Four Reasons Why Sunglasses are Just as Important in the Winter

Historically, sun wear usage dips during the winter season. You may want to think twice about putting your sunglasses away for the winter due to a few helpful insights into seasonal changes that can impact your vision while spending time outside.

It is imperative to protect the eyes from UV all year, not just during summer. Here are four reasons why it’s important to wear sunglasses in winter.

The Sun is Lower in the Sky

During winter, the sun is lower in the sky. This poses two problems.

The first is that a low sun is in direct line with the eyes longer throughout the day.
The second is that a low sun produces low reflections. Reflected glare from ice, snow and wet roads in winter is much more bothersome than in summer.

Snow Reflects UV

While a fresh blanket of snow can be a scenic view in the wintertime, it can also be a danger to its viewers. When sunlight strikes snow, as much as 85% of UV rays are reflected. This makes all outdoor activities hazardous, from high-energy tasks like hiking, skiing, or snowboarding, to walking and driving. To stay safe and keep your eyes protected, make sure you’re wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses. This specific type of technology will cut down on glare, while fighting against harmful UVs. In addition to polarization, a strong anti-reflective treatment will help block light and eliminate glare from behind. Luckily, Maui Jim offers both of these benefits in our PolarizedPlus2® technology.

Cold Weather Causes Eye Strain

In the winter it is much easier to fall prey to eyestrain as things like wind, dryness, and the brightness of the snow can all take a toll. The body’s natural response when up against each of these elements is to squint, but squinting limits one’s view of the world, often contributing to poor driving performance. Whether you love the outdoors and want to enjoy winter in its full beauty, or simply want to make sure you’re at your best when on the road, don’t leave home without a trusted pair of sunglasses.

Thin Clouds

Although clouds are not a formidable filter of UV, they are even less effective in winter. In contrast to thick, puffy clouds of summer, winter brings thin, wispy clouds that do very little to help with filtering UV, allowing a larger portion to reach the earth’s surface. On overcast days when your eyes still need protection, consider wearing a lighter lens, such as Maui Jim’s HCL® Bronze, Maui Rose®, or Maui HT™. All three of these lenses are guaranteed to provide premium protection, while amplifying clarity and contrast. The color-enhancing properties of our PolarizedPlus2® technology also really makes the colors pop against the stark white of the snow. Invest in a pair of our sunglasses today to see more of nature’s beauty.

A Sunglass-Sized Solution

As you can see, sunglasses provide just as many benefits in the winter as they do during the summer and spring. And when it comes to selecting the one that will benefit you the most, consider choosing a pair of Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2® sunglasses that contain dark base colors, front side mirror treatments, and backside anti-reflective. These qualities will allow you to enjoy the outdoors at its brilliant best, while providing premium protection to your eyes and surrounding skin. Visit our website to shop our selection today.