BUYER'S GUIDE : SUNGLASSES

Much more than just a fashion statement, sport sunglasses deliver protection, comfort and performance gains. Here's all you need to know...

- ROB SLADE

A pair of good sport sunglasses can make all the difference to performance. Not only do they help you feel like a superhero, but eye protection against harmful UV rays and harsh glare will also help you squint less, which is proven to conserve precious energy.

Shopping for sunglasses can be tough, as it's easy to be caught up in how they look. That's fair enough, of course. We all look odd enough when racing around the countryside dressed head-to-toe in skin-tight Lycra, so if we can avoid feeling stupid because of the large shiny item resting on our nose, that's an extra win.

The truth is, though, there are more important aspects that need prioritising. For a start, it's protection from the sun, which we'll go into in more detail overleaf. But essentially your sunglasses need a high UVA rating to protect your corneas from sun damage, even if you just race in the UK. The strength of tint on the lenses will then help reduce how bright things seem, reducing the need to screw your eyes up as you ride or run.

The other thing you need protection from is wind and airborne debris. That could be everything from midges to dust and dirt. Fit is just as important, especially for triathletes, given the multisport nature of our racing. Then you have additional things to consider, such as whether the glasses will fog up, how good the field of view is and if they're likely to survive if you drop them in transition.

Lots to consider... So to help you make your next purchase a successful one, we've put together a buying guide for sports sunglasses, followed by reviews of nine different pairs from leading brands. Turn the page to find out how they fared.

KEY BUYING INFORMATION

Blinded by the many, many options out there? Here's our complete guide to sport sunglasses...

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIT