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What are the advantages of polarized sunglasses?
2025-04-03
When light comes directly from a source, its light waves travel vertically, horizontally and all sorts of angles in between. A polarized lens filters this “raw” light and allows only vertical waves to pass through.
This is how polarized Sunglasses get their best feature: the reduction or elimination of glare.
Reflected light waves, glare included, are often horizontal in nature; they have a harder time getting past the vertical filter of a polarized lens.
The many benefits of polarized sunglasses
Glare reduction can boost visual comfort in many different ways — some that may be more surprising than others.
Daytime driving safety
When sunlight hits curved windshield glass, it spreads out into bright, distracting glare. Polarized sunglasses can block much of it, especially on a clear or partly cloudy day.
Reducing windshield glare makes your view of the road a little more like the view you’d have without a windshield at all. Driving is safer when you can focus on the road instead of having to adjust your view or shield your eyes from bright streaks of light.
1. Fishing and boating
Glass Lenses – Scratch-resistant but heavy and outdated.
Polarized sunglasses provide superior glare protection — especially on the water.
Take a look at the photo on the right. On one side, the original view is washed out with reflective water surfaces. In contrast, the polarized side has richer colors with transparent, glass-like water. Rocks and coral are easily visible below.
The ability to see what’s swimming below the water’s surface reflections is a big advantage for many types of fishing, for both location scouting and seeing what you’re reeling in before it breaks the surface.
For the same reason, polarization can turn canoeing, kayaking and sailing into an entirely new experience. Think of it as above-water snorkeling.
2. Vibrant outdoor colors
When it comes to natural scenery, few things are as satisfying as looking up at a vast, open sky that almost seems bluer than blue.
But tiny particles within humid or polluted air can dim that blue color, giving it a white, yellow or gray overcast.
When a polarizing lens stops the reflections from those particles, the sky can often retain its deep blue appearance. Contrasted against green leaves or white sand, it can be a real visual treat.
3. Photography
A polarizing filter is a popular photography accessory placed over a camera lens. Much like glasses, it can cut through reflections and make natural colors more vibrant.
If you use one of these filters, wearing polarized sunglasses lets you step back from the viewfinder and get a better idea of what your photo will look like in real time.
4. Are polarized sunglasses better?
In most cases, yes, polarized sunglasses are better.
They can block distracting glare, reduce reflections and make a sunny day look like it belongs on a postcard.
However, as you’ve seen, there are a few scenarios when they don’t work as well.
It all depends on how you plan to use them, and it’s not uncommon for people to own a polarized pair for some situations and non-polarized, “regular” sunglasses for others.
If you’ve never tried these sunglasses, consider a quick trial run at your local Optical store — ideally on a sunny day. Look around the store and out the window. Where do you see the biggest differences in clarity and vibrancy? The sky, the car windshields, the roads?
Polarized lenses aren’t for everyone. But if they’re right for you, they might change the way you see the world.
Conclusion
Final Verdict: If you spend time outdoors near reflective surfaces, polarized lenses are a game-changer. For fashion or low-light wear, standard UV-blocking sunglasses may suffice.
Want recommendations for the best polarized sunglasses for your needs? 😎