Polarized Flip Ups

How Polarized Flip Ups Work

Flip-ups work similarly to regular clip-on sunglasses. They generally hook onto your frame with a magnet. In most cases, it's best to buy a frame that comes with your flip up sunglasses for the most secure fit.

You can, however, buy them alone and fit them over your frames if you didn't think to search for a frame with a polarized clip the last time you visited your optometrist. The fit may not be as perfect, but you can generally find a pair that matches closely. They attach to the bridge of your frame whereas clips made for a specific frame may attach on either side and at the bridge.

If you're out running errands, carrying an iced coffee, a baby, and a baby bag, for example, you'll be getting in and out of the car, juggling multiple items, and having a hard time keeping up with much of anything.

All you need is one finger to flip up the sunglasses as you dash from the parking lot into a store. Flip them back down when the sun is in your eyes again. You'll especially love them for driving because the polarized lenses block so much glare, they seem to help sharpen your vision. That gives you more reaction time if something does venture into your path.

If you're wearing your sunglasses on your frames, you won't have to worry about sitting on them when you hop back into the car, frazzled and exhausted. Many sunglasses meet their demise that way!

Find Your Clips

• Wholesale-Sales has the individual clips rather than the frames with clips. Chances are, unless you are shopping for your optical shop or drugstore, you'll end up with more clips than you need from them, but they run $28.00 per dozen.

• Dynamic Labs has a wider selection of flip up clip ons. You can choose from aviators, rectangle shapes, ovals, small ovals and more. They also come in amber and smoke colors. Expect to pay $6.99 if you shop there.

• Specs for Sports also offers polarized clips that flip up. They have quite a few shapes and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. Expect to pay about $12.95.

If you do wish to just purchase a pair of prescription glasses with a clip that was designed specifically for that frame, visit your local optical shop. If browsing doesn't pay off, ask if they have any catalogs they can let you look through so that you can have them order exactly what you want.

A Recap on the Benefits

The benefits of polarized flip ups, whether you buy the ones designed specifically for your frames or get a generic clip later, are numerous! Here's a recap:

1. If your hands are full, all you need is a finger to "put on your sunglasses" because they flip right down. Same goes for when you enter a shaded area or go indoors—flip them back up. No need to juggle your sunglasses and prescription glasses on top of everything else.
2. Polarized lenses are the best for cutting glare, which gives you a faster response time if something gets in your way.
3. Having your sunglasses right there on your face means you won't leave them in the seat of your car and crush them when you get back in, ready to drive.

Other benefits not mentioned above:

1. When you do get done wearing your flip up portion for the day, you can store it easily in the glove box, in the center console, or (in the case of custom-made clips) right in a pouch included in your eyeglass case.
2. If you have more than one pair of prescription eyeglasses with similar shapes, you can use the same clip for each pair (unless your clip came with one of the frames).