“What Are The Best Glasses For Sports?” is a collaborative post.
When it comes to sports, choosing the right glasses isn’t just about correcting your vision; it’s also about improving your overall performance and protecting your eyes. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward way to get ‘sports glasses’, as different sports require different traits. Equally, seasonal factors like weather also play a role in determining which features to look for. This article outlines what features to look for depending on these factors. It also touches on whether contact lenses could be an option.
Water sports
Water sports include activities like:
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Kayaking
It is worth noting that underwater sports, such as swimming, generally require contact lenses to be worn under the goggles. However, when exposed to water, the contacts can collect bacteria, so you must get high-quality goggles and lenses. For most other water sports, specially designed glasses are still perfectly practical.
The most obvious factor is that these sports all involve getting wet, so you need glasses that don’t trap water. As a result, glasses for water sports will generally have a hydrophobic coating that repels water.
The glare of the sun reflected from the water is another important consideration. In the summer, this can be particularly problematic. Polarised lenses reduce some of this horizontal light reflection so that you won’t be distracted by glare. Equally, when in the sun, make sure your glasses have UV protection to prevent and reduce any sun damage to your eyes.
Some people continue to train in their sport year-round, including winter. In winter, sun damage and glare can still occur (though less frequently). However, other factors, such as the temperature contrast between you and the air, can also cause your glasses to fog up. Therefore, you should look for ‘anti-fog’ glasses that absorb moisture from warmer air.
The final factor to consider is the shape of the glasses. As with most sports, wraparound lenses offer the most protection. This is especially true if you are moving quickly and could get debris in your eyes.
Fast-paced land sports
Cyclists and runners need eyewear that is lightweight and secure. Most glasses for these sports have rubber temple and nose grips that prevent them from shifting when you are sweating or moving frequently.
Like water sports, UV protection and shaded prescription sunglasses can help reduce the potentially distracting brightness of the sun and protect your eyes from damage.
With cyclists in particular, larger wraparound glasses are more common, as they provide the maximum protection against dirt or grit that could fly into your eyes. For runners, your glasses do not need to be as wide because you will not be moving as quickly, so you are less at risk of eye damage.
Regardless of the season, anti-fog is very important for both of these sports, as it helps regulate the difference between your body heat and the outside air. This reduces condensation and ensures clear vision through the lenses.
Contact sports
Contact sports could include quite a wide range of activities, including:
- Rugby
- Boxing
- Football
Because these activities can involve impact risks, standard glasses are generally not recommended. This makes contacts very popular for this type of sport.
The only seasonal consideration in this case is to get good-quality lenses that cannot shatter in your eye and do not dry your eyes.
In non-professional settings, especially those involving children, you may see protective sports goggles or sports glasses for kids. These are shatterproof in case of contact and are a great solution for people who are too young or unable to wear contact lenses.
Find glasses for your sport
Ultimately, the best glasses for sports depend on the specific activity and the environmental conditions. Take these tips on board, apply them to your sport and find a great pair of glasses that help you perform at your best.
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