Best Contact Lenses For Sport: Top Daily & Monthly Lenses For Athletes
Whether you play rugby, football, hockey, tennis, netball, or run regularly, contact lenses can provide clearer, more natural vision than glasses. They won't fog up, slide down your nose, or restrict your peripheral vision, making them the preferred choice for many athletes.
In this guide, our optometrist, Mr John Dreyer BSc(Hons), MCOptom, DipCLP, explains why daily disposable contact lenses are often the best option for sport and recommends the best daily and monthly contact lenses for active lifestyles.
The best contact lenses for playing most sports are daily disposable contact lenses. They combine convenience, hygiene, comfort, and reliability, particularly in a sport where conditions can be tough on both your eyes and lenses.
Which Daily Lenses Are Best For Sport?
Good question - our optometrist recommends
The Best Daily Lenses For Sports
Dailies Total1 - Feature a unique water-gradient design that delivers exceptional comfort and moisture throughout the day. Their stable fit and crisp vision make them an excellent choice for rugby, football, running, and other demanding sports.
MyDay - Combine high oxygen flow with a comfortable, secure fit. Designed for active lifestyles, they provide clear, reliable vision and all-day comfort, making them ideal for training sessions, matches, and outdoor sports.
Clariti 1 Day - Offers the benefits of silicone hydrogel technology in a convenient daily disposable lens. With excellent breathability and comfort, they're a great choice for athletes who need dependable vision and fresh lenses for every game.
The Best Budget Daily Lenses For Sports
Crystal Aqua Daily - Provide comfortable, hassle-free vision with a fresh lens every day. Their lightweight design and convenient daily replacement schedule make them a great choice for sports, helping you stay focused on the game without worrying about lens care.
Dailies AquaComfort Plus - Release moisture with every blink, helping to keep eyes comfortable during physical activity. Their fresh daily replacement and dependable vision make them a popular choice for active lifestyles and outdoor sports.
Proclear 1 Day - Designed to retain moisture and provide lasting comfort, even during long, active days. Their excellent hydration makes them a great choice for athletes who experience dryness during sport or exercise.
| Lens | Type | Best For |
| Dailies Total 1 | Daily | Maximum Comfort |
| MyDay | Daily | Active Lifestyles |
| Clariti 1 Day | Daily | Breathability |
| Crystal Aqua Daily | Daily | Value |
But what if you don't want the extra cost of daily disposables?
The Best Monthly Lenses For Sport
Biofinity - Are a favourite among athletes thanks to their exceptional comfort, high oxygen transmission, and stable fit. They perform well during long training sessions and matches, making them an excellent all-round choice for sport.
Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde - Combines outstanding breathability with moisture-retaining technology to help keep eyes comfortable during physical activity. Their durable design and clear vision make them ideal for active lifestyles.
Crystal Monthly - Offers excellent value, dependable comfort, and clear vision for active lifestyles. Their breathable design and stable fit make them a great choice for sports, providing reliable performance throughout training, matches, and everyday wear.
Air Optix Night & Day Aqua - Designed for maximum oxygen flow, Air Optix Night & Day Aqua lenses help keep eyes feeling fresh and comfortable throughout demanding training and competition. Their breathable material makes them a popular choice for active lens wearers.
| Lens | Type | Best For |
| Biofinity | Monthly | Exceptional comfort |
| Air Optix Plus Hydraglyde | Monthly | Outstanding breathability with moisture-retaining technology |
| Crystal Monthly | Monthly | Reliable and excellent value |
| Air Optix Night & Day | Monthly | Maximum oxygen flow |
Why daily disposables are the best choice for sports
🏉 Fresh lenses every match - With daily disposables, you start every game with a brand-new lens.
Benefits:
No protein or debris build-up from previous wear
Consistent comfort and vision
Less chance of irritation during a match
🧼 Better hygiene - Many sports involve Sweat, Dust, Rain, Mud, and Shared changing facilities
Benefits:
No cleaning and storage
Reduced risk of contamination and eye infections
👁️ Less worry if a lens is lost - Although modern lenses rarely fall out, with high-speed action, sweat, rain, and physical contact, the risk does increase.
Benefits:
If a lens is lost during a tackle, torn while rubbing your eye, or contaminated by mud or sweat, you can simply replace it with a fresh lens rather than worrying about losing a month's worth of wear.
💧 Excellent comfort during sport - Many premium daily lenses offer
- High oxygen transmission
- Moisture-retaining technology
- Stable vision during rapid movement
Benefits:
This helps maintain comfort through long training sessions, matches, and post-game activities
🌧️ Better in challenging conditions - Sport is often played in wind, rain, or extreme weather
Benefits:
A fresh daily lens can be more comfortable than a lens that's been worn repeatedly over several weeks.
⏱️ Convenient for occasional players - Many sports players don't wear contact lenses every day, so daily disposable contact lenses are ideal
Benefits:
You only wear them when needed and dispose of them afterwards
No cleaning solution is needed
No maintenance between games
A fresh new lens every game
So, you've worked out that daily disposable contact lenses are best for sport, but the next burning question is
Which Sports Are Contact Lenses Best For
"For most sports, daily disposable contact lenses are the best option because they provide a fresh lens every game, excellent hygiene and reliable comfort in demanding conditions." – Mr John Dreyer BSc(Hons), MCOptom, DipCLP
In particular, if you participate in the following sports,
- Rugby
- Football
- Hockey
- Tennis
- Cricket
- Netball
- Gym Training
You should consider daily disposable contact lenses as your first choice for correcting your vision, for health, safety, comfort and hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions Relating To Contact Lenses And Sport
Can I play rugby in contact lenses?
Yes. Contact lenses are often preferred to glasses for rugby because they provide unrestricted peripheral vision and won't break during contact. They offer a fresh lens for every match and can be easily replaced if damaged or lost. Dailies Total1, MyDay, Clariti 1 Day, and Crystal Aqua Daily are all excellent choices for their comfort, stability and convenience.
Are daily disposable contact lenses better for sports?
Daily disposables are usually the best option because they provide a fresh lens for every game, offer excellent hygiene, and can be easily replaced if lost or damaged.
Why are contact lenses better than glasses for sports?
Contact lenses are a better option for sports for several reasons- Better peripheral vision
- Won't fog up
- Won't slip when sweating
- No risk of broken frames
- More comfortable under helmets and protective equipment
What are the best contact lenses for football?
Contact lenses are particularly popular among football players because they provide unrestricted peripheral vision and won't break or fog up during matches. Daily disposable lenses are often preferred because they offer a fresh lens for every game and can be easily replaced if lost or damaged. Dailies Total1, MyDay, Clariti 1 Day, and Crystal Aqua Daily are all excellent choices for their comfort, stability and convenience.
What are the best monthly contact lenses for sports?
Biofinity, Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde, Crystal Monthly and Air Optix Night & Day Aqua are among the best monthly lenses for active lifestyles.
Final Verdict
For most athletes, daily disposable contact lenses are the best choice for sports. They offer superior hygiene, convenience, comfort and peace of mind during training and competition.
If you're looking for the best overall sports lens, Dailies Total1 and MyDay are excellent premium options, while Crystal Aqua Daily provides outstanding value. For regular wearers who prefer monthly lenses, Biofinity remains one of the best all-around choices for active lifestyles.
