In today’s tough climates
it goes without saying that sun protection is essential. Sunglasses are a great start by protecting
your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays while reducing eyestrain in bright
conditions. But with so many types, frames, and lenses, what’s the perfect
combination for your needs?
Interchangeable Lenses
Some styles come with interchangeable (removable) lenses of different colors. These multi-lens systems allow you to tailor your eye protection to your activities and current conditions. Consider this option if you need reliable performance in a wide variety of situations.
Polarized Lenses
Polarization is a great feature if you enjoy water sports or are especially sensitive to glare. When light reflects off of flat surfaces, such as a lake, the light waves align in horizontal patterns, creating intense glare. The filters in polarized lenses block these horizontal light waves, substantially reducing blinding glare and its resulting eyestrain.
In some instances, polarized filters react with the tints in windshields, creating blind-spots and diminishing the visibility of LCD readouts. If this occurs, you should consider mirrored lenses as a glare-reducing alternative for driving.
UVB rays are the main concern for eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease. UVB radiation is considered more dangerous to eyes and skin than UVA radiation."
UVA rays are the primary ones absorbed by your eyes. While they pose far less concern than UVB, doctors still recommend that they be avoided.
UVC rays are not a concern, as they are blocked by the atmosphere. UV protection information should be printed on the hangtag or price sticker of any sunglasses you buy, no matter where you buy them. If it isn't, find a different pair. Kids' eyes are especially vulnerable to UV light, since they don't have the same level of natural protection as adults.
Visible Light Transmission
The amount of light that reaches your eyes through your lenses is called Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Measured as a percentage, VLT is affected by the color and thickness of your lenses, the material they're made of and the coatings they have on them. All-purpose sunglasses have a VLT of around 15-25%. Aim for glasses in this range if you need a pair for everyday use and basic recreational activities.
Glacier glasses (special sunglasses designed specifically to protect your eyes from the intense light at high altitudes) have a VLT of around 4-10%. Most glacier glasses also have shields to protect your eyes from light coming in from the sides of your lenses. Because of their low light transmission, glacier glasses should not be used for driving or other everyday activities.
Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to changing light intensities to protect you in a wider range of conditions. These lenses actually get darker (to block more light) on bright days, and lighter when conditions get darker. A couple of caveats: The photochromic process takes longer to work in cold conditions, and it doesn't work at all when driving a car (UVB rays do not penetrate your windshield, so the process is irrelevant).
Gripping Nose pieces or Temples
Perfect if you plan on working up a sweat and high-impact activities. Look for styles that have rubber nose pieces (or earpieces) that help keep your glasses from sliding down your nose.
UNDERSTANDING LENSES
Lens Material
The material used in your
sunglass lenses will affect their clarity, weight, durability and cost.
Glass
Provides superior
optical clarity; superior scratch-resistance, but are heavier than others;
more expensive and the glass will "spider" when impacted (but in most cases never chip or
shatter).
NXT Polyurethane
NXT Polyurethane
Provides superior impact-resistance; excellent optical clarity; flexible and
lightweight but are usually much more expensive.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Provides excellent impact-resistance; very good optical clarity; affordable; lightweight
and low bulk. However are less scratch-resistance; slightly less optical-clarity than
glass or NXT.
Acrylic
Acrylic
Provides an inexpensive
alternative to polycarbonate, best suited for casual or occasional-use
sunglasses, but are less durable and less optically clear than polycarbonate or glass with minor image distortion.
LENS COLOUR (Tint)
All sun glass lenses are
tinted to reduce overall brightness while enhancing terrain definition. However,
your choice of tint colour affects your vision by influencing how much
visible light reaches your eyes, how well you see other colours, and also how
well you see contrasts.
Brown/gray/green
Brown,
gray and green lenses are color-neutral, which means they cut down on overall
brightness without distorting colours. These darker shades are intended
primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright
conditions.
Yellow/gold/amber
Yellow/gold/amber
Yellow,
gold and amber lenses provide less overall brightness protection, but excel in
moderate-to-low level light conditions. They provide excellent depth
perception, which makes them perfect for skiing, snowboarding and other snow
sports. They also enhance contrasts in tricky, flat-light conditions.
Rose/vermilion
Rose/vermilion
Rose- and
vermilion-colored glasses really do make the world seem brighter. They provide
excellent low-light visibility and enhance contrast (perfect for skiing and
snowboarding in cloudy conditions). They also enhance the visibility of objects
against blue and green backgrounds, which makes them ideal for driving or
exploring in forested areas.
Mirrored or flash coating
Mirrored or flash coating
This refers to a reflective film applied to the outside surfaces of
some sun glass lenses. They reduce glare by reflecting much of the light that
hits the lens surface. Mirrored coatings make objects appear darker than they
are, so lighter tints are often used to compensate for this.
Lens Coatings
Typically the more expensive the sunglasses, the more likely it will have several layers of coatings. These can include a hydrophobic coating to repel water, an anti-scratch coating to improve durability and an anti-fog coating for humid conditions or high-energy activities.
Lens Construction
Two methods are commonly used. Lenses made via the injection process offer the best in optical clarity, but are more expensive. The bent-sheet process is used to make both performance and inexpensive glasses. High-end styles use a longer process to offer similar optical clarity as injected models, while lower-cost styles used a simplified process that yields a bit less clarity.
Lens Coatings
Typically the more expensive the sunglasses, the more likely it will have several layers of coatings. These can include a hydrophobic coating to repel water, an anti-scratch coating to improve durability and an anti-fog coating for humid conditions or high-energy activities.
Lens Construction
Two methods are commonly used. Lenses made via the injection process offer the best in optical clarity, but are more expensive. The bent-sheet process is used to make both performance and inexpensive glasses. High-end styles use a longer process to offer similar optical clarity as injected models, while lower-cost styles used a simplified process that yields a bit less clarity.
Interchangeable Lenses
Some styles come with interchangeable (removable) lenses of different colors. These multi-lens systems allow you to tailor your eye protection to your activities and current conditions. Consider this option if you need reliable performance in a wide variety of situations.
Polarized Lenses
Polarization is a great feature if you enjoy water sports or are especially sensitive to glare. When light reflects off of flat surfaces, such as a lake, the light waves align in horizontal patterns, creating intense glare. The filters in polarized lenses block these horizontal light waves, substantially reducing blinding glare and its resulting eyestrain.
In some instances, polarized filters react with the tints in windshields, creating blind-spots and diminishing the visibility of LCD readouts. If this occurs, you should consider mirrored lenses as a glare-reducing alternative for driving.
The method used to
polarize lenses affects both the optical-quality and cost of the sunglasses. Inexpensive casual styles
have the polarizing filter applied as an external film coating. More durable and expensive
sport styles sandwich the polarizing filter between layers of the lens. The newest high-end
technology combines the polarizing filter with the lens material while the latter is in a
liquid form. This allows the filter and lens to bond without the use of
adhesives and sustains an exceptionally high optical quality.
UNDERSTANDING UV AND VLT
UV Protection
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage your eyes by contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including cancer. All of the sunglasses offered at Mercury block 100% of UV light.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage your eyes by contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including cancer. All of the sunglasses offered at Mercury block 100% of UV light.
UVB rays are the main concern for eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease. UVB radiation is considered more dangerous to eyes and skin than UVA radiation."
UVA rays are the primary ones absorbed by your eyes. While they pose far less concern than UVB, doctors still recommend that they be avoided.
UVC rays are not a concern, as they are blocked by the atmosphere. UV protection information should be printed on the hangtag or price sticker of any sunglasses you buy, no matter where you buy them. If it isn't, find a different pair. Kids' eyes are especially vulnerable to UV light, since they don't have the same level of natural protection as adults.
Visible Light Transmission
The amount of light that reaches your eyes through your lenses is called Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Measured as a percentage, VLT is affected by the color and thickness of your lenses, the material they're made of and the coatings they have on them. All-purpose sunglasses have a VLT of around 15-25%. Aim for glasses in this range if you need a pair for everyday use and basic recreational activities.
Glacier glasses (special sunglasses designed specifically to protect your eyes from the intense light at high altitudes) have a VLT of around 4-10%. Most glacier glasses also have shields to protect your eyes from light coming in from the sides of your lenses. Because of their low light transmission, glacier glasses should not be used for driving or other everyday activities.
Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to changing light intensities to protect you in a wider range of conditions. These lenses actually get darker (to block more light) on bright days, and lighter when conditions get darker. A couple of caveats: The photochromic process takes longer to work in cold conditions, and it doesn't work at all when driving a car (UVB rays do not penetrate your windshield, so the process is irrelevant).
FRAME CONSIDERATIONS
Frame Material
Choosing a frame is nearly
as important as the lenses, since it contributes to the comfort, durability and
overall safety of your sunglasses.
Metal
Metal
Easy to adjust
to your face; less obtrusive to your field of vision, however are more expensive and
less durable than some other types. Metal frames are also not ideal for sports or high-impact activities. They are however a perfect accessory to any fashion-forward style.
Nylon
Nylon
Manufacturers use
different brand names for their frame nylons, including Grilamid and O
Matter(TM). Nylon frames are inexpensive, lightweight and typically more durable than metal. They are also better for high impact activities like sports.
Acetate and Zyl
Acetate and Zyl
Sometimes
referred to as "handmades," these variations of plastic are popular on
high-style glasses as more color varieties are possible. However, they are less
flexible, less forgiving, and not intended for high-impact activities or sports.
Hinges
Hinges depend on the frame material. For example, on most nylon frames, hinges feature a molded pin that's actually part of the frame material. This creates a very durable hinge. Metal, acetate and zyl frames must use either a barrel-hinge or spring-hinge design. These offer the advantage of extra flex to fit larger heads, at the cost of some durability. Higher-quality frames may use nickel-silver hinges that are even more rugged and reliable.
Hinges
Hinges depend on the frame material. For example, on most nylon frames, hinges feature a molded pin that's actually part of the frame material. This creates a very durable hinge. Metal, acetate and zyl frames must use either a barrel-hinge or spring-hinge design. These offer the advantage of extra flex to fit larger heads, at the cost of some durability. Higher-quality frames may use nickel-silver hinges that are even more rugged and reliable.
Gripping Nose pieces or Temples
Perfect if you plan on working up a sweat and high-impact activities. Look for styles that have rubber nose pieces (or earpieces) that help keep your glasses from sliding down your nose.
FINDING THE PERFECT PAIR THAT FITS
Fit Tips
We’re all a little
different. We’re talking specifically about the shape of your mug. It’s a blank
canvas and the sunglass shape you choose will either accentuate your hotness or
hide your magic from the world. Mercury can help - visit our Fitting Studio and find out
what’s the perfect frame shape for you.
Some tips when
trying on a pair of sunglasses include finding a frame that fits snugly
on your nose and ears, but not pinch or rub. The weight of sunglasses
should also be evenly distributed between your ears and nose. Frames should be light
enough to avoid excess friction on these contact points and your eyelashes should not
contact the frame.
Fit Adjustments
If you choose a metal or wire-core frame, you can usually adjust the fit by carefully bending the frame at the bridge and/or the temples. You may also be able to adjust the nose-pieces, by pinching them closer together or farther apart, to rest on your nose more comfortably.
Lens Shape
If you choose a metal or wire-core frame, you can usually adjust the fit by carefully bending the frame at the bridge and/or the temples. You may also be able to adjust the nose-pieces, by pinching them closer together or farther apart, to rest on your nose more comfortably.
Lens Shape
There are no right or
wrong lens shapes, but consider that wrap-around lenses do block
more of the light hitting your eyes from the side. They improve aerodynamics,
cut down on wind that can dry out your eyes, and also provide extra protection
against rain, sand and other debris.
Cleaning Sunglasses
Cleaning Sunglasses
Use a soft, lint-free
cloth (such as a microfiber) to clean your lenses. Avoid wood-based
materials, such as facial tissue, which are too abrasive for safe cleaning. A spray-on lens cleaner or
just plain water should also be used, since dry lenses are more susceptible to
scratching when rubbed.
ACCESSORIES
Protective Case
If your
sunglasses don't come with a hard or padded case, you should consider buying one to protect your
eyewear from scratching and crushing,while keeping the lenses clean.
Cleaning Cloth
Cleaning Cloth
A basic
supply for cleaning. All Mercury Sunglasses come with a microfibre case to protect your
eyewear from scratching and keeping the lenses clean.
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Since 1984, MERCURY has made quality, affordable, fashion and performance sunglasses in the
latest trends and styles - all with 100%
UV protection. All Mercury Sunglasses frames also have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. It's simple. You break them, we'll replace them. Period. Find your Mercury today. You can also join Mercury on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for our latest information, events and promotions. Have questions? We're here to help.
Mercury customers are creative, bold, stylish, and fiercely independent. Others can champion, chastise, glorify, or vilify them,
but they’re not fond of rules and care little about the 'status quo'. Find your Mercury today. Download our 2015 (wholesale) Mercury Collection for our latest fashion and performance sunglasses or shop online at http://www.mercurysun.com.
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