Most of us put our sunglasses away in October and forget about them until the first warm weekend in spring. It's an easy habit to fall into – but winter light can be surprisingly hard on the eyes. The sun sits low in the sky, wet roads and shop windows bounce glare straight back at you, and a weekend in the mountains brings snow and altitude into the mix.
Here's a simple, honest guide to why sunglasses are worth wearing in winter, when they matter most, and what to look for in a pair you'll actually reach for between November and March.
Why winter light is harder on your eyes than you think
The sun sits lower in the sky
In summer the sun is high overhead, and your brow and eyelids shade your eyes naturally. In winter, especially in northern and central Europe, the sun stays close to the horizon for much of the day. That means it shines more directly into your eyes – on your morning commute, on an afternoon walk, or when you're driving home at 4pm into a setting sun.
Snow, water and wet streets reflect light
Reflected light is the big one. Fresh snow is one of the most reflective natural surfaces there is: the World Health Organization notes that it can reflect up to around 80% of UV radiation, compared with much lower levels for grass or soil. Rain-soaked pavements, lakes and glass façades also bounce harsh, horizontal glare back towards you. That's what makes you squint, even on a day that feels cold and grey.
Altitude adds up
If you're heading to the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Black Forest this season, remember that UV levels rise as you climb. The WHO estimates an increase of roughly 10% for every 1,000 metres of altitude. Combine that with snow on the ground and clear mountain air, and your eyes get a lot more light than they would on a city street.
Cloudy doesn't mean no UV
Thin or patchy cloud lets a good share of UV through, so a bright, overcast day can still be more intense than it looks. You don't need sunglasses on a dark December evening, but on bright winter days – and especially around snow – they're worth having in your coat pocket.
When sunglasses matter most in winter
- Driving in low sun. Morning and late-afternoon sun at eye level, plus glare from wet roads, is one of the most tiring parts of winter driving.
- City walks on bright days. Low sun and reflections off glass and wet stone can be dazzling, even in the middle of winter.
- Snowy weekends and winter holidays. Snow-covered landscapes reflect a huge amount of light, which is why "snow blindness" (a painful sunburn of the eye's surface) is a real risk without eye protection.
- Après-ski and mountain terraces. Sitting outside at altitude, surrounded by snow, is when good lenses really earn their place.
- Winter sun breaks. If you're escaping to the Canaries, Morocco or southern Spain over Christmas, you'll want a proper summer-strength pair anyway.
What to look for in winter sunglasses
UV400 protection
This is the essential. UV400 lenses block UVA and UVB rays up to 400 nanometres – in other words, the UV wavelengths that matter for your eyes. If you only check one thing, check this. All lavunett acetate sunglasses have UV400 lenses.
Polarised lenses for glare
Polarisation tackles a different problem: the horizontal glare that bounces off snow, water and wet roads. Polarised lenses cut that reflected glare, so the world looks calmer, with better contrast and less squinting. Our acetate sunglasses combine polarised and UV400 lenses, which makes them a natural fit for bright winter days. If you'd like the details, our guide to polarised vs UV400 lenses explains the difference in plain language.
One small note: polarised lenses can make some LCD screens – a car dashboard, a phone, a ski-lift display – look darker or patchy at certain angles. It's normal and nothing to worry about; just tilt the screen or your head slightly.
Good coverage
Low sun and reflected light come at you from more angles than summer sun overhead. Slightly larger frames, or shapes that sit closer to your face, let less light sneak in around the edges. Bold square and round acetate shapes work well here, and they pair easily with a big scarf and a wool coat.
A frame that suits a winter wardrobe
Winter style is all darker tones and heavier textures, so warm tortoiseshell and classic black frames tend to look right at home. A fan-favourite tortoiseshell pair like Spitfire or a clean black round frame like Malcolm works as well with a camel coat in Paris as with a ski jacket in the mountains. Browse the full sunglasses collection to find your shape.
What about metal frames?
Our metal sunglasses come with classic tinted lenses. They're a style-led choice that's lovely for softening light around town, but they're not the pair to rely on for snow, water or high-altitude sun. For those situations, choose one of our acetate frames with polarised, UV400 lenses.
Skiing and snowboarding: be realistic
For the slopes themselves, ski goggles or dedicated sports sunglasses are the right tool. They wrap around the face, stay put during falls and keep out wind and snow. lavunett sunglasses are designed for everyday life – the drive to the resort, a walk through the village, lunch on a sunny terrace, the café after the last run. Think of them as your off-piste pair, not a replacement for goggles.
Looking after your sunglasses in the cold
- Keep them in a case. Coat pockets are full of keys, coins and grit that can scratch lenses.
- Let them adjust. Coming in from the cold, lenses may fog up for a moment. Let them warm up rather than rubbing them with a scarf.
- Clean gently. Road salt and snow spray leave residue. Rinse with lukewarm water and dry with a microfibre cloth – our guide on how to clean your sunglasses covers the details.
- Don't leave them on the dashboard. Even in winter, strong sun through a windscreen can heat a car interior more than you'd expect.
A winter pair (and a gift idea)
With the festive season approaching, a pair of sunglasses for winter is also a thoughtful gift for anyone heading to the mountains or simply tired of squinting on the school run. lavunett frames start from €59 – handy if you want one for yourself and one to give. Shipping is free across the EU, and €10 to the rest of the world.
FAQ
Do I really need sunglasses in winter?
On bright days, yes – especially when driving into low sun, near water or around snow. Snow reflects a large share of UV, and UV levels increase with altitude, so winter holidays in the mountains are when eye protection matters most.
Are polarised sunglasses good for driving in winter?
Many drivers find them helpful because they reduce glare from wet roads and low sun. Never wear sunglasses when driving at night or in low light, and remember that polarised lenses can make some dashboard screens look darker at certain angles.
Can I wear lavunett sunglasses for skiing?
For skiing and snowboarding we recommend proper ski goggles or sports sunglasses. Our acetate sunglasses, with polarised UV400 lenses, are a great choice for the rest of your mountain day – après-ski, terraces, walks and the drive there.
Which lavunett sunglasses have UV400 and polarised lenses?
Our acetate sunglasses come with polarised, UV400 lenses. Our metal sunglasses have classic tinted lenses and are best treated as a style choice for everyday wear in town.