasses.

To meet the demands of the casual and competitive sportsperson, much research and development has been done by the sunwear manufacturers as to how they can create the best sunglasses for the most people. The results: lightweight, flexible and durable materials, no-slip components that do not fail in the heat of the moment, and of course lenses, lenses, lenses.

Perhaps the most important aspect of effective sports sunwear is the optical quality and visual enhancement of the lenses. Many lens colors that are particularly effective in certain situations (such as brown, green, gray, yellow, orange, etc.) are now available. [Read more about how colored lenses can enhance sports performance.]

Polycarbonate lenses are also extremely popular, as they are super strong and impact-resistant, a benefit that is particularly appealing to many people involved in sports.

Polarized lenses are also in demand, because they reduce glare produced on flat surfaces such as water or a field of snow. There is, however, some debate as to polarized lenses' effectiveness when it comes to sports that require contrast definition like downhill and mogul skiing. [Read more about polarized lenses, including why they might be less than ideal for use in snowy settings.]

Glass lenses are used occasionally in sports eyewear (like in sunglasses for golfing) because of their great optical quality, but many people involved in more extreme sports shy away from them because of the potential for shattering upon impact.

One major trend that has hit the sports eyewear arena recently is sports-specific sunwear. Frames and lenses are now available that are targeted specifically to the golfer, the cyclist, the boater, the rock climber and so on. This availability and specialization has created great consumer interest and increased sales.

If you prefer to be Jack of all sports, there is also a variety of multipurpose sports sunglasses on the market. Changeable lens systems are now offered by many sunwear companies and offer the wearer options when it comes to usefulness for different sports and different conditions.

Another trend in sports eyewear that has made consumers much more aware of the brands and the products out there are the many product endorsements and sponsorships by famous professional athletes. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, John McEnroe of pro tennis fame, PGA golfer David Ledbetter, Missy Giove, a top mountain biker, pro surfer Laird Hamilton, and Olympic skier Johnny Moseley all have endorsement deals with major sports eyewear lines.

And while these athletes may be paid to promote these products the bottom line is that for them to wear and compete in the products, they must enhance their performance. To follow the leader on this front may be the way to go when choosing sports eyewear for your own activity.
 

1. Changeable lens systems that allow the wearer to use dark lenses for sunny conditions, clear lenses for darker or in-the-woods conditions or simply for protection from potential flying objects, or yellow and orange lenses for low light conditions.
    

Sports eyewear Sports vision tests What's new in sunglasses

2. Lightweight and durable frame materials such as polyamide, which keeps its shape even under stress.
    
3. Styles that have a performance advantage but with sleek fashion styling.
    
4. Polarized lenses are showing up in many, many frames, even fashion-oriented ones, and are designed to enhance sports performance.
    
5. No-slip temple grips and nose pads, often made of rubber, that maintain full functionality even in the heat of competition.