Yes, You Should Wear Sunglasses Year-Round. Even in the Winter
When you think about sliding on your favorite pair of sunglasses, you probably picture hot days on the beach, happy hour on a patio with friends, hitting the surf to see what you can catch...or maybe a little bit of all of the above.
It makes sense — sunshine and summer go hand in hand.
But hold up: just because the temp goes down when winter hits doesn’t mean the sun packs it in, too.
From the American southwest to the tip of Florida, the California coastline to the Rocky Mountains, there are plenty of places across the country that stay extra sunny, even in the depths of winter.
In these parts of the U.S., sunglasses are king year-round.
Plus, the sun is lower in the sky in the winter than it is in the summer, so its rays come at you from a different and sometimes more direct angle. And this can actually be more harmful to the health of your eye.
Even in areas like the Midwest where gray skies rule from December to February, there are still plenty of good reasons to rock your favorite pair of sunglasses all winter long.
Read on for 5 reasons sunglasses are a must, even in winter.
Sunglasses Shield Your Eyes from UV Rays
JoAnna Coffey sporting The Ashbury
Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun are coming at us all the time, even on cloudy winter days. While the clouds block a lot of the sun’s visible light, they don’t do much to keep UV rays at bay.
It turns out about 80% of the sun’s UV rays go right through clouds. So even on a cold winter day without a spot of blue sky in sight, you’re still being exposed to UV light.
If there’s snow on the ground, your exposure to UV rays is even worse. Snow reflects UV rays amplifying the harm this light can do to your eyes.
Without sunglasses, these UV rays can damage your cornea and eventually lead to macular degeneration or cataracts. Not cool.
Fortunately, you can out-style the bummer with a pair of UV-resistant sunglasses.
Sunglasses Block Out Blinding Glare from Snow and Ice
If you live in a snowy part of the country or have a ski trip planned for this winter, sunglasses are a must. Snow and ice reflect sunlight, making a sunny day an extra sunny day.
Without sunglasses, a sunny day in a snowy landscape is like staring into car headlights with the brights on. You’ll be squinting to see anything, which is no fun. It’s also dangerous, especially if you’re driving or bombing down the slopes.
With a quality pair of UV-blocking sunglasses, your vision will be clear and comfortable. For extra glare protection, go for a pair of polarized lenses.
Sunglasses Prevent Headaches
A bright sunny day in the winter will do more than make you squint. With enough eyestrain, you’ll end up with a headache. That’ll turn any winter wonderland into an abominable nightmare. No thank you.
Sunglasses will keep your eyes shielded from the bright light reflecting off the snow and ice, keeping you from having to strain your eyes and preventing you from getting a nasty headache.
Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes on Windy Winter Days
Winter usually means blustery, chilly days. If left unprotected, your eyes are totally defenseless to these winter winds.
The wind can blow dust and debris into your eyes and can cause a bad case of dry eye.
Given that winter air is already drier to begin with, your eyes are more likely to get dried out when you add a cold wind to the equation.
Sunglasses block the wind from hitting your eyes, keeping them safe from dust and dry air.
Sunglasses Bring Style to Any Look
This one’s obvious. We wouldn’t be in the sunglasses business if we didn’t care about style.
Just because the weather is cold doesn’t mean you can’t look hot. A stylish pair of shades adds flair to any winter getup, no matter how you spend the season.
All about the outdoors? We’ve got durable sports styles that can protect your eyes from the coast to the slopes.
And if you’re a city slicker, we got you, too. Our styles keep pace with urban fashions, keeping your vision protected and your style poppin’ all winter long.