Why Sunglasses Are Essential Year-Round in South Africa

A lot of people think of sunglasses as a summer thing. In South Africa, your eyes need protection all year. Here's why, season by season.

Summer (December to February)

This is peak UV season. On clear days the UV index on the Highveld often reaches the extreme range, and the coast isn't far behind. Add the reflection off sand and water at the beach and your eyes take a lot of strain. Polarised lenses with 100% UV protection are a must. What UV400 means.

Autumn (March to May)

The sun sits lower in the sky, so it shines straight into your eyes on the morning and afternoon commute. Glare off the road and other cars gets worse, which is exactly what polarised lenses are made for. Our guide to driving sunglasses.

Winter (June to August)

Highveld winters bring clear, dry, cloudless days, and the low sun makes for long stretches of glare on the roads. UV is lower than in summer, but it's still there. If you head to the snow in the Drakensberg or Lesotho, take extra care: fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV back at you.

Spring (September to November)

UV levels climb quickly as the days get longer. Spring also brings wind, dust and pollen, and a good pair of sunglasses helps keep them out of your eyes.

Even on cloudy days

Thin cloud lets a lot of UV through, so an overcast day can still be hard on your eyes. A lighter tint like Latitude keeps things comfortable when the light is softer.

The bonus: less squinting

Wearing sunglasses consistently means less squinting, less eye strain and fewer of the fine lines that come from years of screwing up your eyes in bright light.

Find your year-round pair.