10 Best Sunglasses for Driving – Protect Your Eyes During Long Drives

Sunglasses are not just fancy accessories. As a driver, you know that visibility is one of the most important factors in driving safely. This is especially true if you are driving long hours.

Your eyes are easily fatigued, especially during bright days. Additionally, your vision takes an extra strain when visibility is no the greatest during extreme weather conditions.

During these moments, and truthfully anytime, you need any help that you can get to make driving easier and a lot safe. Thus, sunglasses become much more than a part of your everyday style. Choosing the best sunglasses for driving will protect your vision, reduce glare, and ease potential fatigue on your eyes.

10 Best Sunglasses for Driving

In this article, we will carefully examine various sunglasses available on the market. We’ve tested the most popular brands to determine the best option just for you.

We also developed a buying guide to help you pick the best sunglasses for any occasion.

Do not miss out on our top pick at the end of this article!

1. Oakley Holbrook OO9102 Rectangular Sunglasses

Oakley is known to be one of the most popular brands of sunglasses around. The Holbrook OO9102 Rectangular Sunglasses are made of sturdy plastic synthetics for both the frame and lens. This results in a durable yet lightweight sunglasses.

The lenses block harmful UV rays to protect your eyes and reduce fatigue. The Plutonite material ensures 100% protection every time. Additionally, you have the option to include an Iridium coating for further protection. Oakley Sunglasses come in various styles to match your style.

2. ATTCL Men’s Driving Polarized Sunglasses

If you are looking for an aviator-style pair of sunglasses without breaking the bank, then ATTCL Men’s Driving Polarized Sunglasses are perfect substitutes for more expensive brands. The metal frame provides strength, which makes the sunglasses ideal for most drivers. It also comes in a 30-day money-back guarantee, which shows the brand’s confidence in this model.

ATTCL comes in black, silver, blue, and golf, which means you can have multiple pairs to match your daily style. The budget sunglasses includes composite lenses that are polarized. This means your eyes are protected from UV rays regardless of the weather.

3. Maui Jim Peahi Sunglasses for Driving

Maui Jim Peahi Sunglasses for Driving is a premium option if you are looking for a high-end eyewear option. The Grilamid frame is a high-performing polyamide that is lightweight yet feels premium. It comes in various colors such as burgundy tortoise, HCL bronze, gloss black, and matte black.

The uber thin lenses provide a minimal and sophisticated look. The 63 mm x 39 mm dimension is perfect for anyone. Unlike other sunglasses, it hugs the head comfortable and sits closer to the face, which reduces excess light from the sides.

4.  Serengeti Velocity Sunglasses

If the polarized look of some of the sunglasses is not your thing, Serengeti Velocity Sunglasses is perfect for you. It uses photochromic technology that adapts to the constant changes in light and dark environments throughout the day. The lens particles expand in brighter places that filter the incoming light. On the other hand, the same particles compress when it is dark to allow more light through the lenses.

Even without the polarized lenses, it will protect your eyes from UV rays. The Espresso Titanium material used in the frame is comfortable around the face without getting too heavy. It also features an upgraded Silicon Gel nose pads that provide ultra comfort and incredible grip.

5. DUCO Shades Classic Polarized Sunglasses

DUCO Shades Classic Polarized Sunglasses is for the ladies who want high-performing eye wear without losing the feminine style. The distinct style fits practically any outfit, which means it is perfect for day-to-day use. The upgraded frame is made of tough plastic synthetics and copper alloy hinge that makes it practically unbreakable.

The TAC Polarized Lenses are infused with a special material that makes it scratch resistance. They are also 50 times more impact protected than the usual optical glass. Additionally, they are UV400 protected, which ensures protection from harmful blue light.

6. Ray-Ban RB3183 Sunglasses

Ray-Ban is a standard when it comes to eyewear, and it is no surprise that they carry some of the best sunglasses for drivers. It is one of the best for driving among their line of sunglasses and rightly so. The minimal design means it fits practically to anyone.

The frame is made of lightweight and durable material that lasts for a long time even with daily use. The design is also unisex and does not feel out of place, whether on a man or a woman. Some customers even report that the slim form factor can fit inside a motorcycle helmet. The lenses are polarized, which prevents harmful UV rays from damaging your eyes.

7. Costa Del Mar Loreto Sunglasses

Another Aviator-style sunglasses make our list, but this time Costa Del Mar Loreto Sunglasses is perfect for both men and women. With various colors available like Paladium, Rose Gold, Gunmetal, Rose Gold Copper, and more, you will surely find a pair that is just ideal for your personal taste.

The lenses are made from polycarbonate material that promotes clarity. They also last longer due it their scratch-resistant and impact-protection features. The eyewear can be an all-around accessory as the frame is corrosion-resistant, which means you can use it practically everywhere.

8. Fitover Polarized Sunglasses

When you are already wearing prescription glasses, it is impossible to wear sunglasses since you can only choose to wear one. Not until today! Fitover Polarized Sunglasses is made just for people wearing prescriptions already. It slides comfortably over your existing glasses, so you have perfect vision during your drives.

Even during the brightest days, the polarized lenses effectively prevent glare, which minimizes eye strain and damage. It also filters harmful UV rays for added protection. While it may seem a bit larger than normal eyeglasses, the form factor is proportional without looking too big. It is also lightweight, which means it will remain comfortable, especially during long drives.

9. J+S Premium Military Style Classic Aviator Sunglasses

J+S Premium Military Style Classic Aviator Sunglasses is another budget pair that exceeds all expectations. The style takes some design language from aviator-style sunglasses while maintaining its versatility. The frame is incredibly durable and light, which makes it perfect for long drives.

The lenses are made of plastic material, which adds toughness. They are also polarized to protect your eyes from most UVA and UVB radiation. The eyewear comes in three sizes and multiple colors, which means you will find a pair no matter your style. Each pair comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is surprising for sunglasses at this price point.

10. RIVBOS Polarized Driving Sunglasses

RIVBOS Polarized Driving Sunglasses was crafted for active people. It is perfect not only for driving but for all types of sports. The super lightweight frame is made from high-grade Switzerland TR 90 material, which is both stylish and durable. It comes in various colors such as Black Night, White and Blue, Transparent Grey, Black Ice, and more.

The lenses are mirror-coated, and TAC polarized. They provide complete protection from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays as well as harmful blue light. Each pair also comes with lifetime after-sale service, which means you can expect to use the eyewear for years to come.

Buying Guide for Driving Sunglasses

With the list above, you have a pick of the best sunglasses. But, with these multiple options, you do not want to buy a pair that you will only use once. Just like any accessory, the best one will depend on your needs and wants.

We’ve listed the best features to look for in a pair of eyewear for driving to help you choose the ideal one for you.

Features of the Best Sunglasses for Driving

When buying your next pair of sunglasses, do not just grab the next cheapest pair that you can find. Additionally, a pricey pair does not mean it will meet your needs, especially for long term use.

Here are a few features that you should consider before purchasing a pair.

UV Protection

The whole purpose of buying a pair of sunglasses for driving is to reduce strain and glare to your eyes. This is especially essential when you are usually driving for long hours. Your eyes are bombarded by light reflected from the road, other cards, and more. Headlights and other light sources can also harm your eyes when driving during dark days or at night.

Choose sunglasses with lenses that filter at least UVA radiation. These can at least reduce the intensity of light coming in your eyes. However, polarized lenses are not for everyone.

Lenses with a polarized coating can affect the visibility of some LED or LCD displays that are now common in new car models. Head units, navigation systems, speedometers, and other components may be hard to see when wearing polarized lenses.

Frames

Your next concern is the frame and overall build of the sunglasses. This will depend on how you are planning to use your pair. Frames are typically made of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and synthetic materials like plastic.

Stainless steel is a common material in most brands of sunglasses. The material is known to be durable and strong that lasts for many years. It is also known to be hypoallergenic, which prevents nasty skin reactions. However, stainless steel is quite heavy, which means these are not ideal for long drives.

A good substitute for stainless steel is aluminum and titanium. Aluminum is lighter and hypoallergenic as well. But, it is not as strong as the former. It can also be quite expensive. Titanium can be considered one of the best materials for frames. It is light, comfortable, flexible, and strong. But, it is much more expensive than most frame materials, which means you can only find titanium in premium brands of eyewear.

Synthetic materials come in different forms like plastic nylon, polycarbonate, and more. These materials have varying weight, strength, durability, and comfort level. The problem is finding the best one means actually trying out different pairs to make sure that you achieve the balance of features that you desire.

Lenses

Aside from polarization, you should also check if the color, tint, and other characteristics of the lenses fit your needs. Color and tint affect your visibility significantly. The tint comes in various densities labeled Class 0 for clear lenses to Class 4, which refer to very dark ones. Make sure that the color and tint will serve you just right in your everyday driving experience.

Some lenses come in photo-sensitive material which adapts to the amount of light in the environment. That means they get darker in very bright scenarios and considerably lighter in dark scenes.

On the other hand, graduated lenses are those darker on top and lighter at the bottom. It is perfect for viewing dashboard information while being protected from harsh light and UV rays. However, these are not ideal for overcast skies or low sun days as the lower part will let glare through.

Conclusion

Our pick for the best sunglasses for driving is ATTCL Polarized Sunglasses. These pairs are not only affordable but the aviator-style feel premium. The lightweight frame is surprisingly strong for the price point. However, its distinct style is not for everyone, and the sizes are considerably small, especially for some customers.

On the other hand, if you have the budget and want a long-lasting pair, opt for a Maui Jim Peahi pair. The lenses will protect your eyes from practically all harmful rays and light. They are also scratch-proof and waterproof that lasts longer than any regular sunglasses. The frame will hug your face comfortably, and the lightweight material ensures you can use it for hours. The only downside is its price, which may be too expensive if you are just looking for a pair for casual use.