Alright, we already touched on this one at the beginning, but the most obvious reason to wear sunglasses whenever you go out is to protect your eyes from the sun.

Being obvious doesn’t make this reason any less important, though.

The sun’s UV rays are no joke.

Back in 2014, the U.S. National Eye Institute did a study on the dangers of UV rays that found that this type of radiation can harm the proteins of your eyes’ lenses. After enough time, this ongoing damage may result in a number of ailments, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer.

Hence why wearing sunglasses is so important. Specifically, you need sunglasses with UV400 protection. Otherwise, spending time outdoors could slowly do irreversible damage.

You have more than just the sun’s rays to worry about when you go outside, though.

Sand, dirt, and dust could get in your eyes, too. The same goes for snow if you live in a colder climate.

This is especially true for those of you who like to go running outside or otherwise play outdoor sports. These activities, while great for your health, can kick up debris that may get into your eyes and cause problems.

Why risk that when wearing a pair of sunglasses is such an easy solution?

Speaking of which, a good running hat can also go a long way toward keeping you safe from the elements – everything from rain to snow.

Even if you aren’t the athletic type, another great reason to wear sunglasses is that they will help prevent wrinkles caused by exposure to those aforementioned UV rays.

Of course, the sun can cause wrinkles just about anywhere, but your eyelids are especially susceptible to the sun’s rays because they’re so thin.

While limiting direct exposure and using eye cream may also help, throwing on a pair of shades when you go outdoors will help the area around your eyes stay wrinkle-free.

Do you regularly suffer from headaches or, worse, full-blown migraines?

Did you know that one possible cause of migraines can be sunlight?

Fortunately, as you’ve probably guessed, there’s an easy solution to this potential problem: wearing sunglasses.

You’ll get the benefit of sun exposure without risking the nasty migraines that may eventually follow on days when your eyes get a little too much.

Depending on the type of sunglasses you choose, their lenses may do a whole lot more than just offer protection from the sun, debris, headaches, and even signs of early aging.

If you elect to wear polarized sunglasses, you’ll also be able to see a lot better, too.

That’s because polarized lenses cut down on the glare that reflects off of flat surfaces like glass (think windows and windshields), as well as snow, ice, and water – which is why polarized sunglasses have become so popular with athletes. Whether you’re skiing or fishing, polarized lenses make it easier to see what’s right in front of you.

In fact, if you find yourself driving in a rainstorm when the sun’s out, polarized sunglasses could save your life – so effective are their lenses at cutting through glare.

Granted, this one is pretty darn specific, but if you happen to have an eye operation – like LASIK – a major benefit of wearing sunglasses is that they will make your recovery time considerably more comfortable.

As I already mentioned, the right pair of shades can do a lot for protecting your eyes when outside on a sunny day. So, if your peepers are even more vulnerable to UV rays because of a recent surgery, a good pair of sunglasses is a great investment.

Finally, there are no two ways about it: the right sunglasses will improve your style.

And these days, no matter what your personal style might entail, there’s a pair of shades that can complement – even enhance – it.

At Runner Athletics, we’ve designed three very specific versions for a range of fashion senses:

•       Sprinter Sunglasses – 54mm 
•       Spartan Sunglasses – 50mm 
•       Olympian Sunglasses – 47mm

Altogether, we have 25 different combinations of styles and colors – all priced affordably, so you can purchase more than one for all kinds of different looks.

And while we made them with runners in mind, they’re fashionable enough to wear anywhere for any reason.

Speaking of price, it’s worth bringing up that MOST cheap sunglasses made with lackluster lenses may actually do a lot more harm than good.

Here’s how: if sunglasses aren’t made with lenses that provide proper UV protection, all those dark lenses do is block out enough light to make your pupils dilate.

At that point, your dilated pupils are at the mercy of the UV rays that are able to pass right through those cheap lenses.

So, every time people put on cheap sunglasses for the benefit of protecting their eyes, they may actually be doing the exact opposite.

The best part about this list is that all of these benefits are incredibly affordable.

At Runners Athletics, we don’t think sunglasses need to be expensive.

So, if you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that will give you all of the above benefits (including LOTS of style) and plenty of other reasons to wear them every day, check out our selection for yourself.

        TOP RUNNING GEAR