Sunglasses. Of all the things that become important when driving a convertible, sunglasses are arguably the most important thing to have. With the top down on a nice sunny day, or even an overcast one, being able to see where you’re going is greatly enhanced by a quality pair of specs, but how much do you really know about sunglasses? Is there something that might work better for a convertible vs other situations? No matter the time of year, it will always be sunny and you’ll always need sunglasses.
First, a background on glasses. They basically come with glass or plastic lenses, those lenses come in a two main colors, and there are specific lens treatments that can enhance their performance to our benefit. For glass vs plastic, glass is heavier, but is denser and less prone to scratching. Its also easier to see through (whether you can tell the difference or not), causing less eye fatigue, but it is harder to fit into a wrap sunglass without distorting vision.
Lens colors fall into two basic varieties – grey and amber/red, with green predominant in some Ray Bans. Sunglass lenses aren’t blue because blue is the predominate color of distortion – it has the shortest wavelength so it bends, or refracts, the easiest, causing haze and blurry vision.
Grey is best for bright sunny conditions, like being at the beach or at sea, where you really just need to tone down the brightness. In dimmer lighting and at dusk/dawn when the sun is low and shadows predominate, grey lenses can become too dark to wear however.
Green lenses function a lot like grey lenses but offer a bit more contrast for lower-light conditions.
Amber lenses excel at these times as they do not darken your vision too much and allow you to better see in dimmer conditions and on overcast days, but some people find them too bright on a nice sunny day. To combat this, one brand, Serengeti, makes photochromic lenses that actually get darker when exposed to sunlight so they can vary according to brightness conditions.
Red lenses are a step darker and enhance contrast while providing more bright-day coverage. For driving in general, an amber or red lens is going to aid you across most of the conditions you will face, but there really s no one lens that does it all.
Beyond construction material and color, sunglasses can also have coatings applied to the lens. The two most important are a polarizer and an anti-reflective coating (typically blue) on the inside, to keep glare out of your eyes.
Without getting into a whole history lesson, you should know that there are a few basic types of glass frames, and a host of variations on those themes. The biggest split is between a traditional squared frame or “wrap” – rounded frames that adhere more closely to your head. Best way to visualize this is with the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer vs an Oakley… any Oakley, really.
Driving a convertible, having a wrap sunglass will serve you better for protecting your eyes and enhancing your vision. Generally associated with activity and sports, wrap designs excel at keeping the frame out of your field of vision and at keeping the lenses close enough to your head to keep out wind, light pollution, and foreign objects.
Wind will dry out your eyes and cause fatigue. Light pollution is that sunlight that comes in behind the sunglass lenses and either hits you right in the eye or bounces off the inside of a lens, causing glare. With no top or side windows to shield you, its possible to get dinged by something coming off the road, like a small rock, or even a burrito. Being top down in the car, you are exposed to all of this, and want to keep it all out of your eyes, so a wrap style frame will best protect you.
So now you have some background on sunglasses and why they are made the way they are, whats a good choice for some sunglasses? Won’t just any pair of cheap glasses do? The answer to that is yes and no – even your local gas station cheapies are better than nothing when it comes to getting hit by something, but with better glasses comes better performance. Cheap glasses typically have wavy lenses with uneven densities that make it harder for your eyes to focus, wearing them out, which causes eye strain and can give you a headache.
Better lens construction and special coatings will fatigue your eyes less, and quality frames will be adjustable to feel good and won’t fall apart. Plus, you care about performance right? That’s why you’re driving an S2000 and not a Geo Metro convertible.
So what are the quality brands you should look at? Quality sunglasses come in tiers based on the technology and performance they offer, but in general the best brands are Maui Jim, Serengeti, Costa Del Mar, Revo, and Ray Ban for glass; Maui Jim, Oakley, Bolle, for plastic. Its ultimately up to you to check out these brands and find the best pair of sunglasses for yourself, but now maybe you know a bit more about what to look for.
So what sunglasses do you use? Any brand or model you swear by? Is there a particular sunglass that just fits the style of the S2000?
Photos courtesy of VAG
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on May 9th, 2011 at 5:42 am
Maui Jim. QED.
I particularly use the Kahuna style which wraps around a bit. Their optics and polarization is second to none. However, they do charge handsomely for it. =/
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Texas -> polarized gray RayBan (in my case prescription).
Polarized lenses are pretty much essential if you’re going to be doing any kind of long driving. The reduction of glare from the dashboard alone means that a $20 pair of polarized specs are going to get my vote over any non-polarized glasses.
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:27 am
Revo are the way to go. Everyone has Oakley and Ray Bans. I wanted something different the normal black frame/color lens look. My Revo have a blue frame that looks sharp in the sun and matches my car.
The process they use in second to none for the money are some of the better sunglasses on the market, I feel.
Also I will use a hat as that will also help in the bright sun.
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:58 am
I’ve got Maui Jim in both grey and rose and a few pairs of Ray Bans. The Maui Jim rose is the pair I choose to leave in the S2000 as it is by far my favorite for driving. The Maui Jim grey stays in my wife’s car as the runner up and the Ray Bans haven’t been worn since I discovered Maui Jims.
on May 9th, 2011 at 7:14 am
I use the $20 Target gold aviators. They come polarized now too. Probably pretty decent protection and the view through them is really crisp. Plus they get mistaken for RayBans by everyone.
on May 9th, 2011 at 7:19 am
who put that pic of Jack Sparrow sticking his tongue out on the home page?
on May 9th, 2011 at 7:30 am
I have Ray bans with a darker gray mirror finished lens (polarized) and, and a pair of Maui jims with titanium frame and, polarized amber lens. The Maui Jims len’s are by far much better then the ray bans i have. Everything seems more crisp and clear. plus with the titanium frame you can barely feel them on your face. With the Ray Bans there is a very noticeable glare when light shines in through the sides and back of the len’s. Only good thing that the ray bans have going for them is that they look better. Can get much better then a CF frame accents and mirrored len’s style wise
on May 9th, 2011 at 7:42 am
best are serenguetti
on May 9th, 2011 at 7:58 am
I am a sunglasses addict, but honestly I don’t find a need to spend hundreds of dollars on glasses I use every day. When I’m driving, depending on light conditions I’m generally using my Oakley ‘Radar Range’ – I’ve never had a more comfortable pair of glasses on my face. I can literally forget I have them on because of the superb vision and clarity adjustment and also the field of view I have through the large wrap-around lenses. A+ For Oakley on this one. Function over style…for once.
on May 9th, 2011 at 8:22 am
any pair of oakleys with HD lenses is the best! u just cant go wrong with the quality and feel of them.
on May 9th, 2011 at 8:45 am
I use Elo Sunglasses they are polarized good quality and they will run you about $20
on May 9th, 2011 at 8:53 am
I would have to say Costa Del Mar, and ive had them all
on May 9th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Polarized…..really all that matters to me. I have several sunglasses so its not that style does not matter but the commonplace for all of my sunglasses is that they need to be polarized
on May 9th, 2011 at 9:26 am
well, I have a pair of Spy sunglasses that I like, anthough I didn’t get the polarized lenses. I love the way they feel, but in hindsight I should have gone with the polarized. Hindsight is 20/20 right?
on May 9th, 2011 at 9:58 am
oakley fuel in black
on May 9th, 2011 at 10:43 am
A2 FTW!
on May 9th, 2011 at 10:51 am
i use the 5 dollar walmart brand HAHA
on May 9th, 2011 at 11:08 am
i have ray bans but for sure my next set of glasses will be something with polarized lenses! :thumbup:
on May 9th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
+1 for anything polarized over straight tint. Watch out for cheap-o polarized glasses. Poor manufacturing quality in lens orientation can give u a headache.
on May 9th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
guess i’m the only one with the 2 for $20 mall stand special. =[
on May 9th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
+1 for Maui Jim Kahuna style for everyday outdoor adventures and function over style. Persols Steve McQueen style for when style is more important than function.
on May 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
gascan! oakleys!
on May 9th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
I love my Maui Jims!!
I have 3 sets….my fav is the Kilohana. Bronze ST glass lenses are the best 
on May 9th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Polarized Oakley Half Jackets for me. They are super light and stick to your face like glue. They also look great and the polarized lenses are nice.
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
electric FTW! although I had a pair of spy’s with the gradient lens (darker on top lighter on bottom) and those were even better until sat on them like an idiot.
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Oakley half jackets with the Fire iridium. Only way to go. Had em 3 years and I’ve loved every minute
on May 9th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
SPY SUNGLASSES for me!
all the way with the black color since my ap2 its black
on May 9th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Maui Jim Lagunas all day
on May 10th, 2011 at 12:21 am
i have a pair of spy trons(black with gold lens) and i love’em to death! also have a pair of rayban aviator’s i copped when i was in tokyo. Those are just sold black on black. but now i am looking to get a pair of oakley gascan’s with polarized lens. Not sure on what color lens i should get, black…green…or red…any input?
on May 10th, 2011 at 4:15 am
i have several, ray ban, versace, armani, etc. i know they are ritzy glasses but cant help it, been wearing actual glasses for 20+ years and got lasik last year. i wanted to go out and get some nice ones.
in the summer i get a killer sun tan mark from the side of the glasses. pretty much stays with me until late fall.
on May 10th, 2011 at 5:04 am
I’ve got Maui Jim “Ho’okipa” frames with the HCL Bronze lenses and love them. They’re a sport frame, so they’re light and very comfortable. The HCL Bronze lenses are amazing, especially for driving. I’ve worn a number of sunglasses over the years in varying styles and price ranges and I can honestly say, no matter what brand or style you go with, investing in a quality pair of sun glasses is well worth every penny.
on May 10th, 2011 at 7:32 am
Costa!
on May 10th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Serengeti Polarized.
I asked an optician the other day and he says they are still one of the best . Don’t know why these seem to be not as popular as they once were but I have a feeling that most people look at these more as a style thing than actual performance of the product!
Serengeti is in all my vehicles PERIOD!
on May 10th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Eagle Eyes. If it is good enough for our space program, it’s good enough for me. Polarized, yes!
on May 10th, 2011 at 9:54 am
I never put on sunglasses.
on May 10th, 2011 at 11:48 am
I find it hard I wear RX glasses and really want the rap around I cnt seem to find any suggestion, anyone. ?
on May 10th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Many RayBans are made in China these days and are pure junk. The ones made in Italy are good. I got Persol….amazing quality !
on May 10th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Randolph Engineering – http://www.randolphusa.com/products-sunglass.htm
on May 11th, 2011 at 6:51 am
Used to drive 50k/year for work and have been using Serengetti Drivers ever since.
Costly but durable- I have a pair of cable Aviators that are at least 10yrs old and have been thru the mill.
on May 11th, 2011 at 7:09 am
I love my Maui Jims…longboard frames with Gray lens.
on May 14th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Blue/orange RayBan for me! I like the “beach” look when top goes down =]
on May 17th, 2011 at 8:27 am
Any Oakleys with black iridium (polarized of coarse) lenses is where its at! 9% light through means that even direct sunlight isnt so bad.
on Jan 29th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I have some ultra-lightweight amber wrap-around Ray Bans. I love them, but get a lot of reflection. I thought at first the light came in the sides, etc. Now I realize that the light comes through the glass to my skin and reflects on the inner side of the glass. A visor solves the problem. But, if anyone knows of glasses that don’t do that, I’d appreciate hearing about them.