Fishing sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that can cause permanent damage to your vision, but they also provide a shield from the sharp hook you’re flinging through the air. No one wants to catch a streamer in the eye.
Many factors go into a good pair of shades, but it truly comes down to quality lenses that are comfortable to wear. A good polarized lens allows you to peer through the water in ways the naked eye can’t. Technology has come so far, leaving anglers with nearly limitless lens options for every kind of fishing.
The lead author of this guide is Aaron King, a competitive angler based in northern California. Aaron spends most weekends casting into promising pockets of California’s best bass lakes. In addition to his expertise on the water, Aaron is a self-described gear nut who never stops tinkering with his trolling rig and accessories.
In addition to our hunt and fish editor, Rachelle Schrute, contributor Conni Mahoney and her husband, John, both avid fishermen, round out the testing team, bringing decades of experience and knowledge. After testing dozens of sunglasses, this list contains the tried-and-true standouts.
Scroll down for our recommendations for shades that will suit you well on the water. For helpful tips, check out our comprehensive buyer’s buide and Frequently Asked Questions sections, and have a look at our comparison chart to guide your decision-making.
Editor’s Note: We updated this Buyer’s Guide on September 2, 2024, by adding four new products, including the Costa Del Mar Fantail as our best wraparound option and the Smith Redding as our most versatile pick.
The Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2024
- Best Overall Fishing Sunglasses: Costa Del Mar King Tide Frames
- Best Budget Fishing Sunglasses: Goodr Sunglasses
- Best Lake Fishing Sunglasses: Smith Guide’s Choice
- Best Large Frame Fishing Sunglasses: Bajio Stiltsville
- Best Wraparound Fishing Sunglasses: Costa Del Mar Fantail
- Most Versatile Fishing Sunglasses: Smith Redding
Costa Del Mar King Tide Frames
Specs
- Fit Wide – A larger lens front designed for those who prefer to cover a greater portion of the face. Available in 6 or 8-base
- Frame Materials Nylon & Propionate
- Lens Options Polarized glass. Many color options
- Special Features Rx available, adjustable nose pads
Pros
- Versatile – can go from bar to boat with ease
- Removable side-shields offer extra coverage
- Lightweight and comfortable enough for all-day wear
- Engineered to prevent fogging and manage sweat
- Anti-skid coating keeps frames from sliding around on any surface
Cons
- Lack of frame color options.
- Shark gill venting is not an aesthetic for everyone, but it’s subtle
- Pricey
Goodr Sunglasses
Specs
- Fit Medium; a smaller to average-size head fits this frame
- Frame material Triacetate cellulose
- Lens options Polarized
Pros
- Affordable
- Simple
- No slip
- No bounce
- Warranty
Cons
- No lens options
- TAC frame is not as durable
Smith Guide’s Choice
Specs
- Fit Large — big lenses with a comfortable spring-assisted hinge for non-slip
- Frame material Bio-based nylon
- Lens options Polarized poly and glass with Chromapop — Many lens options
- Special features Rx available, integrated leash compatibility, small and XL options are now available in the Guide’s Choice
Pros
- Premium quality
- Integrated leash and hard case included
- Great warranty
- Versatile
Cons
- Expensive
- Can’t fully customize frame and lens color options
Bajío Stiltsville
Specs
- Fit Extra large — generous lens coverage with an 8-base lens curvature for better side protection
- Frame material Bio-based nylon
- Lens options Polarized polycarbonate or polarized glass
- Special features Superb lens clarity, flexible hinges
Pros
- Many lens options
- Great lens coverage
- Hard case included
Cons
- Expensive
- No integrated leash
Costa Del Mar Fantail
Specs
- Fit Medium— small coverage with base 8 decentered lens curve
- Frame material bio-based resin
- Lens options green or blue polarized glass or green polycarbonate
- Special features tight wraparound fit with nose and temple grips
Pros
- Premium quality
- Hard case included
- Bounce proof
Cons
- Expensive
- No venting
Smith Redding
Specs
- Fit Medium— small coverage with tighter wrapped 8-base curve
- Frame material Evolve
- Lens options Polarized ChromaPop Plus, ChromaPop Glass, and Techlite Glass
- Special features Spring hinges and nose/temple pads
Pros
- Premium quality
- Hard case included
- Many different lens options available
Cons
- Expensive
Costa Del Mar Taxman
Specs
- Fit Wide— medium coverage with base 6 decentered lens curve
- Frame material Bio-based resin
- Lens options Polarized glass or polycarbonate
- Special features Nose pads with vents, wide temple
Pros
- Premium quality
- Hard case included
- Many different lens options available
Cons
- Expensive
- Size Large only
Bajío Vega
Specs
- Fit Large — 8-base curvature for greater wrap and side coverage
- Frame material Bio-based nylon
- Lens options Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate available. Many color options
- Special features Integrated leash compatibility, readers available
Pros
- Great lens technology
- Versatile
- Several lens options
- Eco-conscious
Cons
- Expensive
Smith Boomtown
Specs
- Fit Medium / large — Broad lens coverage with a lightweight frame. 6-base lens curvature
- Frame Material Bio-based nylon
- Lens Options Polarized Chromapop polycarbonate
- Special Features Spring hinges
Pros
- Lightweight
- "Active fit" — rarely slips
- Great lens coverage
Cons
- No included accessories
Bajío Cometa
Specs
- Fit Medium; a medium lens with an 6-base curvature for a more open design and flat side coverage
- Frame material Lightweight bio-based nylon material
- Lens options Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate available — many color options
Pros
- Classic style
- Great lens technology
- Several lens options
- Eco-conscious
Cons
- Expensive
Wiley X P-17
Specs
- Fit Medium / large — fits the average angler well
- Frame material Triloid nylon
- Lens options Polarized
- Special features Rx available, ANSI Z87.1+ lens impact safety standards, integrated leash compatible
Pros
- Tried and true
- Affordable
- Durable
- Integrated leash included
Cons
- Might be a bit small for larger faces
Costa Del Mar Lido Sunglasses
Specs
- Fit Large — designed to fit those with an average-sized head. 6-base curvature
- Frame Material Bioresin
- Lens Options Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate
- Special Features Rx available, adjustable nose pads
Pros
- Great clarity
- Versatile
- Lens options
- Adjustable nose pads
Cons
- Expensive
- No integrated leash but Croakie compatible
Maui Jim Alenuihaha
Specs
- Fit Medium/large — broad coverage with tighter wrapped 8-base curve
- Frame material Nylon
- Lens options PolarizedPlus2 Glass
- Special features Rx available, spring hinges
Pros
- Premium quality
- Hard case included
- Great warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not many lens or frame options
Costa Del Mar Waterwoman 2
Specs
- Fit Medium — Average coverage with open frame design
- Frame Material Bioresin
- Lens Options Polarized polycarbonate and polarized glass
- Special Features Rx available
Pros
- Premium Quality
- Unique Style
Cons
- Expensive
Kaliyadi 3 Pack Polarized Sunglasses
Specs
- Fit Medium— Medium coverage
- Frame material N/A
- Lens options Polarized and a plethora of color options
- Special features 15º spring hinge
Pros
- Cheap
- Comfortable
- Fits a wide variety of sized heads
Cons
- Polarized lenses are not highest quality
Fishing Sunglasses Comparison Chart
Sunglasses | Price | Fit | Frame Material | Lens Options | Special Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Costa Del Mar King Tide Frames | $329-349 | Wide: A larger lens front designed for those who prefer to cover a greater portion of the face. Available in 6- or 8-base | Nylon & Propionate | Polarized glass. Many color options | Rx available, adjustable nose pads |
Goodr Sunglasses | $30 | Medium: Ideal for smaller to average-sized heads | Triacetate Cellulose | Polarized | N/A |
Smith Guide’s Choice | $215-289 | Large: Big lenses with a comfortable spring-assisted hinge for non-slip | Bio-based nylon | Polarized poly and glass with ChromaPop. Many lens options | Rx available, integrated leash compatibility, small and XL options are now available in the Guide’s Choice |
Bajío Stiltsville | $259 | Extra large: Generous lens coverage with an 8-base lens curvature for better side protection | Bio-based nylon | Polarized polycarbonate or polarized glass | Superb lens clarity, flexible hinges |
Costa Del Mar Fantail | $280 | Medium: Small coverage with base 8 decentered lens curve | bio-based resin | green or blue polarized glass or green polycarbonate | tight wraparound fit with nose and temple grips |
Smith Redding | $265 | Medium: Small coverage with tighter wrapped 8-base curve | Evolve | Polarized ChromaPop Plus, ChromaPop Glass, and Techlite Glass | Spring hinges and nose/temple pads |
Costa Del Mar Taxman | $292 | Wide: Medium coverage with base 6 decentered lens curve | Bio-based resin | Polarized glass or polycarbonate | Nose pads with vents, wide temple |
Bajío Vega | $209-259 | Large: 8-base curvature for greater wrap and side coverage | Bio-based nylon | Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate available. Many color options | Integrated leash compatibility, readers available |
Smith Boomtown | $175-215 | Medium/Large: Broad lens coverage with a lightweight frame. 6-base lens curvature | Bio-based nylon | Polarized Chromapop polycarbonate | Spring hinges |
Bajío Cometa | $209-259 | Medium: 6-base curvature with an open design and flat side coverage | Lightweight Bio-Based Nylon | Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate available. Many color options | LAPIS technology cuts 95% of blur light. |
Wiley X P-17 | $185 | Medium/Large: Fits the average angler well | Triloid nylon | Polarized | Rx available, ANSI Z87.1+ lens impact safety standards, integrated leash compatible |
Costa Del Mar Lido | $197-224 | Large: Designed to fit those with an average-sized head. 6-base curvature | Bioresin | Polarized glass and polarized polycarbonate | Rx available, adjustable nose pads |
Maui Jim Alenuihaha | $279 | Medium/Large: Broad coverage with tighter wrapped 8-base curve | Nylon | PolarizedPlus2 Glass | Rx available, spring hinges. |
Costa Waterwoman 2 | $204-284 | Medium: Average coverage with open-frame design | Bioresin | Polarized polycarbonate and polarized glass | Rx available |
Kaliyadi Polarized | $25 | Medium: Medium coverage | N/A | Polarized and a plethora of color options | 15º spring hinge |
How We Tested Fishing Sunglasses
Just like most outdoorsy people, we live in sunglasses here at GearJunkie. No matter what kind of activity we’re doing we have a pair for the task.
Throughout our careers as outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, we’ve learned a few things about what makes the right pair. Through rigorous and extensive on-the-water testing, we narrowed down this list to some of our favorites.
Many experienced anglers contributed to this list, including our Hunt and Fish Editor Rachelle Schrutte and Aaron King — an experienced competitive sport fisherman based in California. In 2024, John and Conni Mahoney began contributing to this guide. John has been fishing since he was tiny in Montana and has worked in and guided through fly-fishing shops in Bozeman, Mont., and Crested Butte, Colo.
When he met his wife, Connie, in Montana, he introduced her to his love of fly fishing, and together, they have fished through Montana down to the famed waters of the Gunnison Valley, where they have settled. Across the board, they know fishing and the gear. They are backcountry fishermen, always hiking, climbing up and down banks, and in all the weather. This means they understand the value of quality sunglasses and all gear.
The greater GearJunkie team has decades of collective experience on lakes, rivers, freshwater, and saltwater. Our testing process brought us to just about every teeming fishery under the sun — from Baja to Minnesota. Along the way, we assessed durability, shape and coverage, effectiveness, clarity, weight, and style.
While we did test some of the more popular models from major brands such as Maui Jim and Smith, we also checked out options from smaller, more fishing-specific manufacturers.
As new fishing sunglasses hit the market, we’ll be sure to get our hands on them to ensure that our list includes the best of the best at any given time. To help you find the best fishing sunglasses for your unique needs, we’ve included a buyer’s guide, a frequently asked questions section, and a comparison chart.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Fishing Sunglasses
When shopping for fishing sunglasses, it’s important to consider your budget, style, activity, location, and personal comfort. This is easier said than done. Let’s break down a few of these key factors.
Fishing Disciplines
There are so many wonderful ways to fish. Some folks do it for work, others do it for fun, and some combine the two as professional sport fishermen. There are dozens of subdisciplines out there, but perhaps the most important distinction is freshwater vs. saltwater.
Freshwater
Freshwater fisheries include lakes, rivers, and ponds. Freshwater fishing is generally associated with tame water, fairly shallow water, and shady vegetated banks. Wide open lakes and reservoirs often come with sunny conditions and lots of surface glare. In such environments, a lens like the Costa King Tides that has side shields and offers a lot of protection will come in handy.
When fishing shallow water, a high-contrast lens can help identify movement while sight-fishing. We’re strong proponents of finding a single versatile pair of glasses like the Smith Guide’s Choice that can handle all of your fishing needs. Still, every day is a little different when fishing freshwater, and it’s wise to own a few pairs that you can switch in and out of depending on the day’s conditions.
Saltwater
Saltwater fishing means large waves, big swell, huge fish, possible storms, and relentless sun. Again, every fishery is different but it’s safe to assume that you’ll be out on the water with the sun beating down and reflecting all over the surface of the water.
If that’s the case, you’ll want a pair of those very bright lenses to protect your eyes while you’re out chasing your desired species. For these instances, give the Wiley X P-17 or the Costa Del Mar Fantail a shot. Getting familiar with common weather patterns in your fisheries can also be helpful when shopping for glasses.
Saltwater is hard on gear, and sunglasses are no exception. If you want your sunnies to last in marine environments, we recommend seeking out a durable pair and treating them to frequent freshwater rinses. And, if you’re considering a trip to the tropics, check out our complete guide to gear you need to bring.
Lens Types and Materials
Lenses are the most important component of sunglasses. There are endless different lenses on the market, and each offers slightly different features and characteristics. Recent technological advancements in optics, as we see in the Bajío Vega, have been incredible and the standards for lens quality have never been higher.
With that said, there are plenty of sub-par lenses on the market. Quality is number one, but it’s also crucial to pick a lens that matches the weather conditions and water depth where you’ll be fishing.
Becoming more popular are prescription options for sunglasses. Maui Jim Alenuihaha is our favorite for readers as they use a unique bifocal element that is nearly undetectable to see from the outside.
Lens Color
We anglers consider color when selecting our lures and flies. We want to do the same when it comes to our lenses. Our eyes are powerful, adaptable, and delicate — but most of all they are unique. Every person has a different experience of light and color. We can’t say for certain what will work for you, but we can give you an idea of what works for most folks. It will be up to you to do some trial and error.
If you’re heading out to a local lake during a bluebird day and won’t be doing much shallow-water fishing, you’ll likely want to grab some blue or green mirror lenses. If you’re going out to fly fish on a free-flowing river, we’d recommend a high-contrast lens like copper or copper-silver. Try some low-light rose or silver lenses for evening fishing and good topwater bite.
Owning a different pair of sunglasses for every kind of weather isn’t feasible for everyone. We recommend that you first start with a pair of “do-it-all’’ glasses and branch out from there. Most of the frames that we mentioned in this article can be matched up with a green mirror lens to form a versatile workhorse. Many brands offer free exchange options — especially if purchased through retailers or distributors.
Lens Material
The other key lens consideration is material. Most frames nowadays offer both polycarbonate and glass lens options, such as seen on the Costa Del Mar Lido and the Costa Del Mar Fantail. Don’t be fooled by these simple terms — most modern lenses aren’t made of a single solid material.
Instead, lenses often consist of 10 or more layers of different hair-thin materials and treatments, including hydrophobic coatings, anti-reflective coatings, and anti-scratch protection. Due to these variables, we can’t strictly say that glass or polycarbonate is always better.
Glass lenses like the ones featured in the Smith Redding are known for supreme scratch resistance due to their inherent hardness. It’s also said that glass lenses can offer better optical clarity. Typically, glass lenses also make for a heavier pair of glasses.
Polycarbonate lenses are a great choice if weight savings are a priority for you. Every brand has a bit of its own variation when it comes to the lens materials that it offers. Like with color, we encourage buyers to compare specific lenses to each other rather than broad categories like glass and polycarbonate.
Fit
Ideally, fishing sunglasses are comfortable enough to wear all day long. Comfort is a direct result of fit. Finding the right fit for you takes time, but it’s a worthwhile process. Don’t compromise on this.
On the practical side, the right fit helps prevent sunlight from sneaking in from the sides, maximizing your eye protection. Features like adjustable nose pads and temple tips help provide a snug yet comfortable grip.
Many fishing sunglasses like the Bajío Stiltsville have large frames to maximize coverage and protection. This works well for those with large faces, but it can be an issue for everyone else. The Smith Redding glasses were some of the most comfortable and best-fitting of all the options we tested. Refer to our comparison to get a better sense of the fit of all of our recommended glasses.
Durability
Along with advancements in lens technology, there has been a notable shift toward innovative frame materials in recent years. Many of the brands highlighted on this list have moved beyond conventional steel, aluminum, or other metal frames. Instead, leading brands have embraced alternative materials that offer performance enhancements and/or environmental benefits.
Current trends lean toward frames crafted from robust and heat-resistant nylon or acetate-based materials. Furthermore, there’s now a strong emphasis on sustainability. Many frames utilize biodegradable plastics or recycled plastics retrieved from our oceans, reducing the environmental impact in case a pair goes missing in the great outdoors.
The Costa Del Mar selection (Costa Del Mar Lido, Costa Del Mar King Tide Frames, Costa Del Mar Taxman, Costa Waterwoman 2, and Costa Del Mar Fantail) uses bio-based material to make their frames.
Durability is a huge concern when it comes to small hardware and added features like nose pads and temple pads. When we fish, we put our gear through the wringer. We want glasses that don’t fall apart after a single season.
We’re confident in the durability of the sunglasses on this list, but to best protect your investment, look for a pair of sunglasses with a decent warranty. Goodr Sunglasses are not necessarily the most durable sunglasses, but they do have an amazing warrenty for how affordable they are!
Bonus Tip
Buy Croakies. And if you don’t know what Croakies are, they’re corded keepers for your glasses. If you take a digger and end up face down in the river, they’ll keep your glasses from leaving your body. Some of them float, which is a bonus if you’re fishing deep water.
Seriously, buy them. You won’t regret it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polarized lenses absorb horizontal light. Because the light source is coming from above and typically reflecting from a flat surface below, the majority of glare is horizontal light.
By removing that incoming light with a polarized lens, you’re left with only vertical light. The result is the ability to look through the surface of the water with far less reflecting light interfering with your view.
Think of it as being able to utilize the ambient light under the water without a light shining down on it and flashing back into your eyes
The increased visibility makes sight fishing possible, even in bright conditions. It allows you to see underwater landscape features you may have otherwise not known were there.
When choosing a lens color, it’s essential to understand which colors work best in which scenarios. Costa does a great job explaining the best lens color for your activity.
Each manufacturer will have slightly different recommendations based on the colors/finishes they offer.
Adding a mirror finish to any color lens will help reflect even more light, giving you increased visibility in bright situations.
If you want an extremely affordable way to test out different lens colors check out the Kaliyadi 3 Pack Polarized Sunglasses offered on Amazon.
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