05/28/2026
Calgary hit 27 degrees today and the forecast looks warm through the week. Your sunglasses are earning their keep right now — more than you might realize.
At 1,045 metres elevation, UV exposure here is roughly 10-12% stronger than at sea level. That difference is invisible, but it is cumulative. The damage UV does to your eyes builds over years without any sensation in the moment.
Not all tinted lenses block UV equally. The darkness of the tint has nothing to do with UV protection — a light amber lens with proper UV400 coating blocks more harmful radiation than a dark uncoated lens from a gas station rack. Polarization reduces glare off roads and water but is a separate feature from UV blocking. Both matter, but UV protection is the non-negotiable.
Three things worth checking on your current pair: a UV400 rating, lenses free of scratches that compromise the coating, and a fit that does not let light leak in from the top or sides.
Enjoy the sunshine this week, Calgary.