While many people choose sunglass lens colors purely for aesthetic reasons, did you know that different lens colors serve different purposes? The tint of your sunglass lenses can enhance your depth perception and reduce eye fatigue in different environments, improving your performance across a number of sports and activities. Remember that tinted sunglasses should also provide full UV protection as the tint alone will not block UV light.
See our color guide charts below for a quick lens-tint comparison, and read about the unique features & benefits of each lens color in the descriptions to find the best lens color for you.
The weather causes glare, haze, fog, and other conditions that make it hard to see your best when you’re outside. Fortunately, you can choose a tinted lens for any weather.
Green lenses and grey/black lens colors help you see clearly in most weather conditions. If you live somewhere where it’s mostly sunny, a brown/amber or pink/red-colored lens is a good choice for bright light. This is because both of these tints enhance contrast and improve depth perception. Yellow and blue/purple-tinted lenses can help you see better when it’s foggy or hazy.
Our Shop by Sport eyewear collection features sport-specific styles that are made to enhance your vision in the most challenging conditions.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Do you like winter sports or do you prefer being outside in the summer? Whatever you choose, there is a variety of tinted sunglasses so you can choose the best color for you.
If you like snow sports, the best lens colors for skiing are green, yellow, blue/purple, grey/black, and pink/red. These tints reduce glare and improve contrast and depth perception.
The best lens colors for fishing are green, brown/amber, blue/purple, and grey/black. These colors minimize glare, enhance color perception, and improve vision on the water.
Is cycling your passion? The best lens colors for cycling are green, grey/black, and pink/red. Pink/red lenses also provide good road visibility.
If you like to spend a sunny afternoon on the golf course, the best lens colors for golf are green, brown/amber, blue/purple, and grey/black. These colors cut glare and increase depth perception on the course by enhancing the visual contrast of greens and blues.
If you want the best lens color for tennis, choose from among green, brown/amber, yellow, and grey/black. Any of these tints can enhance your vision on the court.
If you’re a gamer, you’re probably not wearing sunglasses while you play, but there is a lens tint for you. Glasses with yellow lenses can help filter blue-violet light from electronic screens and provide clear vision in low-light conditions.
Whether you choose a grey lens, blue lens, yellow lens, brown lens, or another tint, you can create a pair of color sunglasses that can help you see your best.
Reviewed by Sonia Kelley, OD, MS on June 29, 2023
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Also see: Reading Glasses | How to Measure Pupillary Distance or PD | What's My Glasses Frame Size? | Lens Color Guide | Understanding Your Prescription | How To Find Glasses That Fit Your Face Shape