Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Sunglass Tint Matters More Than Style

sunglass tint matters style 2
Days are getting shorter but the sun can still hurt your eyeballs, so right around now, it’s time to start thinking about sunglasses in terms of specific function rather than everyday wear. And, turns out, the tint of your sunglasses is more than just a statement of style; if you’re doing anything other than walking around the city, above and beyond, tint a matter of eye performance. From hues that enhance driving to those that make snow less abrasive, the tint you pick matters. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you make some choices.

1—Driving At high speeds, things can get blurry. Grey, green and brown colored lenses reduce color distortion and make signs easier to read. Polarized lenses will also reduce glare.

Related Videos

2—Snow sports All that white can start to blend together and makes your eyes tired. Look for amber, which increase visibility on grey and white surfaces, or those with mirrored lenses which reduce glare and fatigue.

3—Beach Vacation It’s hard work lying out on a beach all day, n’est pas? No? Well, it is for your eyes, which are dealing with an overflow of sunlight. Go with mirrored lenses; they keep your eyes from getting tired.

4—Golf, Baseball Yellow is the magic color for athletes. They block out blue light which increase depth perception. Just don’t take them driving since they tend to blur traffic light colors.

5—Fishing, Sailing, Waterskiing Seeing the world though rose-tinted glasses isn’t just for optimists. Shades tinted this way are great for anyone who enjoys a good amount of time on the water. This is because they improve contrast between blue and green, making a watery landscape look more detailed.

6—Mountain climbing, high altitude hiking This close to the sun? You want mirrors on your eyes to keep them from getting overworked. Before we send you off, remember this: 400 UV Sun protection is the standard and all shades should have it. But the darker the shades, the more important it is to find a pair that have quality protection. Why? UV protection doesn’t have to do with the tint and darker shades open your pupils more, intern exposing them to more damage.

Image credit: lassendesignen/Shutterstock

Editors' Recommendations

Nordstrom Is Having a Sunglasses Sale — Save BIG on BP. and Thierry Lasry
theirry lasry yellow lens glasses on a white background

Spring is in full bloom, which means summer is only around the corner. Before heading out into the sunshine, you'll need to protect your eyes with the perfect pair of sunnies. If sunglasses are on your summer shopping list, Nordstrom is the place to be right now, as they are offering big discounts on some of the best sunglasses of the season. Save big on these excellent deals and remember that Nordstrom includes free shipping with every purchase, so there's no reason not to jump on these must-have shades for summer.
BP Aviator Sunglasses -- $9, was $15

BP is the Nordstrom in-house brand responsible for some of the best aviator sunglasses that don't break the bank. These superior shades fall right into that category. Originally $15, which is already a great price, these BP Aviator Sunglasses are 40% off, making them practically a steal for only $9, saving you $6 on each pair. These sunglasses pack all of the punch of high-end designer brands without the added worry of losing them at the beach or leaving them on an airplane. The frames are slim and super stylish, and their gradient lenses give them a cool, laid-back vibe. These BP shades are a modern twist on the classic aviator style, and at only $9, you truly could not beat this deal if you tried.

Read more
Amazon Style Opens its First Retail Clothing Store
An Amazon Style clerk hands over a purchase to a customer.

Think physical retail is dead? Well, the head of the world’s largest company (as measured by market cap) disagrees.

On January 20, Amazon announced that it plans to open its first physical clothing store in Glendale, California. Called Amazon Style, the 30,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar retail location will open in the Los Angeles suburb “later this year” at The Americana at Brand, a popular SoCal shopping destination. The Jeff Bezos-led mega corporation’s first-ever physical apparel outlet will offer clothing, footwear, and accessories, centered on a phone-first shopping experience.

Read more
The 6 Best Aviator Sunglasses To Cop for a Timeless Pair of Shades

It shouldn't be a shocker that the aviator style of sunglasses began as a lighter, rather elegant alternative to the cumbersome goggles worn by U.S. Air Force pilots. Developed in 1937 by Bausch and Lomb, aviator sunglasses’ iconic teardrop shape was devised to shield the entire scope of the human eye, limiting sunlight from messing with the pilot’s vision and protecting them from glare that causes headaches and altitude sickness. That practical feature led to the casual style name “ray bans.” In 1950s America, with post-war jingoism at an all-time high (and the wide circulation of an admittedly badass photo of Gen. Douglas MacArthur sporting a pair), aviator glasses made it into the mainstream market.

Driven by our enduring love of these timeless pair of shades, we’ve pulled together the ultimate aviator sunglasses guide, with all the worthiest iterations of the style right now.
Related Guides

Read more