Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2024 - Wired2Fish

Oct 14, 2024

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The best fishing sunglasses aren’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Sunglasses for fishing are a wide and varied category, encompassing everything from old-school clip-on polarized sunglasses to modern wrap-around styles that can hold up to impacts from misplaced casts. There are even specific men’s and women’s sunglass styles, shaped to fit the contours of each’s head shape.

To sort through all the options and find the best fishing glasses for each scenario, we visited with many manufacturers at ICAST. We identified some excellent options, then we tested them on the water. After our testing, we have identified some clear winners in categories like best budget fishing sunglasses, best prescription sunglasses for fishing, and more. Check out the results of our hands-on testing below.

The scratch-resistant coating on the Costa Jose PRO’s premium polarized 580 lenses offers outstanding clarity in a wide array of situations. Whether you’re sight fishing, driving a bass boat, hanging out on the beach or simply driving your truck, these lenses are very impressive. They have an impressive ability to cut through glare and reveal hidden fish or structure below the water’s surface, making them the best fishing sunglasses for most situations.

One of the strengths of the Costa Jose PRO is their fit. I liked how well the frame stayed locked onto my face while I was driving a bass boat at high speeds. Some other poor-fitting frames will move and wobble when met with excessive wind resistance but these frames don’t move an inch at high speeds. So if you’re driving fast, bending down unhooking a fish or anything of the sort, we’re fairly certain you’ll enjoy this fit.

Not oversized or undersized, the Costa Jose PRO offers a medium-sized frame that provides a fit for a large majority of anglers. If you have a higher nose bridge and lower cheek bones, these shades will fit you perfectly and you’ll quickly fall in love.

I’ve worn my Vega Readers now for several months on a wide variety of fishing trips. I’ve used them on big lakes, small lakes, clear streams for smallmouths, trout streams, wooded timber lakes and more. They have performed well in each of those situations, making them my pick as the best fishing sunglasses with readers.

Tying knots gets tougher with age. And when you’re fishing a lot of finesse lures, the tiny knots that tiny lures require can be really cumbersome. So these new reader options from Bajio are a much welcomed relief to angler with old eyes like me. The 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5x magnifying lenses built into these can make fishing a lot more enjoyable if your eyes are line mine

The Vega Frames are very comfortable, thanks to the padded nose section and the padded ear section of the arms. While the frames offer maximum coverage area, they do not feel heavy or pinch on your head. They are very light and fit extremely well. I’ve enjoyed them every time I’ve worn them while on the water.

It’s tough to make a good set of prescription fishing sunglasses because the wrap-around frames and narrow lenses don’t offer enough real estate for the precision grind needed to correct most vision issues. Not so with the Mako XL from Island Optics. The wide frames and tall lenses can accommodate even progressive lenses, so you can tie knots, drive boats, and identify structure without switching glasses.

Checking all the boxes, the Mako XL offers serious anglers one of the best bargains in a full-service pair of sunglasses for long days on the water. They offer maximum protection, with shatterproof lenses wearing high-end coatings to provide optimal performance while on the water. The coatings on these lenses offer scratch- and sweat resistance, while also significantly cutting down blue light and reflection, letting anglers see deeper into the water without fatigue.

The Mako XL frames are lightweight and won’t pinch or fatigue your face while fishing on those long, hot summer days. The wider frames fit those with larger heads, but even those with smaller heads will appreciate their ability to block out stray light from the sides. Double-hinged arms keep them in place without creating pressure points, and integrated vents provide cooling airflow that helps prevent fogging. For more on these affordable, prescription-capable fishing sunglasses read our long-term review.

I really liked the new Hobie Monarch Float fishing sunglasses. Not only are they bargain at under $100, you’ll probably won’t lose them thanks to their floating properties. They also come with an adjustable retainer strap, which should help you hold onto them even more. Plus, they feature a classic Wayfarer-eque look that fits in around town as well as out on the water.

Speaking of looks and function, the Monarch Float also features easily-removed side panels on the flatter 6-base curved frame that do a great job blocking out the peripheral light from the top and sides when you’re really staring into the water. But the side shields come off quickly if you don’y want them for things like driving the truck to the lake.

The lenses feature Hobie’s hydro/oleophobic lens coating, HydroClean 360, to rapidly shed water droplets. They are extremely light, thanks to the floating frame design, so all-day wear is no problem. The Hobie Monarch Floats are super light, comfortable and I like the way they look for fishing and everyday wear, making them my pick for best fishing sunglasses under $100.

I took a chance on one of those drop-shipped sunglasses off Amazon and Instagram just to compare to the others in this test. I have to be honest, I was pretty pleasantly surprised. The sunglasses came with a lanyard, a lens cleaning cloth, a soft case and a hard case. And I got all of that for $49.

The lenses in these weren’t the best in the test, but they were pretty good given the price. They have a hydrophobic coating that helps shed moisture from sweat or flopping bass, and have enough polarization to cut through surface glare. The frames are comfortable, and feature double-action hinges for a flexible fit. Non-slip nose pads and temples increase grip, especially on sweaty days.

I can safely say the Torege Pure Cratos will satisfy any angler with a small budget, making them the top choice for the best fishing sunglasses under $50. Plus, I see them on sale at Amazon.com regularly for $25, so you can really grab a bargain.

Wiley X was founded as Protective Optics in 1987 by U.S. Army Veteran Myles Freeman Sr., with the goal of building “the world’s best protective eyewear.” Built to stand up to the rigors of battle, you can bet Wiley X’s sunglasses can protect your eyes from an errant fly. I didn’t try to break the lenses during my testing, but I really liked that the Wiley X Grid sunglasses ad certified impact protection.

To offer such a high level of impact resistance, the lenses in the Wiley X Grid sunglasses are made from polycarbonate. While this material doesn’t have the same optical clarity as glass, the polarized color-enhancing lenses are very good at seeing into the water while maintaining an ANSI Z87.1 rating for clarity and high velocity impact protection—I was able to pick out brush from a distance with these sunglasses. They even have a removable clip-on Facial Cavity Seal to keep debris out.

These frames are made to survive abuse and rough conditions. The frames are made of a highly flexible Triloid nylon, one of the toughest materials available. Despite their tough construction, the frames were light. I really torqued on them too. Twisted, pulled and yes, sat on. After all that, they were perfectly fine and back on my face. So they live up to the hype, and are a great choice for fly fishing sunglasses.

The Costa Untangled collection features frames made from recycled fishing nets. Their partnership with Bureo created a line of sunglasses made from recycled materials, which were often pulled out of the environment. And anything that gets litter out of the waterways is good in my book.

I’ve been wearing the Costa Untangled Antille for quite a while and they quickly have become some of the favorite fishing glasses I’ve ever owned. The oversized lenses and flat profile fit perfectly to my face and cheeks so I get maximum viewing from any angle.

They are really one of the best fishing sunglasses and the fact that purchasing them helps conservation efforts makes it even better. Plus, Costa’s Untangled Antille is available in three different lens colors to work in a variety of conditions.

I’m a big fan of Maui Jim. I bought my wife a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses for her birthday because a good friend sells them at Fast Eddies on Kentucky Lake. So I was anxious to test some of their newer fishing frames with their new Hawaii Lava lens.

These large frames of the Alenuihaha feature an 8-base curve for wrap-around coverage, built with a triple-injected nylon material and spring hinge. The comfortable, lightweight wrap design best complements square, oval or oblong or heart-shaped faces. The bridge features a fixed saddle style construction with embedded rubber nose pads so they stay put.

But the optics are the real story. Maui Jim makes some of the clearest sunglasses, thanks to their proprietary glass lenses that are 30% or so thinner and lighter, while still offering superior scratch and solvent resistance. You can get them with readers, which is a dynamite option on such a high quality frame. I loved these sunglasses. They were comfortable, and provided some of the best views into the water I’ve seen on a pair of glasses.

I was not familiar with the Fin-Nor sunglasses, but I’ve been very impressed with their new North Drop frames since I got a pair. Anglers can enjoy sharpened vision and reduced eye strain for a better visual acuity on the water, thanks to their Lateral Line Lens Technology. They feature a premium 7-layer anti-reflective coating on the glass lens and 5-layer anti-reflective coating on the polycarbonate lenses to prevent glare on the backside of the lens.

These large frames are constructed with bio-resin, and they cover my viewing area perfectly. They feature adjustable and easily replaceable nose pads, and tacky flexible side arms with dual-direction hinges for a perfect fit no matter what face shape. The arms can be adjusted to have a tighter or looser fit and the lenses were very clear.

They are a great pair of sunglasses for a demanding angler. I thought they were comfortable, stayed where they were supposed to be with no-slip pads, and offered great viewing ability into the water. And they feel like they will last many fishing seasons.

A newcomer for 2024, the Bajio Hopedale has quickly become my favorite sunglasses. They are light, well-built, and the lenses offer great color transmission and vividness. The aesthetics make these shades look like a million bucks, and they are super practical on the water. I love how they fit, how well I see on the water with them and with the added readers, I never take them off when fishing. They are definitely my favorites right now.

The non-slip nose guards won’t get gross with sweat, or misshaped as they are embedded into the frames. Both the arms and nose bridge sit well on your face. The arms have two-way springs to keep them from warping or breaking for hard days on the water.

I can see so well into the water, even without the side guards I usually like in my sunglasses. The green mango glass color makes these sunglasses so unique looking. I’ve been wearing them since February and I love them. They quickly became my favorite sunglasses of the year.

Costa’s Blackfin Pros offer a lot of desired features in a great pair of polarized sunglasses for fishing. These shades build on the original Blackfin, which were one of Costa’s most popular styles. But the new Pro frames offer adjustable vented nose grips, stickier temple tabs with pre-drilled lanyard attachment points with metal protectors.

The wide sides block light very well, making it a lot easier to see into open water and reducing eye fatigue on super-bright days. I tested the blue mirror lenses which are great for open water applications and high sun days. They cut down on the harshest rays, and left my eyes well rested even after a full day on the water.

This is an all-around frame that fits anglers with average to large heads. I liked the fit, and the vented nose helps prevent fogging by providing cooling airflow. If you spend time fishing on really sunny days, consider a pair of Blackfin Pros.

When trying to determine which will be the right fishing sunglasses for you, there are several factors to consider. For our tests we focused on these following factors:

Lens clarity has come a long way in fishing sunglasses, with the top models almost giving you superhuman vision on the water. Glass is typically clearer than polycarbonate, and manufacturers can do more with it, so a glass lens is always more expensive than plastic. This is often what separates a $40 pair of sunglasses from a $200 pair of sunglasses. Expect to pay a premium for high quality, thin glass lenses.

Polarized lenses have the ability to cut reflected glare from the water’s surface so you can peer down into the water better. You also can add in degrees of protection from UVA and UVB lightwaves to reduce eye strain and fatigue over the long haul. In other words, polarized sunglasses for fishing keep your eyes healthy while on the water.

Beyond the lenses, the frames can provide light blocking ability. If you let a lot of light in from the sides or below the frames, then you reduce the sunglasses ability to block reflective light and inhibit your ability to see on and in the water. We looked at the sunglasses’ ability to block light as a whole.

Fit and comfort are based on the size of the frame relative to your head, as well as how the arms are shaped and how the nosepiece cradles the bridge of your nose. It’s often why it’s best to try on a pair of sunglasses if you can. But we found a good rule of thumb on the Costa site for figuring out which frames will fit you best. If you wear a snap-back trucker hat and you button up all the holes you probably want a small or medium frame. If you button up 4-5 holes you probably want to look for medium-large frames. And, finally, if you only button up the last two holes, you probably should look at XL frames or the bigger large frames.

We couldn’t evaluate how each pair fit each person in our test, so I concentrated on how well they fit me. I gave points to the pairs that stayed put while I was actively fishing, and did so without the need to readjust over and over again. Plus, they had to be comfortable the entire time.

The other thing that makes some sunglasses more expensive is the durability of the frames. You can make a pair of plastic frames for fishing sunglasses for $10, but if you drop them or sit down on them by accident they are done. Companies like Wiley X who come from the tactical world come close to making indestructible lenses and super durable frames that can certainly handle fishing, but others have also built frames that can survive the rigors of fishing.

This is often overlooked by anglers. But if you’ve ever been on the water with your hands full with a big fish, fishing rod and a net while your glasses keep slipping off your nose, you know how frustrating it is. So having good nose pieces and pads, good arms, easy lanyard attachments and more are important. I made sure those that passed the test are the ones that stayed still.

Things like oleophobic coatings that shed water, scratch-proof mirror coatings that add durability, vented side shields, lanyards, and more add to the function of the best fishing sunglasses. So I also took a look at those on each pair I reviewed, giving points for how ell the sunglasses performed overall.

The best fishing sunglasses brands have changed a lot in recent years but there a few newcomers that are worth the money now that will cover in our breakdown below. For the most part the perennial powerhouse in fishing sunglasses have been the following:

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners.Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP.He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.