Glacier Glasses: Overkill or Underrated? Find Out in Our Guide

Best Vintage Vibe: Vuarnet Altitude 03

Pros: The most design-forward option on the list.

Cons: They only come in cat. 3 lenses and don’t have removable side shields.

Price: $395-$410

If a race car and a pair of glacier glasses had a baby it would be the Vuarnet Altitude 03. They are an eye-catching take on glacier glasses with a distinctly ‘70s vibe, and they put the “full” in full coverage, with a wide rectangular frame and long side shields. Unfortunately, those side shields are built into the temples, so be prepared for limited peripheral vision.

The new Arctic 02s ($775) are a more modern alternative from Vuarnet, for those willing to spend a pretty penny on cutting edge design.

Glacier Glasses vs. Solar Shield Sunglasses

Although solar radiation is more intense on top of a mountain, it can impact eyesight at any altitude. Solar shield sunglasses are designed to provide basic sun protection in all conditions thanks to their expansive coverage and strong tints. However, they typically allow for more VLT than would be comfortable on a snowy mountain and, for safety reasons, usually lack side shields that would block peripheral vision That makes solar shield sunglasses great for commuting to work, but much less ideal for summiting Mt. Everest..

Care and Maintenance of Glacier Glasses

Taking care of your glacier glasses will help them take care of you. Like any piece of glass gear, scratches or cracks can seriously degrade the quality of your vision. Worse, a broken frame can turn functional glasses into paperweights. Considering the dynamic environments glacier glasses must withstand, it’s wise to protect the protection.

First and foremost, when not using glacier glasses, store them in their case. This will minimize the potential for damaging dings and keep them clean and clear.

Cleaning the glasses should involve using a microfiber towel (usually provided). If necessary, you can buff them out with a little bit of dish soap.

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/glacier-glasses-guide