After a long year of being stuck indoors, many of us can’t wait to break free and head back to the mountains or countryside for some hiking! While the sunlight you’re exposed to while hiking may not seem intense, it’s always important to protect your eyesight anytime you’re outdoors. We’ve created a mini-guide to help you choose the right pair of sunglasses to take with you on your next hiking adventure!
Where to buy the best hiking sunglasses
When you’re choosing something as important as protective eyewear, you want to make sure you’re buying a quality pair from a trusted brand. Here are some of our top picks:
- Oakley is famous for its top-quality outdoor sunglasses. If you’re heading to the mountains this summer, try any of their polarized frames. They’ll give you the sun protection you need while offering resilient impact protection as well, perfect for those runway tree branches. With this amazing Oakley promo code, you can even enjoy your next pair at a discounted price!
- Maui Jim: This up-and-coming brand offers stylish, high-performance sunglasses. If you’re looking for a pair that you can wear both on and off the trail, try their aviator sunglasses, the Maverick.
- Costa del Mar: If you tend to hike a lot near the water, you’ll need some glare protection as well. Costa del Mar shades come jam-packed with cool features like scratch-resistant lenses, 100% protection from UV light, and polarized lenses with glare protection.
Remember, no matter which pair you choose your number one priority should be sun protection! Let’s take a look at why…
Why should you wear sunglasses while hiking?
It may not seem that important, but harmful UV rays and blue light from the sun can damage your eyes, even while in the shade. While it’s true that hiking in a shaded area will offer you some sun protection. It’s still possible to receive a sunburn even while in the shade. Another problem is that not even the shade can protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation – or the light that bounces off flat surfaces like the water, snow, or concrete.
If you’re still not convinced, remember that sun damage to your eyes can cause all sorts of horrible conditions like cataracts, eye cancer, and even growths on the eye. The good news is that it’s easy to protect yourself! When choosing sunglasses, be sure to pick a pair that provides 100% UV. Or UV400 protection or that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays. Follow these other sun-safety tips for protecting your eyes while on the trail:
- Wear a hat, it will protect your skin too.
- Avoid being outdoors from 10 AM till 4 PM, especially on hot days.
- Never look directly at the sun, it can cause a serious condition called solar retinopathy.
Some more things to consider
On top of UV ray protection there are a couple of other features you should keep in mind when choosing a pair of hiking or outdoor trekking sunglasses:
- Polarization: As we’ve already mentioned, polarized sunglasses will protect you from the sun’s harmful glare. This is necessary if you spend a lot of time around water or snow.
- Anti-scratch lenses: A lot can damage your glasses in the great outdoors. It’s a good idea to invest in a pair of anti-scratch lenses, especially if you spend a lot of time on unmarked trails.
- Durability: Your glasses are bound to take some hits every now and then. Make sure you invest in a durable pair that has some “bend” to prevent them from breaking at the first drop.
Choosing the right type of sunglasses will protect your eyesight from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well as protecting your eyes themselves from all sorts of debris. Take some time to weigh your options and make sure you’re investing in the right pair.
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