Running is one of the best activities we can do for our physical and mental health, but spending more time outdoors can also mean more exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, even on cloudy days. For this reason, it’s important to have good running sunglasses, both to provide increased ultraviolet protection, to reduce the discomfort caused by glare, and to protect your eyes from insects and dust during your run. Here’s what to look for in the perfect pair of sunglasses.
MAXIMIZES ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION
Overexposure to ultraviolet light is one of the leading causes of eye damage, affecting both our vision and eye health, as well as increasing the risk of developing eye diseases and disorders such as cataracts and even cancer. This makes good UV protection your number one priority.
Your sunglasses should offer full ultraviolet protection. Sunglasses with UV400 certified lenses provide 100% protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Always choose a category 3 lens when it comes to running sunglasses.
TINTING HELPS TO REDUCE GLARE
Once you have verified that the lenses are UV400 certified, you can choose the tint you prefer. Tinting sunglasses can help reduce glare, but it’s not necessarily a matter of selecting the darkest color to offer the best protection; you should also consider color distortion and contrast, and how it may affect your running. Yellow, orange, pink, pink, brown, gray and amber tinted lenses are generally considered good choices for running. Amber is especially suitable for trail running.
POLARIZED OR NON-POLARIZED
Polarized lenses have a filter that blocks intense reflected light. This means they reduce glare from the road, cars and other surfaces, providing a more focused and comfortable ride in bright sunlight. Note, however, that polarized lenses are not beneficial in low light conditions. They can also make it more difficult to identify surface variations and imperfections. This type of eyewear is not advisable for trail runners, especially in changing light conditions.
CONSIDER WHICH FRAME DESIGN IS BEST FOR YOUR NEEDS
It goes without saying that the frame should be lightweight, sit comfortably and securely but without undue pressure. A wrap-around frame design offers better protection from UV rays from the sides and from debris you encounter during the race, such as mud, sand, insects and wind or rain.
CHECKS SAFETY STANDARDS
Always check the CE label on the inside of the temples to ensure that the sunglasses conform to EU safety standards. A darker tint does not necessarily mean the sunglasses offer more protection and this label is the quickest and easiest way to find out if the sunglasses offer the minimum level of protection you need to keep your eyes protected from UV rays while running.
If you’ve seen the sunglasses shown on our website and you’re not sure which sunglasses are right for you, here’s a list of the different models you can choose from for running. Remember that all our sunglasses have certified lenses with UV400 protection.
SUNGLASSES FOR ROAD RUNNING
For road running, sunglasses with wrap-around frames are ideal. They offer the best side-to-side coverage, protecting you from the weather elements, loose materials and reflected light on the pavement while keeping you moving. Depending on the time of day you run, you’ll need to choose polarized lenses.
TRAIL RUNNING SUNGLASSES
When you are on the trail, the brown and pink tinted lenses enhance depth perception and help you distinguish the green and brown colors of the trail.
RUNNING OR LIGHT JOGGING WITH SUNGLASSES
If you only need sunglasses for your regular workout routine, you need a frame that is comfortable and lightweight, but also versatile to wear for any occasion.
In this case, Niznikova Neon are the perfect glasses for you, because they all have polarized lenses so you can wear them on your way to the gym, on your run and other activities.
NEON NIZNIKOVA
- Versatile frame with fashionable design
- Scratch-resistant coating
Once you have the perfect sunglasses for running, be sure to equip yourself with everything you need.