Winter Sunglasses Guide

Sunglasses aren't just for summer. In a British winter the sun sits low, the roads stay wet and the light comes at you sideways, which can make a bright December morning harder on your eyes than a day in July. Here's why a good pair earns its place all year, and what to look for.

Why winter sun is harder on your eyes

• It's low in the sky. From autumn to spring the UK sun barely climbs, so instead of shining down from above, it shines straight into your eyeline, especially on the morning and evening commute.
• Everything reflects. Wet roads, puddles, frost and car windscreens bounce light back at you as harsh glare.
• UV hasn't gone anywhere. UV levels are lower in winter, but they're not zero, and snow reflects a large share of UV back up towards your face.
• Squinting is tiring. Hours of low, bright light leave your eyes strained and your head aching.

Low sun and driving

Being dazzled by low sun is one of the biggest winter frustrations on the road. A polarised lens cuts the glare off wet tarmac and the car in front, so you can actually see what's ahead. Keep a pair in the car through the winter months, keep your windscreen clean inside and out, and slow down if you're dazzled. Have a look at our driving sunglasses and our UK guide to sunglasses for driving. Don't wear sunglasses for driving at night or in poor light.

The best lenses for winter

• Polarised. The biggest upgrade for winter, because so much winter glare comes off wet and icy surfaces. Aura8™ is our best polarised lens.
• Grey or black. Keeps colours true for driving and city days.
• Brown and warm tints. Lift contrast on grey, flat afternoons, so you see more definition.
• Gradient. Shade from the low sun at the top, a clear view of the dashboard at the bottom.

Not sure which is right for you? Our sunglasses lens guide compares every option.

Winter holidays and snow

Heading somewhere snowy? Bright sun on snow is about as intense as light gets, and it can burn the surface of your eyes, which is what people call snow blindness. For skiing and snowboarding you'll want proper goggles, but for walks, après and sunny days around the resort, a polarised UV400 pair is the one to pack. Winter sun breaks somewhere warm? You'll want them even more. Our travel sunglasses guide has packing tips.

Our winter picks

• Phantom, all black and polarised. The easiest pair to keep in the car.
• Inferno, tortoiseshell that looks right with a heavy coat and knitwear.
• Glacier, translucent grey with dark lenses, a cool neutral for crisp days.
• Sahara, round tortoiseshell with a warm, vintage feel.
• Silverback, mirrored silver lenses for bright snow and frosty mornings.
• Miami, gold aviators with a brown gradient lens for a classic winter look.

A gift that gets used all year

Sunglasses make a brilliant Christmas present: they're useful from the first low-sun commute, and every pair comes in a branded box with a drawstring pouch, a cleaning cloth and stickers. Browse our sunglasses gifts, with free UK delivery and a Lifetime Guarantee on every pair.