Which lens for which activity? The complete guide
From the motorway to the slopes, from the terrace to the open water: the right lens tint makes more difference than the colour of your frame. A guide — plus a test that picks the right lens in three questions.
Short on time? Find your ideal lens, frame and size in three quick questions.
Written by Dirk Hendrickx — 30 years in the optical trade
Choosing sunglasses isn’t only about shape. The tint and the technology of the lens decide what you actually see — and that choice depends entirely on where and when you wear them. After thirty years in the trade, I sum it up like this: polarized for glare, non-polarized for precision, and a neutral tint for every day.
Behind the wheel
For the car you do not want a polarized lens: it makes your dashboard and navigation screen unreadable. Our DriveVision® lens is deliberately non-polarized. Choose Amber for mist, cloud, dusk or night — more contrast, less haze. Choose Sienna for full sun on the road: deeper, warmer, more shade. The same applies to motorcycling and the cockpit, where instruments must stay readable.
On the water
Here polarization wins decisively. Glare reflecting off the surface is exactly what an Azur® Polarized lens removes — up to 90%. The surface opens up: you see through the reflection, whether you sail, fish or boat. Grey and overcast with no glare? A neutral Soleil® Elysian Green does the job.
On the slopes
Snow is twofold: intense light and reflection. In bright sun on the snow, Azur® Polarized is king. But in flat, grey light you want contrast to read the terrain — and a non-polarized Amber lens is better, because polarization flattens bumps and ice.
Sport on land
Cycling, running, golf, hiking, tennis: fast sports where you track a ball or the terrain call for a non-polarized lens, so depth and detail stay sharp. Sienna in open sun, Amber in cloud, low light or under tree cover.
City, terrace & every day
For daily life, comfort and colour matter most. Soleil® Cobalt Blue is the cool, fashion-forward dégradé for city and terrace; Elysian Green (the classic G15 grey-green) keeps colours natural on bright beach days, travel and mountain sun.
Frequently asked questions
Are polarized sunglasses always better? No. For water and snow with glare, yes — but behind the wheel, in the cockpit and in snow sport where you read terrain, a non-polarized lens is often the safer choice.
What’s the difference between Amber and Sienna? Both are DriveVision® dégradés. Amber gives contrast in mist, cloud and dusk; Sienna is deeper and warmer for full sun.
Which lens is the most versatile? Soleil® Elysian Green (G15): a neutral grey-green tint that keeps colours true — ideal if you want one pair for everything.