At Horus X, we don't just talk about sun protection from an air-conditioned office. Paul, our CEO and (self-proclaimed) official tester, has taken our sunglasses to the brightest beaches in the world: Mexico, Thailand, Okinawa... The result: he can still see clearly, and above all, he brought back a lot of lessons on what a real pair of anti-UV sunglasses should be.
Today we're taking stock of some important questions as summer approaches: why wear sunglasses specifically for the beach or seaside? What level of protection is ideal? How to choose the right sunglasses for this summer? All the answers from the team are in this article!
Do you really need a pair of special beach sunglasses?
We won't keep you in suspense: yes, of course! We still see too many people every summer (or even off-season) walking around without any protection at times when the UV index is most dangerous.
Let's get one thing straight right away: sunglasses are essential , even more so at the beach, whether for adults or children!
💡 A quick clarification: wearing sunglasses all day isn't necessarily a good idea. Of course, during peak sunlight hours or when driving when the sun is low, it's essential. But know that natural early morning light is essential for your circadian rhythm : it would be a shame to deprive yourself of it. To learn more about this fascinating subject, read our dedicated guide: the effects of light on humans .
Why wear sunglasses by the sea?
Now that the background is out of the way, let's look at the reasons why: sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes from glare, the intensity of sunlight, and UV rays.
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🥵 More intense sunlight : The sun's rays hit the earth at a more direct angle than in winter. They are therefore more powerful and concentrated during the summer months. Add to that increased exposure in summer and longer days, and you'll understand why the sun, so gentle in winter, seems so aggressive in summer: because it is!
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🪞 Reverberation : When you're by the sea, the reflection off the water and sand makes those ultra-powerful rays... even more powerful.
- 📈 Higher UV index : During the day, between noon and 4 p.m., the UV index reaches a peak (8 to 10 on the UV scale). A UV index of 6 or higher is considered high, and 8 or higher is considered very high: it is recommended to avoid exposure during the hottest hours of summer.
By properly filtering the light emitted by the sun and harmful rays, sunglasses prevent damage from the combination of the burning midsummer sun + reflections on the water + the high UV index during hot hours.
Risks to your eyes if you don't protect them properly
If you insist on not wearing sunglasses on the beach (or dangerous sunglasses : poor quality and/or misused), not only is it bad for your skin, but also for your eyes:
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🔥 Corneal burn: Photokeratitis , or "sunburn of the eye," is caused by significant or prolonged exposure to a high dose of UV rays. You may experience (among other things) pain, excessive tearing, and sensitivity to light. In short, you'd rather avoid it.
- 👁️ Injuries and premature aging of the eye : we're not telling you anything new, not wearing suitable sunglasses for the beach will damage your eyes, or even make them age prematurely. This increases the risk of cataracts or AMD (age-related macular degeneration), to name just a few.
- 😵 Discomfort, eye strain : it's obvious, but we'll remind you anyway, the sun in your eyes is not the most pleasant thing. So imagine with a summer sun, with maximum glare! The excessive light will force your eyes to constantly adapt, give you a headache and dazzle you, or even give youblurred vision . Not the best plan for a vacation.
In short, not only is it essential to wear sunglasses on the beach this summer, but above all to choose them carefully: but we'll tell you about that right after.
The 5 essential criteria for choosing the right beach sunglasses
But then, how do you choose sun protection for your eyes? If you want to avoid being dazzled by the seaside sun on sunny days, there are a few things to check when choosing sunglasses.
UV protection and CE standard: the basis
The first point to check, to ensure you buy a pair of quality sunglasses, is compliance with current standards. Your glasses must comply with the CE standard (European legislation NF EN ISO 12312-1: 2022 ) which ensures both the quality of the product, 100% anti-UV protection as well as the affixing of a lens category (level of filtration of sunlight).
💡 About the UV 400 standard : it does not replace the CE standard (which already ensures total eye protection against UV rays) but it remains a guarantee of UV filtration up to 400 nanometers.
Category and treatment of glasses
As we mentioned above, the category of sunglasses is important: it goes from 0 to 4 and gives an indication of the level of light filtration .
There are five categories of sunglasses, and each has its own purpose:
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☁ Category 0 : purely decorative, it corresponds to a low filtration rate, between 0 and 20%. It's OK for prescription glasses, anti-blue light glasses indoors, but we don't recommend them for the beach this summer!
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⛅ Category 1 : Filter between 20 and 57% of sunlight. They are suitable for use in less sunny weather, but not for use at sea in blazing heat.
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☀ Category 2 : filtration between 57 and 88%. A little better, but still not enough to protect your eyes while sunbathing!
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🌞 Category 3 : These lenses will filter between 82 and 92% of light. A versatile choice and effective protection for everyday use.
- 🏔 Category 4 : The ultimate protection in bright light (sea, lake, mountains). These lenses filter up to 97% of sunlight, but the result is far too dark for normal use. It is also illegal to drive with them!
Our choice: goggles equipped with cat 3 lenses (or even cat 4 if you practice water sports), nothing less!
Polarized or photochromic sunglasses?
For the beach, we recommend polarized lenses . Polarized sunglasses are treated to protect your eyes from glare and reflections: more comfort and protection to enjoy the sand and the deep blue sea! You can also request an additional anti-reflective coating for even more comfort.
Photochromic lenses are also an option, but less versatile: since they darken depending on the intensity of UV rays, they can be very useful when you're lying on the sand, but less so when you're driving home. In fact, most windshields are UV-treated, making these types of glasses useless while driving. Not to mention that they can sometimes take a while to change tint.
Resistance to all tests: water, wind, sand
We don't necessarily think about it, but the beach is a hostile environment for your precious glasses: sand, salt water, wind, high temperatures... Are your glasses durable enough to pass the test without a hitch?
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🥇 Choose quality glasses : OK, it's sometimes a little more expensive, but it will be more durable. And if you want to shop for high-performance, stylish, and durable sunglasses without breaking the bank, we have the perfect deal for you: our sunglasses, right here!
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🛡️ Have your lenses treated against scratches : a good anti-scratch coating will prevent damage from sand, allowing you to use them for several summers in a row. Of course, this doesn't exempt you from taking care of them: store them in a suitable case and make sure you clean your sunglasses well . Cracked anti-reflective coating can't be repaired!
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💧 Protect your sunglasses from salt water : Seawater can damage the anti-reflective coating (and also the mirror effect) of your lenses. There are hydrophobic coatings specially designed to protect your lenses. If you practice water sports or enjoy long swims, you can also request a floating frame (or a glasses chain suitable for water activities) to prevent them from falling into the water!
- 💪 Opt for durable materials : like TR90 or our favorite, polycarbonate, for both the frame and the lenses. Ultra-resistant to shocks and scratches, it's also a lightweight material.
Top comfort
Last but not least, choose a comfortable model. You'll be wearing them for a long time, so it might as well be comfortable! If you want sports sunglasses for kitesurfing, boating, beach volleyball, running or even yoga by the sea... Consider choosing a lightweight frame, with a wraparound shape and excellent support, ideal for seaside activities, which combines comfort and optimal protection against the sun.
Our recommendations for combining style and protection on the beach this summer
Still lost in choosing your sunglasses for this summer? Come on, it's good because it's you, we've prepared a small selection of sunglasses for men and women from our range of sunglasses with unbeatable value for money.
And yes, these are only Horus X models, not for self-promotion, but mainly because we design our glasses first and foremost for ourselves and our team. We wouldn't recommend any other, simply because we know their specifications and manufacturing details like the back of our hand and we are 300% sure of their quality. And that's why we guarantee them for life !
(Moreover, our team is so invested that we are the ones posing in a large part of the photos)
Ushuaïa Sun (€69.90)
Round and lightweight, they have that timeless retro look. Add to that their unrivaled comfort, and they're the perfect choice for your summer at the beach (and beyond!).
Available with our XPLORER™ polarizing and anti-reflective technology (perfect for outdoor activities) or OUTDOOR DIGITAL™ (anti-blue light sunglasses). Obviously, they are both cat.3 glasses for perfect filtration!
Urban Sun (€59.90)
A touch of vintage with their lightweight and comfortable frame, yet they stay in place super well thanks to their soft-protect coating. The perfect choice for this summer!
Here too you will have the choice between our polarized or anti-blue light sunglasses, depending on your use.
One Sun (€59.90)
Another sure bet for your little peepers! Our One Sun model is an aerodynamic, full-coverage frame, ideal for following you everywhere while effectively protecting you from the sun.
Same as our other sunglasses: you can opt for our polarized or blue light filter lenses without losing any level of ultraviolet protection.
Clip on Sun (€29.90)
Already addicted to our anti-blue light glasses, you don't want to do without them anymore? That's good, we've thought of you! Our Clip on Sun overglasses fit over our Urban, Urban Revolution, and Stockholm models to transform your favorite glasses into stylish sunglasses in 2 seconds flat. Available in anti-blue light or polarized sunglasses.
ProXima Performance (€79.90)
If you're looking for polarized sports sunglasses, we've got the best of the best: our ProXima Sun Performance model is a little gem of solar technology ( ULTRA SPORT™ polarized, anti-fog, hydrophobic and oleophobic lenses) that's super comfortable and lightweight. A must-have for outdoor sports!
💡 Tip: If you're wondering which sunglasses look best on you, we recommend reading our guide: Which sunglasses for which face shape? And if you can try on your glasses online before buying, that's even better.
Important point: our models are unisex, so you will find men's and women's sunglasses in our shop without distinction of gender.
The final word: why and how to choose sunglasses for the beach?
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Wearing sunglasses at the beach is essential to protect your eyes from UV rays and the intense summer sun. Without them, you risk serious eye damage.
- To avoid making a mistake and buy the best sunglasses for this summer , check that they comply with the CE standard, have category 3 protection (or even 4 for very sunny conditions), are durable, lightweight and comfortable. If you don't want to complicate your life, the Horus X sunglasses tick all the boxes.
- If possible, opt for floating polarized sunglasses for water activities (sailing sunglasses, boat sunglasses, anti-glare sunglasses)
- If you're looking for the ultimate in sports at the beach (or anywhere else), our ProXima Sun Performance sunglasses are for you.