Whether you take your sports seriously or work out from time to time, the right pair of sports glasses can make a huge difference in boosting your performance and minimizing the risk of eye injuries. Although sports glasses exist in prescription and non-prescription forms, all of them typically increase field vision, enhance color contrast, and provide other features like impact resistance, UV protection, and anti-glare coating. In this guide to sports glasses, we’ll discuss how to choose protective glasses when playing sports, cover the main types of eyewear available, and take an in-depth look at the main features of goggles for the most popular sports.
In Which Sports You Will Need Glasses
Not all sports require protective eyewear. Although you can keep yoga and dance classes glass-free, other sports and outdoor activities may expose you to numerous risks, like flying objects and weather hazards, like sand, wind, and UV rays. Many sports require protective eyewear, but the most common ones include glare-resistant bicycle glasses, lightweight running frames, tight-fitting swimming goggles, and hefty glare-deflecting skiing and motorcycle glasses. Other sports requiring protective glasses include basketball, shooting, surfing, and climbing.
Features of Goggles for Each Sport
Sports glasses are not all alike; each is designed specifically for the requirements and needs of the sport. Proper sports glasses have multiple benefits, as they can minimize the risk of eye injury, increase your field vision, and boost your performance in each sport. Let’s take a more detailed look at the most common sports glasses.
For Swimming
Whether you’re an occasional swimmer or spend much time in the pool, swimming goggles are essential gear to improve underwater visibility and protect your eyes from UV radiation, chlorine pool water, or seawater. When choosing swim glasses, ensure they are waterproof and have a solid frame made of rubber or silicone and lightweight polycarbonate lenses. Other important features include an anti-fog layer, a thin film on the back of the glass that prevents condensation, and UV-blocking lenses that protect your eyes and minimize the harmful effects of UV rays.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses in everyday life, consider purchasing prescription goggles for swimming. This eyewear can be a life changer for people with poor eyesight. Although you can special-order them from an optician, you can buy a ready-made model right off the rack without providing any prescription.
For Running
From cheaper glasses to state-of-the-art gear, running glasses come in many shapes and forms. The typical running eyewear has lightweight frames designed to fit snugly and not slide down during the run, non-slip nose pads, and even interchangeable lenses. Basic features like UV and wind protection are available even in the cheaper models, while top-tier brands boast polarized lenses, which cut down glare and provide enhanced visual clarity even in the most uneven terrains.
When choosing running glasses, look for polycarbonate lenses, comfortable fit, UV protection, anti-fog coating, and frames that hold the lenses far enough from the face to ensure air circulation. It’s unnecessary to go for the higher range product, while cheaper eyewear does the job just as fine.
For Cycling
The main hazards plaguing bicycle enthusiasts are the wind, sun, and reflection of the road. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or an occasional rider, bicycle glasses should be an essential part of your gear. High-end and cheaper models feature polarized lenses, large frames to block wind, dust, and insects from getting into your eyes, and typically adjustable temples and nose rests. One of the most optimal models features photochromic cycling sunglasses, which are extremely useful in different weather conditions: under bright sunlight, the lenses darken, while low-light conditions shift the lenses back to clear.
How to Choose Sports Goggles
Whichever sport you practice, you need to consider numerous main factors when browsing for sports eyewear, including:
- Good Fit. Whether choosing swimming goggles or running glasses, they should fit you to the T. One of the best ways to ensure this is to select adjustable models; for instance, goggles should have adjustable side straps while running, and cycling glasses should have adjustable nosepieces.
- High Quality Frames. Look for lightweight eyewear with silicone or rubber frames for swimming and nylon-infused plastics for running or cycling.
- Lenses. Perhaps the most crucial part of any eyewear, basic lenses, should feature basic UV protection, anti-glare, and anti-fog coating, especially for swimming goggles. If you’re looking for higher-end products, invest in quality polarized or photochromic lenses to enhance visual clarity and minimize glare.
Summary
Protective eyewear is not an accessory but an essential gear for sports like swimming, cycling, or running. Luckily, in this day and age, you don’t have to pay too much for a pair of well-crafted glasses, as there are many high-quality models featuring a basic set of necessary features like anti-glare, UV protection, and lightweight frames for a reasonable price.
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