The 10 Best Sunglasses For Fishing
Special Honors
Vuarnet Glacier 1315 Few pairs can block out as much peripheral light as the Vuarnet Glacier 1315, which are equipped with large shields around the sides. Thankfully, the company has smartly made them removable, so you can easily turn them into a stylish pair for social settings. Their lenses, which are made of mineral glass, have oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings, as well as an anti-reflective backside. vuarnet.com
Shady Rays X Series Black Glacier Extreme Edition As implied by their name, the Shady Rays X Series Black Glacier Extreme Edition boast features specifically designed to boost both their optical performance and toughness. These include thicker lenses, increased frame durability, an anti-reflective lens coating, and more. Though affordably priced, they are still backed by a lifetime warranty. shadyrays.com
Editor's Notes
September 02, 2020:
Unlike with your standard pair of shades, when it comes to fishing sunglasses, style shouldn't be the most important thing. Factors like UV protection, glare reduction, contrast and color enhancement, and durability should take center stage. That being said, there is no reason you can't find a pair that offers all these features, and looks good while doing so, which we think is proven by our selections.
When it comes to balancing performance and style, Costa Del Mar immediately stands out. While we have only included three models from them; the Fantail, Tuna Alley, and Saltbreak, all of which have a wraparound design to block out distracting peripheral light, their frames come in a wide variety of styles and all are available with multiple of lens types. All of the models we have included feature rubberized temples to help keep them in place no matter how much you sweat when reeling in that prized catch.
If you like sunglasses that actually have glass lenses, but are sensitive to weight on your face, you may like the Maui Jim Peahi 202, which feature specially designed lenses that are 20 to 30 percent lighter than most others, yet no less durable.
The Oakley Holbrook Iridium Sport definitely win style points with their metal riveted accents, but these shades aren't just eye catching, they feature the company's Prizm lenses, which increase color and contrast, so everything will look more vibrant and you'll have improved depth perception, making it easy to spot those underwater structures.
While all of the above are excellent options, we do realize that not everybody wants to break that piggy bank for their fishing sunglasses, which is why we added the KastKing Hiwassee and Strike King Okeechobee. Both are quite reasonably priced, but we recommend the Hiwassee over the Okeechobee for their durability and scratch resistance.
December 27, 2018:
Sometimes the ability to spot a fish or underwater structure where one might be lurking can mean the difference between catching dinner that day and going home empty handed. That's why we made sure to only include sunglasses that are designed to increase contrast and simultaneously reduce glare, which makes it easier to clearly see what is happening under the surface of the water. We also did our best to include durable models that won't break from one or two falls.