Sunglasses are above all a protective accessory against UV rays but also an essential fashion accessory!
Our choices are often based on the aesthetic aspect before the functional aspect of the pair of glasses.
In this article, we will give you the elements to take into account in order to choose THE pair of protective and stylish glasses according to your sporting activities.
The different protection indices
CATEGORY 1
Category 1 lenses are lightly tinted and are ideal in situations of reduced sunlight such as in winter or in very gray weather in summer. They allow between 43 and 80% of visible light to pass through.
CATEGORY 3
Category 3 lenses effectively protect you against radiation in sunny weather. They allow between 8 and 18% of visible light to pass through. They offer you optimal optical quality for vision comfort adapted at all times, for sport or in the city.
CATEGORY 4
These are heavily tinted glasses to allow only between 3 and 8% of visible light to penetrate. These lenses are recommended for outdoor activities exposed to strong light: skiing, mountaineering, water sports, etc. They are also intended for young children to ensure maximum protection.
Lens Technologies
The photochromic
Photochromic lenses adapt to the intensity of the sun's rays. They evolve from category 1 to category 3 to offer you perfect visibility when the weather changes or you go from shadow to light. Their polycarbonate structure makes them light and resistant for perfect suitability for the practice of demanding sports such as skiing, cycling, trail running or running.
The polarized
Polarized lenses filter rays to eliminate the sensation of dazzling and intensify contrasts to offer you enhanced vision quality even in strong light. They are equipped with a polarizing filter inserted in the screen between 2 layers of acrylic, for maximum durability over time. Polarized lenses are equally well suited to sports requiring precise vision of terrain such as mountain biking or trail running, as well as to everyday use.
High Contrast
HIGH CONTRAST lenses improve the definition and natural recognition of colors while ensuring high protection even in bright light.
Glasses according to your sporting activity
Mountain sports:
For mountain sports, you should choose cat.4 or photochromic cat.2 to 4 glasses, with an enveloping and covering frame for good protection. These glasses are often equipped with a grip on the nose and temples so that they hold well on the face. Among the models Cairn, you can find NORTH, CHASE and TRAX Mountain glasses.
Cycling, hiking and running:
Whatever your practice, you need a pair of fine glasses with a ventilated frame that will prevent you from fogging during exercise. You can choose cat.3 glasses or cat.1 to 3 photochromic glasses. Among the models Cairn, you can find the ROC and ROC LIGHT glasses.
Water sports:
For water sports, it is important to have a frame dedicated to aquatic conditions, that is to say, an enveloping, covering and floating frame with hydrophobic anti-drop lenses to maintain maximum visibility even in the event of splashing water and adjustable and removable neoprene tightening elastics to optimize your comfort. Among the models Cairn, you can find SWIM glasses.
Other sporting activities:
Find a comfortable, enveloping pair based on the shape of your face, with grips on the nose and temples. For those who don't practice a particular sport, don't forget that the right pair of glasses is also the one that makes you feel good!
