Best Fishing Sunglasses With Polarized Lenses

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory.  They protect your eyes from the sun’s intense rays and drastically cut down on water glare that’s reflected from the sun. Fishing sunglasses are made specifically for anglers, with anti-glare sunglasses helping you see the fish moving around below the glare on the surface of the water.

Fishing sunglasses specifically enhance your ability to fish by filtering out certain types of light. Reducing surface glare will help you see Pike as you are trolling the lakes of Northern Minnesota, or land some smallies if you are out fishing in a lake in Middle Tennessee.

So how are sunglasses specifically made for anglers any different than your typical Ray-Bans?  There’s a few factors that make sunglasses designed specifically for this purpose different than your typical fashionable shades.  Below you’ll find our 3 favorite choices, as well as a complete buying guide and a full write up on our 7 favorites.

Our Top Three Picks

Our rating

Costa Del Mar Fantail

TOP OVERALL PICK

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OAKLEY FUEL CELL

STYLISH & FUNCTIONAL

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FF MAVERICK

BUDGET PICK

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Now that you’ve had a chance to look at our 3 overall favorites, let’s look a little deeper at all the aspects you should be considering before you head out and spend your hard earned money.

Best Fishing Sunglasses: Buying Guide

Fishing sunglasses need to keep sun reflection to a minimum and are designed to cut out glare. Sunlight is far more intense on the water than on the land because sunlight reflects off the water. That constant glare makes everything harder to see and can cause rapid eye fatigue.

When you wake up in the morning, you may notice the sunlight is strong as it is just rising over the horizon. The reflections produced by the sun at this point can be hard to see through, especially on the water. Specialized glasses for anglers are designed to handle those reflections. They keep these bright lights from being too intense and blinding you by incorporating an anti-reflective coating like polarization or UV light protection.

Ergonomics and comfort should also play a role. Most fishing sunglasses typically come with great frames that are easy to wear and fit your face. Such a snug fit is a necessity when fishing for hours at a time, especially while on a kayak or other boat.

Frame quality also matters, and differs from your traditional Ray-Bans or other types of casual shades. Most pairs are specifically designed for long periods of wear, so plastic frames will generally be a little more comfortable than metal frames for longer periods.

1. Picking a Frame

The frame must be comfortable and flexible. The frame should be flexible enough to bend without breaking and fit the natural contours of your face. They should also be durable and be able to handle abuse from long hours of wear and tear. They also need to be equipped to handle the occasional drop – after all, with any luck you’ll be reeling in a lunker or large carp.

Some fishing enthusiasts choose metal frames because they are strong yet can still contour to the facial features. However, metal frames can be on the heavy side, so they add extra weight to your face if you wear them for too long. Both aluminum and magnesium frames are popular because they are strong, yet lightweight. They often have a steel base to add a modern look with protective features that feel comfortable.

Nylon frames are lighter than metal and are also more durable. They can handle an impact, but are not as easy to adjust as metal should they become slightly bent. A wraparound body can also be worn on your frame to offer more coverage. This includes support for keeping the sunglasses in place on your face without slipping off.

2. Finding Your Fit

Your sunglasses need to have a frame that offers a comfortable fit. The frame should sit on your nose and ears without rubbing on your skin or pinching the bridge of your nose. The frame should fit well enough so that your eyelashes will not get in touch with the lenses. This is to not only keep your lenses clear but to keep you from feeling discomfort.

Look at how well the weight on your frame moves along the body. They should offer an even distribution of weight between all the parts. The key is to keep the sunglasses from creating undue friction against your face.

3. Lens Advice (Polarized or Not)

Another thing to look at when shopping for the top fishing sunglasses is lens shape. The right lens shape should offer more coverage for your eyes. Wraparound lenses provide protection for your eyes but also the sensitive skin areas around them, too. Your lenses might come with slight curves that allow for a bit of extra coverage around the ends. This creates a comfortable framework that is easy to wear.

The lenses should be large enough to give enough protection for your peripheral vision as well. Lenses should ideally be a height of 40 mm or greater. The lenses should also be 60 mm wide or more, too. Sunglasses with a decent amount of coverage will help you feel comfortable and protected even after long hours of being out on the water in the summer.

Polarized lenses can help quite a bit. They keep glare from ruining your vision when you want to look below the water’s surface, and have a unique chemical film on the surface. The added film is extremely thin, typically 0.75 mm thick, although a 1.1 mm option protects better against an impact.

This chemical film takes in horizontal light waves. The problem with traditional lenses is that they allow horizontal and vertical light waves to pass through. However, polarized lenses absorb the horizontal waves while the vertical waves continue to filter through the lens. By doing this, they limit glare, allowing anglers to see below the water’s surface. This is essential for fishing, especially when trying to locate large fish that are mid-water or near the surface.

You may find tinted lenses work fairly well in fishing sunglasses, too. Just don’t expect them to perform the same way as polarized lenses. Tinted lenses include metal oxides add extra color to the lenses and reduce overall brightness.

But while tinted lenses may keep the light from being too bright, they don’ prevent the glare of the sun’s rays coming off the surface of the water. That’s why most professional and seasoned anglers opt for polarized – and you should too.

4. Lens Colors

Fishing sunglasses come in various lens colors. And these different colors are more than just a fashion statement. As well as keeping your eyes well protected, the colors can help improve visibility at different times of the day. Here’s a simple guide for you to follow:

• Darker lenses often come in green or brown tones. These lenses cut down on the glare and do best in brighter conditions. They work well during sunrises or sunsets, as well as early or late times in the day are when the sunlight becomes more extreme. Green doesn’t distort the colors you see. Brown lenses can be protective, but they will cause a bit of distortion.
• Lighter colors like yellow, red or pink are options in fishing sunglass lenses. These do best in moderate lighting conditions and are great in the middle of the day when the sun has settled into position. Lighter tones also provide better depth perception and make everything around you look a little brighter and easier to see.

5. Lens Materials

Don’t forget to look at the lens materials, too. Many top fishing sunglasses feature scratch-resistant glass. Polyurethane works well, too, as it is lighter and stronger. These lenses are more expensive, though.

Polycarbonate resists impacts well and offers a clearer view, as well as being lightweight. However, polycarbonate can scratch easily, so only wear sunglasses with it when engaging in less intense fishing activities. You can also look for polycarbonate fishing sunglasses with a scratch-resistant coating.

6. UV Protection

A UV400 coating or stronger is the best way to maximize protection. The coating avoids eye irritation and strain in bright sunshine by protecting them from the sun’s rays. The UV protection must filter out UVA and UVB rays.

At the end of the day, looks don’t really matter if you aren’t protecting your eyes and the glasses you pick don’t let you fish more effectively.  That’s just wasting money and you shouldn’t do it.

7. Durability

Can the pair you just bought take an impact? You’ll want to make sure they can stay intact and not scratch or crack when you drop them. For example, your face could brush against tree branches as you are moving along the water’s edge in your boat to hunt for fish. Lenses with a thicker polarization coating last much longer than regular lenses when that type of impact occurs.

The last thing you want is a pair that will have a fractured lens at the slightest impact.  Usually the best course of action is to think through what pair would stand up to a three year old toddler trotting around the house wearing them.  A traditional pair won’t cut it for this type of abuse, which is why we recommend plastic frames instead of metal.

8. Nose Pads

The nose pads on your fishing sunglasses are just as important as every other feature you come across. You must have nose pads you can adjust easily. They should pivot easily on your nose. You should be able to position them to many angles so they feel comfortable, especially if you’ll be wearing them all day. The nose pads should be flexible enough to avoid rubbing or irritating your skin, too.

Best Fishing Sunglasses: Our 7 Top Picks

It doesn’t really matter if you are fly fishing or out fishing on a boat, usually the same principles will apply when picking the right set as an angler.

If you are heavily into fly fishing, you’ll most likely want to invest in a wrap around retainer in order to keep them on you in case you are out in an area that requires a more vigorous line cast. We’d recommend the same for people on a boat, as dropping your glasses in a lake is probably going to make them harder to retrieve versus someone fly fishing on a river unless the current is extremely strong.

So which pairs of glasses are truly the best and stand the test of time?  We’ve outlined our 7 favorite pairs in detail, so you can see what we think will help you most on your next outing on the lake.

1. Costa Del Mar Fantail

Product

Costa Del Mar Fantail

Top Overall pick

• Glass provides the best clarity in material
• Encapsulated mirrors (between layers of glass) are scratch-proof
• 20% thinner and 22% lighter than average Polarized glass
• 100% UV blockage for maximum protection
• 100% polarization kills reflected glare

Our rating

Details

• Glass provides the best clarity in material
• Encapsulated mirrors (between layers of glass) are scratch-proof
• 20% thinner and 22% lighter than average Polarized glass
• 100% UV blockage for maximum protection
• 100% polarization kills reflected glare

The Fantail is our favorite pick for any angler.  You have your choice of lenses, but the blue mirror is best for full sun situations out on the open water or while you are on shore and plan on staring into the water for extended periods of time.

The frames are made from a bio-based nylon which is engineered for comfort.  This is critical if you plan to spend an entire day on the lake, and want something that’s both comfortable and durable.  The polarized lenses kill reflected glare which will reduce eye strain – also important if you spend long days staring at the water.

The Fantails are also extremely durable, with the lenses holding strong to a 580 polycarbonate coating that’s relatively scratch resistant without impacting overall weight.

2. Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley

Product

Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley

Solid Pick

• Hand built and backed for life
• 100% UV protection and Polarized for superior clarity
• Patented Technology blocks blue and Yellow light for better…

Our rating

Details

• Hand built and backed for life
• 100% UV protection and Polarized for superior clarity
• Patented Technology blocks blue and Yellow light for better…

The Tuna Alley provides a little bit more facial coverage than the Fantail.  It’s also an excellent choice for spending long periods on the water, and has similar features to the Fantail.

It still carries the 580 plastic lenses and is polarized.  The lens width is 60mm, with the bridge coming in at 14mm.  It has excellent eye coverage, and wraps around your face to provide a snug yet comfortable feeling.

The vented system is a nice touch, which allows your skin to breathe during periods of long wear.  It’s made from a nylon material like the Fantail, so durability is not a concern at all.  You also have a selection of several different colors available depending on what you feel most comfortable with.

3. Costa Del Mar Brine

Product

Costa Del Mar Brine

Lightweight Pick

• Hand built and backed for life
• 100% UV protection and Polarized for superior clarity
• Patented Technology blocks blue and Yellow light for better…

Our rating

Details

• Hand built and backed for life
• 100% UV protection and Polarized for superior clarity
• Patented Technology blocks blue and Yellow light for better…

The Brine model by Costa Del Mar is a great option for people that need something more lightweight.  You’ll get less lens color options, but the style of the frames make them a great choice for people that don’t like heavier options.

As with the Fantail, the blue mirror polarized lenses typically make the best choice for longer periods of wear.  You’ll still get the signature 580 polycarbonate lenses that Costa Del Mar uses, with a slim and more streamlined design for the frame.

You’ll also still get the bio-based nylon frame, so durability isn’t a concern.  We still wouldn’t recommend stepping on them, but you shouldn’t have too much of an issue with the occasional drop while on your pontoon boat or kayak.  These are a great choice for anglers that need a polarized option, but don’t want the bulk of some of the larger frames.

4. Oakley Fuel Cell

Product

Oakley Fuel Cell

Multi-Function Pick

• Oakley Plutonite Lenses offer 100% UV Protection filtering of all…
• PRIZM Lens Technology designed to enhance color, contrast and…
• Patented High Definition Optics (HDO) provides superior optical…
• O Matter stress-resistant frame is lightweight & durable for…
• Microbag included to clean and store your Oakley sunglasses.
• Visit the Oakley brand shop to view the entire Oakley assortment…

Our rating

Details

• Oakley Plutonite Lenses offer 100% UV Protection filtering of all…
• PRIZM Lens Technology designed to enhance color, contrast and…
• Patented High Definition Optics (HDO) provides superior optical…
• O Matter stress-resistant frame is lightweight & durable for…
• Microbag included to clean and store your Oakley sunglasses.
• Visit the Oakley brand shop to view the entire Oakley assortment…

The Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses are a pair of sunglasses that bring style and functionality together.  These are not “fishing” specific sunglasses, but rather made for people that are active and prefer eyewear that covers their entire eye, shading their peripheral vision.

Oakley is also known for their style, and are this is a pair of glasses that while not specifically designed for fishing, can serve for that purpose and also won’t look bad when you go out in public.

These make an excellent choice if you don’t mind spending a little bit more money because you plan to use them as an “all-in-one” solution for regular everyday errands while out and about.  The full frame is durable and comfortable, both important when planning on using
them for periods of longer wear.

5. Oakley Holbrook

Product

Oakley Holbrook

Stylish & Functional

• Rectangular-lens sunglasses featuring Three-Point Fit system for…
• Lenses are prescription ready (rx-able)
• Storage pouch included

Our rating

Details

• Rectangular-lens sunglasses featuring Three-Point Fit system for…
• Lenses are prescription ready (rx-able)
• Storage pouch included

Another style-driven pick, the holbrook made the list specifically for its comfort.  These glasses are not made specifically for anglers, but give you a stylish option you can wear if you want a more “all-in-one” solution like the Fuel Cell.

The style on these is a little bit more modest, making them a great pick for anglers that spend 10% of their time on the lake for fun and aren’t planning on turning pro on the bass circuit anytime soon.

For anglers that are on the lake weekly, there are other options that will be more durable and stand up to longer periods of wear and tear overall.  Stil, the Holbrook is by far the most fashionable pair on our list, and we’d suggest this as a great pair for anyone that’s looking for a decent pair of polarized glasses that are stylish and comfortable.

6. Maui Jim Peahi

Product

Maui Jim Peahi

High Quality

• All Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lens technology…
• Enjoy ultimate UV protection combined with premuim style,…
• Neutral Grey lenses offer the highest available light reduction…
• Lenses made with SuperThin Glass Material provide for crisp…
• Frames constructed from super-lightweight, flexible, heat & UV…

Our rating

Details

• All Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lens technology…
• Enjoy ultimate UV protection combined with premuim style,…
• Neutral Grey lenses offer the highest available light reduction…
• Lenses made with SuperThin Glass Material provide for crisp…
• Frames constructed from super-lightweight, flexible, heat & UV…

Mai Jim’s rock.  Designed specifically for people who frequent areas with lots of water, these glasses are great for anglers, but also great for people who just love spending time near the coast or on a boat.

The thing that the Peahi’s are great for is the wrap around comfort they have been producing for years.  You can literally slip into a pair of Maui Jim’s for 12 hours and barely notice they are there.  You’ll pay for the comfort though, as the Peahi’s are the most expensive pair of sunglasses to make out list.

Their polarized technology ensures that almost all glare will be eliminated and UV rays will be blocked, protecting your eyes from long periods of time staring at the lake or surf.  If you have the budget, this is a fantastic choice for any angler.

7. Flying Fisherman Maverick

Product

Flying Fisherman Maverick

Budget Pick

• All Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lens technology…
• Enjoy ultimate UV protection combined with premuim style,…
• Neutral Grey lenses offer the highest available light reduction…
• Lenses made with SuperThin Glass Material provide for crisp…
• Frames constructed from super-lightweight, flexible, heat & UV…

Our rating

Details

• All Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lens technology…
• Enjoy ultimate UV protection combined with premuim style,…
• Neutral Grey lenses offer the highest available light reduction…
• Lenses made with SuperThin Glass Material provide for crisp…
• Frames constructed from super-lightweight, flexible, heat & UV…

Looking for the cheapest pair you can get your hands on?  The Maverick is perfect for anyone that’s on a strict budget.  While the quality of the polarized lenses don’t match a pair of Costa Del Mar’s or Maui Jim’s, it’s still decent enough for a pair of sunglasses that can be easily replaced.

These glasses are fantastic for people that are notorious for losing or breaking their glasses on a whim.  While most of the time this can be solved by wearing a retainer around the back of your neck, some people don’t like retainers and it’s just easy to pay less.

You will notice the difference in quality over a more expensive pair, but for those on a strict budget, the Maverick is a perfect pick.  If you happen to lose them while reeling in a monster catfish, or one of your kids happens to step on them, the price makes them easy to just replace.  These aren’t the pair to grab if looks are a concern, but they will absolutely get the job done for the occasional fishing trip.

Best Fishing Sunglasses: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of lenses are best?
A: Polarized lenses are hands down the best for any type of fishing activity.  They are the best lenses due to the fact that they cut down on surface glare, and allow you to better see fish under the water.  This is also important for eye protection, considering you will most likely be out fishing and looking at the water for long periods of time.

Q: What lenses are best for water reflection?
A: Polarized lenses are hands down the best for water reflection.  Regular coated lenses just don’t reflect the glare the same way polarized lenses can.  Polarized lenses cut down on the glare from everything, which includes glass or surfaces from other boats and most importantly the water.

Q: What are the best sunglasses for fly fishing?
A: We really don’t differentiate between fly fishing or other types of fishing when it comes to glasses.  We do think that if you plan on fly fishing, where casting can become quite rigorous, you’ll want to invest in a good retainer so your glasses don’t fall in the lake or river.  Fly fishing requires more body movement than traditional fishing, making it more likely that your gear will jostle about.

Q: How should I clean my glasses?
A: The easiest solution is to use water and a microfiber cloth.  Most pairs of sunglasses come equipped with microfiber cloth included in the case these days.  You’ll want to make sure your lenses are free of debris before you use a cloth, in order to prevent scratches to your lenses.

Q: What kind of material should my frames be?
A: This is a personal preference.  Usually metal is not the most preferred frame material for anglers considering the longer time-frames required for wear and abuse.  Plastic, Nylon or other composite frames are generally the most widely used because they are durable, and relatively light, making them great for longer-term wear.

Q: What’s the best pair for the money?
A: While each person may have a personal preference when it comes to ergonomics, it’s hard to beat the Costa Del Mar Fantails when it comes to a combination of cost, durability and lens quality.

Q: Why are sunglasses retainers helpful?
A: We recommend everyone invest in a good pair of sunglass retainers.  Retainers are generally cheap, and while they are not the coolest looking accessory, they can save you from losing your glasses in the water.  Most retainers are detachable, meaning that you can use them for fishing trips, and keep them in your nightstand when you are doing normal tasks.

Benefits of Wearing Your Best Fishing Sunglasses:

Protection from Natural Elements

Sunglasses actually protect you from more than just the sun. Many believe that the sun is the only thing that damages your eyes outdoors, but what they don’t realize is that plenty of other elements do the same. This is a great reason to run and get the best fishing sunglasses possible!

Snow

Spending time in the snow can be very hard on your eyes and damaging in the long run. Snow actually reflects the UV rays back onto your eyes at 0%. This means if you think since you don’t look straight at the sun you are set, looking at snow can have close to the same effect. When the snow burns into your eye’s cornea, snow blindness emerges. All this means that it is wisest and safest to wear sunglasses whenever you are in snow environments.

Dirt

Getting dust in your eyes from wind can harm them more than you think. The long term effects, as well as short term elements, should be enough to get you wearing your sunglasses outside consistently.

Sand

Sand is another really harsh element in nature. They can be immediately painful, and the scratches the grains will make on your eye can cause long term damage. Wearing sunglasses to the beach or anywhere else there is sand is the only solution!

Preventing Health Issues Related to the Sun

Prolonged sun exposure can cause plenty of health issues. Some are simply pastures in the here and now, others are serious. Wearing a pair of sunglasses can really keep your eyes safe from any sun rays that may damage them in the short or long run.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer around the eyes and eyelids is common, and a great way to prevent this is by wearing UV protection around your eyes. Wearing wraparound glasses is a great way to protect your skin and eyes completely.

Glaucoma and Cataracts

The cloudy areas around the lens of the eye are called cataracts. This sometimes can be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and UV rays. As we know exposure to the sun in unprotected increments can also worsen symptoms in glaucoma. UV protected sunglasses are a small price to pay to help prevent these in the long run.

Seeing and Enjoying More Outdoors

If you simply look at polarized lenses, you can easily see that the difference between polarized and non-polarized images are a huge difference. There is less glare, more color, and improved contrast with the first option. If you are anything like me, you really love being outdoors. Being able to do what you love while being protected is a huge perk, but you also get the perk of seeing things you would not have seen in full picture because you would’ve been squinting.

Fewer Headaches

Another downside to bright sunlight exposure, especially in cases where it is prolonged, is contracting a headache. Wearing sunglasses reduces the intensity of the bright, burning sun in your eyes. Even if you suffer from frequent headaches, the reduction of eye strain will make you much more comfortable outdoors. These reasons will send you searching for the best fishing sunglasses to use at all times in the sun!

Avoid Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis, is pretty much a sunburn on the eye, and it is temporary (healing within 48 hours, thankfully). But it can still be very painful, causing blurred vision, light sensitivity, and the sensation of having sand in your eye. It can develop after hours under heavy UV ray exposure. You can prevent photokeratitis from developing on your eyes by wearing the proper sunglasses with UV ray protection.

Stave off Pinguecula

A pinguecula is a non-cancerous growth that takes place in the eye, and it is often painless. This growth happens in the white part of the eye. It can develop in everyone from kids to seniors, so no one is safe from its effects. This can happen in anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, especially in a dry climate, without protecting their eyes from UV rays. Meaning, wearing sunglasses can prevent this from happening.

Get Away From Pterygium

Pinguecula can develop into ptergium (a worse disease) if not treated in time. This sickness is a thick growth of tissues and blood vessels that occurs on the eye. Because there is inflammation involved, this can cause disturbances in your vision if you contract it. This growth may need to be reversed with minor surgery, it is best to avoid UV rays at all costs by wearing sunglasses.

Avoid Macular Degeneration

Over time UV ray light could play a role in damaging the macula lutea (this is the part of the eye with millions of light-sensing cells, which is the part that lets us see fine details clearly), potentially leading to blurriness and even vision loss. Thus wearing sunglasses can help to avoid this.

Get Away From Dark Adaptation

Spending just a few hours in bright sunlight can hamper the eyes and their ability to adapt quickly to nighttime or even to light levels indoors. Dark adaptation can make driving at night after spending a day in the sun more hazardous in the long run, which can be very dangerous.

Healing and Recovery

For people who have had cataract surgery, LASIK or PRK, or eyelid repair – sunglasses can protect the eyes and the area around the eyes during recovery.

Beat the Effects of Jet Lag Quicker

Yes, sunglasses can even help with this. Researchers recommend that long-distance travelers should wear sunglasses to help reduce the effects of jet lag. Many believe that by altering the light patterns your eyes are exposed to, you can adjust to new time zones you find yourself in much more effectively.

Set an Example for Kids

Based on a survey by the Vision Council of America, only 50% of children own or wear sunglasses. Most parents are not aware, but the lenses in children’s eyes are even more transparent than those in adults eyes, which makes them much more susceptible to eye damage when there is UV ray exposure.

Sunglasses Block Blue Light

Blue light is talked about these days a whole lot. It is the light that we see when we view our devices. Blue light is also in the typical spectrum of visible light. If it were not, we wouldn’t see the sky as blue. Colors are actually just light waves bouncing off objects toward our eyes.

Blue light could potententially have a negative effect on eye health and even contribute to macular degeneration and other eye health issues. Wearing prescription sunglasses made to block HEV light will reduce your risk of you developing these problems.

Best Fishing Sunglasses: Wrap Up & Advice

Obviously there’s a lot of detail that goes into what’s important when picking out the right pair of shades for your next fishing trip.  If budget isn’t your concern, then you luckily have your choice of what’s important.  We like the Oakleys or Maui Jim’s if budget isn’t a concern, but the Costa Del Mar Fantail’s are the most widely picked due to the combination of both quality and cost.

If you are on the tightest of budgets, the Flying Fisherman Maverick’s are a great choice that won’t leave you feeling broke when you are done.  If you are just starting out as an angler, save the cash and go cheap here so you can save your dollars for other fishing gear that you’ll need for your fishing excursions.