A Buyer’s Guide for Prescription Sunglasses

The days are getting hotter and hotter—and we're getting closer to the middle of summer. We need to make sure we have a set of prescription sunglasses on hand to protect our eyes from UV rays and other harmful energies that could cause damage to our vision.

Regardless of your lifestyle, prescription sunglasses can help protect your eyes and make sure that you can see clearly no matter the circumstance – whether you need a pair of sunglasses for an adventure ride, or just to help the sun not give you a headache when you walk down the street, knowing what eye protection best fits your needs is important.

Guide to choosing a new pair of prescription sunglasses

Optimal Coverage

Always go for sunglasses that provide built-in UV protection and have large frames that cover a greater area of the face. Wraparound lenses are designed to cover even the sides of your head and block light from hitting your eyes from all angles. This is especially beneficial if you spend a lot of time on the streets or at the beach, where UV rays are especially intense.

Not only do Rec Specs frames provide a lightweight, comfortable fit, but they also have removable side shields and eyecups that give additional lateral coverage and cover gaps along the side of the frames to further block out any irritants from reaching your eyes. The better the seal around your eyes, the more sun protection you'll get.

Impact Protection

When you're out there exploring the great outdoors, you want to make sure your eyewear is up to the task. Rec Specs conform to ANSI Z87+ requirements for high-impact protection. It definitely makes a great choice for sunglasses and activities which require additional impact protection.

Purpose-built

Outdoor conditions change rapidly and unpredictably that is why you need a pair of sunglasses that can keep up.

Rec Specs frames come in full rim, semi-rim (Switch), and interchangeables. Full-rim is a great option if you like your prescription sunglasses to cover more of your face than other styles do; the semi-rim style is ideal if you don't want as much coverage but still want a bit of protection from the sun; and interchangeable lenses allow you to switch between clear lenses and tinted ones depending on what light conditions you're dealing with at any given moment.

Lens Technology

Non-polarized Tints

Tinting your glasses adds another dimension to your vision. They can be made to match the frame, or you can choose a lens color that will help you see everything in clear vibrancy. All Rec Specs sunglass lenses are tinted to cut down on overall brightness and enhance terrain definition.

Grey is the most common and offers true color perception and the highest level of light blockage. It's the best overall lens for general purpose use in bright conditions.

If you're looking for something that will help boost contrast and make it easier to see what's in front of you, amber is the way to go. It also works well if you have light sensitivity issues, as amber lenses have been shown to block certain wavelengths of light, which can help reduce the symptoms of migraines and other types of headaches.

Polarized Lenses

The choice to wear polarized or non-polarized sunglasses comes down to the wearer's needs.

If you're looking for a pair of sunglasses that will help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, polarized lenses are the way to go. They reduce glare by filtering out light that bounces off reflective surfaces like water, concrete, and snow. This is especially important if you plan on spending most of your time outdoors or nearwater. The best sunglasses for driving, biking, jogging, fishing and boating are polarized.

Non-polarized lenses have their benefits too: they don't transmit as much light so they don't strain your eyes, and they're a better fit for activities where you'll be moving through a lot of different light conditions—like when you're driving around town, reading, hiking or activities in which depth perception is key such as golfing and  mountain biking.

Coatings

If you're going to be in an outdoor environment where there's a chance that sweat could build up on your lenses—or if you plan on being outside when it's extremely hot or cold—we highly recommend adding an anti-fog coating onyour prescription sunglasses. This helps keep your lenses clear and prevents fogging that can occur when you're sweating or when they're exposed to extreme temperatures. If you're not using polarized lenses, we also recommend adding anti-reflective (AR) coating, which does the job of reducing glare from headlights, the road, and other reflective surfaces.

Rec Specs 2x2 ProCoat covers both as it has a double-sided, anti-reflective fast fog recovery coating with the base lens of your choice, that reduces glare outdoors while maximizing recovery for clear vision. This can be included with your Rec Specs prescription sunglasses upon purchase.

Finally, an anti-scratch coating can be added to help protect your lenses from scratches caused by daily wear and tear. 

Top Recommendations for Prescription Sunglasses

There are certainly a lot of options out there and we've done the work for you. Here are some of our best picks for prescription sunglasses.

Motorcycle Sunglasses

Pathfinder: From every day to road-ready sunglasses in seconds! This features a Switch® Lock and Load™magnetic eyecups for easy switching in varying conditions.  

If you’re looking for more sizes, try Stormrider for a smaller fit and Highlander for a larger fit. Check out our entire collection of sunglasses here.

Running Sunglasses

H-Wall Wrap: Take on any terrain with confidence and ease! This frame’s 8-base lenses prevent light leakage, so you can wear it all day long without worrying about your eyes being exposed to too much light. Customize this frame with single-vision, progressive or bifocal prescriptions.

You can also check Tenaya Lake which features the same level of protection from the sun at any angle.

Cycling Sunglasses

Avalanche Slide: Look fierce, bold, and confident in any condition. This frame features high-energy magnets embedded in the lens and frame allowing you to swap lenses quickly and easily as light conditions and activities change.

You can also check Lynx which features the same ability to adapt to changing light conditions in hi-def.

Fishing and Boating

Cruiser: Perfect choice for a day out on water. This frame is designed with soft, rubber nose pads and contoured temples with soft rubber touchpoints so you can wear it all day long. 

You can also check Full View or Throttle for the same confident styling and great coverage.

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. They should be an investment. You’re going to be wearing them for the long-term so it makes sense to get the best pair you can. Our Outfitters are here to help in case you’re unsure of what prescription sunglasses to get. Click here to start shopping or chat to our agents from the ‘chat’ icon.

You can also use our easy at-home try-on process to test out our prescription sunglasses from the comfort of your home. Click here to get started building your kit for FREE. Don’t forget – we also offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on your purchase!