Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: A No-BS Guide

Every time you shop for sunglasses, someone mentions polarized lenses like they're some kind of magic technology. And then they charge you more for them. But what do polarized lenses actually do? And do you actually need them?

Let's cut through the marketing speak.

What Polarized Lenses Actually Do

Polarized lenses contain a special filter that blocks intense reflected light. When light bounces off flat surfaces—water, snow, car hoods, roads—it becomes "polarized," meaning it travels in a horizontal direction and creates harsh glare.

Polarized lenses block this horizontal light while letting normal light through. The result: reduced glare, better contrast, and less eye strain.

When Polarized Lenses Are Worth It

Driving: Glare off other cars and the road is real. Polarized lenses help.

Water activities: Fishing, boating, beach days—anywhere there's reflective water, polarized is the move.

Snow sports: Snow reflects a ton of light. Polarized lenses cut through it.

Outdoor work: If you're outside for hours, your eyes will thank you.

When You Might Not Need Them

Looking at screens: Polarized lenses can make LCD screens hard to read. If you're checking your phone constantly, this gets annoying.

Low-light conditions: Polarized lenses reduce overall light transmission. For dawn/dusk activities, they might be too dark.

Casual, occasional use: If you're just running errands, standard UV-protective lenses are fine.

The UV Protection Myth

Here's what most people get wrong: polarization and UV protection are different things. You can have polarized lenses with poor UV protection, and non-polarized lenses with excellent UV protection.

Always check that your sunglasses block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays, regardless of polarization.

The Bottom Line

Polarized lenses are great for specific situations—driving, water, snow, bright conditions. But they're not universally "better." The best sunglasses are the ones that fit your actual lifestyle.

And yes, ours come with polarized options. Because sometimes you do need them.