In the world of sunglasses, it seems to be all about brand names, and you may think that the more you spend, the better the quality of the sunglasses will be, but it isn’t necessarily so. You can get good quality sunglasses without spending a fortune on them.
On the other hand, drug store sunglasses aren’t the best choice because you’ll have to replace them often for one reason or another. A good pair of higher-end sunglasses should last at least 5 years and often they last longer than that.
It’s Not Always about the Brand
Finding good quality sunglasses isn’t always about buying the most expensive pair you can find. Long-lasting quality may mean spending a bit more money than the sunglasses you can buy at the drug store, but you shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars for a pair, either.
While the quality of sunglasses is often tied to the brand, you may not always get the high quality you expect. In fact some high-end sunglasses are only of moderate quality while some of the mid-range ones ($80-$120), get great reviews and can last a long time.
Drug Store Sunglasses
The sunglasses that you will find in drug and department stores don’t have scratch-resistant coatings, which is why they mar easily. Higher-end lenses are treated with coatings that allow them to be wearable for many years because they’re less likely to end up with scratches.
Quality is Customizable
High quality sunglasses are often customizable in a variety of ways. Some of these are as follows:
- Lens options that can be changed on the go
- Changeable icons on sidebars to make them look different
- Glass lenses that can last for decades
- Polycarbonate lenses of highly formulated plastics with coatings to help them last longer
- Customizable with prescription lenses
- Stronger and/or more flexible frames
Save in the Long Run
You can buy a pair of sunglasses at the drug store for $10, but they’ll need to be replaced often over the years. By contrast, a pair costing $100-$200 will last for many years and may actually save you money in the long run.
Invest in Quality
When it comes to sunglasses, you really do get what you pay for and that’s why sunglasses with such high price tags exist. That doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good pair, but it does mean investing a little more money in something you won’t have to replace in a year or two.
Shop around and find a really good pair of sunglasses in the $80-$200 price range. Your optometrist or neighbourhood optical store will be glad to help you find a pair to fit your budget.
