How to Choose Fitover Sunglasses: Your Complete Guide

Okay, so here's my problem: I wear prescription glasses, and every summer I deal with the same annoying situation. Either I'm squinting like crazy in the bright sun, or I'm fumbling around trying to swap my regular glasses for prescription sunglasses.

Last year, I discovered fitover sunglasses. Game changer.

After going through about a dozen different pairs (yes, I went a bit overboard), I figured out what actually works and what's just marketing hype. This guide has everything I wish someone had told me before I started buying fitovers.

You'll learn how to find ones that fit right, look decent, and actually protect your eyes. No fluff, just what works.

What Fitovers Actually Are

Picture this: sunglasses that slide right over your regular glasses. That's it. Simple concept, right?

The frames are wider than normal sunglasses. The temples (those arms that go over your ears) have extra room too. Your prescription glasses sit underneath, and boom—instant sun protection.

Most of them come with side shields. These block light from sneaking in around the edges. Regular sunglasses leave those gaps wide open, which I never really thought about until my eye doctor pointed it out.

Best part? You keep your prescription lenses and add UV protection on top. No switching glasses every time you go outside.

Why I Ditched Everything Else

Before fitovers, I tried pretty much every option out there.

Prescription sunglasses cost me $400. They sat in my car most of the time because I'd forget to bring them inside, then I'd need my regular glasses. Super annoying.

Clip-ons? Those fell off constantly. One pair ended up somewhere in a lake during a fishing trip. Another set snapped in half after a month. Not worth it.

Photochromic lenses (the ones that darken in sunlight) seemed perfect until I realized they don't work well in cars. Plus, they stay dark for a while after you go inside, which looks weird in meetings.

Fitovers cost way less—usually $40 to $80 for good ones. You slip them on in two seconds. They stay put. And the wraparound design blocks UV rays from every direction, not just straight ahead.

My dermatologist mentioned something interesting: a lot of sun damage around people's eyes comes from light getting in from the sides and top. That sold me completely.

Eyewear Gets It Right

Most fitovers look like something your grandpa would wear. Big, clunky, medical-looking things.

Then I found Myliia eyewear. Their stuff actually looks normal. Modern, even.

They've been making fitovers for over ten years, and it shows. The frames are sleek without being flimsy. You can get them in tortoiseshell (my favorite), black, or brown. They don't scream, "HEY LOOK I'M WEARING SPECIAL META GLASSES."

The lenses are polarized, which cuts glare like crazy. I tested mine at the beach last month—even at noon with sun bouncing off the water, zero squinting. They block 100% of UVA and UVB rays too.

What really impressed me was the fit. No pressure points anywhere. They work with my narrow reading glasses and my friend's chunky frames. According to their site, they've got over 11,000 happy customers, and honestly, I get why.

Measuring Your Current Glasses

This part's super important. Get it wrong and your fitovers won't fit.

Grab a ruler. Measure across the front of your glasses from the widest point on one side to the other. Write that number down.

Now measure top to bottom. That's your frame height.

Check the inside of your temple (the arm part). There's usually a number stamped there. That's your temple length.

Your fitovers need to be bigger than these measurements. At least 2-3 millimeters wider and taller. Otherwise, they'll squeeze your glasses, which is uncomfortable and looks weird.

I made the mistake of eyeballing it with my first pair. They barely fit and gave me a headache after 20 minutes. Measure properly—saves you money and hassle.

Getting the Shape Right

Match shapes. Seriously, that's the trick.

Round glasses? Get round fitovers. Square glasses? Square fitovers. It sounds obvious, but I see people mixing shapes all the time.

I tried rectangular fitovers with my round frames once. Looked ridiculous. Plus, there were gaps where light came through because the curves didn't line up.

Some companies make fitovers in unusual shapes for cat-eye or aviator prescription frames. Takes a bit more searching, but they're out there if you need them.

The shape-matching thing isn't just about looks. When the curves align properly, you get better coverage and fewer light leaks.

Lens Features Worth Paying For

Not all lenses are equal. Some features matter a lot, others are just nice marketing terms.

Polarization is huge. This filters out reflected light from water, roads, and car hoods. If you drive or spend time near water, don't skip this. Non-polarized lenses are basically useless for serious glare.

UV400 protection is non-negotiable. This blocks 99-100% of harmful UV rays. Anything less and you're not really protecting your eyes. Check that the product specifically says UV400.

Scratch resistance makes them last. Cheap lenses scratch if you breathe on them wrong. Good coatings keep your lenses clear for years. Worth the extra $10-15.

Lens color changes performance. Gray gives you true colors—best for driving. Brown or amber boosts contrast—good for sports. Yellow works in low light. I use gray for everything, and it's fine.

My everyday pair has gray polarized lenses with scratch coating. Does everything I need and costs $65.

Frame Stuff That Actually Matters

Frames determine if you'll actually wear your fitovers or let them collect dust in your glove box.

Temple width is critical. The temples wrap around your glasses' temples. Too tight = headache. Too loose = they slide off your face.

Weight makes a difference. Heavy frames get annoying fast. Look for TR90 plastic or aluminum. They're light enough to forget you're wearing them.

Ventilation helps with fog. Some fitovers have tiny vents or gaps that let air through. Helps when you go from cold outside to warm inside.

Adjustable stuff adds comfort. Bendable temples or nose pads let you tweak the fit. Nice to have but not essential.

I wore a pair of heavy fitovers on a hiking trip once. After two hours, the pressure on my nose was killing me. Lighter is definitely better.

Making Them Look Good

Modern fitovers don't have to look medical anymore. You've got options.

Black works with everything. I wear black fitovers with business casual, and nobody bats an eye. Tortoiseshell looks more sophisticated—good for casual settings. Bold colors make a statement if that's your thing.

Thinner frames look contemporary. Thicker frames give more coverage but can look bulkier. Depends on your face shape and style.

Matte finishes look modern and hide fingerprints. Glossy finishes catch light more and can seem dressier.

I've got three pairs now. Black for work stuff, tortoiseshell for weekends, and dark blue for fishing and outdoor activities. Having options means I don't feel locked into one look.

Testing Before You Buy

If you can try them in person, do these quick tests.

Shake your head hard. They should stay put. If they bounce or slide, they don't fit right.

Bend over like you're tying your shoes. Good fitovers won't slide down or fall off.

Wear them for 10 minutes. Any pinching or pressure means they're not the right size.

Look around in all directions. Your prescription glasses should stay in place. You shouldn't see fitover frames in your peripheral vision.

Check gaps in a mirror. You shouldn't see your prescription lenses peeking out anywhere.

Buying online? Make sure there's a good return policy. At least 30 days is standard for reputable brands.

Different Activities Need Different Features

What you're doing determines what features you need.

Driving: Gray or brown polarized lenses. They cut windshield glare and keep traffic light colors accurate.

Fishing: Polarized is mandatory. They let you see through the water's surface glare. Brown or copper tints work best.

Hiking: Consider photochromic lenses that adjust to light changes automatically. Saves you from carrying multiple pairs.

Cycling: Wraparound styles block wind and flying bugs. Yellow or amber lenses boost contrast on cloudy days.

Beach: Maximum UV protection matters most. Get UV400 with side shields.

Snow sports: Dark lenses for intense glare. Mirrored coatings add extra protection.

I keep different pairs for different stuff. My fishing fitovers are almost black with heavy polarization. My driving pair is medium gray.

Taking Care of Them

Do this right and your fitovers last for years.

Use a microfiber cloth and proper lens cleaner. Paper towels and your shirt scratch lenses. I learned this the expensive way.

Store them in a hard case. My first pair got scratched to hell because I tossed them in my bag loose.

Don't leave them in hot cars. Heat warps frames and ruins lens coatings. Summer dashboard = death for fitovers.

Grab them by the frames, not the lenses. Keeps smudges off and reduces stress on the hinges.

If they're dusty, rinse them first before wiping. Wiping dry grinds dirt across the lenses and causes scratches.

My current pairs are three years old and still look new because I actually follow these steps now.

Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To

Learn from my expensive education.

Don't buy the cheapest ones. I got a $15 pair from a gas station. They broke in a week, and the lenses were basically useless.

Don't guess your size. Measure your glasses first. Guessing means you'll probably get the wrong fit.

Think about where you'll wear them. I bought sports fitovers for everyday use. They looked too aggressive for normal situations.

Check UV protection. Some cheap ones claim sun protection but don't actually block UV rays. Look for UV400 specifically.

Read the warranty info. Good brands back their products. If there's no warranty, that's a red flag.

Pick a style you like. If you think they look dorky, you won't wear them. Simple as that.

Each of these mistakes cost me money. Save yourself the trouble.

Where to Actually Buy Them

You've got a few good options.

Brand websites like Myliia have the full selection with detailed specs. You see new styles first. Usually, good return policies, too.

Amazon stocks multiple brands. Convenient, and customer reviews help figure out what works. Just stick to known brands.

Local optical shops let you try them on in person. Staff can help with sizing. Selection is usually smaller, though.

Sporting goods stores carry activity-specific options. Good if you need fishing or cycling fitovers.

Compare prices, but don't sacrifice customer service to save five bucks. Being able to return or exchange easily matters more.

Making Your Final Call

You know what you need now. Here's how to actually choose.

Measure your glasses accurately. Use those numbers to filter your options.

Figure out your main activities. That determines lens features.

Set a realistic budget. Good fitovers run $50-$100. They last for years, so it's worth spending a bit more.

Read reviews from people doing similar activities. Look for comments about fit and comfort, not just marketing claims.

Verify the return policy before ordering. You want flexibility if the fit isn't perfect.

Pick something you'll actually wear. Best fitovers in the world don't help if they stay in the case.

Get Started

Your eyes need protection. Fitovers deliver that without the cost or hassle of prescription sunglasses.

Measure your current glasses. Check out quality brands like Myliia eyewear that combine style with real UV protection.

The right fitovers feel comfortable, look good, and make you want to spend more time outside. Don't settle for less than that.