Fall is hiking season, and you’ve likely given plenty of thought to sturdy footwear, suitable clothing, and lightweight gear. But while you’re planning for comfort and protection on the trail, don’t forget your eyes! Being in the great outdoors couldn’t be better than when you’re on nice hike – but so much exposure to the sun, dirt and sand, and other potential dangers could leave your eyes worse for the wear. Luckily, there’s one simple piece of equipment you can bring along to keep your eyes in top condition on the trail: sunglasses.
UV protection is essential for any outdoor activity. You probably know that you need to protect your skin from UV rays, even during regular activities like walking the dogs or mowing the lawn, but do you know the dangers of regularly exposing your eyes to UV rays? Prevent Blindness says that regular exposure may cause macular degeneration – a leading cause of vision loss in older Americans, cataracts, a fleshy growth on the eye called pterygium, and corneal sunburn. Even short-term exposure can cause issues, so the first thing to look for in a pair of hiking sunglasses is UV protection.
Your daily beaters and fashion sunglasses might keep out UVs perfectly well on the trail, but drops and scrapes could leave them useless after just a few hikes. That’s why our second recommendation for a pair of hiking sunglasses is durability. You’re going to drop them; you’re going to fall on them; and you’re probably going to sit on them a few times. Frames made of materials with a little flexibility, or sunglasses designed specifically to flex will be the safest bet for durability.
You want your lenses to be able to hold up too, so that’s why recommendation number three is scratch-resistance. You’ll get grit and sand on them, and you’ll definitely bump into a few trees on a good hike. If your sunglasses rub against a rock or a branch, you don’t want to have a permanent scrape in your line of sight. What fun is a hike if that great view is blocked by a bunch of scratches?
If you’re looking for hiking glasses, we have a few brands and styles you’ll be eager to bring along on the trail. Liberty Sport eyewear is one of our newest brands, and they’re right at home on the field or in the wilderness. We’ve also got Oakleys, in styles that look sharp on the trail or on the street. Visit the Takle Eye Optical showroom or set up an appointment for a fitting at https://www.takleeye.com/optical-center-griffin/ or by calling 770-228-4822
