Kit & Gear

What to Look for in Running Sunglasses

We all know that running is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health but spending more time outdoors can also mean added exposure to harmful UV rays, even on cloudier days. This is where a good pair of running sunglasses comes in, both to provide added UV protection, but also to reduce the discomfort caused by glare and to shield the eyes from bugs, dust and other debris for a more comfortable run.

Here’s what to look for in your perfect pair;

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Pictured: Higher State Full Frame Run Sunglasses (Product ref: HST1935)

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MAXIMISE UV PROTECTION

Over exposure to UV light is a leading cause of eye damage, affecting both our vision and general ocular health, as well as increasing our risk of developing eye conditions and diseases such as cataracts and even cancer. That makes ensuring maximum UV protection your number one priority.

As a minimum your sunglasses should offer full and guaranteed UV protection. Sunglasses with lenses certified to UV400 provide 100% protection from both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Always opt for a Category 3 lens when choosing sunglasses for running.

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CONSIDER TINT TO HELP REDUCE GLARE

Once you’ve established that the lenses are certified to UV-400, you can consider your preferred tint. The tint of your sunglasses can help to reduce glare, but this isn’t necessarily a matter of automatically choosing the darkest colour to deliver the best protection – you should also consider colour distortion and contrast and how this can affect your run. Yellow, orange, rose, brown, grey and amber tinted lenses are generally considered to be good options for running – amber is particularly good for trail running.

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Pictured: Higher State Full Frame Run Sunglasses (Product refs: HST1933 & HST1936)

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POLARISED OR NON POLARISED

Polarised lenses have a filter which blocks intense reflected light. In practice that means reduced glare from the road, cars and other surfaces, delivering a more focused and comfortable run in bright sunlight. Bear in mind however that polarised lenses are not beneficial in low light conditions. They can also make it trickier to identify surface variations and imperfections, a no-no for trail runners, especially in variable light conditions.

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CONSIDER WHICH FRAME DESIGN IS BEST FOR YOUR NEEDS

It goes without saying that the frame should be light and sit comfortably and securely without unwanted pressure. A wrap-around design delivers better overall protection from both stray UV light and any debris you might encounter on your run such as mud, grit, insects and weather elements.

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CHECK THE SAFETY STANDARDS KITEMARK

Always check for the CE label on the inner side of the temples to ensure that your sunglasses correspond with EU safety standards. A darker tint doesn’t automatically mean the sunglasses offer more protection and this label is the quickest and easiest way to find out whether the sunglasses offer the minimum protection level you need to keep your eyes safe from UV rays while running.

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Pictured: Higher State Full Frame Run Sunglasses (Product ref: HST1935)

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WHICH SUNGLASSES ARE BEST TO WEAR FOR RUNNING?

Higher State sunglasses are the perfect companion for the spring and summer months and guarantee you will always look stylish when running or hiking.

With a range of different styles and colours available, the question is which pair will you choose? Find your Higher State now!

SHOP THE FULL RANGE OF HIGHER STATE RUN SUNGLASSES NOW

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