A pair of gradient sunglasses is a great addition to your eyewear wardrobe. They offer protection against the sun’s glare and can enhance your overall style. But what, exactly, is the purpose of gradient lenses and why might they be a good choice for you?
Gradient lenses are generally designed with a dark tint on the top part of the lens that fades into a lighter or clear shade at the bottom. The dark tint blocks glare from the sun overhead while the minimally tinted bottom allows for better visibility to see what’s in front of you.
Basic-gradient lenses fade from top to bottom. But you can also opt for double-gradient lenses, which provide a dark tint on the top and bottom and a light tint in the center.
Those who spend a lot of time driving or in overhead sunlight often find great use in the duo-tone of gradient sunglasses. The combination of function, comfort, and glare protection often makes them an ideal choice for these activities and more.
Gradient lens sunglasses offer several benefits. The unique dark tint on top of the lens helps block overhead sunlight while the lighter-tinted bottom portion allows you to see your surroundings without the obstruction of a darker lens.
You can enjoy the following advantages in various situations:
Gradient sunglasses can also be useful to wear when driving during the day. The top portion blocks glare from the sun, while the lighter tint on the bottom allows you to see your dashboard, radio, gear shift, and other important details inside your car.
Additionally, gradient lenses are often ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. The lighter tint on the bottom allows you to see the ground and potential hazards, while the darker tint up top keeps the sun out of your eyes. Plus, you have better visibility to admire the beautiful nature scenes around you!
Sunglass lenses provide ultraviolet (UV) protection when a UV coating is present. However, gradient lenses don’t automatically have a UV coating. Choosing a pair of gradient sunglasses with UV protection can help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
There are dozens of sunglasses to choose from at FramesDirect — many of which have a gradient lens built in. The perfect pair for you depends on your personal style, budget, and lifestyle.
Think about when and where you’ll be wearing your sunglasses, what shades and patterns you like, or what style is most flattering to your face shape.
Need help deciding? Here are a few of our picks for some of the most popular gradient sunglasses today.
Men’s gradient sunglasses:
Women’s gradient sunglasses:
Popular gradient aviator sunglasses for men and women:
Knowing what sunglass lens features to shop for can be a challenge. What feature is best for blocking glare? How do you know what’s gradient and what’s polarized?
Unlike gradient lenses, polarized lenses have a special chemical laminate (or filter) to assist in glare protection. This laminate contains a vertical lined pattern, which protects against glare from the sun. How does this work? When sunlight hits surfaces like water, ice, or snow, the light beams reflect in a horizontal pattern. Horizontal lines don’t fit in the vertical pattern of the laminate, so the reflected beams are blocked.
Because of their ultimate protection against glare, polarized lenses are often ideal for snow sports, water sports, and other extra-bright environments. However, polarized sunglasses may not be so great when you’re in lower light or need to read an LCD screen (such as a phone screen or car dashboard).
Depending on your lifestyle, one of these types of lenses may be a better option than the other. Polarized lenses may be best for extremely bright circumstances, while gradient lenses can be a good choice when you need to read screens or see details before you.
Finding yourself in both situations? You can also get gradient polarized sunglasses and enjoy the best of both worlds. For optimal protection, be sure to select lenses with ultraviolet protection of 99% or more.