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Explore our collection of authentic designer sunglasses to find an impressive array of frames styles available with gradient lens tints; choose from popular brands, including Ray-Ban, Prada, Persol, and others. Sunglasses with gradient lenses make a bold fashion statement while offering the versatility for a clear viewing field in any light conditions. Shop our selection of gradient lens sunglasses and discover the perfect pair.
Gradient sunglasses have lenses that darken by degree—the tint deepens gradually through the lens. Typically, gradient lenses are tinted from the top down, with the darkest portion protecting your eyes most if you look up when the sun is overhead. Gradient lens tints for sunglasses offer style and utility, performing well in scenarios where you're moving from indoors to outdoors—popping into and out of stores in an open-air mall, for example. You can keep on wearing your gradient-tinted sunglasses, looking through the lower, lighter portion while you shop and the upper, darker portion when you head back outside.
One of the most popular uses for gradient sunglasses is driving, as the darker upper half of the lens shields your eyes from the sun, but the lighter lower portion makes it easier to see your dashboard (or to adjust your radio without removing your sunglasses). Gradient lenses work well for pilots for the same reason, making it easier to look back and forth between the skies ahead and the instrument panel.
Another popular use for sunglasses with a gradient lens tint is for hiking. While they protect your eyes from the sun filtering through the trees, they also allow you to clearly see the tripping hazards at your feet. Athletes that participate in fast-moving outdoor sports, like skiing, snowboarding, and downhill mountain biking, favor sunglasses with gradient lenses for the same reason.
Yes! You can find gradient lenses in the color best suited to certain light conditions. For example, a brown or grey gradient is best suited to sunny days, while a blue or yellow gradient can help you see better on foggy days. Gradient lens tints do not have to be for utility only–you can make a bold fashion statement by coordinating the tint of your lenses with the frames, picking up an accent color, or precisely matching the lens tint to the color of your frames. Rose, aqua, lavender, and olive are all popular fashion tints.
Gradient and polarized lenses are two different sunglass lens features that help filter light in different ways. Polarized lenses are designed to block glare while gradient lenses won’t block glare on their own, but offer different tints for different light conditions within the same lens. While some gradient lenses come with or can have polarization added to them, most polarized lenses do not have a gradient tint.
In sports goggles and sunglasses from companies like Oakley, Nike, Costa, and Wiley X, you will often find frames that feature lenses with the option for both polarization and a gradient. This is to help the wearer maintain clear vision and optimal contrast as they spend hours outdoors in changing light.
Yes! Most gradient lenses can have a prescription added to the lenses as well. If you have concerns about ordering prescription lenses, FramesDirect.com has plenty of resources to make the process easy. Buying glasses online can be less expensive and simpler than visiting your local optician. Contact one of our experienced opticians if you have any questions about gradient-tinted sunglasses, prescription lenses, polarized lenses, or any other specialty coatings we offer for your shades.
If you're interested in experimenting with gradient lenses, explore the array of lens options with some of these top-selling frames: