Whether you have taken up a new hobby during lockdown, or have always been quite active, you may find that your normal prescription glasses aren’t suitable for your outdoor sports, and you need an alternative.

Sports eyewear is an accepted part of everyday life, providing protection and clear vision at the same time, however choosing the best eyewear for your sport can be just as hard as choosing a new pair of prescription spectacles.

It is important to ensure that the sports eyewear you choose fits securely and comfortably as well as offering suitable protection from the elements and other potential damage such as dirt and debris. Even if you have 20/20 vision, we will still recommend buying sports eyewear to reduce glare, optimise your vision and protect your eyes.

The sports eyewear you choose will vary depending on the sport you require it for. Here are our top choices for a variety of sports:

Cycling & Running

Wrap around glasses offer the best protection for your eyes from all angles, preventing dirt from reaching the eye. A small frame may be more suitable to ensure it fits under the helmet and rubber sides and nose pads will keep the glasses in place, meaning they wont slip when they become damp, or the rider gets sweaty. Cyclists will often prefer a photochromic lens that will change darkness for their different environment.

For running one of the key purchasing points is that the glasses will stay in place, and not be restrictive, with the sides and bridge fitting well without feeling too tight. Lenses that block UV are a must, with runners opting for polarised lenses to reduce glare, enhancing colour, and keeping eye strain at bay.

Field Sports

Field sports such as football and Rugby are not only physically exerting but can also be quite rough and result in eye injuries. When choosing eyewear for contact sports it is important to ensure the frame is made from impact resistant plastic or polycarbonate and offer good protection from all angles. The frame should be well padded to cushion any impact and ensure the frame does not cause any damage to the face. Ideally the frame should be secured by an elastic band around the back of the head so it doesn’t fall off and rubberised sides and nose pads will keep the frame in place on the face. Polycarbonate lenses are also recommended as these are very strong, lightweight, and thin, and won’t shatter on impact.

Snow Sports

Protective eyewear for snow sports is incredibly important as your eyes need protecting from UV. Snow reflects visible light and UV, increasing overall brightness and exposure to harmful UV radiation. Eyewear for skiing and snow boarding is usually a pair of protective goggles, many of these can be fitted with prescription inserts inside the goggles. Different coloured lenses can help with different conditions for example grey lenses are great for all weather use, brown, amber, and rose lenses enhance contrast against a white background and yellow filters out blue light to enhance your perception of shadows. Whilst polarised lenses are the best choice for reducing glare reflected off the snow, they can make it more difficult to distinguish ice from snow.

Water Sports

Eyewear for water sports is important for protecting your eyes, but normal sunglasses won’t do the job. Firstly when you are on the water the sun and UV is being reflected, so it is vital you can see clearly without being distracted by glare. Polarised lenses will counteract the glare created by these reflections and are perfect for sailing. A wraparound design will prevent the sun and glare reaching your eyes, a thicker side is recommended for maximum protection at the side of the eye. The fit is also crucial as you do not want to lose your sunglasses when you’re out on the water. A snug fitting bridge and sides will help keep your glasses in place, and you can use a band across the back for extra security.

For more information about sports eyewear, or finding the perfect pair for you contact your local Bush Opticians today.