Expert Advice
Quiz: Which Coloured Lens Should You Choose
While some people choose sunglasses for purely aesthetic reasons, lens colour tints serve different purposes and have a range of benefits behind them. Choosing sunglasses can be overwhelming, especially when considering the right lens colour for you. Take our quick quiz to find out what lenses are best suited to your lifestyle.
While some people choose sunglasses for purely aesthetic reasons, lens colour tints serve different purposes and have a range of benefits behind them. Depending on your lifestyle and environment, lens colours can improve your performance across a range of sports and outdoor activities, or you might have sensitive eyes that require something a little more comfortable to look through.
Choosing sunglasses can be overwhelming, especially when considering the right lens colour for you. Take our quick quiz to find out what lenses are best suited to your lifestyle.
1. The weekend is finally here, and the weather forecast predicts bright, sunny conditions. What’s your ideal way to spend it?
a. I have a whole weekend jam-packed with plans. From the beach to drinks with friends, I’m making the most out of my weekend!
b. Can’t get enough of the outdoors! I’ll be either heading inland to find a hiking track, casting a line in a near-by stream or teeing up a game of golf with mates.
c. Sunny weekends call for a road trip of course! I’ll be hitting up my closest friends and packing the car to head somewhere else for the day.
d. Weekends are for friends, family and BBQ’s. A bit of backyard cricket with drinks flowing is the only way to spend the afternoon!
e. Every minute counts. Early morning and evening is prime time to go running and cycling with no-one around.
f. Gotta be beach-side! Surfing, fishing or out on the boat, I don’t plan on spending much time off the water.
g. Long-lunching with friends of course! An Aperol spritz is calling my name.
2. How would you describe where you live?
a. Can’t complain! We get the occasional overcast day where I am, but the weather is usually warm and sunny.
b. Surrounded by greenery and nature is where I like to be. We get all kinds of weather inland ranging from sunny to gloomy.
c. I get the best of both worlds. We get warm summers, and I live close enough to the ski fields to have a cupboard full of snow gear.
d. The weather is always up and down, it’s hard to tell what the temperature will be like tomorrow.
e. It’s often gloomier and more overcast than not, but that’s okay, I like the cold.
f. It’s always hot and bright where I live, you’ll rarely catch me without my sunnies on.
g. I live in a city where there is lots of shade in-between sunny environments.
3. What’s your favourite sport or outdoor activity?
a. I’m a jack of all trades, I can’t pick one sport! If the sun is shining, you best believe I’m doing something active.
b. I love a day on the green. Golf, cricket and tennis – precision sports are my thing.
c. Anything to get my adrenaline pumping! I love cycling and running, but when it gets cooler, you’ll see me racing down the ski-slopes.
d. I can’t decide between water sports and footy. Don’t make me choose!
e. I basically hibernate until its snow season.
f. From surfing, snowboarding and deep-sea fishing, if it’s not extreme, I’m not interested!
g. Hitting up the gym or going for a walk is more my thing.
4. Winter has rolled around but you still want to protect your eyes from the sun. What outdoor activities are you doing in the cooler months?
a. We don’t get much of a winter, so I’ll be doing the same activities I do in summer.
b. I’m heading to the closest river or stream; every angler knows this is the best time of the year for trout.
c. I’m spending as much time inland as possible. This is the best time of the year for scenic drives, I might even check out the ski slopes.
d. Winter? I’m playing footy and going wakeboarding regardless of the temperature.
e. I’ve been waiting all year for the snow season; I’ll be perfecting my tricks in the terrain park on bluebird and snow days.
f. Regardless of the wind and cold, I’ll still be out on the boat deep-sea fishing.
g. Nothing too extreme, I’ll be keeping my fitness up with walking.
5. What types of lenses do you like to look through, and are your eyes sensitive?
a. I have light-coloured eyes which can be irritated easily. When it comes to wearing sunglasses all day, I want something comfortable to look through.
b. My eyes aren’t sensitive. The brighter and more colourful, the better!
c. I love looking through lenses that have a pink tone, especially when it’s overcast outside.
d. I’m not a fan of warm lenses, I like to keep it cool while brightening my surroundings.
e. I don’t like looking through anything too dark, my eyes can also get fatigued easily.
f. I’m under the bright sun a lot so I know I need something strong to keep my eyes protected.
g. I’m in between – I don’t like lenses that are too dark, but I also want to keep my eyes protected while I am driving and in bright light situations.
Mostly A’s: Grey/Black Lenses
Grey or black lenses are the darkest tint available and are the ultimate all-rounders; they’re suitable for both sunny days and overcast days while being the most neutral lens to look through. This is because the grey tint cuts down brightness without distorting any colours you see, making them comfortable to look through for extended periods of time, making them perfect for those with sensitive or easily irritable eyes. Grey lenses are one of the most popular lens colours for their function and stylish look, and for this reason, they are found in almost every sunglass style.
✓ Bright/glary conditions
✓ True colour perception
✓ Everyday sports
Mostly B's: Brown/Amber Lenses
Brown or amber lenses are favoured for their versatile tint that is suitable for all weather conditions, especially for brightening overcast and low-light environments. The warm hue in brown lenses blocks blue light and improves depth perception while heightening colour contrast, making them a favourable choice for sports where distance needs to be judged like golf or tennis. Brown lenses are also recommended for inshore fishing in streams where light is compromised. You’ll find brown lenses in a huge variety of sunglasses to compliment havana and tortoiseshell frames.
✓ Fishing & cycling
✓ Brightens vision
✓ Low-light conditions
Mostly C's: Rose/Red Lenses
Like brown lenses, rose or red tints also block out blue light, resulting in a warm, pinky tone that intensifies colour contrast in compromised lighting. Rose lenses also help with visibility while driving by strengthening coloured road markings, increasing visual awareness on the road. This makes rose and red lenses a popular choice for drivers, cyclists and runners, it’s even a popular choice for skiing and snowboarding as rose lenses provide excellent colour contrast with the snow. Rose lenses are favoured for their soft look that compliments light coloured frames, making them a common lens colour in fashion sunglasses.
✓ Visibility while driving
✓ Increases depth of field
✓ Filters blue-light
Mostly D's: Green Lenses
Green lenses are the happy medium between grey and brown lenses, they have the same functionalities as grey tints in bright-light situations, but also filter bright blue light like brown lenses. Perfect for those who find brown or rose lenses too warm, green tints will brighten shadows and improve colour contrast, making them ideal for low-light environments. They’re a great general purpose lens that is worn for all activities including water sports and field sports. Green lenses offer a classic look and remain one of Ray-Ban’s most popular lens colours.
✓ Variety of conditions
✓ Reduce eye-strain
✓ Precision sports
Mostly E's: Yellow Lenses
Yellow lenses have a more specific functionality than other coloured lenses. They increase contrast in hazy, foggy and low-light conditions, however being a light tint, they are not suitable for bright sun and high-glare environments. Yellow lenses are commonly seen on snowfields as they help skiers and snowboarders identify the differing depths of terrain on the snow. Yellow lenses are also suitable for pilots, night driving and even for leisure time in front of a screen as they filter out blue light that causes eye strain. They also have their place in fashion eyewear as a light and playful alternative to other lens colours.
✓ Foggy/hazy conditions
✓ Most preciison sports
✓ Filters blue-light
Mostly F's: Mirror Lenses
Mirrored lenses are both fashionable and functional – a winning combo and a popular choice for many. Mirror lenses act as a secondary barrier to other lens colours as they deflect harsh light that bounces off surfaces like water. Commonly paired with polarised technology to offer the best in UV protection, mirror lenses are recommended for fishing, boating, the beach, or any time you spend an extended time near the water. Available in every colour under the sun, mirrored sunglasses are a fashion statement piece that will add a colourful element to any look.
✓ Reflective coating
✓ High level UV protection
✓ Deters glare
Mostly G's: Gradient Lenses
Although commonly found in fashion eyewear, gradient lenses serve a greater purpose other than to look good. Gradient lenses have a darker tint on top of the lens that gradually fades to the bottom. This element makes them a great choice for driving sunglasses as the lenses won’t dim your view of the dashboard. The gradual fade in the lens is suitable for environments like cities where sunshine and shade can shift quickly; as gradient lenses can adjust to both lightings, you won’t be taking sunglasses on and off of your face constantly. Gradient lenses are a fashion-forward choice and are ideal for everyday use.
✓ Suitable for driving
✓ Variety of lighting
✓ Fashionable look
