Regular fashion sunglasses are a style statement as much as they are a form of eye protection against the sun's dazzling rays. Sailing Sunglasses, however, need to be more practical and capable of dealing with the challenging and ever-changing ocean conditions that you're going to face.
From glare shielding properties to design and durability, Mylor Chandlery give you 6 essential points that you need to consider before buying sunglasses for sailing.
UV Ray Protection
A great pair of sailing sunglasses need to offer a high level of protection against the suns rays. The fierce glare of the sun reflecting off the open water can not only affect your vision it can also be detrimental to your eye health, particularly when you're frequently overexposed.
When looking out for new sunglasses, always check that they have a label or some sort of written indication that says either 100% protection, UV 400 or UVA and UVB (or UVC) protection. If you already own a pair of sunglasses and are not sure whether they're protected, you may be able to take them to the opticians for professional testing.
Mylor Chandlery offer a range of sailing sunglasses that will provide you with the UV protection needed for sailing safely during the sunnier months.
Polarised Lenses
Standard quality sunglasses will provide bright light and UV protection but polarised lenses come with a special film coating that protects your eyes against glare by altering the way that light comes in contact with your eyes. This can be extremely beneficial for sailing and watersports as they can help improve visual performance and clarity - filtering out the harsh light of the open water.
Lens Colour
Although the tint of your sunglasses may seem like more of a design preference, choosing the right colour can in fact make all the difference for a keen sailor. For most seafarers, grey and red will be attractive options, however, there's really no right or wrong lens colour and it may come down to your own personal choice.
Here's our guide to finding the right lens colour...
Grey: Reduces water glare, shielding against bright light on sunny or cloudy days.
Red: Blocks out blue light and can even improve your depth of field and bring out detail when you're scanning the horizon on your boat.
Blue: Provides protection against reflective surfaces and great for environments and conditions that are permeated with blue colours.
Brown: Great for improving visibility on cloudy days and continuously changing dark and light conditions. They also work well in grey waters and provide comfort during sunny days.
Yellow: A must-have for low-light and overcast days, improving visibility and depth perception when the weather could be better.
Designed For Active Living
It will come as no surprise that the best sailing sunglasses are ones that can withstand a life out at sea. Sunglasses are often not the most robust accessory, so make sure you buy something that's durable yet lightweight enough that you can wear them all day without too much facial discomfort. Look out for additional features such as non-slip pads and grips around the nose or ears - you don't want them falling off!
You might also want to look out for scratch-resistant properties, integrated flotation technology or buoyancy materials and even a chunky design if you want something that's really going to last.
Hydrophobic & Oleophobic Coatings
Look out for these two ingenious properties when you're buying new sailing sunglasses. Hydrophobic materials will help repel water and reduce salt residue for clearer vision while oleophobic coatings prevent smearing caused by fingerprints, sun lotion and skin oils.
The Right Fit For You
From wrap-around and shield styles to clip-on and classic aviators... You can't go wrong with choosing sailing sunglasses that are similar to the ones you've previously owned. Also, think about the type of sailing activity or sailing intensity you're used to before you go ahead and buy. At Mylor, we've included an eclectic range of styles that will suit almost all preferences and sailing conditions you're used to.
