Copper or brown lenses beat gray for beach days.

Yes, polarized is non-negotiable for cutting the glare off water and sand. But the lens color makes a bigger difference than most people realize.

Gray lenses are fine for driving or everyday wear — they give true color and don’t mess with contrast. But on a bright beach, brown or copper lenses actually enhance contrast. You see into the water better, spot waves and rocks more easily, and your eyes don’t work as hard to adjust. Copper is the sweet spot for most beach conditions.

Don’t overthink the brand. What matters is that the lenses are actually polarized (you can test this by looking at a phone screen at an angle — rotate the glasses and the screen should go dark). A $30 pair from a reputable Amazon brand works just as well as a $300 pair from Maui Jim, as long as the build quality doesn’t fall apart in a week.

Your eyes will thank you. Your wallet doesn’t have to suffer.