Many sunglasses offer multiple lens color options, but choosing a color can be complicated. Some people pick a lens color for purely fashion reasons—hey, I don’t blame you! Sometimes you really need to match other accessories.
But your sense of aesthetics may not be the only factor to consider. Some lens colors are preferred for certain activities, like driving or gardening. Others may work best in situations where you need higher contrast or in specific weather situations, such as snow or an overcast sky.
Keep reading to learn more about the different color options for your sunglass lenses and how to choose the best color for your needs.
At a Glance:
- Green lenses offer high contrast and are often preferred for sports that require seeing color contrast clearly, like tennis or golf.
- Gray lenses also have good contrast with reduced glare, and some golfers choose this shade as well.
- Yellow and orange tints work better for hazy or low-light situations, not full sun.
- Amber and brown lenses can improve contrast while also working on cloudy days, and they’re recommended for outdoor activities like water sports.
- Rose or red tints block blue light and may have a soothing effect, especially for long-wear situations.
Sunglass Lens Colors: What You Need to Know
Let’s look at some popular lens colors and the reasons you might want to choose them:
Green Lenses
People who prefer green tints often have hobbies or jobs that require seeing with sharp contrast. These lenses can be ideal for sports like tennis or golf, and some anglers like them too. Green lenses also reduce glare, and some people feel they result in less eye strain.
If you think green lenses might work well for you, popular options like the Ray-Ban G15 lens and the Maui Jim Maui Green lens are worth considering. The G15 has natural color transmission, so things look more “normal” even with sunglasses on. The Maui Green lens is recommended if you spend a lot of time in full sun, and it provides contrast with a warm hue.
The G15 lenses are available on multiple Ray-Ban sunglasses, including the Ray-Ban RB2193 LEONARD shades. This is a simple, straightforward style with excellent reviews.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love the Look and Quality of the Tortoise with G-15 Dark Green Lense
I recently received the smaller size (51-18-145) in a 902/31 Tortoise color and I love them. The tortoise color is more of a dark brown with a little bit of lighter brown but not much at all. The frame has a slight gloss but not too much. I love the sleek design as none of the frame or arms are big, which I like. but it is toutly build and feels solid. Appears to be very high quality and classy looking. I prefer the tortoise as opposed to black. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference. The G-15 green lense in non-polarized is clear as can be. A great purchase. Received in 5 days total. Great selection of choices and great site to order from at excellent pricing. Very happy.
Gray Lenses
Gray also offers excellent color perception. Because it’s good for reducing glare and allowing road signs and stop lights to appear in realistic colors, people sometimes choose gray tints for driving. They are not ideal for low-light situations, so if you want your glasses to go from outdoors to indoors easily, gray may not be the best choice.
Two popular gray lenses are the Maui Jim Neutral Grey and the Oakley Prizm Grey. Maui Jim Neutral Gray comes in multiple lens materials, which can change color perception slightly, with the Brilliant offering cooler hues and the Pure providing warmer tones. If you want the most neutral option, most buyers recommend the Super Thin Glass.
Oakley Prizm Grey is also a high-contrast lens that works best in very bright conditions. This one darkens a lot, so you don’t want to wear it indoors or on overcast days.
For this reason, Oakley Prizm Grey can be great for athletes who exercise in full sun or very bright conditions. If you think it might be right for you, check out the Oakley SUTRO LITE OO9463 shades. These shield sunglasses wrap around, providing extra eye protection on the sides, and have a 4.9 rating from reviewers, including many outdoor sports enthusiasts in cycling, running, and baseball.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome Design!
i have used oakley for many years for cycling. i replaced my 15 years oakley by the new sutro lite. although it is a bigger lens thus frame than than the jawbreaker, the clarity and comfort is unsurpassed. it is a matter fact, the wrapping design around the face offers greater protection against the sun overall as well as fro the eyes against dust.
If you want the Prizm Grey lens, be sure to select it from the dropdown menu when ordering.
Brown/Amber Lenses
These colors are good for reducing glare, and they also work well on cloudy days. Outdoorsy people often prefer amber or brown tints because they improve contrast for green and blue backgrounds. Some Redditors recommend them for hunting, fishing, or water sports, while others think they’re ideal for driving.
If you’re considering a brown or amber lens, I really like the Oakley LATCH OO9265 sunglasses with Prizm Brown Gradient lenses.
They have a strong browline with a Matte Brown Tortoise pattern that’s gorgeous for fall—but it works in other seasons, too. While these are listed by the manufacturer as men’s sunglasses, the style also works well for women, including several reviewers who gave the Oakley LATCH five stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect!
Great quality, best deal anywhere on the internet.
Yellow and Orange Lenses
Yellow and orange lenses are ideal for cloudy, foggy, or hazy conditions, although they can cause significant color distortion. People who play snow sports in a variety of conditions often swear by yellow or orange lenses, but if winter games are your thing, be sure to choose a polarized version to cut horizontal glare off the snow.
One of my favorite pairs of yellow-lens sunglasses is the Ray-Ban RB4125 CATS 5000. A modern aviator design, these shades have large, teardrop-shaped yellow lenses.
Another great option is the Costa Del Mar 6S9071 BALLAST 06S9071 in Matte Tortoise/Gold Mirror. The warm yellow lenses are polarized and wrap around a rectangular frame.
Rose or Red Tinted Lenses
Red or pink tints block more blue light, which some people find helpful for reducing eye strain. Others recommend them if you need to wear sunglasses over a long period of time. They can also be worn in overcast or winter conditions, but they may not be adequate for full sun situations.
If you’re shopping for rose-tinted lenses, I love these Calvin Klein Jeans CKJ25209S shades. They feature a modern, geometric cat’s-eye style with delicate metal frames. Plus, they’re currently only $28.00.
But if you want something a little sportier, check out the Oakley Radar EV Path 009208 shades with Prizm Ruby or Prizm Road wraparound lenses.
FAQs
Q: Do different color lenses offer different amounts of UV protection?
A: No. Any sunglasses you buy should offer UVA/UVB protection with a rating of UV400. The lens color doesn’t affect how well they protect your eyes from sunlight.
Q: Can I get whatever lens color I want with my prescription?
A: In some cases, yes. Many sunglasses are prescription-capable, including some with different lens colors.
To search for prescription-capable shades, simply go to our Sunglasses main page, scroll down, and check the box for “Prescription Capable” in the Features section.
