Most runners pay close attention to the type of footwear and clothes they wear. They want the best clothing and footwear to make their sessions comfortable. They do that because they know that when they wear the most comfortable shoes and clothes, their runs become more enjoyable and their performance improves as well.
However, many runners do not consider the importance of wearing sunglasses on their runs. A good pair of running sunglasses can improve the quality of your runs in a variety of ways.
If you are wondering: "How is it possible to run with sunglasses on?" You only need to find the right pair of running sunglasses. A good pair of glasses won't bounce or slip while protecting your eyes from all sorts of damage that you won't have to worry about while you are running.
You might want to look at some of the possible damages of not wearing running sunglasses. In this post, we look at some of the top reasons why you should wear sunglasses on your runs.
PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM UV RAYS ON EVERY RUN
We all know that sun exposure is extremely bad for the skin. That's why we use sunscreen before heading outdoors.
Did you know that sun exposure is equally bad for your eyes?
The main purpose of sunglasses is UV protection. Most of the UV light reaches the cornea, but overexposure can get through the cornea, causing damage to the inner structures of your eye.
When you don't cover your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses, you run the risk of developing growths on the white part of your eye. There are two types of growths that you may experience – pinguecula and pterygium.
While pinguecula is a yellowish deposit of fat, protein or calcium, a pterygium is an outgrowth of fleshy tissue that may begin as a pinguecula. A pterygium can reduce your vision and may require surgery.
If you run near water or in the snow, you may even develop a type of photokeratitis, a temporary yet painful eye condition, also known as welder's flash or snow blindness. This condition is the result of exposure to glare (UV reflections) from ice, snow, water or sand.
Some symptoms of photokeratitis include soreness, wetness, redness and sensitivity to light, and is usually treated with painkillers and rest.
In short, protecting your eyes against UV radiation becomes important not only in sunny days of summer but also through winter too.
Overexposure to UV rays can result in even graver problems, namely cataracts and macular degeneration, which most people don't have to worry about until they are in their 70s. However, when you are out under the sun and exposed to the elements, you are at risk of developing these problems much sooner, which is something you don't want.
Cataracts are essentially hazy spots in your eye's lens that can affect your vision and can even cause blindness. Age-related macular degeneration, on the other hand, causes damage to the center of the retina and can cause visual loss.
In rare situations, overexposure to UV radiation can even cause eye cancer like melanoma of the eye and other forms of eye cancer. These medical conditions can have far-reaching consequences on your vision and eye health, so it's important to protect your eyes from UV rays.
If you are thinking to yourself: 'I just run a couple of miles a day, so I don't have to worry about these problems.' Think again! Just like sun exposure over time can cause skin problems, cumulative exposure to the sun can be equally damaging for your eyes.
Apart from UV protection, sunglasses offer physical protection against the elements. They create a windshield of sorts for your eyes against environmental factors.
When you are constantly exposed to UV rays, you may develop basal cell carcinoma and non-metastatic tumors on the skin. In the case of your eyes, that happens to be eyelids.
What's more, the cornea – the transparent, protective outer layer of the eye – is extremely susceptible to even the smallest particles.
When you are running outdoors, your eyes are vulnerable to exposure to dust. Even the tiniest particle of dirt or dust can cause erosion, leading to an eye infection. Dust, dirt and allergens in the air can cause itchiness or dryness of the eyes, affecting your visibility and ability to focus on the run, thereby slowing you down.
Given that sunglasses are so good at protecting your eyes on your runs, you must look for lenses that block 100% of UV radiation.
Look for 'UV 400' or '100% UV protection' on the label.
There are two forms of UV light to consider: UVA, which can cause skin aging and UVB, which causes skin burning. Lenses with UV 400 block out both UVA and UVB radiation.
It's important to note that a darker lens does not necessarily mean better protection. Although the tint of your sunglasses is a matter of personal choice, some tints can boost contrast in certain conditions. However, the shade or color does not per se offer UV protection. Even clear lenses can provide UV protection if they are coated with UV 400.
MINIMIZE GLARE AND BOOST VISIBILITY WITH POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
A huge benefit of wearing polarized running sunglasses is that they help reduce glare while improving visibility. The sun's rays tend to bounce off flat surfaces such as snow, water and asphalt, which can result in blinding glare.
This is a huge annoyance when you are running outdoors. Glare makes it extremely difficult to see, taking your focus off your run. This can be a huge problem on bright, sunny days when glare can be very intense.
Polarized running sunglasses can boost visibility by reducing glare.
Polarization is a special chemical coating that blocks out glare – any light that reflects off a surface. Polarized lenses will block the amount of glare entering your eyes from different angles to ensure you can see comfortably without worrying about glare.
Sunglasses are an important part of your running kit when you want to lower glare and enhance visibility. Whether you are running on the beach, on a city street or through a mountain pass, polarized sunglasses can ensure you remain focused and see clearly, so you can make the most of your run.
IMPROVE COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE
Apart from protecting your eyes from UV rays and reducing glare, sunglasses can improve comfort and performance.
They do that by reducing distractions and helping you to maintain concentration. Any distractions can affect your performance, affecting your pace as you run. So, it's important to remain focused on the activity at hand.
Sunglasses can minimize distractions by blocking out excessive glare and light, allowing you to pay complete attention on your run. This is particularly helpful when you are running in sunny conditions when excess glare and light can be very distracting.
Moreover, sunglasses help you to remain comfortable while you run. Wearing sunglasses can lower dryness and eye fatigue, which are some common issues runners face when they spend a lot of time outside.
Similarly, if the sunglasses squeeze the temple area or pinch the nose, you won't feel comfortable at all. Worse yet, such a pair of sunglasses can cause headaches. What's more, if your sunglasses slide down, it is only going to distract you from your run. Look for a pair of glasses with adjustable nose pads so you can easily customize the fit.
When you want to improve your performance and remain comfortable during your run, be sure to invest in good quality sunglasses.
BUY THE BEST RUNNING SUNGLASSES WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
When it comes to sunglasses, most of us think about looking good. But with running sunglasses, you can not only look good but also protect your eyes.
Sunglasses can have several benefits including UV protection for your eyes, performance improvement, glare reduction and comfort.
When choosing running sunglasses, the price an become an important factor. When you opt for luxury sunglasses, you are essentially paying a premium for the brand.
However, you don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy all the features you need in your sunglasses.
MarsQuest's range of running sunglasses offers all the features you need without the hefty price tag.
Here are some of our top-selling sunglasses for runners.
Model S – Featuring a wrap-around design, the Model S is an essential piece of equipment to have in your running kit. These are lightweight yet highly durable sunglasses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
Their flexible frame is adaptable to all face shapes. What's more, the wrap-around design of the Model S ensures complete protection of your eyes.
With a range of features including anti-slip technology, an anti-scratch surface and a flexible frame, the Model S is one of our best-selling running sunglasses.
Vector – The Vector features a frame made of high-grade EMS, which adapts easily to face shapes. It boasts one-piece polycarbonate lenses that are explosion-proof, anti-wind and anti-scratch.
With the Vector, you also get all the non-negotiable features you want in your running sunglasses including 100% UVA/UVB protection, flexible frame and an anti-scratch surface that stands the test of time.
This wrap-around sunglass is an excellent choice not only for running but many other sports including fishing and golfing.
Gravity – This is the first line we ever launched and is one of our favorites. Not coincidentally, these polarized sunglasses are one of our bestsellers.
Boasting bold, chunky frames, these sunglasses feature colored, reflective lenses, to create a bold look. A huge favorite with runners and sportspersons, these EMS frames are lightweight and extremely durable, assuring you of excellent comfort all day, every day.
What's more, these sunglasses feature triacetate lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection and a premium EMS frame with a stainless-steel mount.