What is VLT?Updated 6 hours ago
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. It's the percentage of light that passes through a sunglass lens — in plain terms, how much light reaches your eye.
How it works
A lens with 50% VLT lets half the available light through. A lens with 10% VLT blocks most light and is much darker. The higher the VLT, the more light gets in. The lower the VLT, the darker the lens.
VLT does not indicate UV protection. Every Revant lens regardless of VLT provides 100% UV protection. VLT is only about brightness reduction, not sun damage protection.
What affects VLT?
Two main things:
- Base tint — the color of the lens itself. Darker base tints (like deep gray or black) have lower VLT. Lighter tints (like yellow or light rose) have higher VLT.
- Mirror coating — a mirror finish reflects additional light away from the lens surface, reducing VLT further.
This is why two lenses with the same mirror color can look different through the lens — the base tint underneath is controlling how your eye interprets the color it sees.
How VLT relates to conditions
- Bright sun, open water, snow (10–15% VLT): Low VLT lenses block the most light. Best for intense glare and high-altitude conditions.
- Outdoor sports and everyday use (15–25% VLT): Cuts through bright light while remaining suitable for driving and variable conditions.
- Low light, overcast, dawn/dusk (25%+ VLT): Higher VLT keeps visibility strong when light drops.
VLT and SpectraBoost™
SpectraBoost™ non-polarized lenses are designed with higher VLT compared to typical sunglass lenses. This is intentional — it extends useful visibility into lower-light conditions like dense tree cover, overcast days, or dawn and dusk. Combined with the MirrorShield coating that manages surface brightness, you get strong contrast without sacrificing visibility when conditions change.
💡 Not sure which color is right for you? Check out our Color Guide for more details on all available colors.