Features To Covet - The Basics

• Nylon or composite frames for durability.
• Wire-core temples for snug and form-fitting adjustability.
• Glass lenses offer better optics and are more scratch-resistant. Plastic lenses are more shatterproof.
• Lens must filter out 100 percent OVA and UVB.
• Lenses that filters out infrared light will reduce eye fatigue from intense sun conditions.

Features To Covet - Sport Shields

• Wrapped lens to shed wind and debris.
• Interchangeable temples.
• Hydrophilic nosepiece to minimize slipping.
• Interchangable lenses.
• Polycarbonate or plastic lenses to save weight.
• Snap in systems or inserts for Rx (eyeglass) wearers. *Be warned that sport glasses with extreme wraps or curves to the lens make it more difficult for your doctor to grind a lens that will not distort.

Features To Covet - Ski / Mountaineering Goggles

• Hypoallergenic foam seal around face.
• Double lenses to minimize fogging.
• Factory-applied anti-fog coating inside the lens.
• Effective venting system.
• Snap in systems or inserts for Rx (eyeglass) wearers--if you buy from the same company as your sport glasses, see if your insert is interchangeable.
• Easily adjustable and comfortable strap.

Variables To Consider

An Adventure Network Truth from the gear guru himself, Michael Hodgson:
One sunglass is not enough for all conditions. Your best buy will be sport shields with lenses that can be switched in and out depending on light and conditions--one frame, many lenses.

Select the Correct Color Lens for the Conditions You Face

• Amber or yellow colors are intended for use in flat to hazy light conditions and offer high contrast necessary in high-speed and/or high altitude sports such as skiing or mountaineering by filtering out blue light which makes focusing difficult.
• Vermilion (pink) actually helps to absorb light in foggy or gray conditions increasing contrast and depth perception, a must for high-speed sports in the winter.
• Brown lenses offer the true-color perception characteristics of a gray or smoke lens, but also retains some of the blue-light removing / contrast increasing characteristics of a light amber lens.
• Clear...why? Because if you're adventuring at night, it's the only lens color that will allow your eyes to see anything at all.
• Gray or smoke colored lenses are best suited for driving or general use when depth perception is not as important as true color perception.
• Blue and purple lenses are not recommended for any use other than fashionable as the color actually serves to increase the contrast-destroying characteristics of blue light.

Still confused or unsure? Ask Adventure Network.