We're in the middle of winter, and the weather has been relatively cold recently. But that doesn't mean the sun isn't shining and you don't need to dig out your sunglasses. Mymonture reveals all the secrets of sunglasses frames.
What context for your sunglasses?
paul & Joe frames
Before you decide on the frame that's going to make you fall in love with it, you first need to ask yourself the question: "For what uses should I reserve my future sunglasses?". Urban casual or sporty ? Sunglasses all have the same primary purpose, but the shapes differ according to use. For a classic, formal sunglass frame, the style of the frame will depend on face shape. This doesn't mean, however, that the frame won't protect you from the sun. We'll come back to the different categories of sunglass protection later.
oakley frames
When it comes to sports glasses, whether for cycling, boating or running, the first choice is a curved frame that hugs the shape of the face for maximum comfort. In the sports sunglasses category, the best brands are undoubtedly Oakley and Julbo, which produce models for a myriad of sports, and Vuarnet, which has made a name for itself with its glacier sunglasses, perfect for mountaineering thanks to their side protection.
vuarnet glacier frame
How to choose sunglasses?
As you'd expect, there are many different tints of sunglasses, each better suited to different situations. Generally speaking short-sighted people feel more at ease with brown or green lenses, while those with hypermetropes will feel they have better vision with grey lenses.
Another important point concerning sunglasses is to always make sure that the lenses are certified by the European CE standard, i.e. that they bear the words "100% UV400", which indicates complete filtration of ultra-violet rays.
Now let's turn to the tint intensity of sunglasses, another important parameter to consider when choosing your next pair of glasses. There are a total of 5 categories, from 0 to 4, which are darker or darker, and therefore offer greater or lesser protection against glare.
Category 0: These are light-colored lenses with a very slight tint, often intended for formal wear only. They filter from 0 to 19% of solar luminosity. These lenses do not provide effective protection against ultraviolet radiation when exposed to bright sunlight.
Category 1: These lenses are lightly tinted, filtering out between 20% and 57% of the sun's rays. These lenses are particularly useful for reduced sunlight levels, in winter for example, or on gray days.
Category 2: Category 2 lenses filter out between 58% and 82% of light, making them highly effective in mid-season, for example, when the sun shines moderately.
Category 3: Category 3 lenses are generally the most widely used for sunglasses. They filter out between 83% and 92% of the sun's rays, providing excellent protection against sunlight and glare. They are recommended for all summer activities and driving in sunny weather.
Category 4: This is the most powerful filter, blocking up to 97% of light. It is generally used in very sunny conditions, such as winter sports (because of the annoying reflection of light on snow and ice). It is, however, prohibited for driving.
There are also mirror-effect lenses, generally applied to category 4 lenses, which are particularly well-suited to the mountains, attenuating glare and reverberation.
Polarized lenses are also available, and you can find out more about them in our article on different lens coatings.
Whether for the most demanding sports or to complete a look, mymonture offers a range of sunglasses that will delight every one of our customers.
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