How to Choose and Buy Sunglasses

Getting the right sunglasses is an art, as every sport and activity benefits from specific sunglass frame and lens features to optimize your experience. Selecting the correct sunglasses delivers cutting-edge technology that works to ensure the highest level of protection and performance for an active lifestyle. Our team at OpticsPlanet offers you the latest models of designer sunglasses and polarized sunglasses, including Oakley sunglasses, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Smith sunglasses, and other shades from top brands. In addition you will receive Free Shipping on most orders over $49!

How Do Different Activities Affect Sunglasses Choice?

• Will you wear the sunglasses for protection while participating in a specific sport or several sports?
• Will you play a contact sport or a non-contact sport?
• Will you watch events from the stands?
• Is the sport be centered around water?
• Will you be in direct sunlight for extended periods of time?
• Does the sport use a ball, like golf?

We have the widest collection of sport sunglasses! We can offer you the latest models of water sports sunglasses including boating sunglasses, fishing sunglasses, and swimming goggles. Also, have a look at our best polarized sunglasses and photochromic sunglasses for those sunny days and get the right sunglasses for both golf and tennis! These specific questions will determine what sunglass frames to select as well as what lens and lens features will optimize your experience.

What Are the Differences Between Men's, Women's & Kid's Sunglasses?

Mens Sunglasses

Men traditionally wear larger frame styles that have a more masculine design. Mens sunglasses come with longer temples and larger lens options – but all big, round sunglasses, are preferred. Metal frames are popular for general daily activities, like driving and socializing with friends. Metal frame sunglasses are more formal, so you can wear them with business attire in appropriate settings. Plastic frame sunglasses are popular when participating in active sports or most casual outdoor activities. Jeans and sweatshirts are the norm for plastic frame men's designer sunglasses.

Womens Sunglasses

Women often wear sunglasses as a fashion accessory with more feminine styling and coloring. Matching the color of the frame with current trends in fashion can create a great look for women. Lately, women have started wearing larger frame sizes to blend sport and fashion together. Larger metal frames are now common in most premium fashion lines and often, current fashion colors are used to compliment outfits and accessories. For example, many styles of Sito Sunglasses are specially designed for women who are looking for sport sunglasses. We also have polarized sunglasses for women.

Unisex Sunglasses

Medium frame sizes and neutral coloring that appeal to both men and women are increasingly popular throughout the sport and fashion world. Some of the most in-demand unisex sunglasses today are aviator sunglasses. Oval frame shape, round sunglasses, and rectangular sunglasses are also increasingly used by both men and woman. One thing to keep in mind when sizing unisex frames is your temple length, as this can vary.

Kids Sunglasses

Sunglasses for kids are very popular today because parents want to prioritize eye protection for their children when the family is participating in their favorite activities. Smaller frame infant sunglasses that provide complete coverage are now generally available for kids in colors like pureple, blue, pink, red, and green. As parents, color selection for infant sunglasses is important for long-term wear and usage. Safe polycarbonate lenses and strong Nylon frames provide safe, long-term protection for all outdoor activities, helping your child grow up with healthy, well-functioning eyes.

What Sunglasses Are Best for Your Face Shape?

The shape of your face is very important when selecting and fitting the correct sunglass. There are several general face shapes: square, oval, round, diamond, rectangle and triangle. Take a few minutes to identify your face shape and the corresponding frame shape.

• Square Face: Try to add length to your face by selecting sunglasses that are rounded and thinner than the widest part of your face. This gives the appearance of a broad jaw line. If you have a square face shape, you can try AO sunglasses.
• Oval Face: The oval face shape is the easiest to fit as the face is symmetrical. Make sure that the frame you select is proportionate to your face.
• Round Face: Select frames that have angular lines to sharpen and add definition to a round face shape. Rectangular sunglasses frame shapes will look good on you, like many of those offered by Oakley.
• Diamond Face: Frames that add width above the cheekbone will complement the diamond shaped face. Oval frames or rimless styles work well.
• Rectangle Face: Similar to the square shaped face with a slightly longer face length. Big sunglasses and round frames fit this shape well. Try to select frames that will add width to the face.
• Triangle Face: The best way to get sunglasses for this face shape is to select some that add width in the eye area to offset the chin area. This adds symmetry and balance.

Sunglass Frame Features

• Sport Sunglasses: Active sports like football, baseball, volleyball, skiing, and climbing are best played with safe, sports sunglasses with nylon frames. Lens performance is critical. Most ski goggles feature polarized lenses, anti-fog properties, and other features to assist your descent.
• Fashion Sunglasses: Tend to focus on the styling and appearance of the frame and less on the lenses. Personal preferences drive the frame selection.
• Rimless Sunglasses: Frames that have a drilled hole in the lens to attach the frame and do not have a full frame around the lens are called rimless. These frames are lighter and offer a more modern look.
• Aviator Sunglasses: The classic look of aviators is timeless and many men choose to wear this style. Lately, women have started to wear aviator-style sunglasses, and it is considered very fashionable.

What Are the Different Types of Sunglass Lenses?

Sunglass Lens Performance and Protection

Selecting the correct sunglass lens that delivers optimal protection and performance is critical. The base curve of the lens signifies the primary curvature of the lens. The higher the number, the more extreme the curvature of the lens is. For example, six (6) base lenses are virtually flat and can be found in most fashion sunglasses. You can also buy the sunglasses with 8 base curved lenses. Eight (8) base lenses provide significant peripheral coverage and are preferred in most premium sport brands. There are a few twelve (12) base lens options available, but they are almost impossible to put a prescription in and often can't be polarized.

Polycarbonate, Glass, and Plastic Sunglass Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses are ultra-lightweight and virtually shatterproof, providing enhanced safety and comfort. Polycarbonate lenses are 20 times more impact-resistant than glass lenses and one-third the weight. Also, the color is embedded throughout the lens, as opposed to a tinting process, so it remains optically correct and can not peel or scratch off. Polycarbonate lenses provide protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some polycarbonate lenses, like those found in Bolle sunglasses, Wiley X sunglasses and goggles, ESS goggles, Bobster sunglasses, swimming goggles, and other eyewear are available with prescription lenses.

Glass lenses provide excellent optical quality and a scratch-resistant surface. Most premium glass lenses are made from distortion-free, borosilicate optical glass and offer the highest level of visual acuity available today. All glass lenses nowadays are mandated to pass a drop ball test that ensures a safe lens and with proper care, can last a lifetime.

Plastic is a much less expensive option for lens material. While it is half the weight of glass, the lens surface is softer and easier to scratch. Over the past several years, all premium sunglass brands have switched to polycarbonate lenses as they are much stronger, lighter, and have much better optical clarity than plastic.

Mirror and Photochromic Lenses

Mirror sunglasses offer protection when you are in direct sunlight for extended periods. Activities like boating and tanning, as well as professions like construction workers or police officers, can benefit from mirrored sunglasses since they spend long hours in direct sunlight.

Photochromic sunglasses have lenses that change lighter or darker depending on the level of UV light. Premium brands offer photochromic or transitional lenses that change as you move from direct sunlight through more shaded areas. Light-adjusting photochromic sunglasses are a great feature for changing outdoor conditions. Keep in mind that most transitional lenses do not darken behind a windshield, so only use them under direct sunlight.

Interchangable Lenses

If you have several sports that you play and use your sunglasses in different climate conditions, you may want to look at frames that offer interchangeable lenses. Many are designed to be easily customizable to suit constantly changing environments and user requirements.

Is It Better to Have Polarized Sunglasses?

Non-polarized tinted lenses are ideal for every day, all-purpose wear. Tinting of the lens creates true color definition while fighting harsh glare. Tints are available in almost every color of the rainbow, including many of our police sunglasses that we offer.

Polarized sunglasses are best for activities around water or in direct sunlight. The polarized film is sandwiched between two halves of each lens and can not peel or scratch off. The polarized film acts like mini Venetian blinds that are set at a specific angle to filter the light waves that cause glare. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and eye fatigue.

Anti-reflective coatings (AR coatings) are specifically engineered to eliminate back glare and double images. When you see someone on TV wearing glasses and can see the reflection from the cameras in front and glare reflecting off of the lenses, they do not have anti-reflective coating for eyeglasses. Most premium lenses have anti-reflective coatings. All the lenses in Bolle sunglasses have AR coatings.

What Are the Best Sunglasses for Specific Sports?

Specific sunglass frame and lens combinations work best in certain sports. If your sport uses a ball, brown lenses allow more light transmission for your eyes to focus on the ball. Grey lenses and polarized lenses tend to be too dark for your eyes to accurately focus on the ball. Sports like golf, volleyball, tennis, baseball, and football require quick and accurate eye focusing to play at an optimal level. Non-polarized brown lenses work best for these sports. Here are some common sports and our recommendations for the best sport sunglasses for each:

• Golf Sunglasses: Sunglasses made for golf are very popular with golfers today. A high contrast cinnamon lens color is ideal for golf.
• Tennis Sunglasses: Tennis sunglass lenses work to mute the entire spectrum except the optic yellow range, allowing the eyes to pick up the tennis ball quickly.
• Volleyball Sunglasses & Softball Sunglasses: Nylon frame material and high contrast lenses for cloudy days and brown lenses with mirror coating for sunny days work best for volleyball and softball players.
• Cycling Sunglasses & Biking Sunglasses: Most cycling sunglasses and biker sunglasses have high-contrast lenses and allow more light transmission while blocking all glare. Low light conditions, rainy and cloudy days, glaring sunny days, and night riding need interchangeable lenses to work in all of the different light conditions.
• Fishing Sunglasses & Boating Sunglasses: Polarized lenses work best around water for all boating, fishing, and tanning activities.
• Military Sunglasses & Police Sunglasses: Require frame and lens combinations that offer polarized lenses and complete coverage of the eyes for optimal performance on the job. Mirrored lenses work well if you are in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
• Shooting Glasses: Shooting lenses are generally high contrast to allow as much light transmission while blocking all glare. Traditional shooting lenses are lemon or citrus colored. Frame styles that offer complete coverage work best.
• Motorcycle Sunglasses: Motorcycle riders need complete coverage and Polycarbonate lenses for safe riding. Polarized lenses work well, but if you're riding for extended periods of time in direct sun, mirrored lenses are better. A snug and comfortable fit is critical to keep the wind out of the eyes.
• Driving Sunglasses: Optimizing the open road experience with a quality pair of shades is pure Americana. Look for polarized lenses and good coverage to block glare. Early morning and late afternoon driving into the sun require a good pair of driving sunglasses to help you stay safe. 
• Running Sunglasses: A lightweight frame and high contrast lenses are great when running or jogging. Such features of running sunglasses and non-slip nose pads and temple tips create a comfortable fit on the face. Look for light lenses like lemon or citrus for running in cloudy or rainy conditions or brown or grey lens for more sunny days.