Amazing Tips On How To Buy The Best Fishing Sunglasses This 2021
The best fishing sunglasses can greatly enhance your fishing experience. As an angler, proper eye protection is paramount especially when spending many hours outdoors in the bright sun. Polarized sunglasses help to reduce glare, protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, and improve visibility in the water. So, how do you go about choosing quality fishing glasses?
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How To Buy The Best Fishing Glasses This 2017
Last update on 2022-08-23 at 02:41 PST - Details
Tips To Remember When Buying Angling Glasses
There are three main things to look for in fishing sunglasses: clarity, color, and comfort. It is important to wear polarized sunglasses that fit the environment you are fishing in. Here are important features to look for in polarized angling glasses.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses help to eliminate strained vision when fishing and protect the eyes from excess sunlight. Polarized lenses can reduce reflected light by up to 98 percent. This helps to reduce glare on various surfaces including water. There are three types of polarized lenses: light, medium, and heavy polarized sunglasses. The three differ in the degree to which their lenses are polarized.
Light polarized lenses are available in brown or grey shades. These lenses suit indoor environments where the light comes in from outside. These types of lenses are suitable for anglers who spend significant amounts of in an ice fishing shelter waiting for a prized catch.
Medium polarized lenses are available in blue, ruby, or green tint glasses. These tinted glasses should be fitted onto grey, green, or red polarized shades. Medium polarized glasses are ideal for low light conditions like fogy or hazy environments. An example of a medium polarized glass is a mirror prescription glass.
Fisherman with blue polarized lenses
Photochromic Lenses
These lenses change their shades to match the environment. They change their color as UV rays increase or decrease in intensity. Anglers would benefit from these types of lenses, especially if they spend many hours on the water. Photochromic lenses help to enhance vision above or under water in any environment.
What you see via Photochromic Lenses
Lens Material
Angling glasses can be made from various materials including glass, polycarbonate, and NXT. Glass lenses have superior optical qualities and are more resistant to scratching. However, they are heavy, prone to breaking, and quite expensive. I would not advise anglers to go for glass lenses.
Polycarbonate is more resistant to impact than glass. It is also cheaper and has decent optical clarity. The only problem is that polycarbonate lenses scratch or damage easily. NXT is the best of the three lens materials. It is strong, light, and tough providing extra protection to the eyes from flying objects.
Compare lenses in different material
Lens Color
The lens color of your fishing sunglasses should be determined by your fishing environment. There are three main types of lens colors: grey, copper, and amber colored lenses.
Grey lenses provide better depth perception in water. They also enhance color saturation and the contrast between medium and light areas in the water. Many saltwater anglers prefer fishing sunglasses with grey lenses to any other color. Unfortunately, grey lenses are not suitable for freshwater fishing. The grey tint contrast works against the lens making it a bit difficult to tell the fish from its surrounding.
Grey lenses
Copper lenses help to tone down blue light. These lenses suit both saltwater and freshwater environments. Copper lenses are recommended for low light conditions, especially after dusk. The lenses brighten objects underwater making them ideal for netting bright colored fish.
Copper lenses
Amber lenses are known for their overall brightness. They also maintain the overall color of the surrounding even when moving from one fishing location to another.
Amber lenses
Lens Coating
The lenses of most angling sunglasses are treated with a hydrophobic coating. This helps to prevent water droplets from sticking to the sunglasses and impairing visibility. An extra layer of chemical treatment may be applied to boost visibility in foggy or humid conditions.
Shape And Style Of Frame
The shape and style of the frame determine how the angling sunglasses fit your face. Quality fishing sunglasses bend to the shape of your face and feel comfortable when worn. The sunglass frame should not be too loose or too tight on the face.
Sunglass frames come in different styles. Wrapping sunglasses have a frame that wraps around the angler’s face. Such frames do not easily come off even when fishing on a speeding boat. A strap or band may be added to fortify the frames.
Floating sunglasses have a frame that can float on water. This feature makes them easy to retrieve in case they accidentally fall in the water. Ventilated sunglasses have a permeable frame that evaporates sweat droplets keeping the temple cool and dry. Some frames come with a protective skirt providing extra protection against airborne debris.
Prescription Glasses
Anglers who use prescription glasses can still find suitable fishing glasses to wear. Most high-end sunglass manufacturers can make custom fishing sunglasses to suit individuals looking for prescription fishing sunglasses.
Top Best Fishing Sunglasses On The Market
Last update on 2022-08-23 at 02:41 PST - Details
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
These fishing sunglasses tick all the right boxes as far as professional angling glasses are concerned. They measure 6.6 by 3.3 by 2.2 inches and weight 2.6 ounces. They are not the lightest fishing sunglasses, but you will not feel their weight as you wear them.
The lenses come with Holbrook plutonic filters and sport a six-base curvature design. This technology is designed to filter about 100 percent of harmful UV rays and blue light that could reach your eyes.
The lens and frames of these fishing sunglasses are available in different styles ideal for both men and women. The polycarbonate lens is impact resistant and designed to perfectly wrap on the face. This helps to provide your eyes with enhanced protection from external objects while enhancing visibility from different angles.
These sunglasses are fitted with metallic bolts and accents along the frame. This not only strengthens the frame but also accentuates its overall aesthetics.
Via Amazon.com
You can get the Cosver polarized sunglasses in various shades including grey, matte black, emerald iridium, ruby iridium, and ice iridium. Another color option is matte black in jade iridium.
One feature that sets these sunglasses apart is that they are RX rated. This means they are prescription-ready for anglers with existing eye problems.
What I Liked
- Sleek, durable and lightweight black matte frame with metallic accents
- Provides 100 percent UV protection up to 400nm
- Improved side vision
- Comes in various colors and styles
- Impact resistant polycarbonate lens
- 57-millimeter thick lens that is durable and impact resistant
- Prescription ready
What I Didn’t Like
- Some color shades may be expensive
- May be too large to fit some heads
- It is possible to receive a counterfeit version of the glasses
Via Amazon.com
The Knight Visor sunglasses are my first pair of angling shades to own. They measure 7 by 3 by 3 inches and weight 3.8 ounces. I received these pair as a gift from my wife and immediately loved them. They felt quite light on my face.
Knight Visor polarized sunglasses are designed to enhance color and clarity when fishing. This is exactly what I needed to spot the walleye below the water and also enjoy the sunsets while fishing.
The sunglass lens is polarized and has a grey tint to retain color saturation of the overall environment. I also loved how they enhanced the contrast of the water and reduced the sun’s glare. These sunglasses come in two shades and I remember mine were crystal colored at the frames.
The unbreakable lens is reinforced with 100 percent UV protection. No single day did I have to squint due to glare or the harsh rays of the sun. These polarized did a good job for me the entire period I had them.
On the downside, the plastic frames were not as durable as I thought. The frames got broken when they fell down and I had to replace the frames.
What I Liked
- Sturdy polarized lens
- Lens treated to enhance protection against harmful UV radiation
- Entire sunglass is hand assembled
- Enhanced clarity and color
- Grey lenses enhances contrast and retain color saturation
- Available in different styles and colors
What I Didn’t Like
- Quite pricy for the budget conscious angler
- Plastic frames may break under heavy impact
- Easily attracts dust, dirt, and smudges
- Plastic lens
Duduma polarized sunglasses measure 7.1 by 3.3 by 2.5 inches and weigh an ounce. Quite lightweight in nature but the size may be too big for kids. They also come with permanent lenses.
Duduma sunglasses have a film-free polarized lens. These sunglasses filter certain wavelengths of light preventing them from reaching your eyes. In addition, they make everything look brighter and crispier behind the polarized sunglasses.
What I appreciate about the Duduma Sunglasses is their ability to eliminate glare and flare. The lens surface is non-reflective and scratch resistant on both sides. I would highlight the non-reflective feature, which is a deal-breaker for me, especially when fishing light sensitive fish. No reflection on sunglasses means the fish cannot spot you and will take the bait better.
The frame is held together by the firm and flexible hinges. The frame fits your face snuggly while the hydrophilic megol nose pad is designed to be breathable and sweat-absorbent.
Via Amazon.com
One more thing I would mention about the lens is its smudge free property. I have often heard anglers complain about oil or dirt smudges on their glasses. Anglers with these sunglasses do not experience problems with smudges.
What I Liked
- Flexible stainless steel hinges
- Photochromic, polarized, and long-lasting lens
- Breathable nose pad that absorbs sweat
- Scratch resistant and film-free lens surface
- Quite affordable
- Comes in different colors for variety
What I Didn’t Like
- Aesthetic coating on the frame may peel with time
- Lens is not interchangeable
Via Amazon.com
I upgraded to the Flying Fisherman polarized sunglasses after breaking the frame of my Duduma model. The heavy-duty design on these ones was an assurance that they will last longer than my previous fishing sunglasses. Measuring 8 by 9 by 10 inches and weighing only 1.4 ounces, I find them compact and lightweight enough to carry around.
The Flying Fisherman angling glasses are 100 percent polarized and treated to provide enhanced UV protection. The frame is co-injected with a nylon-based compound to make them tough, durable, and comfortable to wear.
The lens is made from a 580-polycarbonate compound. This not only adds to the lightweight nature of the sunglasses but also ensures the lens surface is resistant to scratches or breaking on impact. In addition, the lens surface is quite resistant to oil smudges and dirt.
What stood out for me more on these sunglasses is the enticing aesthetics. There are about 40 different styles of the same model on the market. I still maintained a blacked out frame but chose a polarized lens with silver mirror glass. The Flying Fisherman polarized sunglasses does an impressive job in blocking the sun’s glare.
An additional advantage of these sunglasses would be the free casing that comes with the sunglasses. This casing is super tough and keeps the sunglasses protected.
What I Liked
- Heavy duty hinges provide a sturdy frame
- Comes in a variety of styles and designs
- Comes with a sturdy carrying case
- Very aesthetic; can be worn while fishing or out on vacation
- 100 percent polarized and reinforced to provide enhanced UV protection
What I Didn’t Like
- It’s possible to buy the counterfeit version of the glasses
- A bit expensive compared to other Costa sunglass products
I love the fact that Merry’s Sunglasses do not look like they are designed for angling. In fact, they look more suited for a biker, cyclist, or someone taking that weekend road trip. Merry’s Sunglasses with smoke lenses are quite stylish yet maintain some of the heavy-duty specs you find on military eyewear.
These sunglasses come with special eye protection design. They borrow the ingenuity of military ballistic combat eyewear. In addition, Merry’s sunglasses with smoke grey lenses meet OSHA and ANSI Z87.1 safety requirements.
At first glance, I loved and appreciated these angling sunglasses. The entire frame is a deep black color accentuated by the smoke grey lenses. The half-frame design is quite stylish and I find the quality quite top-notch.
When you order a pair, the angling sunglasses come with a case, lanyard, and a piece of cleaning microfiber cloth.
Via Amazon.com
Unfortunately, Merry’s fishing sunglasses are available in only one style. The smoke grey lenses held together by a sturdy aluminum frame. Nevertheless, I personally do not see these particular sunglasses in any other color other than a bold black. They not only fit my angling escapades, but they are also perfect for cycling, hiking, motorcycle riding, and many other outdoor activities.
What I Liked
- Professional sunglasses designed to military standards
- Perfect for various outdoor activities
- Stylish half-frame design
- Meets OSHA and ANSI Z87.1 Safety Standards
- Fits snuggly even in windy situations
- Comes with a case, cleaning cloth, and lanyard
- Affordable
What I Didn’t Like
- Only available in one color and style
Last update on 2022-08-23 at 02:41 PST - Details
My Final Choice!
I tend to be picky when it comes to my fishing sunglasses. At the same time, I do not want to spend so much looking for sunglasses. These are some of the reasons why I spend some time looking for sunglasses that meet all my angling needs without burning a hole in my pocket. If I compare the five angling sunglasses I reviewed, it comes down to two choices: Merry’s fishing sunglasses and the Flying Fisherman polarized sunglasses.
Without a doubt, I am a fan of Flying Fisherman Eyewear products and have owned two pairs of the sunglasses so far. My current Flying Fisherman angling sunglasses ticks all the right boxes in what I look for in fishing sunglasses. They have a strong and durable lens that is resistant to scratching and smudging. I do not expect them to break like my previous pair of Duduma.
However, if I compare the Merry’s and Flying Fisherman side by side, the Merry’s takes the crown. Its amplified standards in safety and quality are what set it apart from the other sunglasses I reviewed. Merry’s fishing sunglasses meet various quality and safety standards including OSHA and ANSI Z87.1 standards. The sunglasses are packed in a hard case that includes a microfiber cleaning cloth and lanyard. An additional advantage is that Merry’s fishing sunglasses are cheaper than the Flying Fisherman.
I hope you found this article useful. Please share the article with your friends and followers on social media. You may also share your experiences using various fishing sunglasses in the comments section.
