Whether you’re skiing, hiking, walking, camping or travelling sunglasses are essential. Whatever your outdoor activity you will need to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays regardless of what the weather throws at you. At Mountain Warehouse we have a great selection of sunglasses specifically designed to help and protect your eyes during outdoor activities within all terrains. Just as important as choosing the right pair of walking boots, selecting the correct eyewear is vital for your comfort and safety. Regardless of whether you’re an amateur hiker of professional hiker you need a good pair of sunglasses that you can rely on. Choosing the right sunglasses
Selecting the right pair of sunglasses is not only an important safety feature but a performance enhancer too. When selecting eyewear you should always check that the glasses are well suited to the contours of your face and that they are durable and light providing you with full eye protection. If you are about to embark on a hike or trek in the mountains or a skiing trip you will need to bear in mind that UV rays are even more powerful as the light is reflected from the snow and therefore twice the normal amount enters your eyes. Wraparound sunglasses will not only protect from high levels of UV rays but they will also prevent the delicate areas around the eyes that are prone to sunburn and will also keep out the cold. To ensure that the lenses are dark enough to give you full protection, take a look at yourself in a mirror while wearing them to make sure that you can’t see your eyes.
Key Safety Features
There are some key safety features to bear in mind when selecting sunglasses specifically for outdoor pursuits. Shatterproof lenses are always recommended, especially for skiing as they protect against impact. For optimum visibility while hiking, walking and skiing the lens colour within the sunglasses is crucial. Grey lenses are great for bright sunshine days and those with a mirror or multi-layered coating have outstanding reflective properties that reduces glare. Brown, amber, orange and pink lenses are a good all round choice if you expect changeable weather conditions. Remember that eyewear that fogs up can be a safety hazard. Other priorities include good contrast especially on days that have flat light, optical clarity and of course style. The materials used in their construction should be suitable for use down to -20ºC, especially for skiing and snowboarding. It’s important to note that most summer sunglasses are not suitable for sporting activities and remember to accessorise your chosen sunglasses too with a strap that keeps them securely around your neck.