Different Color Sunglasses Lenses - What Do They Do?

It's a Bright World Out There

Sunglasses come in a wide variety of lens colors. The most common are gray, brown, green, blue, black, orange, amber, and red. When shopping for sunglasses, you should think about what type of lens is best for your lifestyle. Shopping around to find the pair that fits you best is important, but you should also factor in your daily activities, such as driving, exercising, and medical care. For some people, however, lens color is purely a fashion choice, and so you might want to think about what color looks best on you.

You may find that there are certain differences between these colors, such as:

• Gray lenses are the most popular choice for sunglasses because they don't change the color of what you're looking at. They offer true-to-life  color perception, so everything looks as it should. They're also great for reducing glare and bright sunlight, making them a good choice for outdoor activities like driving, fishing, and boating. Black lenses are similar to gray. 
• Brown lenses are another popular choice because they enhance contrast and depth perception. They're good for activities like golfing or skiing, where you need to be able to see subtle changes in the terrain. They also filter out blue light, which can make them a good choice for people who spend a lot of time in front of digital screens.
• Green lenses are similar to gray lenses in that they offer true-to-life color perception, but they also enhance contrast and reduce glare. They're a good choice for a variety of outdoor activities, especially if you'll be near water or other reflective surfaces.
• Yellow and orange lenses are great for low-light conditions because they enhance contrast and depth perception. They're often used by hunters or target shooters, but they can also be good for driving at night or in overcast conditions.
• Red lenses are often used for specific purposes. Red lenses can help with depth perception in snow and water.
• Yellow, amber, and orange lenses increase contrast, but they may distort color. They also block out bluelight, which some believe may be harmful for the eyes.
• Red or rose tinted glasses increase contrast, but they distort color more strongly than other shades.

Blue lenses can help with glare reduction in bright sunlight and improve the contours of objects. Wear blue lenses to reduce glare from snowy conditions, also great around water, or any sunny day. blue lenses can help with glare reduction in bright sunlight

Invest in several pairs. If you need different types of colors for different activities, you might consider buying a few pairs of glasses in different shades. You might have one pair for driving and another for sports. If you play several sports, you might find that you have a different pair for each activity

Think about when you use sunglasses. The type of activity you’re doing may determine the right color of sunglasses for you. Consider when you wear your sunglasses most. While every shade of sunglasses will protect your eyes from UV rays and help you see during bright days, certain colors may improve the efficiency of certain tasks.

For driving, gray and brown work best to block out colors. Yellow and amber are not recommended because they may distort the color of traffic signals.

For pilots, gray, green-gray, or brown lenses are recommended.

If you need glasses for boating or fishing, try wearing blue or green tinted glasses

Factor in your local weather. Think about the climate where you live. Different colors or shades will be more effective in different types of weather. If you live in a tropical area, you might want a color that is better for bright sunny days. If you live in the north, you might find that you need a good pair of sunglasses for snowy weather.

• Brown, amber, and gray are great for sunny or overcast days.
• Greens are good for most weather conditions, including rain.
• Yellows are great for foggy or hazy conditions, including heavy air pollution.
• Reds, pinks, blues, and purples are good for snowy and misty conditions

Match your sunglasses to your sport. Certain colors may give you an edge if you play sports. Finding the right color lens for your sport can help filter out obtrusive colors and help you notice minute details. Some good options include:

• Tennis: gray, brown, or yellow are best.
• Golfing: yellow, amber, and brown are good for general games. Red and rose may be good for the putting green but not on the fairway. 
• Skiing: blue, amber, or orange are are generally recommended. Rose colored lenses may help in low-light conditions.
• Running: Brown, yellow, or rose are good options, although neutral colors such as gray and green work well too
• Baseball: amber, brown, or green are recommended

Stay classic with a neutral tone. If you want a vintage or classic look, you should stick to neutral tones such as brown, gray, dark gray, or green. These colors do not go out of style, and they draw the attention to the shape of your glasses instead of to the tint

A mirror-coated lens has a shiny outer layer that gives your sunglasses a polished gleam. Mirror coatings can reduce glare without distorting any color. You can choose almost any color for your mirror-coating without it affecting your vision. Some even come in multiple colors.