Best Polarized Sunglasses of 2024, Tested on the Water

Oct 14, 2024

By Pete Robbins

Updated on Aug 9, 2024 12:43 PM EDT

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Polarized sunglasses are essential accessories for efficient angling because they allow you to see fish and, most importantly, see how they react to your lure.

If you want to see fish underwater or reduce eye strain, you’ll need a pair. I’ve fished for everything from bedded bass to giant rooster fish, and tested the best polarized sunglasses along the way. Below are my picks for the best polarized sunglasses for fishing.

The sunglass picks are broken down by the use case they are best suited for because the best fishing sunglasses for offshore will be different than the best pair for a trout stream.

Not only are these glasses comfortable, but they also offer the broadest range of lens and frame combinations of any glasses of the models I’ve tested—making these the best polarized sunglasses overall. Bajio is a relative newcomer to the scene, but their team has decades of fishing and sunglass experience that shows in these Nippers.

The lenses, which come in a huge array of colors at dual price points, are clear and resistant to scratching. They’re also made from plant-based material which not only adds a bonus of sustainability, but also makes them feel remarkably light. Bajio is a company that’s dedicated to conservation, from their packaging and shipping to supporting conservation efforts they are dedicated to the environment. —P.R.

I’m a big guy and need large framed sunglasses to fit my face and one of the best extra-large frames I’ve used are Bajio Rocas. They wrap tight to my face, yet allow ample ventilation, and the rose lenses are perfect for sight fishing. I like them so much that I used them exclusively during my summer redfish trips and while testing the best saltwater fly rods in Charleston, South Carolina. If you need top tier lens technology in an XL frame, then check out the Roca sunglasses from Bajio. —Scott Einsmann

Key Features

The Maui Jim Kaiwi Channel’s super comfortable wrap design provides unbelievable depth perception and clarity in bright overhead sun. As the best sunglasses for offshore fishing I wore these glasses for several days in Panama under blazing sun and I swear that I could see tuna “color” before anyone else, along with subtle hints of breaking baitfish and distant diving birds. The wrap design cuts out all light from the sides and even when seating the non-slip nose and temple pads keep them in place. They’re a good fit for average-sized faces, and they come in four frame colors, each with a matching lens.

Costa

Glass is stronger and clearer than polycarbonate lenses. On top of this improved scratch resistance and clear vision, the 580G material is also thinner and lighter than other glass lenses you may have tried.

Building on Costa’s long standing environmental commitment, this example of Costa’s “Untangled” collection is made from fishing nets that are at the end of their lives making these glasses the best sunglasses for sustainability. Costa already had a chokehold on a large percentage. They’ve earned respect for their quality product, but it’s this example of their commitment to the resources we all cherish should earn them more. The Pargo glasses contribute to the likelihood that we’ll be able to fish for generations to come. The frames are a little coarse to the touch, but you don’t feel that when they’re on your face, and if the Pargo isn’t your best fit there are eight other options — which means that everyone can do their part to clean up waste while helping their own fishing.

Full coverage and clear sightlines demonstrate that Leupold’s shooting optics heritage has been extended to anglers and the results provide all-day clarity. I put these Leupold glasses on for long days of looking for bass that would’ve given me headaches in the past, but I got off the water as fresh as I’d started. That’s because not only do these frames cover a lot of my face without feeling bulky, but also because they’re ventilated. I felt like I could see a bit deeper, and a bit more clearly, without losing focus or ability as the hours pushed on. They promise that the polarization won’t deteriorate over time, either. Furthermore, they’re shatterproof making them the best sunglasses for sight fishing for bass.

As the best polarized sunglasses for women these functional yet fashionable aviators provide women who only want to invest in a single pair of glasses an ability to cover all bases with shades. They are equally good for staring down tarpon or for sitting behind the wheel of a convertible. If metal frames are your thing, and you want a practical yet distinctly feminine set of glasses, these are fashionable, yet will also serve you well on the water. They’re extremely comfortable with snag-proof nose pads, and also super lightweight, so you can wear them from sunup to sundown without experiencing any sort of fatigue.

The Smith Guides Choice frames will fit most anglers well and offer subtle features like their integrated eyeglass retainer that set them apart from the competition. The Chroma Pop lenses perform well in bright sun and shade. They also enhance color and definition, which helps you differentiate between a stick and a brown.

Die hard meat chuckers and Euro nymphers can agree on one thing—good sunglasses help you catch fish. But, frames and lenses are just as much personal preference as fishing techniques and lucky hats. But, you can’t go wrong with the Smith Optics Guide Choice with Chroma Pop lenses. I’ve been fishing with Chroma Pops for about a year, and they are my favorite lenses for inshore, bass, snakeheads, and trout. The lenses transition well from needing to see fish in a shady spot to bright sun. I’d recommend the green or brown lenses because they’ll work in the widest range of streams. If you fish a lot of bright sunny days the mirror lenses will help reduce eye fatigue.

The biggest issue people have with the Guide’s Choice frame is they slide down your nose when you look down. I haven’t had that issue, but I do have a larger head so they fit my head snugly. Another con is that they use a spring hinge, which some anglers don’t prefer. —Scott Einsmann

If you don’t need prescriptions, these perfectly-functional glasses come at a bargain price and provide fashion forward styling. These polarized sunglasses may not have the heft and durability of more expensive glasses, but they’ll get the job done for the novice or budget-conscious angler making these the best cheap polarized sunglasses. You can keep an extra pair in your truck or boat in case you sit on one, too. The company also makes signature series glasses for fellow bass pros Mike Iaconelli and Josh Bertrand, as well as bi-focal magnifiers.

Ombraz

If you’re constantly losing your sunglasses in the water, Ombraz has a solution with their armless polarized sunglasses. A 100 percent recycled marine-grade nylon cord connects indestructible TR-90 frames to your head, so your glasses can’t fall off, even if you’re jumping in the water to cool off.

Ashley Thess

They fit any size head, and don’t dig into the sides of your face. Fit them correctly using their How To Wear video and you’ll always have your sunglasses lightly snug to your face or secured around your neck. I think these are extremely comfortable, and particularly a game changer for water sports. My lenses are a bit scratched already, though I’m hardly gentle with my sunglasses.

Dragon

Dragon’s Lumalens technology filters out blue and green light attributed to haze and glare while enhancing the landscape’s true color. The reduction of blue light also prevents eye fatigue. These are comfortable to wear but have a large frame which felt a bit big for my medium sized face. The Mari’s frames are made with injection molded resin that has a lower density than water, allowing them to float.

If you’re like me, and occasionally miss a rod eyelet when rigging up, or can’t tell if your knots are perfect, but you’re not ready to wear prescription sunglasses full-time, then readers are a solid option. They’ve changed my ability to pay attention to small details that contribute to fishing success and I don’t have to change glasses to do so. The Ozello frames don’t just benefit your vision with lens technology – the wide temples block out sun to keep your peepers fresh, and the comfortable nose pads maintain position so you’re always looking in the right direction. These have become one of my favorite everyday pairs, just as good for looking at the menu at a beachside restaurant as they are for tying complicated knots on a windy day.

It’s critical to think of a few key factors as you embark on your search for the best polarized glasses for you. The first is where you’ll be fishing and under what conditions. The blue water of the tropics presents different challenges and opportunities than the muddy backwaters of your local river. Furthermore, a high overhead sun might command different lenses than low light conditions. There are several key lens colors, most notably gray and amber, but they may differ from one manufacturer to the next, or go by a different name. In general green and amber are a great choice for most sight fishing. Grey is a color for general use and blocking out bright light. Blue mirror is the go-to choice for offshore.

The goal here is to block out all light, and whether you’re a pumpkin head or a pencil neck, or somewhere in between, find frames that fit snugly but do not give you a headache. I like something with shielding to the side in most cases, but my wife’s cheekbones are different from mine and she can wear an aviator or other minimalist frame style without letting in too much glare.

Finally, if you wear a prescription, make sure that your chosen glasses will allow for that alteration. If not, you might consider a fitover style or some add-on “cheaters” to help you get through the day, assuming that your prescription is not a matter of life and death.

The lenses are oriented in such a way that cuts the glare reflected off the water’s surface. That means that the glasses have to be framed and oriented properly or you lose any of the benefits. When done right, though, they provide a huge benefit. Not only will your eyes be less tired at the end of the day, but you’ll see things that you’d otherwise miss. Whether that’s a largemouth bass on a bed or a sailfish in your offshore spread, that means more enjoyment.

Of course, there are other benefits, too. Lenses protect your eyes from debris as you rocket down the lake, or from a recently unsnagged lure that’s coming back at your face at warp speed, with no time to duck. As mom always said, “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.”

In some cases, multiple pairs may be warranted, but good ones are typically not inexpensive, so choose wisely. There are countless brands on the market, and whether you take a longstanding stalwart like Maui Jim or Costa Del Mar, or one of the upstarts, there’s a wide continuum of quality and fit available across the board.

Be sure to try on as many pairs as possible, and ask the shopkeeper if you can take them outside and test them in real sunlight conditions. No two heads are the same and we each process visual information differently, so just because a pair works for me doesn’t mean they’ll work for you. That said, err on the side of quality and shatterproof construction because you only get one set of eyes.

At some point, every angler either breaks or loses a set of glasses. The latter can happen when you leave them on top of your truck or lean over to grip a fish and watch them slip into the drink. Add a simple set of retainers — the small investment can save you big bucks.

Polarized sunglasses are coated with a film that reduces glare substantially. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re darker than other sunglasses, just that they cut down on particular rays, thus making them ideal for fishing and boating. In addition to helping you see better on the water, they also protect your eyes from strain and damage.

There are numerous companies that make high-quality polarized sunglasses, with comfortable frames and clear lenses. The best ones are those that you’ll want to wear and that will protect your eyes. Try on a number of brands to find the one that fits you the best and cuts out glare, and make sure to check that they’ll withstand flying debris or lures.

Polarization and UV protection are not the same. UV 400 indicates that the lenses on a set of glasses provide nearly 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. Polarized glasses, as noted above, reduce glare through a special coating. Glasses can be polarized and/or UV 400, or they can be neither.

More than any particular rod, reel, or lure, polarized sunglasses are an investment in both your short-term and long-term fishing success. They’ll help you spot and catch more fish today, and keep you out there for years to come. There are specialized glasses for particular circumstances, so if you chase one type of fish under constant conditions, one pair of glasses may do everything you need. If not, find something that’s multi-purpose, and that provides you with maximum benefit in the widest range of angling applications. The technology is there, so find a pair that you’ll want to wear all day.

Fishing Writer

Pete Robbins is one of Outdoor Life’s fishing tackle specialists and angling travel experts. He has written extensively about the bass tournament scene for nearly two decades. Recently, he’s expanded beyond that niche to include adventure travel and bluewater angling. He lives in Vienna, Virginia, with his wife Hanna (who often outfishes him) and their Australian Shepherd Rooster, who is now banned from their bass boat for pressing too many buttons at inopportune times. The Robbins family calls the Potomac River their home water, but they (minus the dog) have also fished in Africa, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Alaska, as well as most of the United States.

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