Why I Wear Side-Shield Sunglasses at Sea
I’ve tried a variety of sunglasses for the open water. Whether I’m competitively sailing, cruising, or stand-up paddle-boarding with friends at the weekends, I want to protect my eyes from the direct sun’s rays - as well as its reflection off the water. Having the right sunglasses enhances my vision, but also gives me peace of mind in the long-term that doing my favorite watersports isn’t causing lasting damage to my eyes.
A year or so ago, I acquired a pair of VALLON’s Heron Ocean sunglasses - which stand out thanks to their distinctive round lens shape, and side shield design. I get a lot of questions about them.
So, here’s a quick guide as to why I ditched ‘regular’ sunglasses in favor of side-shield glasses for all my time at sea.
Technical Eyewear Built for Durability
Side shield sunglasses originate from highly technical alpine mountaineering days when explorers needed highly durable eyewear built to weather the most rugged outdoor conditions. The sea is no different, presenting relentless challenges to sailors battling wind, ocean spray, sunshine, and varying temperatures.
Side shield sunglasses adapted for seafaring use, such as VALLON’s Heron Ocean are unrivaled when it comes to technical eyewear design. Their frames are made of highly durable, flexible and resilient TR90 that can withstand all the aforementioned climatic challenges. Paired with shatter-resistant sports lenses, and genuine leather side shields that provide maximum eye protection.
Polarization for Anti-glare
One key difference from traditional glacier glasses is that side shield sunglasses designed for the ocean must be fitted with polarized lenses. A polarization filter such as that used by VALLON in their Heron Ocean sunglasses reduces glare off the surface of the water, providing clear vision - as well as relieving visual stress from the eye over time - preventing eye fatigue (and other bigger issues down the road). If you want to enjoy your time out at sea, get yourself a pair of polarized sunglasses!
Maximum UV Protection
When at sea, UV is one of your greatest adversaries, affecting both your skin and eyes. Reflections off the surface of the water make UV damage all the more dangerous at sea. Without the right protection you can do lasting damage to your eyes, which is why having sunglasses with guaranteed 100% (UV400) protection is essential.
When it comes to high quality lenswear, I trust VALLON, who fit all their products with performance lenses that are impact resistant, high clarity, and give that non-negotiable UV protection.
Advanced Wind and Sea Spray Protection
Out on the high seas, no matter how nice the weather, it’s impossible to avoid the ocean spray and changing wind directions. I occasionally suffer with watery eyes, particularly if the air temperature is down. Having leather side shields like those on VALLON’s Heron Ocean is the best thing for shielding my eyes from the wind.
With my other older sailing sunglasses, I was also constantly having to wipe away excess salt spray from the inside of the lens, which over time wasn’t great for the lens coatings. Having that full 360 protection not only helped me, but also made my sunglasses’ lenses last longer.
Optimal Vision and Lenswear
For yacht racing and long days out on the boat, good quality lenswear for me is a must-have. By that I mean a) great clarity, and b) shatter resistance.
VALLON sunglasses are all fitted with sports lenses that combine the best optical clarity, with excellent durability and resilience. I even had a friend who thanks VALLON’s polycarbonate lenses for saving one of his eyes when fishing out at sea. (One stray hook in the wrong place can spell disaster, and the same can be said for whipping sails and lashing ropes).
At sea, conditions can be unpredictable, and knowing my eyes are protected by my Heron Ocean is of maximum importance for a fun day out.
Anti-fog and Hydro-phobic Coatings
Last but not least, when buying sunglasses for the sea I always keep an eye out for these two coatings: Anti-fog is essential to prevent your lenses fogging up on hot and humid days, and having a hydro-phobic coating keeps your vision clear by beading any excess water spray. Luckily, my VALLON Heron Ocean are equipped with both as a standard, so I don’t have to worry about picking the wrong lens at the point of purchase.
If you want a no-fuss solution to the question, “What sunglasses should I buy next?” I recommend you trust VALLON to equip you for your next seafaring adventure.
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