10 Best Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Having the right eye protection when you’re fishing is essential for protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays, however, polarized sunglasses can also act as a vital tool for sight fishing.

The glare from the sun reflects off the water and obscures your view, so polarized lenses block out this glare and allow you to see more clearly through the water's surface.

Sunglasses are also essential for providing protection. A good pair of UV400, polarized sunglasses will keep your eyes safe and will also reduce eye strain.

There's an overwhelming amount of choice out there, so we’ve put together a list of the best polarized fishing sunglasses on the market.

We’ll be breaking down everything you need to know before you purchase, from how much to spend, to the best materials to choose.

First up though, let’s take a look at how polarized sunglasses work:

The Science Behind the Lens 

Polarized sunglasses have a special chemical applied to their lenses during the manufacturing process.  This chemical is laminated in a vertical pattern and is known as a vertical transmission filter.

This filter works by allowing vertical light waves (direct light) to be transmitted while blocking horizontally oriented waves (reflected light).

The reflected light waves are what fishermen call glare, and glare happens when waves of light bounce off reflective surfaces, such as a lake, which makes it difficult to see.

When wearing polarized sunglasses, images may appear slightly darker, however, once the glare is eliminated, the resulting image will be sharper and easier to see, which reduces eye strain and fatigue.

Best Polarized Fishing Sunglasses Buying Guide

Which Lens Color to Go For

You may have noticed that polarized lenses come in a range of colors, and the different colors are designed to work optimally in different fishing conditions.  

• Amber/Brown/Copper - these tones are best suited to low-light conditions, such as early morning and evening, or cloudy weather. These colors allow a little more light in, which provides more illumination when less light is available. Amber is a great choice for all-around fishing conditions.
• Green/ Green Mirror – Green and green mirror are the best lens colors for freshwater fishing as they have an amber/copper base that allows you to see clearly in water that is slightly stained or murky.
• Yellow – Yellow provides a high contrast, and because of this many sight fishermen use yellow to help them distinguish between a fish bed and the rest of the lake bottom. Yellow lenses are therefore great for shallow fishing, as they enable you to spot the irregularities in the grass. 
• Blue/ Blue Mirror – Blue and Blue Mirror are best for offshore fishing. These colors have a gray base lens that helps filter out harsh direct sunlight in open water fishing where you’re very exposed. 
• Gray/Smoke – These colors are best for very bright conditions, as they reduce light transmission. Unlike brighter colors, these won’t distort the natural colors as much as other lens colors so they’re good for maintaining optimal vision. This makes them a popular choice outside of fishing, or among anglers living in regions with lots of sunlight. 

UV Protection 

Electromagnetic radiation is solar energy that is emitted by the sun. There are seven types of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum: Gamma Rays; X-rays; Ultraviolet light (UV rays); Visible light; Infrared light; Microwaves and Radiowaves.

These different types of energy have different purposes: for example, visible light allows us to see the world, and infrared radiation enables us to feel the warmth of the sun on our skin.  

There are some positives to the sun’s UV rays: for example, we get vitamin D from sunlight and this has been linked to improved mood.

However, there are also significant harmful effects of overexposure. Researchers have found that 65% of melanomas are caused by UV radiation exposure - further reinforcing the importance of protecting your skin and eyes from the sun.   

It’s important to recognize that polarized lenses block glare, but they don’t always fully protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. This is why it’s important to look for a pair of sunglasses that are polarized and offer 100% UV protection.

The higher the UV rating, the better the protection. Look for a pair of sunglasses that are polarized and labeled UV 400, as this provides nearly 100% protection from harmful ultraviolet light rays.  

Lenses with UV 400 block wavelengths up to 400 nanometers and they also filter out 75% to 90% of visible light from the sun, which is strong enough to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and reaches your skin and eyes in the form of UVA and UVB rays. 

Lens Materials 

The material your lenses are made out of can impact everything from quality to durability, to weight and cost.

Glass offers crystal - clear images and has superior optical clarity. It’s also best for scratch-resistance. However, the drawbacks of glass include the heavier weight of the material and the fact that glass lenses are usually significantly more expensive. Glass won’t chip or shatter, but it will “spider.”  

Polyurethane is another material that usually comes at a higher cost. However, it’s worth the investment as it provides superior impact-resistance while maintaining optical clarity. It’s also flexible and lighter than glass.  

Polycarbonate is the material you’re likely to see a lot of. Polycarbonate lenses are durable and provide excellent impact-resistance. They also enhance optical clarity and have good scratch-resistance. The key selling points of polycarbonate is that it’s lightweight, durable, and affordable.  

Acrylic is even cheaper than polycarbonate, so it’s best suited for casual or occasional use. It’s lightweight and affordable but is generally less durable and optically clear than polycarbonate or glass, so you can usually expect some image distortion. 

Lens Coatings

Expensive lenses will have several layers of coating to make them more durable which means they last far longer than cheaper lenses.

Popular lens coatings include a hydrophobic coating that repels water, an anti-scratch coating to protect against wear and tear, and an anti-fog coating that protects against sweat and keeps the lens clear in humid conditions.  

Lenses that are mirrored or have a flash coating have a reflective film applied to the outside surfaces of the lens, this reduces glare by reflecting most of the light that hits the lens surface.

It’s worth bearing in mind that mirrored coatings can create darker images, so they’re usually used with lighter tints which compensate for this.  

Frame Materials 

The frame is the second most important part of your sunglasses, and the material you select will impact the fit, feel, and durability of your sunglasses.  

Metal frames include those made from stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. These are usually thinner, which makes them easy to adjust to your face and less obtrusive to your field of vision.

That said, they’re also more expensive and can be less durable than other types, so they’re better suited to occasional or casual wear rather than high-impact activities. It’s also worth remembering that metal heats up easily and can get hot. 

Nylon frames are usually cheap, lightweight, and tend to be more durable than metal. Thanks to its durability, it can be well suited to sports or high-impact activities. One drawback of nylon frames is that they’re generally not adjustable.  

Acetate frames are sometimes called "handmades." These consist of variations of plastic and are popular in fashion styles because they allow for more color varieties. That said, they are also less flexible and forgiving, so you’ll want to avoid them for fishing or other sports.   

Ergonomics

You want to ensure your sunglasses are as comfortable as possible, particularly if you intend to wear them for long periods.

Pay particular attention to the design of the sunglasses and how they fit around the head, for example, do they have any silicone padding on the nose piece and temples?

It’s also important to get a good fit, as this affects how comfortable a pair of sunglasses feel. We’ll explain how to get the best fit possible below.  

How to Get a Good Fit 

• Frames should fit snugly on your nose and ears, but not pinch or rub at all. 
• The weight should feel evenly distributed between the ears and nose, which is why lightweight sunglasses are always preferable, and you should always avoid styles that add pressure on these contact points, as this can cause headaches.
• Your eyelashes should not touch the lens.
• Some nosepieces are adjustable by pinching them closer together or farther apart.
• When shopping online, pay attention to any fit guidance from the manufacturer, as some sunglasses may provide a normal fit whereas others will run smaller or larger than usual. Some brands may offer multiple sizes.
• Check the warranty or return period when shopping online in case your sunglasses don’t fit correctly. 

Price

When it comes to polarized sunglasses, the amount of choice on the market can be perceived as both a positive and a negative, as there’s a pair of sunglasses for every budget, however, this means that making a decision can be a little overwhelming.

As you can see from our list, polarized fishing sunglasses are available for as low as $15 or as high as hundreds of dollars, and how much you should spend depends on your budget, but also on how frequently you’ll use them.  

Cheaper sunglasses are less of an investment, meaning you can afford to try them out or buy multiple pairs with different color lenses. The drawback is that they’re less likely to be durable - they’ll probably scratch easily and may not be suitable for use in certain situations. For example, some cheap sunglasses will get damaged if they come into contact with salt water.  

On the other hand, investing in a pricier pair of sunglasses can be risky because there’s more to lose. However, they may save you money in the long run as a high-quality pair of sunglasses could outlive several cheap pairs that you’re constantly replacing.

Therefore, if you fish regularly then you may be better off investing in a more expensive pair of sunglasses that are durable and well-made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth buying polarized sunglasses?

Yes. There are a whole host of benefits. Polarized fishing sunglasses will allow you to see more clearly below the surface of the water, as they reduce the glare which bounces off the surface of the water and blocks your view.

Your newly-enhanced vision will become your greatest tool: you’ll be able to see rocks, vegetation, and if you're lucky, fish.  

Polarized sunglasses are especially important for sight fishing, however, they’re also beneficial for pretty much any fishing situation, as being able to see what’s below the surface of the water is always going to give the angler an advantage. 

They also reduce eye strain, meaning your eyes are less likely to become fatigued during a long day on the water. By reducing the sun’s glare, polarized lenses allow your eyes to relax more, as they won’t have to work as hard.

The amount of squinting required is cut down as it becomes easier to see objects in the water. 

Do any polarized sunglasses work for fishing? 

Sure, any pair of polarized sunglasses are going to be better than nothing, but you’ll feel the benefits of polarized sunglasses more if you choose the right lens color for the type of conditions you’re fishing in.

For example, amber or brown tones are best for low-light situations and cloudy conditions, green is best for freshwater fishing, yellow lenses work best for shallow fishing, blue is best for offshore fishing and gray or smoke are best for very bright situations.