If you've ever been blinded by glare mid-run, off wet roads, a car windscreen, or a lake surface, you already know why polarisation matters. But is it always the right choice for runners? Here's everything you need to know.
What Does Polarisation Actually Do?
Polarised lenses contain a special filter that blocks horizontal light waves, the type that cause glare when light reflects off flat surfaces like roads, water, and sand. The result is a clearer, more comfortable view with significantly less eye strain.
Non-polarised lenses simply reduce the overall amount of light reaching your eyes (based on their tint darkness), but don't specifically target glare.
Benefits of Polarised Lenses for Runners
- Reduced glare: Critical on wet roads, beach runs, and open water courses
- Less eye fatigue: Your eyes work less hard over long distances
- Better contrast: Helps you spot uneven surfaces, roots, and obstacles faster
- Sharper vision: Colours appear more vivid and true-to-life
When Non-Polarised Might Be Better
There are a few niche situations where polarisation can work against you:
- Reading LCD screens: Polarised lenses can make GPS watches and phone screens harder to read at certain angles
- Skiing or snow running: Polarisation can mask icy patches that appear as glare
- Very low light: A lighter non-polarised lens may let in more usable light at dusk
For the vast majority of Australian runners, road, trail, or track, polarised is the better choice.
Altra's Polarised Running Sunglasses
All Altra RYZE sunglasses (except the RYZE - Black Out) feature polarised lenses tuned for different running conditions:
- RYZE - Sol, Gold polarised Cat 3. Best for road running and long-distance training.
- RYZE - Viper, Green polarised Cat 2. Best for trail running and variable light.
- RYZE - Eclipse, Ice blue polarised Cat 3. Best all-rounder for Australian conditions.
- RYZE - Nova, Cherry pink polarised Cat 2. Best for bright, high-contrast conditions.
The Verdict
For running in Australia, polarised is almost always the right call. The UV index here is among the highest in the world, and glare off roads and water is a daily reality for most runners. The only exception is if you're running in very low light or need to read a screen frequently mid-run.
All Altra RYZE polarised sunglasses are $100 AUD, built for performance, priced for everyday runners.