Original Article: Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fishing – Top 5 of 2020
While there are many different styles, brands, and manufacturers for fishing sunglasses, they all vary depending on what you would want in a pair. For most outdoor enthusiasts it is durability but there are other aspects to consider as well. Many popular brands are out there that you are likely familiar with like Oakley and Costa, however, there are quite a few others as well. Here we will discuss what makes the best polarized sunglasses for sight fishing.
You will need to consider durability, shade, fit, and whether they will float. Many brands offer great durability and scratch resistance with their product and this can be handy when fishing in rocky areas where a drop from your face could mean life or death for your lenses but this feature tends to run the price up as well. Whether a pair of polarized sunglasses will float is a good idea when you are fishing from any watercraft and can protect your investment. Fit is a large factor to consider and it is likely the first consideration by someone shopping for polarized sunglasses.
We will compile a few different brands and styles here for you so that you can get a good and clear understanding of what is out there.
KastKing Skidaway Polarized Sport Sunglasses
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The KastKing Skidaway sunglasses offer durability as well as a thick lens similar to other more expensive brands. Aside from this thick lens feature it also offers durability that can be compared to the more expensive brands as well. These sunglasses will not float, but a good option to address that issue is to get a floating headband for them that will keep them on your head and prevent them from sinking if they fall in. This pair also is rated to protect your eyes from impacts, which allows them to be used for other applications as well. If you are choosing a color, keep in mind that the matte orange pattern is translucent and irritating with sunlight.
FEATURES
- Thick lens
- Triacetate lens for protection
- UV protection
- Malleable material
- Durable 1.0 mm lens
- Great UV protection
- Lightweight
- Non-floating
- Boxy design allows light through the top and bottom
Oakley Oo9341 Sliver XI
Oakley sliver XI is a great product that is reasonably priced for the brand name. This pair offers a large variety of colors which is great for those who pay attention to aesthetics. With a great design that covers the eyes very well, it is great for sight fishing, however, the boxy design as we have seen in other brands will allow light to enter above and below the lenses. The curvature of the lenses is designed to aid in the peripheral vision of the wearer which can be nice to help you see that fish that you would have normally missed. This product is also compatible with prescription lenses for an extra charge.
FEATURES
- O matter frame material
- Different color options
- Customizable options
- Peripheral lenses
- Curved lenses
- Durable
- Particularly good UV protection
- Lens curvature can cause distortion
- Prizm lenses not included
Fishoholic Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
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The Fishoholic Polarized Sunglasses come with a UV 400 rating which is relatively high for a cheaper pair of sunglasses which can be good on your budget. This pair also features a FLexTuff frame that offers a high durability to impact and shock damage. One feature that this pair offers that the others have not is the lens coverage that allows extraordinarily little light to enter. The different shape of the lenses, however, may cause the Fishoholic to not fit everyone. 5 different color options make it simple to match the rest of your gear but it also impacts the way light is absorbed. With all sunglasses, it is usually better to go with a matte pattern rather than a translucent patter for the sake of light penetration.
FEATURES
- FlexTuff frames for durability
- Complete lens coverage
- Included case and cleaning kit
- Unisex
- Wide sides for grip
- Sleek lens dimensions for comfort
- UV400 for 100% protection
- Thin lens offers little impact protection
- Review indicate that they feel cheaply made
Infi Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
The Infi polarized sunglasses are very lightweight and pack easily. The lenses themselves are on the large side of the spectrum. The lenses are also made of impact-resistant nylon, but this material does not offer much in resisting scratching. The nice thing about Infi is that they give you the specific dimensions of every pair they sell. This means you can accurately get the pair that fits the first time you order. These are simplistic fishing sunglasses for a reasonable price, and they offer other features such as a glare-free vision lens that will limit eye strain as the day goes on.
FEATURES
- Nylon lenses that resist impact and shock
- Glare-free lenses
- High contrast lens vision
- 100% UV protection
- Lightweight design
- Complete UV protection
- Ordering specific dimensions is simple
- Nylon lenses do not offer good scratch resistance
- Non-oleophobic lenses tend to get dirty and stay that way
Merry’s Unisex Polarized Sunglasses
Durable frames are definitely something to consider when picking out a pair of sunglasses and the Merry’s Polarized Sunglasses fit the requirement. Made with an aluminum frame compared to their competitors who primarily use plastic materials. The downside to this however is that the frames can bend and stay that way of hit hard enough or in the right way. But they will still likely bend before they will break when compared to plastic. The dimension of this pair of sunglasses are posted upfront so you know what you are buying before you buy. The unisex design is great when buying for the whole family as well. Merry’s also offers a 30-day warranty for this product making returns and any other issues easy to resolve.
FEATURES
- Aluminum frame for durability
- Light scattering lenses distribute light
- AnyFit design makes for a good fit on most faces
- Different lens and frame colors
- 30-day warranty for any concerns
- Useful for fishing and many other activities
- Light scattering lenses help prevent headaches and strain
- Aluminum has memory when bent
- Aluminum frame will not bow, and fitting could be impaired
- No protective coatings over lenses
Things to consider when buying sunglasses for fishing
Finding the right pair of sunglasses can seem daunting and complicated but it just breaks down to what the application is and how rough you are on your gear.
Buoyancy
If you fish from a boat, you may want to find a pair that floats or maybe a headband attachment that will.
Durability
Plastics will not bend like metal frames but will offer the lightweight design you may be looking for. Aluminum and other similar metals will be more durable but will permanently bend if stepped on or dropped hard enough. Lenses themselves differ on their material as well and they are not created equal.
Lens
Glass lenses typically will cost more and be more scratch resistant to nylon or other plastic lenses. Many manufacturers offer prescription lens options as well and if you use prescription glasses in your day to day life, you might consider getting a pair. Lens color is not just for fashion and different lens colors work better in different environments. Clear waters tend to be better suited for cooler colors of lenses whereas murky or environments that are warmer in color may call for a warmer color of lenses.
Fit
Because we reference online products it is important to understand the manufacturer’s warranty and return policies if they do not fit or meet expectations. It is important to understand conformity to your face and how light penetration will affect you while you wear them as well. Some brands offer boxy frames while others offer a more fluid design. The boxy sunglasses tend to fit most faces better however they allow more UV light to enter.
In the end, what makes the best polarized sunglasses for sight fishing depends on where, what, and how you use them. There are many great brands out there and there is bound to be one that suits your needs well.
