What is the difference between mirrored and tinted sunglasses?
Summer is coming soon. It’s time to consider purchasing a new pair of sunglasses. Different people have different fashion tastes. Some people like a standout look like mirrored lenses, others prefer classic tinted sunglasses. So what is the difference between these lenses?
What are tinted lenses?
Tinted or UV sunglasses have a color density consistently across the lens surface. UV sunglasses help to shield the eyes from solar radiation and enhance the overall appearance. Depends on how dark of lens color, they are categorized into 5 categories, from class 0 to class 4, in which class 0 is almost clear or lightest, and class 4 is darkest. Most sunglasses available in the market fall into classes 2 and 3. Class 2 includes colors like orange, rose, blue and red lenses, allowing 18 to 43% amount of visible light to pass through. They are commonly used in medium sunlight.
Class 3 consists of dark colors like brown and grey. They permit 8% to 18% amount of visible light to pass through the lenses and be used on bright sunny days.
Color density does nothing with UV protection. Its function primely filters the visible light to an appropriate level that the eyes can manage. Thus it’s necessary to know what your condition looks like to pick the correct class. If you live in a region with many overcast days, class 2 is more than enough to enjoy the outdoors while your eyes are protected.
What are mirrored lenses?
Mirrored lenses are tinted lenses that have a reflective optical coating covered on the lens surfaces. This mirrored coating is durable, shiny, and futuristic. Mirrored shades appear like a colorful mirror and reflect the light away in one direction. With the help of a mirrored coating, mirrored sunglasses cut more visible light from entering the eyes. Thus the glass users will receive less light come into the eyes. This benefit is greatly helpful for skiers, bikers who exercise countless hours on bright sunny days. Besides that, eye-catching mirrored sunglasses are obsessed by women since a mirrored coating offers a futuristic look.
Are Mirrored lenses better than tinted lenses?
When it comes to UV protection, mirrored and tinted lenses have the same performance. On higher altitudes like mountains, snowfields, mirrored lenses cut more light and make the glass wearers comfortable under intense sunlight. This reason explains most people wear mirrored sunglasses for winter sports like skiing, snow skating. Regarding fashion, many people are obsessed with mirrored sunglasses because of an eye-catching look. However, with various modern colors available, tinted sunglasses are also stylish. On overcast days, tinted sunglasses perform better since you need visible light to see things while mirrored sunglasses cut too much light.
An inability to filter glare is a big disadvantage when wearing tinted shades in reflective places like a river, lake. Mirrored lenses also do not cut the blinding glare, but they cut more visible light from entering the eyes that somehow makes you comfortable when exposed to distracting glare. Thus, mirrored sunglasses tend to perform better than tinted shades in a water environment.
Making a decision whether to choose mirrored or tinted sunglasses all depends on a routine lifestyle. Mirrored sunglasses are great to wear in a harsh environment or while tinted sunglasses are for general purposes.
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