Winter Sunglasses: The Best Sunglasses for Cold-Weather

Even though winter doesn’t start until December 21, the cold weather is already here. When it’s cloudy cloudy and gray outside, you still need to protect your eyes. Over 90% of UV rays can pass through clouds from the winter sun, damaging your eyes and skin. Protect yourself this winter while enjoying the outdoors (or just trying to drive to work in the snow!) with WMP Eyewear’s guide to the best sunglasses for cold weather.

What to Look for in Winter Sunglasses

UV Ray Protection

UV radiation is generally lower in winter, but the reflection of UV rays off snow can double the amount you’re exposed to. UV ray exposure leads to short and long-term side effects, such as snow blindness, which lasts a few days, or macular degeneration, which decreases vision for the rest of your life.

The best winter sunglasses offer 100% UV protection or are rated up to 400. UV wavelengths are up to 400 nanometers in length, so that’s why some sunglasses say UV 400 protection. Either way, you’re covered!

Polarized Lenses

Driving in the snow, rain, and other winter conditions is dangerous enough. Protect yourself and those in the car with you by purchasing winter sunglasses with polarized lenses. Glare is a sensation our eyes experience when light reflects off an even surface, such as a pool of water or a patch of snow. This overwhelms our vision and makes it difficult to see. 

Polarized lenses are treated with a chemical that blocks this harmful horizontal reflected light. Only vertical light makes its way through, which doesn’t damage or bother our eyes in the same way. This helps you see potholes in the road or a sudden stop in front of you in time to avoid a collision.

Lens Colors

There’s typically less light outside during the winter due to weather conditions. Protect your eyes and see easier with lighter lens colors such as yellow, gray, blue, or pink. Look for any lens color that says it works well in low-light or variable-light conditions, so you can use them for a cloudy or sunny winter day.

Full Coverage Eye Protection

Choose sunglasses with full eye coverage to protect from winter elements such as wind and snow. Eyes are more likely to dry out during the winter, and full-coverage sunglasses prevent excessive moisture loss. Full coverage ensures better UV protection as well, so it’s always a good choice to go bigger with your sunglass lenses.

Sunglasses to Try This Winter

Follow the fall trends into winter with these neutral-colored shades from WMP Eyewear.

Brown Sunglass Lenses

Purchase quality, affordable sunglasses to match your winter wardrobe. Wesley in Crystal Brown is a classic square shape with a notched keyhole bridge for a timeless look. With both polarized and 100% UV-blocking lenses, these durable acetate shades will protect your vision for years to come.

Wraparound Frames

Wraparound frames are the perfect choice for winter sports. The arms offer extra security because they reach further back on the sides of your head, making them a great option for snowboarding or running after your kids outside. For a high-quality wraparound frame that’s perfect for winter, skip the snowboarding goggles and try Dorian in Matte Khaki.

A horn-rimmed sports shade, Dorian is a lightweight TR90 frame that comes with 100% UV-blocking polarized lenses to prevent glare from ruining your day on the slopes.

Rose Mirrored Lenses

Go for functional glam this season with rose-mirrored lenses. Mirror lenses reflect light away from your eyes more than a pair of standard ones, making them the perfect choice for snowy or rainy environments. For a trendy pair with rose mirrored lenses, buy Phoenix in Peach Tortoise. 

These fashionable modern aviators feature an adjustable tortoiseshell polycarbonate frame, oversized square lenses, and the iconic double-nose bridge that the design is famous for. With 100% UV-blocking polarized mirror lenses, these sunglasses offer both style and substance.

Large Frames for Protection

With your winter sunglasses, go big or go home! Secure large frames to protect your eyes from inclement weather. Zane in Frosted Saguaro Green offers an oversized sport style that works as well in summer as it does in winter. 

These modern shades feature large lenses with a bold outline that elevates them above the average pair. Made of sturdy acetate and 100% polarized UV lenses, Zane secures protection for any adventure.

Modern Aviator Frames

While aviators are always an excellent choice, modern versions feature oversized square frames that offer even more lens protection against harsh winter weather. Shop modern aviator frames at WMP Eyewear like Emerson, one of our top sellers. The Light Crystal Brown color offers the perfect vibe for colder months. These strong yet lightweight acetate frames feature a single nose bridge and come with 100% UV-blocking polarized lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Recommend Styles That Work Well With Various Face Shapes?

Every WMP Eyewear style features face shape recommendations in the product description, so you can check if the one you’re looking at matches yours. For the sunglasses mentioned in this article, we recommend the following for each face shape:

• Square: Wesley, Dorian, Phoenix, or Emerson
• Round: Wesley, Dorian, Zane, or Emerson
• Oval: Wesley, Dorian, Phoenix, Zane, or Emerson
• Heart: Wesley, Phoenix, Zane, or Emerson
• Diamond: Wesley, Dorian, Phoenix, Zane, or Emerson

Do These Sunglasses Offer UV Protection, Even in Winter?

Every single one of the sunglasses in this article offers 100% UV protection, even in winter. That means your eyes will be as protected as possible from the sun’s harmful rays.

Can I Wear These Winter Sunglasses With Prescription Lenses?

WMP Eyewear offers tons of glasses and sunglasses frames with prescription lenses in our collection. In the selection of frames from this article, you can purchase a prescription pair of Wesley or Emerson. Choose one of three prescription lens colors: green G15, amber, or grey. Any of these three lenses would work in low-light winter conditions, so it depends on your preference.