It might be difficult to find the appropriate pair of water sports sunglasses. It would help if you chose a pair that fits your face with a style you desire and have verified that they are appropriate to wear while engaging in your chosen water sport(s).
For example, if you are going surfing, you should not be concerned about losing your glasses when catching a large wave. On a relaxing kayaking vacation, you should not be concerned about a rogue tidal destroying your lenses. To safeguard your glasses and your eyes, you will need to consider lens coatings.
When you decide to go fly fishing, you will need the best fishing sunglasses. Instead of catching an errant fishing hook in the eye, you should concentrate on your catch.
And, while parasailing, your sunglasses should keep the wind from whipping away your shades or blowing debris into your eyes, allowing you to enjoy the pleasant flight 500 feet in the air.
Make sure your sunglasses can withstand beating while giving you the protection you need from the sun’s harmful rays and the powerful reflection off the water when participating in any water sport.
There is no one-size-fits-all pair of sunglasses for every type of water sport, so look for shades that provide sun protection, anti-glare features, and durability you need on the water.
Let us start with the requirement for sun protection during outdoor activities such as surfing, fishing, water skiing, and other water sports.
What Is the Significance of UV Protection?
Protecting your eyes from the sun should be a major priority when it comes to sunglasses, especially if you are on or near the water. This is because water can reflect up to 80% of the light that strikes it. This glare can make it difficult to see properly and make you more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Without proper eye protection, you increase your chance of getting cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (also known as snow blindness), and other eye disorders that can lead to lifelong blindness in the worst-case scenario.
Always look for sunglasses with a UV 400 protection rating. UV 400 offers nearly 100 percent protection against harmful ultraviolet light rays, blocking light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, including UVA and UVB. This level of protection should be indicated on the label of sunglasses.
What Can I Do to Lessen Glare?
To avoid what is known as blinding glare, polarized sunglasses are strongly advised for usage during water activities. Light bouncing off smooth, glossy surfaces, such as water, causes blinding glare, which can induce potentially dangerous visual impairment.
Glare can induce squinting, weariness, and strain in the eyes, as well as headaches, and it can make it difficult to see well.
An anti-reflective coating on polarized sunglasses and goggles eliminates bright reflected light from the water; this can help to reduce glare and discomfort while also letting you see more clearly through the water’s surface, which is beneficial for activities like fishing and swimming.
However, keep in mind that not all polarized sunglasses provide appropriate UV protection. Because polarization and UV protection are not synonymous, double-check that the polarized sunglasses you are considering have the appropriate UV protection.
You Should Consider Sunglass Accessories
Wraparound sunglasses provide additional protection on the water by shielding your peripheral vision from damaging rays, glare, and even wind, which can dry out your eyes. Other accessories to think about include:
The use of a head strap
Your sunglasses are more likely to be washed away by water than they are to be blown away by the wind. In either case, any sunglasses worn while participating in a water sport should come with a head strap.
Anti-impact protection
Sunglasses can break your nose if they are struck hard enough, which can happen while participating in a variety of water sports, particularly surfing. The lenses might also break.
Sunglasses built exclusively for water activities should have cushioned frames and be shatter-resistant. Look for a pair that evenly distributes the power of contact over your face, as stated on the label of the sunglasses.
A coating that repels water
While participating in practically any water sport, there is a good chance your sunglasses may become wet, and your lenses will become blurry. A hydrophobic coating on sunglasses will help produce surface tension on your lenses, repelling water and allowing you to see more clearly.
Anti-fogging lens
Sunglasses with ventilation help keep your lenses from fogging up. When sunglasses or goggles are submerged in water, the lenses become hazy. Your face, on the other hand, remains warm. Your sunglasses will fog up less if they are well ventilated.
