Are Polarized Sunglasses Worth It?

In a word: Yep.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s understandable to be skeptical of upgrades — many of them are unnecessary luxuries only meant to increase sticker price. However, when shopping for sunglasses, there’s a reason that polarized lenses are such a popular choice. And trust us: once you live the no-glare life, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to make the switch.

But before you pledge your allegiance to Team Polarized, let’s break it down and get the facts straight.

What are polarized sunglasses?

Not to be confused with tinted sunglasses, the process of polarizing lenses involves applying a coating that filters light. It works by blocking all horizontal light and only letting in vertical light — almost like window blinds for your eyes. By blocking some, but not all of the light, polarized sunglasses minimize glare and allow you to see more clearly in bright sun.

What are the benefits of polarized sunglasses?

While the actual view through your sunglasses may be a bit darker — not unlike how it would be in non-polarized sunglasses — the objects you see will be sharper. Polarized lenses also provide better color contrast and reduce distortion of colors, which is a common complaint for other types of sunglasses.  

This not only allows you to have better, more accurate vision for outdoor activities, but it puts less strain on your eyes. If you’ve never worn polarized sunglasses before, you might be surprised to discover how often you still squint and battle glare, even when you’re wearing regular sunglasses. This not only reduces vision quality, but can tire out your eyes.

When should you wear polarized sunglasses?

Any time you’d already wear sunglasses! While many people sing the praises of the polarized lifestyle during activities like fishing and golfing, it’s always a good time to reduce glare and give your eyes a break. You’ll be more likely to notice the difference in high glare scenarios – like on the water, on the ski slopes, or on the open road – but polarized sunglasses also provide the same benefits in everyday life.

So, let’s return to our title question: Are polarized sunglasses worth it?

Well, that depends. How much do you like seeing clearly?

Live the no-glare life.