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Sunglasses with UV Protection

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The most critical function of a pair of sunglasses is protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. Not all sunglasses with UV protection are created equal.

To protect your eyes, look for sunglasses that specifically say "100 percent UV protection" or "UV400" on the label. This indicates that the lenses block all harmful wavelengths, up to 400 nanometers. Among the brands we researched, Adi Designs offers by far the fewest sunglasses with UV protection, and its online product descriptions sometimes are not clear. Some styles are noted as featuring "maximum UV protection," while others advertise "100 percent UV protection." The description of the brand's 40032 mirror-frame aviators for women (starting at $17, Amazon) on Overstock makes no mention of UV protection at all. While consumers posting reviews on the site seem indifferent to the lack of UV400 protection on certain models, a Mayo Clinic expert warns that too much exposure to UV rays will seriously damage your eyes (not to mention your skin). To be on the safe side, read the fine print and select a pair of sunglasses with an explicit declaration of full UV protection. The top brands on our list -- JiMarti, Sunbelt, Black Flys, and Nike -- make all their sunglasses with UV protection and specify "100 percent UV protection" or "UV400" in product descriptions.

Sunglasses Lenses.

There are a few materials typically used to make sunglasses lenses: CR-39, polycarbonate, and glass. CR-39 is a hard-resin plastic that's commonly found in eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Glass is very durable but heavy, and not well suited for those fashionable outsize or wrap-around sunglasses you might covet. How Stuff Works notes that both glass and polycarbonate lenses are free of distortion, meaning that visual perception is true and unmarred by waves, wiggles, or bulges. Polycarbonate is a lightweight synthetic plastic that's very durable and absorbs 100 percent of UV rays. Its impact resistance makes it a good choice for sport sunglasses. Polycarbonate is the material of choice for the best budget sunglasses and is also used in many mid-range and high-end sunglasses. Our top picks all feature lenses made from polycarbonate plastic, as do sunglasses made by Kenneth Cole (ranging in price from $15 to $90), which are more fashion-oriented than the sport sunglasses that make up much of our list.

Other lens materials occasionally show up in non-prescription sunglasses. Adi Designs sunglasses are made from lightweight plastic. We did not find information on the clarity or durability of this material, but a buying guide from outdoor retailer REI notes that cheaper alternatives to polycarbonate, such as acrylic, are more prone to image distortion and cracking or breaking. Oakley sunglasses (ranging in price from $70 to $1,500) feature specialty lenses made of a proprietary material called Plutonite, which is advertised as providing the best possible clarity and high-impact protection.

Warranty and Durability.

Sunglasses lenses and frames do break: They drop, someone sits on them, whatever. Although many discount sunglasses don't come with a warranty, the best ones do. JiMarti offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a lifetime breakage warranty and Sunbelt sunglasses feature a limited lifetime warranty. Nike and Black Flys, sunglasses have one-year limited manufacturer's warranties. The policies specifically say that scratched lenses are not covered, so take care. Adi Designs sunglasses do not come with any sort of guarantee.

Regardless of warranty, user reviews consistently indicate that consumers want their sunglasses to last. To a certain extent, the durability of cheap sunglasses is in the eye of the beholder. A pair that one person deems fragile and/or poorly designed and built, another considers sturdy and well made. Similarly, some models under a given brand name are better in consumers' estimation than other models by the same manufacturer. Typical gripes about all cheap sunglasses range from lenses that fall out when cleaning, ear and/or nose pieces that break off, finishes that peel off, and an overall flimsy feel. None of the cheap sunglasses on our list of top picks garners out-of-the-ordinary complaints. That said, Adi Designs sunglasses get more mixed reviews on durability than the other brands we researched. For example, one consumer who posted a review on Overstock says she is pleased with the appearance of the CE10213 oversize sunglasses (starting at $15, Amazon), but one of the lenses popped out and the arm fell off after only two weeks. Similar reports turn up in reviews of other Adi Designs sunglasses on the site.

On the other hand, many users have found our top picks sturdy, solid, and (depending on the frame) flexible. Users posting reviews on Amazon report that the JiMarti JM01 sport sunglasses with "shatterproof" polycarbonate lenses and TR90 frames are extremely durable. Even when dropped, thrown around, or tossed in a bag, they hold up against scratches and breaks. One user posting on Amazon marvels that a pair of JiMarti sunglasses came out of a bike crash unscathed. Another mentions dropping a pair of Sunbelt sunglasses numerous times during a camping trip but says they still look like new.

On Overstock, users laud the Black Flys brand for making exceptionally durable sunglasses. One user wore the brand's Micro Fly sunglasses snowboarding and vouches for their ability to withstand falls. Another says his whole dirt-track car racing team has been wearing the brand for years because the sunglasses are lightweight, fit well, and stay put. While most reviews of Nike's sport sunglasses are bullish on their durability, the two reviews on Nike's own site are the harshest, reporting that the nose piece on the Nike Defiant sunglasses is a bit weak and is apt to break over time. Still, both reviews note that the construction is very good despite this tiny flaw, and if you aren't using the sunglasses for heavy-duty sports, they should hold up better.

by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

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Kenneth Cole Sunglasses Review
Adi Designs Sunglasses Review
Black Flys Sunglasses Review
Nike Sunglasses Review
JiMarti Sunglasses Review
Sunbelt Sunglasses Review

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