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.

Interchangeable 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.