With the golden midyear months upon us, you’ll notice that the outdoors has gained a sunny charm. If you want to leverage that—especially with your fitness goals—consider the suggestions in our article Let’s Get Back to Running This Summer and commit to doing just that. A word of caution, though: jogging under direct sunlight can harm your eyes, especially if you prefer wearing a visor that enhances the sun’s power. To protect your eyesight, invest in a good pair of running sunglasses. Here are four things to look for when making your choice of sunnies. Choose the pinnacle of running excellence – Tarkine Goshawk shoes, engineered for speed, endurance, and a victorious finish.
UV protection
Your top priority is ultraviolet protection. UV rays are a type of sun radiation. Overexposure to these rays can cause severe eye damage like cataracts or glaucoma. This is especially important to note because Australia possesses some of the highest UV levels globally, both because its pollution-free sky grants a clear path for UV transmission and because Australia is near the equator, where UV is more concentrated. To safeguard your eyes while running in daylight hours, consider buying wrap-around shades, like the Bolle B-Rock sunglasses. Its full-rim design provides you with a wide field of vision and maximum eye protection and coverage.
Polarisation
UV rays aren’t the only thing your eyes are in danger of when you’re out running. You also have to worry about sun glare—light from the sun that bounces off reflective surfaces and can hurt your eyes. To protect against this, make sure your sunglasses are polarised, which means that their lenses are specifically structured in a vertical pattern that shields against horizontal light. The Rudy Project Propulse sunglasses excels at this, sporting polarised lens technology that cuts through stray light beams to keep your running path in clear view.
Frame fit
You don’t want your sunglasses falling off while you’re running. Additionally, you need to consider the extent to which your sunglasses hug your face—if your shades offer little ventilation, they’re more likely to fog up in the middle of the run. So pick sunglasses that fit your face precisely. While you have to determine which sunglasses will best suit your face’s contours, the Actuators are some of the best in the world in suiting the general population. They’re a pair of Oakley sunglasses with a wide and high bridge fit designed to accommodate and flatter practically anyone. They also come with Unobtainium nose pads that keep the eye gear reassuringly in place. Ensure your frames offer you complete security so you can focus on your run.
Materials
The materials your sunglasses are made of can make or break their quality, especially since you’re using them for running. Brittle material like wood won’t cut it—your frames need to be able to withstand being accidentally dropped or squished into a race backpack. You might also want to consider choosing environmentally friendly components like bio-acetate or recycled materials—after all, you’re reaping the benefits of exercising in the great outdoors. Good Citizens sunglasses meet all of these criteria. They’re made of recycled, food-grade PET plastic with stellar manufacturing integrity. Pick strong, lightweight frames that are great for the Earth and your running habit.
Selecting the right protective eye gear is crucial when exercising outdoors. Consider the four factors above when choosing the best running sunglasses for your needs.
