Why Should I Wear Sunglasses in the Winter?
By Anna Barden
Should you wear sunglasses in winter? Yes.
Wearing your sunglasses during the winter is just as important as wearing them in the summertime. In some cases, it’s even more important to do so. From winter sports and activities to bright winter sunshine, we’ve compiled some of the most vital reasons to protect your eyes in the chillier season.
Winter sunglasses provide:
Protection from Harmful Ultraviolet (UV) Rays
While UV levels may go down in some places during the winter, UV damage can occur during any season. UV levels can also vary based on time of day, elevation, and cloud cover. So, in the mountains, the levels actually increase because of the higher altitudes. And if there is snow or ice for the sun to reflect off, you run the risk of doubling your overall UV exposure.
Whether or not you lead an active lifestyle, it’s important to wear sunglasses with proper UV protection year-round. You can be exposed to UV radiation during simple activities like driving, strolling through the park, or enjoying an outdoor celebration, no matter what season it is.
Sun Protection for Winter Sports
If you’re a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or other outdoor sports enthusiast, you know that performing in bright sunlight can be distracting and irritating. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can also be harmful to your vision, even during winter.
Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection as you enjoy the winter weather will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and help dim the sun’s harsh bright light. Ski goggles provide additional coverage and a seal to help protect your eyes from snowflakes, debris, and cold winds.
Prevention of Certain Eye Conditions
Several eye diseases and conditions are associated with prolonged UV exposure, which is why it’s so important to wear sunglasses with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection. These include:
- Snow blindness and other types of photokeratitis (sunburned eyes)
- Pterygia (surfer’s eye)
- Pinguecula
- Macular degeneration
- Cataracts
Some people also suffer from headaches due to the winter’s bright lights and glare. Sunglasses may be able to help with this too.
Best Colour Lens for Winter
Depending on your plans for the season, you may want to invest in a specific lens colour for your winter shades. Different hues may cater to different activities and lighting conditions:
Grey
Grey-tinted lenses are great for driving and other everyday activities. They help reduce glare, while also giving you a neutral look and feel. They can be worn on bright and dull days alike, which is helpful during colder months that may have a mixture of both settings.
Rose
Rose-coloured glasses are great for skiers because they support depth perception and enhance contrast for a sharper look at the details around you. They can also help keep your eyes feeling comfortable on bright winter days.
Violet or Blue
If you’re looking for enhanced colour perception, violet or blue lenses are for you. These lens tints help accentuate contrast so object outlines may appear sharper.
Best Sunglasses for Winter Sports & Activities
Winter sports involve a great deal of bright white snow and ice. Wearing sunglasses or ski goggles can help protect your eyes from UV rays and winter elements, like cold wind and snowflakes.
The best eyewear for these situations includes:
Snow Goggles
Wearing goggles on the slopes helps protect your eyes from winter elements like snow, cold wind, and debris. They also provide a larger field of vision. You may be able to get vision prescription inserts for your ski and snowboarding goggles, depending on the brand and model you select.
Snow Sunglasses
Sunglasses are another option for some winter sports and activities. They don’t offer as much coverage as goggles, or as secure a fit, so they may not be suitable for higher-velocity sports like skiing and snowboarding. Snow sunglasses are a better option for days with lots of visibility and little to no winter precipitation.
Whether you choose snow goggles or sunglasses, be sure to get lenses with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection. You may also want to consider the following features for optimal winter performance:
- Anti-fog lenses to keep your views crystal clear
- Wraparound frames for full coverage
- Impact-resistant lenses and frames in case you fall during a skiing adventure
- Lens tints made specifically for winter conditions
Polarised lenses in your goggles or sunglasses may be helpful when there’s a lot of glare coming off the snow, but they can make it difficult to see treacherous patches of ice. Keep this in mind before deciding if you want polarised winter shades.
Best Sunglasses for Winter Driving
Snowy and icy weather can greatly increase road hazards. Light reflects off of snow, causing more brightness and glare. Ice on roads can also cause drivers to lose control if they aren’t able to see it and avoid it.
These elements can be a challenge for even the most experienced drivers. But certain features of your sunglasses can improve visibility, reduce glare, and enhance the details around you so that you’re more prepared and safer on the road.
Experts consider grey and brown to be the best sunglasses tints for driving in snowy conditions. Some people find that rose-tinted lenses also improve their visibility on winter roads.
Polarised lenses reduce glare to give you a crisper, more detailed look at your surroundings. However, they can make it difficult to see dangerous patches of ice on the road, so you should not wear them in icy conditions. Safety is paramount. (This is important for skiing and snowboarding as well.)
Regardless of lens tint or type, any sunglasses you wear should have 100% UVA-UVB lens protection.
Other tips for driving in the winter include:
- Drive cautiously and slowly to manage your reaction time to road hazards.
- Keep your eyes moist by blinking regularly. You may also need to use artificial tears since your eyes can get dryer in the winter.
- Avoid using high-beam headlights (brights) on snowy days — they can increase glare and cause a visual obstruction for other drivers.
- Drive where you are comfortable driving. Snow can cover road signs and make it difficult to navigate.
- Replace your windscreen wiper blades as needed to accommodate heavy rain and snowfall.
At the end of the day (whether the day was bright or muggy), wearing sunglasses in winter is highly recommended. They can enhance colours, improve visibility, and protect your eyes from UV rays.
Some options, such as lens tints and certain add-on features, can make your experience even better as you participate in snow sports or more casual winter activities. If you’re unsure about the best winter sunglasses for you, ask your eye care professional for recommendations.
Sources
- Sunscreen in the winter? NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. January 2023.
- Sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays even in winter. All About Vision. January 2020.*
- Why different lens colors in sunglasses? All About Vision. June 2023.*
- Should I wear sunglasses or goggles for skiing and snowboarding? FramesDirect. Accessed November 2024.*
- The complete guide to road-ready vision. All About Vision. August 2021.*
The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.
*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision, FramesDirect, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.