Polarised, Mirrored & Photochromic Safety Glasses: What’s the Difference?

A Breakdown of our Polarised Lenses

Polarised lenses are best known in everyday sunglasses, but their benefits on site are just as important. At Natty, we offer polarised safety glasses because they improve clarity where it matters most; in bright, reflective working environments.

Rather than simply darkening everything, polarised lenses are designed to reduce harsh glare. Glare is caused by light reflecting off flat surfaces such as concrete, steel, glass, water and vehicles. Over a long day, this reflected light can lead to squinting, eye fatigue and reduced visual clarity.

By filtering out this glare, polarised lenses deliver sharper contrast, improved depth perception and a more comfortable viewing experience throughout the day. The result is clearer vision, less eye strain and greater focus on the task at hand.

Brown Polarised Lenses

We also offer a range of brown polarised lenses because they provide a great balance for real-world trade environments.

Brown lenses enhance contrast and depth perception, helping objects stand out more clearly against their background. This makes them particularly effective in variable light conditions, where you’re moving between full sun, shade and partially covered areas throughout the day.

They also offer a warmer, more natural viewing experience that reduces eye fatigue over long periods. For tradies working outdoors or in mixed lighting conditions, brown polarised lenses provide consistent clarity without washing out colours or detail.

Polarised vs Mirrored Lenses

Mirrored lenses work by reflecting a portion of all incoming light, reducing overall brightness and giving the lens its reflective appearance. While this can be useful in extremely bright conditions, it reduces all light equally rather than targeting glare specifically.

Polarised lenses work differently. They selectively block horizontal glare, the most intense and distracting form of reflected light, while allowing useful light through. This preserves clarity, contrast and definition rather than simply dimming your vision.

For the way most tradies move throughout the day, on and off site, in and out of vehicles, between sun and shade, polarised lenses provide a more functional and comfortable solution.

Polarised vs Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses automatically darken when exposed to sunlight and lighten again indoors or in low-light conditions. They are designed to adapt to changing environments without needing to swap glasses.

However, photochromic lenses do not reduce glare in the same way polarised lenses do. While they adjust brightness, they do not block the harsh reflected light that causes eye strain on site as well as polarised glasses do. We recommend photochromic safety glasses when you're constantly going between indoor/outdoor conditions.

Polarised lenses remain consistently effective in bright, reflective conditions, delivering immediate glare reduction and clearer vision. For tradies working outdoors or around reflective materials, polarised lenses offer greater visual comfort and reliability throughout the day.

Made For Real Site Conditions

We design Natty eyewear to be worn all day, not just when conditions are perfect. Polarised lenses help reduce eye fatigue, improve clarity and maintain focus when working in bright, demanding environments.

In some specialised settings, polarised lenses can make certain digital displays harder to read. That said, for general construction, carpentry, landscaping, concreting and everyday site work, they offer the best balance of protection, comfort and performance.

That’s why we back them.

Looking After Your Polarised Safety Glasses

To keep your lenses performing at their best, clean them with mild soapy water or a dedicated eyewear cleaning solution, then dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid solvents, alcohol-based cleaners or abrasive materials, as these can damage the lens surface.

With proper care, your polarised lenses will continue to perform day after day.

Designed to Be Worn

All Natty polarised safety glasses are AS/NZS certified and made to handle real-world site conditions. They’re designed to deliver eye protection, comfort and style in equal measure.

Prescription Safety Glasses

Did you know we also prescription safety glasses with polarised lenses? Check out our range of safety glasses for prescription eyewear to give you the comfort and clarity you need on site.