If you have ever done a North America two-season weekend, which’s when you are at a lake on Saturday and in the mountain snow on Sunday you already know the truth about polarized lenses.
Water glare and snow glare are not the kind of problem.
Water glare is like looking at a mirror that takes away all the details.
Snow glare is like the whole world is extremely bright and it can catch you off guard fast especially when you are at a high elevation or when the winter sun is low in the sky.
This guide I am going to do two things for you.
I will give you a guide to help you choose polarized lenses that actually work for lakes and beaches and ski trips and winter driving in the USA and Canada.
I will also show you how I shop for lenses so you do not waste your money on the wrong pair. So you know when polarized lenses can actually cause problems.
It is very important to note that this is not advice.
If you have eye problems or concerns about your vision you should follow the advice of your eye doctor.
The important thing for safety is to have 100 percent UV protection.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that polarized lenses can reduce glare. They do not automatically protect you from UV rays so you have to make sure they block UV rays separately.
Here is a quick guide to help you shop for polarized lenses.
The things you must have are
- 100 percent UVA and UVB protection, which is also called UV400 protection and you need to check the label to make sure.
- Polarized lenses if you are going to be around water or snow or roads that cause glare.
- A bigger fit that blocks light from the sides and top in the snow.
The best color for your lenses depends on what you’re doing.
If you only have one pair of lenses for traveling, brown or amber is a choice because it works well in many different situations.
If you are going to be on the water, gray or gray-green lenses are good because they reduce the brightness and help you see colors.
If you are going to be in the snow, brown or copper lenses are good because they help you see contrasts and depths.
There are two things that people who are new to lenses do not expect.
- One is that some phone and GPS and dash screens can go dark when you are wearing polarized lenses. You can fix this by rotating the screen.
- The other is that polarized lenses are not good, for driving at night because they can make it harder to see in light.
Water glare versus snow glare: why your eyes have different reactions
Water glare feels like a mirror because it is so smooth and flat. Glare is basically light that bounces off something. Into your eyes at a bad angle. Water makes glare worse because it is often a surface.
Harvard Health says that polarized sunglasses help reduce glare from light that reflects off surfaces like roads and bodies of water.
Snow glare can be really bad and even dangerous.
It is like a problem:
- You get light that bounces back at you which is why people get something called “snow blindness“. The AAO says that snow blindness is when your eyes get hurt from light that reflects off snow and ice.
- If you are at an altitude you will get even more ultraviolet light. The World Health Organization says that for every thousand meters you go up the ultraviolet light gets ten percent stronger.
So sunglasses that are fine at the beach might not be good enough when you are skiing.
What polarized lenses can do and what they cannot do
Polarized lenses are good at reducing glare and making your eyes feel better. They can also help you see clearly when it is sunny. The AAO says that polarized lenses help reduce glare and make it safer to be outside when it is bright.
The Cleveland Clinic says that polarized lenses help reduce glare from things like water, roads and snow which’s really helpful when you are driving or boating.
However polarized lenses do not automatically protect your eyes from light. The AAO says that polarized lenses only reduce glare and they will not block light unless they are made to do so.
My rule when I am buying sunglasses is to make sure they protect my eyes from ultraviolet light and then I choose the polarization and color based on what I will be doing.
My ten minute test to make sure I do not waste money
When I am buying sunglasses I do not just read what the manufacturer says. I do some tests to see if they will annoy me later.
1. The screen test
I look at my phone through the sunglasses. If the screen looks weird or dark I turn my phone sideways.
This is important because I use my phone for things like GPS and maps when I am traveling.
2. The glare test
- I hold the sunglasses at an angle to something like a car or a window.
- If the sunglasses are really polarized they should make the glare less harsh.
3. The fit test
- I put the sunglasses on and move my head around to see if they stay in place.
- I look down to see if they will fall off I turn my head quickly to see if they shift and I check to see if light gets in from the sides.
The Cleveland Clinic says that sunglasses that cover more of your face are better at protecting your eyes from light.
4. The use case test
I ask myself where I will be using the sunglasses.
Will I be, at the beach. Will I be driving in the winter?
This helps me decide if I need one pair of sunglasses that can do everything or if I need two pairs.
Lens color cheat sheet for travel in the USA and Canada
I see a lot of lists that talk about the sunglasses but they always focus on the brand. The truth is that the color of the lens and how it fits on your face are way more important than the logo on the side.
If I am going to be on the water or at the beach when the sun is really bright I like to wear gray lenses. They are my favorite because they
- make the brightness not so strong
- keep the colors looking natural
- are easy to wear for a time
I do not like to wear gray lenses when it is really shady or when it is late in the day and the sun is behind clouds. I also do not like them when I am driving in the woods because it can feel too dark.
Brown or amber lenses are a choice if you want one pair of sunglasses that you can wear for everything. They are good for
- driving
- being outside when you are traveling
- when the light is changing a lot
- when you are in the water in the summer or in the snow in the winter
Brown or amber lenses help make things stand out more when the light is really strong. This is really helpful when you are trying to see the road or the terrain.
If you do not like the way brown lenses look but you still want something that’s comfortable you might like green or gray-green lenses. They are a middle ground because they
- are balanced
- are nice for being outside
- work well when it is bright
Copper or rose lenses are really good for when you are in the snow. They help you see the texture of the snow better.
Yellow or light amber lenses are only good for when it’s not very bright outside. They can make things look brighter when it is cloudy. They are not good for when the sun is really strong.
There are some things that’re more important than you think when you are choosing sunglasses.
- How well they cover your eyes and wrap around your face is really important especially when you are in the snow. This helps keep the light from getting in from the sides.
- The material that the lenses are made of is also important. Polycarbonate is a choice because it is strong and lightweight.
Cloudfield says that they use polycarbonate polarized lenses that’re highly impact-resistant and block all of the UV rays. They also help reduce glare.
- How comfortable the sunglasses are is really important. If they slide down your nose you will not wear them. For water and snow I think it is really important to have
- a nose fit that is stable
- temples that are
- sunglasses that are not too heavy
There are some times when polarized lenses are not the best choice.
- When you are looking at screens or dashboards. Polarized lenses can make it hard to read some displays. If you use GPS a lot when you are traveling you should try this out before you buy the sunglasses.
- When you are driving at night. Polarized lenses are only good for during the day. When it is dark you need to be able to see much as possible.
- When you are doing some snow sports. Some people who ski or snowboard like to be able to see the glare because it helps them see patches.
My thought on this is that polarized lenses are great for sunny days in the snow.. When it is flat and there is not much light you might want to have a special lens or goggle that is just for snow.
If you only want to carry one pair of sunglasses I think you should get amber polarized lenses that block all of the UV rays. They are a choice for
- road trips
- hiking
- when it is sunny and cloudy
- when you are in the water or snow
If you are okay with carrying two pairs of sunglasses I think you should get one pair for water and one pair for snow or, for when the light is changing a lot.
Pair 1 (Water): gray-green polarized
Pair 2 (Snow/variable): brown or copper polarized
This way you will not have to worry about your sunglasses not being quite right.
I am going to review the Cloudfield bamboo polarized sunglasses from a travel and outdoor perspective.
Cloudfield is a company that sells sunglasses made of bamboo which are designed for people who love spending time outside. On their website they talk about how their sunglasses have lenses that help reduce glare and protect your eyes from the sun.
I want to know some details about these sunglasses like what the lenses are made of if they can protect my eyes from the sun if they are durable and what comes with them.
The Cloudfield website answers some of these questions. For example they say that their sunglasses are very light and can even float in water, which’s great for people who like to go boating or kayaking. They also say that their lenses are made of a material that helps reduce glare and block out the suns rays.
When you buy a pair of Cloudfield sunglasses you also get a case, a pouch and a cleaning cloth, which is exactly what I need when I travel.
- They also have a guarantee that says you can return the sunglasses within 30 days if you do not like them.
- They have a special warranty that you can activate to get your sunglasses fixed if they break within a year.
However there are some things you should know before you buy Cloudfield sunglasses. For example you cannot replace the lenses if they break. They do not make prescription lenses.
So who are Cloudfield sunglasses for?
They are for people who like to spend time like going to the lake or the beach or taking road trips. They are also for people who want sunglasses that’re light and can block out the suns rays.
My opinion is that Cloudfield sunglasses are a choice if you want a simple pair of polarized sunglasses that are made of bamboo. They have all the features, like polarization, UV protection and a guarantee.
To make your sunglasses last longer you should take care of them. Do not leave them in a car because the heat can warp the frames. If you get them wet rinse them gently. Dry them with a soft cloth. Use the cleaning cloth that comes with the sunglasses and store them in the hard case when you are not using them.
conclusion
I think that Cloudfield sunglasses are a choice for people who want a simple and practical pair of polarized sunglasses for outdoor travel. Just remember to take care of them. They will last longer.
The important thing is to think about what you need in a pair of sunglasses. Do you want protection from the sun? Do you want to be able to see comfortably? If so then Cloudfield sunglasses might be a choice, for you.
