My Top Picks:
Best Overall Polarized Fishing Sunglasses: Oakley Holbrook
Top-notch clarity and unmatched style. The ultimate choice for the discerning angler.
Best Budget Polarized Fishing Sunglasses: Flying Fisherman Maverick
Affordable meets efficient. Perfect for those seeking performance without breaking the bank.
Best High-End Polarized Fishing Sunglasses: Costa Del Mar Fantail
Premium quality with superior vision. A luxury experience for the passionate fisher
Not long ago, polarized sunglasses were considered an expensive luxury for sight fishing. Today, polarized fishing sunglasses are an essential part of fishing equipment. For beginners and professionals, using gear that provides protection is essential. Polarized sunglasses are great for protecting the eyes when you are out fishing.
This article will tell you how to pick the perfect pair of polarized sunglasses for you. We will also share some of our favorite polarized sunglasses.
The 3 Best Polarized Sunglasses in 2023
Based on quality and functionality, I have chosen the best polarized sunglasses for you.
Oakley Holbrook Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
- Assembled in the USA.
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Oakley is considered one of the best sight-fishing sunglasses on the market. Let us take a look at some of the features attributed to them.
Affordable:
Oakley offers high-quality polarized sunglasses at very affordable prices.
Distortion Issues:
These sunglasses don’t have any distortion issues. Distortion issues are very common due to the reflection of waves.
True Image:
They offer a true image without any magnification and refracted light. Other lenses can create a ‘false’ image, and you can’t see the precise position of the objects. This aspect may ruin the purpose of the sunglasses, limiting them to only protecting your eyes from the sunlight glare. You won’t be able to do any fishing with such sunglasses.
Furthermore, Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses offer a variety of frame and lens colors. The brand features many smart designs, making it a favorite of many customers.
Pros
- The lens quality is excellent.
- There is a variety of colors for the lenses.
- The plastic frame doesn’t get rusted.
- Oakley offers High Definition optics.
Cons
- The lenses can get scratched easily.
Costa Del Mar Fantail Fishing Sunglasses
- 100% UV PROTECTION: All Costa Del Mar Eyewear lenses block potentially harmful high-energy visible blue light rays and protect against 100% of Ultraviolet rays (up to 400nm).
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses is another versatile brand at the top of the list for many fishers.
Great for Bright Light:
These sunglasses work best even in bright light. Moreover, Costa Del offers a long list of lens colors for different light conditions. this makes them ideal for use in bright sunlight.
Clarity of Lenses:
Even in some of the expensive polarized sunglasses, users come across the clarity of lenses that are not so good. Costa uses premium quality lenses that offer great clarity. This is another feature that helps this brand stand out in the market.
Affordability & Durability:
Costa has introduced glass lenses at a very affordable price. The best aspect of glass lenses is that they are resistant to scratches and are thus more durable.
These polarized sunglasses are packaged with a case and cleaning cloth that helps to keep them scratch-proof and maintain their clarity.
Pros
- This brand features 580 glass lenses.
- The glass lenses are scratch-resistant.
- The cleaning cloth and case are free.
- There is a variety of colors and frame designs.
Cons
- The frame comes in limited sizes and won’t fit larger profiles.
Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses
- MAVERICK, MATTE BLACK FRAMES/SMOKE LENS. Flying Fisherman Action Angler Sunglasses with polarized triacetate lenses improve visibility for any activity. They are scratch resistant, lightweight and durable so you can take them everywhere.
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Flying Fishermen Sunglasses are one of the best in the market.
Affordable Rates:
This brand is known to provide high-quality sunglasses at reasonable prices. The lenses by Flying Fisherman are also resistant to scratches and shatters.
Great for Glare:
The lenses are designed to eliminate glare and give clear vision.
Color-Contrasts:
They also add color contrast without ruining the actual shades of colors.
The sunglasses come with a cleaning cloth and a zippered case.
Pros
- The lenses reduce eye strain by eliminating light glare.
- These glasses come with a 1-year warranty.
- The lenses don’t distort the natural colors.
- These glasses help locate the location of the object precisely.
Cons
- No cons.
How polarized lenses work for sight fishing
When light waves hit the water, they are reflected in one plane instead of scattered. This phenomenon is known as polarization. Light waves can form a dangerous glare when they are focused in a single direction.
The polarizing filter will only allow vertically oriented light. At the same time, it naturally blocks the horizontally oriented light.
Polarized sunglasses are popularly used to protect the eyes from that dangerous glare. They are especially important for outdoor water activities, including fishing.
Related article: Fishing shirts with UV protection
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses:
Let us take a look at some of the benefits of polarized sunglasses:
1. Protect the Eyes from Glare:
Polarized sunglasses protect the eyes from this intense glare. The glare that hits your eyes can also cause a severe headache. This reflected light harms your eyes and prevents you from seeing below the water’s surface.
2. Help you see Underwater:
Polarized sunglasses help you see underwater and catch fish easily. With these sunglasses, you will also see dangerous underwater objects that could snag your fishing line.
3. Help in Bass Fishing:
Moreover, polarized sunglasses are a must for bass fishing too. Bass fishing can be a little hard as they like to hide in thickets of vegetation underwater. Polarized sunglasses can easily see through the water and catch bass.
So, polarized lenses can be your lucky charm in catching bass.
How to Choose the Best Polarized Sunglasses?
When you are purchasing polarized sunglasses for sight fishing, there are some things that you must keep in your mind.
Color of the Lens:
The color of the lens is one of the most important aspects of your sunglasses. You need to get the right colored lens for a cool appearance and to improve water visibility.
Amber
Amber shades are best for fishing in dull lighting. It can help to heighten the contrast.
Grey
A grey lens can filter all the colors of light without any distortions. This color works well for sight fishing in both Stillwater and freshwater.
Green
Green lenses are suitable for any situation. They are also suitable for dirty water.
Yellow
Yellow lenses are most suited for sight fishing in shades. However, they are not as useful for harsh sunlight.
Cost
The cost of the sunglasses is just as important as any other feature. It doesn’t make sense to buy an expensive pair of sunglasses that work just as well as a cheaper pair. Similarly, buying cheap sunglasses that don’t work well for you is useless.
However, sometimes, you will need to make a compromise between price and some functions.
Material
The sunglasses’ frame and lens material is also essential to consider.
Many brands offer a variety of materials, from PVC to nylon. You can choose the material according to its weight, feel, and durability.
Comfort level
Another vital feature you should keep an eye on is the comfort level of the frame. The weight of the sunglasses is an important aspect. For example, plastic frames are lighter than metal frames.
Type of Lenses
The lenses are what you look through while hunting for fish. So, you must choose them carefully according to their features.
There are two types of lenses:
- Glass lenses
- PVC or Polyvinyl carbonate lenses.
(i) Glass Lenses
They are heavier in weight. But glass lenses are less likely to get scratched.
(ii) PVC Lenses
They are lighter in weight as compared to glass lenses. However, they can get scratched with time and use.
FAQs
What color sunglass lenses are best for fishing?
For general fishing conditions, polarized brown or amber lenses are ideal as they enhance contrast and depth perception. For low-light or overcast conditions, yellow or rose tints might be preferable. For bright days in open waters, gray or blue lenses are recommended.
What is the difference between fishing glasses and sunglasses?
While both protect against UV rays, fishing glasses are specifically designed with polarized lenses to reduce water glare, improve underwater visibility, and often have colors optimized for water conditions, making them more suitable for anglers. Regular sunglasses might not offer the same level of polarization or lens color options tailored for fishing environments.
Are fishing sunglasses worth it?
Yes, fishing sunglasses enhance vision, reduce glare from the water, and protect eyes from harmful UV rays, making them beneficial for anglers.
