Hi there, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're exploring polarized
sunglasses and whether you should consider getting a pair for your next trip.
(light chiming music)
Sunglasses are one of my favorite things to wear, and it's something that I
use almost every day, especially since I live in sunny Los Angeles. Sunglasses
help protect my eyes from UV rays and glare, especially when driving around
sunset, and generally reduce eye strain. A question that seems to come up a lot is
whether it's worth paying extra for polarized lenses. In my opinion, they're
totally worth it. While normal sunglasses reduce the brightness of an environment,
polarized lenses remove and reduce glare. Polarized lenses are like blinds which
shutter out some of the light that reflects in a certain angle. To see the
difference, I have two scenarios to show you. The first is from a boat ride trip
to the Channel Islands. You can see that glare is dramatically reduced from the
waves when I look through my polarized lenses. The second is from a recent trip
to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In this video, you can see that the polarized
sunglasses remove a large amount of the glare in the lagoon, giving me much more
visibility into the water. In fact, with the lenses, I'm able to see fish in the
lagoon that I probably would have missed without my sunglasses.
To sum up, polarized sunglasses remove glare and can often allow you to see
things that you would not be able to see otherwise. This is especially the case
around water, which is why you see a lot of marine sports enthusiasts using them.
So what are the cons? Well, there are a couple of negatives when using polarized
lenses. Sometimes I notice that my polarized sunglasses show weird
patterns in glass, especially with car windows. Also, certain electronic displays
get blocked by polarized lenses, which seems to affect some fuel-pump displays
and portable electronic screens. Another question you might have is whether it's
worth buying a premium pair of sunglasses. While a cheap pair of
polarized lenses work just fine, it might be worth looking at a nicer pair. With
better quality sunglasses, you generally find a couple of enhancements.
Things like better frame, lens materials more clarity, less distortion, stronger
hinges, better materials, and less reflected glare. Of course, if you're the
type to lose or break your sunglasses, then I probably would advise against
buying a premium pair. Just make sure any sunglasses you buy are marked to block UV
rays. Wearing sunglasses that are simply dark and not designed to block the UV
rays are actually more harmful than helpful. If you've seen some of our
destination videos, you'll see that I'm wearing the same pair of sunglasses -- a
pair of Maui Jim Eh Brah sunglasses. I use them every day and I would buy them
again in a heartbeat. I've owned other premium brand
sunglasses like Ray Ban's and Oakley's, but I found the lens
quality of my Maui Jim sunglasses to be the best of the bunch. The lenses on my
pair are made from SuperThin glass, which is definitely heavier than plastic,
but incredible when it comes to clarity and scratch resistance. I'm a big fan of
Maui Jim, and not just because I think their products are great, but also
because they do stand by their customers. if you need to replace a lens, Maui Jim
will do it at a reasonable price and with a quick turnaround time. It gives me
peace of mind knowing that they care about their customers and the investment I've
made when buying their glasses. If you do invest in a pair of premium polarized
sunglasses, here are some things to consider. Number one: Consider the lens
material. This is the most important component of the sunglass. I love glass
lenses like the SuperThin glass found in my Maui Jim sunglasses since they
offer the most clarity and scratch resistance, but I realized that it's not
for everyone. Plastic is much more comfortable and
shatter resistant, which is very important if you have a high impact
hobby or profession. Number two: Consider the frame material. If you like non-metal
frames, you'll find that acetate is a much more durable material than plastic.
If you like metal frames, then consider titanium over stainless steel if you're
going to spend time near or in saltwater, since it's rust resistant. Number three:
Pick the right lens shade color. Gray lenses tend to have the most light
reduction and color accuracy, making them the best choice for bright and
direct sunlight. Brown lenses are warmer and can be used in more varied situations, in
terms of lighting. Other lens colors, like rose or green are available that can
boost contrast and be used in lower light, and may be best if you need it for
a specific hobby or sport. Number four: Look for anti-reflective treatments. Many
premium lenses have anti-reflective treatments. These are awesome
as they reduce the amount of bounce back glare when the sun is behind you.
This improves the clarity and reduces eye fatigue from having to squint. Number
five: Clean your glasses properly and often. You don't need some expensive glass
cleaner keep your lenses clean. You can use a mild dish soap to wash off oils
and dirt from the glasses. I personally use an eco-friendly detergent with no
fragrance. I would suggest using a microfiber cloth though to dry and wipe the lenses.
They not only absorb more water, but will prevent any scratches on the lenses.
Number six: Get a sunglass case. If you're investing in a nice pair of sunglasses,
make sure you get a sunglass case and use it when traveling. You'll often get
one when you buy a pair, but if not, there are plenty of inexpensive and strong
cases on Amazon. Number seven: Be careful of designer
brand names. A lot of brands get away with offering marginally better glasses,
but placing their designer brand name on the lens. Just make sure you inspect the
frame and lenses before making a purchase. You want to make sure that
you're getting the best value when you buy a more premium pair of sunglasses.
And those are our tips for this video. Please let us know if you're a fan of
polarized sunglasses, and if so, what brands do you like to use? Also, let us
know if you have any questions in the comment section below.
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of our updates. Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.