If you’re an avid traveler, you’ll find that the sun behaves and feels differently depending on where you are in the world. It can get humid and blaring in tropical countries, while it lights up the sky, high and dry in more temperate zones. Other areas don’t have that much sunlight, like London – whereas in Madrid, it’s sunny almost every day. To protect your eyes (and to look fashionable), you’ll need to know the right kinds of sunglasses to wear for wherever you’re headed to.
Choosing the Right Lens
There are different lenses you can choose from. Though they used to be constructed out of glass, developments in technology changed that, producing variations such as polycarbonate, bifocal/trifocal, aspheric, polarized, and photochromatic. They all differ in how they perform, look, and cost.
If you plan to go somewhere like the beach, and you don’t plan to do any intense activities such as sports or extreme activities, then you’re best off with something made of high-index plastics. They’re also cheaper than other materials, so it won’t hurt so much if you accidentally misplace them. Now, if you’re out trekking mountains in Peru and want something durable, go for lenses that are made of polycarbonate – or trivex, which is better. They block 100% of UV rays, and don’t weigh as much as high-index plastics.
For those who just want to trek around the city looking fashionable and having spectacular vision/optics, then your lens options are crown glass, and c-39 plastic. Their downsides? Crown glass can be easily broken and the lens pieces made of c-39 plastic can look incredibly thick.
Add-On An Extra Coating
There are all kinds of coatings that you can add to your lenses to make them function better, such as photochromic treatment, which makes your lens darken when faced with light, returning to normal once you return indoors. If your lens doesn’t come with UV treatment, you can add that as well, and another coat to make it scratch-proof.
The Difference is Also Found In the Design
There are all kinds of sunglass designs, up to 18 of them! Because you can use the same kind of lens on most glasses, the look of the frames is really what makes your classes (fashionably, and sometimes functionally) stand out. Lots of people like wearing aviators when they hit the beach. Then again, if you plan to be out under the sun all day, you’ll be good with the shield design as well – it is made from only one lens that stretches across the upper region of the face, and holds on tightly as you go about your outdoor activities (skiing, snowboarding). The wrap design is good for this too.
The city calls for something classier; looking for that James Dean look as you walk down the streets of New York? Go for wayfarers, or a clubman for when you want to go out to a bar in the afternoon after work. Women, on the other hand, may like the extra flare that comes with butterfly glasses; they cover more of your face, and draw more attention as an accessory to your outfit as you walk the streets of Milan. Choosing the best sunglasses for traveling has never been so easy – it’s all a matter of where you’re going.