Among value-conscious outdoor enthusiasts, “accessory” can sometimes sound like a dirty word. But in terms of sunglass care, accessories aren’t just superficial consumables – they’re part of the minimum required for keeping your sunglasses working as effectively as possible, for as long as possible. As a savvy adventurer, you know that extending the lifespan of your gear is the best way to increase its value. So make sure you’re taking advantage of the items on the following list and keeping your shades ready for every mile of outdoor exploration.

A storage case is a rigid foam or plastic container that serves to prevent your glasses from being crushed, bent, broken, scratched, and otherwise damaged on the macro level. Keeping your glasses in a good storage case will protect them from impacts, and cases which are opaque (as most of them are) shield your lenses from UV exposure that would reduce their lifespan and efficacy. Place your glasses in a carrying case for transport and storage during longer spans of time when they won’t be in use.  

Microfiber bags are similar to carrying cases in that they’re used to shield your glasses when they’re not in use. These soft synthetic bags primarily serve to keep particles of dirt and dust away from your lenses and protect them from scratches. They’re especially useful as a substitute for rigid cases at times when you’ll be frequently alternating between putting your shades on and taking them off (while hiking in and out of a shaded treeline, for instance). Put your glasses in the microfiber bag before stowing them in your pocket to prevent tiny abrasions to the lens coating. And use a microfiber bag in addition to a carrying case for extra protection during longer-term storage.

Like the microfiber bag, these cloth cleaners are made from millions of tiny synthetic fibers which attract even the smallest particles of dirt, dust, and oil. Keep a couple of them inside your storage case/microfiber bag and use them to clean your lenses – wiping a smudge with a more abrasive material would be liable to damage the protective coating of your lens. Also remember to clean the microfiber itself regularly in order to permanently dispose of the dust and oil you’ve wiped away.

Lens cleaning sprays are chemical solutions that help to break down the oil and grime which are sure to accumulate when you’re working up a sweat biking down trails and trekking up mountainsides. Though microfiber cloth can be useful on its own, applying a bit of cleaning spray before wiping your glasses will be necessary to compensate for the extra grunge and grit of an active lifestyle. Use cleaning spray after an outing to ensure that you’re storing your glasses oil-free – leftover oils on your frames and lenses will cause them to degrade over time. Just be careful to check the labels and only use sprays which are compatible with the specific protective coatings of your lenses. Reflective coatings can be particularly vulnerable to certain types of cleaning spray.

No matter how diligently you protect and care for your lenses, the inevitable wear and tear of outdoor excursions mean they’ll become less and less effective over time. Rather than buying a whole new pair of glasses, though, you can just stock up on a couple pairs of replacement lenses to switch in when your originals get worn out. Replacing your lenses at least every two years (assuming two hours of daily use) will keep your sunglasses working as effectively as possible.

Sunglass holder straps are synthetic or cotton strings that attach to your sunglass stems and are worn around the neck. They prevent your sunglasses from falling off when you’re pushing through a headwind or hauling a catch over the gunwale. Wear these straps whenever you’re wearing your glasses, but especially during any physical activity that could result in your eyewear flying off your face and getting stuck in the mud or lost in the ocean.  

When you choose to buy from brands that emphasize the use of these accessories, you can be confident that you’re getting a product which is designed to be maximally valuable to the customer. This is because sunglass companies which emphasize care and maintenance are concerned with helping you to keep your glasses as effective as possible for as long as possible, whereas other companies might rely on customers buying multiple pairs and making frequent replacements to compensate for poor durability.

When you think about it, it’s worthwhile to pick up a few accessories that will protect an investment in your optical health and comfort – most of the time, your sunglasses will be safely stored away, so it makes sense to ensure that they’re cared for in such a way that they’ll be ready to perform when you need them. Adding sunglass accessories to your arsenal will keep your shades functioning at full capacity, and keep you confident that they’ll be primed and ready for the next adventure.