Winter sunglasses are a necessity to protect your eyes from UV rays!
While the long winter months can bring dreary days and freezing temperatures, there’s never been a more important time to have the best polarized sunglasses. UV light doesn’t care about summer or winter, it has the same strength all year round.
So don’t kid yourself, having proper eye protection in the winter is just as important as throwing on that extra pair of mittens or your favorite long underwear. The harsh winter elements can be deceiving with low light visibility, but it can put quiet the strain on your eyes.
At Humps, all of our polarized sunglasses are designed for year-round use. But in the following conversation we’ll explore the 5 reasons winter sunglasses are important, and our best frames to match your winter style.
1. POLARIZED SUNGLASSES PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS IN WINTER.
We get this question a lot: Should you wear sunglasses in the winter? The answer is yes! UV rays (ultraviolet rays) exist year-round and can be intensified by reflections from snow, ice, water, and even the road on your daily commute.
Interestingly, even with the warnings and health risks made public by organizations such as Vision Impact Institute research, only 75% of Americans are concerned about UV safety, and only 31% actually wear shades when they’re outside.
The American Optometric Association states that for optimal eye safety, you should make sure to find a quality pair of sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Polarization is also key to minimize glare and the lens tint should screen out 75-90% of visible light. The combination of these three factors will reduce eye strain and protect you from potential long lasting eye damage.
2. MAKE SURE TO WEAR YOUR SUNGLASSES FOR WINTER ACTIVITIES!
We all love winter sports, and if you don’t, you’re not living life to the fullest. Fresh crisp air, deep powder runs, and exploring the backcountry are just a few reasons to get outside. But when most people pack their gear for the day, a solid pair of polarized sunglasses or ski goggles designed for winter is usually last on their mind. Interestingly, winter sunglasses can make the difference between a fun day outside, or one that results in a lot of squinting and eye strain. This is why it’s so important to protect your eyes in the winter.
DRIVING – we all do it. It’s a way of life. But did you know your windshield offers zero protection from UV light and road glare? Protective eyewear can make the difference between getting to your destination on time or an annoying fender bender. Polarized sunglasses for driving can also increase your energy on those long road trips as they put less strain on your eyes resulting in less body fatigue. Here are our best sunglasses for driving:
SKIING / SNOWBOARDING – We make some of the best polarized ski and snowboard goggles on the market. With 2 lenses to choose from (one for bluebird sunny days, and one for low light visibility) you’ll be comfy rocking the slops all day long. Spring skiing is awesome, especially as the temperature heats up and the snow is still good. Here are our best selling snowboard goggles:
RUNNING / HIKING – When the temperature drops, hiking and running in the winter can be extremely fun. While we’ve all learned that layering our clothes to prevent sweat is a top priority, so is having the best pair of winter sunglasses possible. At Humps all of our sunglasses are Polarized, UVA/UVB resistant, and impacted tested with a 10lb drop ball test. What does this mean? Your eyes will be protected at all times. This is crucial when keeping an eye out for ice on the running trail, or navigating snow covered rocks on your hike. Here are our most popular sunglasses for running in the winter…
3. HIGH QUALITY SUNGLASSES CAN PREVENT CERTAIN EYE DISEASES
The harmful impact of UV rays can be the last thing on our mind, when it should be one of the first things to think about before stepping outside. Did you know polarized winter sunglasses can help fend off certain eye diseases due to the harmful sun? Cataracts, pinguecula, pterygia, and macular degeneration sound like smart words, but the truth is we’re all at risk of developing these issues. This is why it’s so important to protect your eyes year-round, especially in the winter months.
According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are the main cause of blindness throughout the world. UVB rays are the primary culprit in this annoyance. Good news, all of our sunglasses are UVB (and UVA) resistant and block out 99-100% of the UV light.
Unprotected sun exposure can lead to macular degeneration, pterygia, and pinguecula, which can result in yellowish raised bumps on the whites of your eyes. Sounds painful, well it is!
This is why it’s so crucial to bring along a solid pair of polarized sunglasses for all your winter adventures.
4. UVA & UVB RAYS ARE INTENSIFIED DURING WINTER MONTHS
Did you know it can be even more important to wear sunglasses during the winter months? The UV rays are just as intense as the summer, even with the winter sun sitting a bit lower in the sky. Furthermore, you’re at risk of double exposure due to ice, snow, and water.
Polarized sunglasses for winter are extremely important, as the glare from snow and ice can have a blinding effect… hiding dangerous obstacles along your journey.
When the sun hits the snow and ice at a 45% angle it has an almost direct reflection straight into your eyes. We’ve all been there… squinting against this glare to navigate a ski slope or hiking trail, or even a slippery road.
So remember, if it’s snowing or wet outside, make sure to bring a solid pair of polarized winter sunglasses with you. You’ll regret it if not.
5. WHY SKI GOGGLES AND SUNGLASSES PREVENT SNOW BLINDNESS
Water is an extremely reflective surface… and this translates over to snow and ice. It doesn’t matter whether the sun visible or not, these types of surfaces will amplify the effect of UV rays and glare on your eyes. Furthermore, the higher the altitude the stronger the UV rays. Combine all of this and you have a perfect storm effect on your eyes during skiing, snowboarding, hiking, running, driving, or playing in the backcountry.
This temporary loss of vision, known as snow blindness can mean the matter of life or death – yes, we went a little far with that one. One of the best lens tints for these types of conditions is that of a yellow shade. The yellow tint, paired with polarization and UVA/UVB protection, cuts down on glare and intensifies clarity and contrast, meaning you can see obstacles more clearly. All of our Ski and Snowboard Goggles come with a ‘whiteout-low visibility lens’ that’s perfect for these types of conditions. Better yet, with our MagTech locking system you can easily switch between lenses with one hand in a matter of seconds. If ski goggles aren’t your cup of tea, then you might be stoked on our Lima November Aviators. Perfect for warm ski days, driving to the mountain, or summiting your favorite peak.
Have you ever gotten a vision related headache from extreme light conditions in the winter? November to March can be extremely punishing on your eyes. So, it’s crucial to wear polarized sunglasses during this time, or at least have them nearby for when the sun hits hardest.
Now that you are an expert in why polarized sunglasses for winter are so important, check out our Men’s Sunglasses and Women’s Sunglasses to find the perfect pair to match your winter style. If size is a concern, we have an epic Size Guide to help guide you through the process. If you’re having a lazy streak, check out our Best Sellers and see which styles everyone is raving about! Remember, there’s no excuse not to protect your eyes! They can’t be replaced… duh.