{"id":2861,"date":"2025-03-28T12:37:45","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T16:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2861"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:42","slug":"sport-sunglasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/sport-sunglasses","title":{"rendered":"Sport Sunglasses: What to Look For"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sport sunglasses do a lot more than protect your eyes from the sun. They also help shield your eyes from wind, dust, and rogue flying objects\u2014all of which go hand in hand with playing sports outside. Sports sunglasses can also give you the crisp vision you need to boost your comfort and performance outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But which sunglasses are best for playing sports outside? We\u2019ll walk you through the elements that make up a great pair of sport sunglasses. Whether you\u2019re looking for sunglasses to wear while fishing, cycling, running, golfing, or enjoying another outdoor activity, we\u2019re here to help you pick the right ones for your preferences and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Sport Sunglasses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the difference between sport sunglasses and \u201cregular\u201d sunglasses? Sport sunglasses (also known as athletic sunglasses) are really just sunglasses with features that make them more suitable for outdoor sports and other active pursuits. The specific characteristics of the sunglasses you choose might vary with the activity you need them for. For example, aviator sunglasses<\/a>, known for their lightweight frame and sleek design, might be suitable for activities where comfort and stability are key. Alternatively, clip-on lenses<\/a> can be a convenient and versatile option for athletes who already wear prescription glasses but want the added protection of sport sunglasses without the need for an entirely new pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most good sport sunglasses offer sturdiness, impact resistance, and sharp vision. Keep in mind that sunglasses of any type are typically designed to provide protection from the two main types of ultraviolet (UV) sun rays\u2014UVA and UVB. This helps shield the eyes and their surrounding area from damage caused by the sun. Unprotected eyes are at a greater risk of developing conditions like photokeratitis<\/a>, which, in effect, means sunburned eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of Warby Parker\u2019s prescription sunglasses<\/a> and non-prescription sunglasses, as well as our eyeglasses, include lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Frames for Sport Sunglasses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best sports sunglasses are made with high-quality, lightweight materials<\/a>. Look for sturdy, impact-resistant frames with a bit of flexibility. (The same is true for both non-prescription and prescription sports glasses.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at some popular materials used to make sport sunglasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acetate or Nylon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acetate:<\/strong> Lightweight, durable, and flexible, acetate sunglasses<\/a> come in various colors and styles, and they tend to be budget-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nylon: <\/strong>Nylon<\/a> is an even more lightweight, flexible material that\u2019s great for someone with an active lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Betz\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Betz<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Balsam Matte<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Callum\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Callum<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Raven Matte<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Mixed Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Frames made of mixed materials<\/a> combine the best of two materials, such as acetate rims and metal fittings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Baird\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Baird<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Jet Black with Polished Gold<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Callen\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Callen<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Oak Barrel with Riesling<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Rustin\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Rustin<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Olive with Riesling<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Nose Pads or No?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nose pads<\/a> can make sunglasses\u2014particularly metal ones\u2014more comfortable. They also fine-tune the fit and keep the frames from slipping down your nose<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal or mixed-material frames tend to come with nose pads already installed. Acetate frames are often shaped to include a molded \u201cpad bridge,\u201d which functions like built-in nose pads. If your sunglasses don\u2019t come with a nose pad solution you like, you can try adhesive nose pads to see if you find them beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Abe\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Abe<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Polished Silver<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Abe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Tobias\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Tobias<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Laguna Crystal<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTobias<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Rustin\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Rustin<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Olive with Riesling<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Rustin<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Lenses for Sport Sunglasses\u2014Types and Attributes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because they\u2019re key to having clear vision, lenses<\/a> are an important part of any eyewear<\/a>. But in sunglasses for sports and outdoor activities, lenses serve several other purposes. These include withstanding impact, sharpening vision, and reducing glare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polycarbonate Lenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Polycarbonate lenses<\/a> are a great choice for sport sunglasses. Because they\u2019re sturdy and lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are also used in eyewear other than glasses and sunglasses\u2014like safety glasses and goggles. They\u2019re also used in astronauts\u2019 helmets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-index lenses<\/a> are another option, but they tend to be a bit less durable and cost more than polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of polycarbonate lenses include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thin, lightweight, comfortable material:<\/strong> Polycarbonate lenses can accommodate higher prescriptions without adding a lot of thickness. In fact, polycarbonate lenses can be up to 30% thinner than other plastic lenses. They\u2019re also lightweight, which makes them comfortable and unobtrusive for sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impact resistance:<\/strong> Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to shatter, break, or chip if something hits them or they get dropped. They\u2019re some of the most impact-resistant lenses you can find today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special coatings and treatments: <\/strong>Polycarbonate lenses for sport sunglasses can come with lens enhancements like polarization and a scratch-resistant coating. (We\u2019ll discuss in more detail in a bit.) The lenses all Warby Parker glasses and sunglasses are equipped with scratch-resistant, smudge-resistant, and anti-reflective coatings, and they block 100% of UV rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if your sunglasses or glasses tend to fog up while you\u2019re being active, our anti-fog lens spray<\/a> can help keep your lenses clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Versatility:<\/strong> Polycarbonate lenses can be single-vision<\/a> lenses or progressive lenses<\/a>\u2014the latter having at least two areas of correction for viewing at different distances. Progressive sunglasses<\/a> are excellent for active people with a combination of refractive errors like myopia<\/a>, hyperopia<\/a>, astigmatism<\/a>, and presbyopia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polarized Lenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Polarized sports sunglasses can be an especially great choice for active, outdoor days. Polarized sunglasses<\/a> sharpen vision by cutting down on glare. This makes colors more vibrant, increasing contrast. To achieve polarization, lenses are coated in a special chemical filter that blocks certain wavelengths of glare. (Many of our sunglasses come standard with polarization.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crisp details that polarization provides can boost the performance of people playing sports. For activities on the water like fishing, polarized sunglasses help people see into the water better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, polarized lenses may make it more difficult to tell the difference between snow and ice, so these lenses aren\u2019t recommended for snow sports. Polarized lenses can also tamper with depth perception, so they\u2019re not ideal for golf sunglasses, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lens Tints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may want to consider the lens tint of your sport sunglasses. Different lens tints have certain advantages over others. So, what color lens is best for playing outdoor sports? Here\u2019s a cheat sheet of popular tints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n