Do I Need Polarized Sunglasses? A Simple Buying Guide

Do I need polarized sunglasses? Congratulations if you're asking this question—you live on the edge of coolness and take your eyesight seriously. Traditional sunglasses are all bark and no bite—they may look cool but offer poor eye protection from glare. 

Whether engaging in outdoor activities or commuting to work, glare can be bothersome, even dangerous. Polarized lenses help eliminate glare and the danger it poses to let you enjoy clear vision. 

But what exactly are polarized sunglasses, and why are they the ultimate eye protection accessory for a sun-soaked lifestyle?

Understanding Polarization

Without getting into the physics of it, it's essential to understand the mechanics of light. Light is fascinating—it travels in waves and vibrates—scientists call it wave-particle duality. Ordinary light, such as sunlight, is unpolarized, and its waves travel in multiple directions—vertical, horizontal, and any angle in between.  

When unpolarized light bounces off a nonmetallic surface, such as snow, water, or asphalt roadways, it undergoes polarization and vibrates in one direction. With polarized light, the waves vibrate horizontally, parallel to the reflecting surface, creating a glare.

Unlike regular shades, polarized glasses block out the polarized light. They feature special filters that only let in the vertical wave light waves. They protect your eyes from the harsh glare by keeping out the horizontal light waves.

Pros of Polarized Sunglasses

Whether going for a drive, sunning on the beach, or hitting the slopes, polarized glasses are the ultimate flex for your eyes. 

• Reduced Glare: Polarized glasses inject a sense of class and style into your sunny escapades by shielding your eyes from harsh glare. You can step out confidently, nose upturned against glare, the ultimate buzzkill. Besides causing you to squint and look basic, glare can ruin your vibe by saddling you with killer headaches. Grab a pair of polarized sunglasses and experience the world with a 4K-esque vision anytime, anywhere.
  
  
• Reduced Eye Strain: Since eye strain is legit, polarized sunglasses are all about providing eye comfort. They'll give your eyes some much-needed relief so you can slay your outdoor activities. Without proper protection, you'll squint to see in bright outdoor conditions. 
  
  While squinting isn't inherently dangerous and won't harm your eyes, it causes eye strain. You'll likely experience blurred vision, and your eyes may become dry or watery. Worse still, the prolonged contraction of your facial muscles may reward you with a splitting headache.
  
  
• Clearer Vision: Polarized sunglasses let you live your best life by making everything pop. They are the equivalent of an HD vision upgrade. The lenses boost color contrasts, increase sharpness, and minimize color distortion to ensure crystal-clear vision. Improved visual clarity is essential when shredding the slopes.
  
  The blindingly bright conditions can almost whiteout everything, including obstacles that may lead to a wipeout. Not cool. Polarized shades eliminate glare and ensure accurate color perception for a smoother run.
  
  
• Lets You See Underwater: Water is a glare's best friend. Water bodies multiply glare by giving the light a wobbly, polarizing surface. The resulting glare burns through your eyes like a lightning bolt, turning your sun-drenched expedition into a painful ordeal.
  
  Polarized sunglasses let you see underwater like a boss, whether you're into water sports, open water fishing, or prefer the more adventurous ice fishing. They'll cut through the glare and distortions to give you a clear view of what lies below the water's surface.
  
  
• Style Points, Anyone? You certainly can't forget about style. These sunnies are not only functional but also super stylish. They're available in all the rad colors—pink, black, yellow, brown, and blue—to match your freshest outfits. Rocking these shades will level up your style game while protecting your precious eyesight.

Cons of Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses have drawbacks, but they pale in comparison to their benefits.

• Screen Time Struggles: These bad boys aren't ideal when trying to get some screen time. Polarized lenses interfere with some digital screens. The polarization filter may create a rainbow effect on LCDs and cause car dashboards and smartphone screens to appear distorted or darker.
  
  
• Reduced Visibility: Polarized lenses aren't ideal for low-light environments. It's tempting to rock your killer shades indoors, but they're suitable for bright daylight conditions. Visibility is often poor in low-light conditions, including dusk or dawn.

When Its Best to Have Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized glasses are an essential component during lit moments such as:

• Outdoor Adventures: Whether carving a slope, flexing on a boat, fishing, or hiking, polarized sunglasses are your go-to outdoor accessory. They'll give you clearer vision while keeping glare from messing with your eyes. 
  
  
• Driving: Polarized sunglasses let you cruise in style when driving on hot sunny days or working through heavy night traffic. Polarized lenses reduce the glare to ensure a smooth driving experience. No more begging oncoming drivers to dim their lights. 
  
  
• Beach and water fun: Glare can be blinding whether you're lounging on the beach or exploring the open waters. Wrapping these bad boys around your head lets you spend more time on the sparkling waters. You can even peer under the water and discover a world teeming with marine life. 
  
  
• Snowy Vibes: Polarized glasses are a must-have when hitting the slopes or venturing out in snowy conditions. The polarized lenses will give you HD vision while protecting your eyes from snow blindness.

5 Top Polarized Sunglasses Options

At Pop Shady, we're all about style and eye protection. Here are our top 5 recommendations to anyone wondering, "do I need polarized sunglasses?"

• Keanu Polarized Sunglasses 
  The Keanu polarized sunglasses epitomize style and attitude for the sporty and fashion-forward peeps. They're available in three sick colors—matte black, tortoise, and glossy black—so you can pick the pair that matches your vibe. They blend beauty and functionality to let you step out in style.
  
  Sick metallic accents on the temples and sleep and sporty aesthetics make them real head-turners. But it's not just about looks. These polarized shades are built to last—they'll handle everything you throw at them, no problem.
  
  

• Sunday Polarized Sunglasses

  The Sunday polarized shades boast mirror-tinted lenses and a matching matte frame designed for style and performance. They're sleek and trendy to help you capture that fashionable look. Whether snapping pics for the 'gram or chilling with your crew, these shades add extra swag to your outfit. 

  The sunnies are also perfect if you lead an active lifestyle. Whether you're hitting the beach, showing off your golf swing, or going fishing, these shades got you covered. They'll enhance your performance while protecting your eyes, bringing extra style to your outdoor adventures.
  
  

• Micher Polarized Sunglasses

  These polarized hexagonal hotties are all about a sleek and minimalist vibe to help you make a bold statement. With their mid-sized frames, these sunnies boast a timeless classic look. Have your pick from a trio of tasty metallic colors—gold, silver, and black—and see the world in a new light while protecting your eyes. 

  You can unleash your inner fashion rebel. Whether you're going for a classic, sophisticated look or wish to unleash your inner fashion rebel, these polarized shades will match your vibe.
  
  

• Aluna Polarized Sunglasses

  It doesn't get better than the Aluna polarized sunglasses when looking for a simple, timeless vibe. These dope sunnies feature an elegant hexagonal shape and timeless metal wire design. Featuring three dope wireframes, you can choose a bougie gold vibe, a futuristic silver look, or keep it cool with a classic black. 

  The lightweight design delivers ultimate comfort—no ear discomfort or nose pinching. They'll be wrapped around your noggin but are barely noticeable except for the improved visual clarity. 
  
  

• BLVD Polarized City Sunglasses

  Elevate your daily look with a sleek and stylish vibe as you navigate the urban jungle with BLVD polarized sunnies. Have your pick from three killer frame options—tortoise, glossy black, or matte black—and rock a minimalist look that complements your urban lifestyle. 

  Optimized for visual comfort and protection, these sunglasses are the ultimate fashion statement—they'll never go out of style. You can rock these on-trend sunglasses year-round for eye protection and crystal-clear vision. 

Are you ready to elevate your sunny escapades while affording your eyes the best-in-class glare protection? Grab a pair of polarized sunglasses today! 

Need more than one pair? No problem. Buy 2, get 1 Free with code SHADYTRIO