The Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2024

Versatile, ventilated, and offering awesome coverage, the Costa Del Mar King Tides ($329-349) are arguably the most adaptable and downright performance-driven pair of fishing shades currently on the market.  Engineered to move seamlessly from boat to bar, these shades boast a range of features that will make them your go-to for sunny adventures.

These shades offer excellent coverage thanks to removable side shields built to block backside and peripheral light, and your choice of mid (King Tide 6) or full-wrap (King Tide 8) frames. Multiple ventilation ports and sweat channels woven within the frames keep perspiration in check so you can see what’s in front of you, while also ensuring glasses don’t fog over. And, because their performance glasses above all, they only come with Costa’s high-quality glass lenses. Choose from a variety of polarized color options, including mirrored and non-mirrored lenses.

An especially innovative feature we found helpful on bumpy boat rides and while bobbing out in the surf: the anti-skid coating on the frame that prevents the King Tides from sliding around on any surface, wet or dry. The lightweight, but strong frames and the adjustable nosepiece mean these high-performance shades are customizable to fit your face and comfy enough to wear all day.

Fashion-conscious anglers might find the shark-gill venting unappealing, however, Costa does its best to make it subtle. However, we wish there was a larger choice of frame colors. The high price may cause some to balk at paying over $300 for a pair of sunglasses, but if you spend a lot of days on the water, the King Tides are worth it.

Whether it’s a full-send trip offshore or a leisurely day of fishing on the stream, the King Tides offer all of the performance features you want out of your sunglasses, and then some. Equally killer for beach life, surf sessions, and regular casual wear, you won’t find a more versatile pair of shades for any and all endeavors. Versatile and loaded with performance features, if you’re an angler looking for a top-quality pair of shades that also doubles as a lifestyle staple, the King Tides are for you.

Dive deeper into the amazing King Tides by checking out our in-depth review.

Take your pick of any polarized pair of Goodr Sunglasses (around $30), and you likely won’t be disappointed.

Our reason is simple. We asked several fishing guides we know what sunglasses they were wearing. We made it a point to look at or ask which shades people were wearing on the river during the first big hatch of the year. Our ballpark estimate is that eight out of 10 fishermen we know or have spoken with have made the leap to Goodr.

Not everyone has the budget to spend hundreds on shades, and Goodr has become the go-to for many fishermen who need the performance without the investment. They have a long list of different frame styles and lens options, each for around $30.

Best of all, they have a killer warranty, particularly for a budget pair of shades.

Goodr really is the right buy for the broke fisherman in all of us.

The Bajío Vega ($209-259) is a very close runner-up to the Costa Del Mar King Tides. We gave the nod to Costa in this instance, as we have a little more experience with the brand in long-term testing. Bajío is making some serious waves, and as long as the shades hold up for the long run, we’ll likely be seeing the brand in the top ranks more and more often.

Where these shades truly stand out is clarity. Bajío focused on cutting blue light, resulting in wildly clear views. With lenses in an array of colors to fit your specific fishing environment, the Vega is a solid choice that’s more than worthy of the runner-up position.

Wide temples, full coverage, and a reasonably aggressive wrap make the Vega sunglasses a pair of performance fishing glasses capable of getting the job done.

The only notable drawback is size. The Bajío Vega is big. If you have a smaller face, you might want to look at something like the Palometa — same performance, smaller frame.

Smith Optics is one of the best eyewear manufacturers on the market. The Guide’s Choice ($215-289) could honestly fit in any category on this list with just a simple lens swap. These frames have an aggressive wrap that’s wide at the temples, offering you top-notch protection in any conditions.

Known for having phenomenal lenses, Smith uses Techlite polarized glass, which cuts glare and reduces eye fatigue. We used the Guide’s Choice on an exceptionally sunny day on the lake where surface glare was brutal, but the excellent broad lenses kept us fishing comfortably late into the day.

The brand’s website clearly outlines which lenses are best for which applications in an easy-to-follow chart, so don’t limit these sunglasses to lake fishing. The rose-colored Techlite Ignitor lens would make these an awesome pair for small mountain streams.

The standard Guide’s Choice is best for large faces, but be sure to check out Smith’s two new Small and Extra Large frame size options for just the right fit.

The Maui Jim Makoa ($279) doesn’t look like a pair of traditional wraparounds, but they are. You get all the benefits of an aggressive wrap-style pair of sunglasses, with the retro look of an everyday pair of shades. Like many of the others on the list, they have customizable frames and lenses to suit your particular fishing environment.

The ultra-thin glass is incredibly scratch-resistant and offers a crisper view than most polycarbonate lenses. You add a bit of weight when you go with the glass option, but it is worth it if you’ll be in sunglasses for the majority of the day.

Maui Jim is also one of the best when it comes to incorporating prescription lenses. If you’ve got aging eyes that are struggling to see those tiny flies, the brand has you covered.

The Stiltsville ($259) stands out in this collection as one of Banjo’s largest frames, designed to make a statement wherever your adventures take you. With an “Extra-Large” 8-base frame size, these sunglasses perfectly capture the essence of embracing challenges on the water and joyful celebrations off of it. Bajío has truly brought their A-game to the table with this rad pair of sunglasses.

What sets the Stiltsville apart is its sophisticated design. By incorporating vented temple tips and vented nose pads, these shades keep moisture off and contact points cool with improved airflow and fit. The edges of the frames feature a distinctive curvature, infusing a sense of cool and collected style while delivering exceptional coverage against direct and indirect sunlight. When you slip on the full-wrap Stiltsville sunglasses, you step into a world of possibilities, with a range of polycarbonate or glass lens options to choose from.

Also, check out the Las Rocas for another great extra-large frame option from Bajio. But for our favorite large-frames for fishing, we reach for the Stiltsville.

The Smith Boomtown ($175-215) sunglasses combine a retro design with a practical approach. Smith integrates its cutting-edge ChromaPop technology into these oversized lenses, delivering full-wrap coverage and top-notch clarity in a single offering. Consider this pair the boldest statement on this list — a fusion of style and substance.

Still, appearances can be deceiving. The Boomtown is crafted to handle every facet of your day, making it a true companion from dawn until dusk. Pair these frames with the right polarized lens, and they might just become your next go-to eyewear.

Our initial tryout of these sunglasses was an eye-opener. With their lightweight frame, we half-expected them to easily slip off with the lapping of a wave against the boat’s side. However, much to our surprise, they held firm. This remarkable grip is attributed to their MEGOL pads, which ensure a non-slip connection to the temples, even in challenging conditions.

The Boomtown not only embraces a nostalgic aesthetic but also embodies robust functionality, making it a versatile companion for both style-conscious adventurers and dedicated anglers alike.

The Cometa ($209-259) from Bajío has a cool retro look and a comfortable fit. Most notably, they stay on a ball cap when we pop them up there. If you’re a person who often puts their shades on their head, you know how irritating it can be when they flop off and don’t stay put.

As far as performance, these are top-notch. The rose mirror lenses, in particular, are incredible on small waterways. They have a really nice balance for seeing through that top water reflection without blocking out too much light. Bajío uses LAPIS technology to cut 95% of blue light up to 445 nm, resulting in less eye fatigue and a crazy crisp view.

On top of that, they’re a fairly new company making pretty big waves in both the sunglass world and the conservation world. Check out our profile of Bajío and the work they’re doing.

The Wiley X P-17 ($185) features a low-profile frame with a lightweight, incredibly durable polycarbonate lens. These shades have been a favorite for years both for their sleek, athletic profile and because they meet ANSI Safety Standards for high-impact resistance. That’s right — these are fishing sunglasses that are also classified as safety glasses.

All that is to say, they are durable.

One of the major perks of such an aggressive wrap style is the ability to block out ambient light from your peripheral vision. That in itself makes it an awesome shallow-water pair of shades. No one needs all that crazy bright light reflecting in from the sides.

The polarized lenses are offered in multiple colors, all of which offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.

The P-17 is a solid choice for those bright fishing scenarios, or any performance fishing situation where durability and light management are important.

Fin-Nor, known for building hardcore reels for heavy-duty fishing, released a new line of performance eyewear, and it does not disappoint. The Tilloo with a Blue Mirror lens ($209-259) is an offshore workhorse.

These shades give you the protection you need from both direct sunlight and indirect reflected light from the water’s surface. Available in polycarbonate and glass lenses, these new-to-market shades are sure to see a lot of time on the deep water.

Because they are new to the market, it’s tough to speak of durability. Our experience so far is that they seem to have a quality build. Only time will tell if the Fin-Nor line of shades will measure up to the existing competitors. At this point, we have high hopes.

Costa Del Mar has become one of the most well-known performance fishing sunglass manufacturers. The Lido Frame with a Green Mirror Lens (poly $224, glass $284) is a perfect pair of shades in an area with intense direct light, where you’ll likely be sight fishing. The Lido is an awesome addition to your gear pile whether you’re headed to the flats to chase bonefish or to the mountains to chase trout.

These shades have a classic look, with the added function of both top and side shields. The nose pieces are adjustable without protruding, giving you a more secure fit. They are comfortable and protective, and they perform.

Costa’s 580 lenses are known for their color-enhancement capability, making distinguishing fish from their surroundings so much easier. These are an asset when sight fishing in intense light, regardless of your target.

With the option of polycarbonate or glass lenses, you have the ability to tailor your weight and durability preferences.

If you’ve ever experienced that heart-sinking moment of dropping something into the water while fishing, then you’ll truly appreciate the thinking behind Hobie Eyewear’s Mojo Float ($100). These sunglasses are not just a style statement, they’re a practical solution. Crafted with an ultra-lightweight yet durable frame, the Mojo Float is designed to defy gravity — staying afloat above the water’s surface. This innovation ensures you won’t have to bid farewell to your favorite shades in case of an accidental slip.

These sunglasses boast a full coverage frame paired with a durable polarized lens, showcasing Hobie’s HydroClean 360 technology. With this lens technology, you can count on superior visual clarity, a reduction in glare, and effective protection against harmful UV rays.

The Mojo Float sits perfectly at a price point that appeals to dedicated anglers who value quality without sacrificing their budget. These sunglasses offer not only an impressive feature set but also the peace of mind that comes with Hobie’s renowned Lifetime Warranty. Backed by their exceptional customer service, Hobie ensures that your investment is not only in a pair of sunglasses but in a commitment to enduring quality and performance.

Thinking of the tropics? Check out Maui Jim’s Alenuihaha ($279) sunglasses. They blend a rectangular style with a reliable fit and top-notch lens clarity. We couldn’t resist taking them to the beach for some surf fishing. With Maui Jim’s new Hawaii Lava lens, we felt seriously cool in these shades. The PolarizedPlus2 technology made the views incredibly clear with a vibrant yet natural contrast. 

The frame was just right — not too heavy, not too light — comfortable even after a long day at the beach. The lenses aren’t oversized, and folks with small to average faces can expect a solid fit. If you want magnification or prescription, the Alenuihahas have plentiful options. These should be on your radar when you’re shopping for your next sunnies.

The Waterwoman 2 ($204-284) is a fashion-forward choice with nearly indestructible polarized lenses. They’ve been a hit with women on the water since the original version was released a few years back. The bold frame — with a wide temple and narrow fit — offers a touch of flair to a functional pair of performance fishing glasses.

These are the favorite sunnies of GearJunkie tester and former editor Nicole Qualtieri. For female anglers, they offer a silhouette that feels less bro-ey fishing guide, and more girl having fun on the water. Plus, the lenses are among the toughest we’ve ever worn. Here’s what Qualtieri has to say about them:

“I’m seriously hard on sunglasses. They don’t survive me. These didn’t either; they fell in the Gallatin River in a kayak accident, never to be seen again. But, after months of devoted wear and undevoted care, they didn’t have a scratch on them. By far, the best sunnies I’ve ever worn.”

Covered by Costa’s awesome warranty, the Waterwoman 2 is an excellent option for the ladies, or for the more fashionable gents.

Another pair of shades with classic styling with epic performance features, the Oakley Holbrook ($157-217) comes in nearly unlimited frame and lens combinations. You can really customize them exactly the way you want. From metal frame options to dozens of color options, the limits are few.

The Holbrook is a larger frame, lightweight, has a high nose bridge, and is a good choice for those with bigger heads, wider faces, and stronger nose builds. These are solid frames for the big dogs.

The Gatorz Delta Polarized Sunglasses ($215) are not explicitly designed for fishing, but they do the job well. This product line is designed more for shooting sports, but the lens quality and durability make it a great pair of fishing shades. The muted tones would be great for early season hunting and everyday wear, and still function well on the river. They aren’t your typical loud pair of fishing sunglasses.

The big difference between these sunglasses and the others on the list is construction. The frame is aluminum. It has a distinctly different feel than your typical pair of sunglasses, which you may love or hate.

They have adjustable nose pieces, which help the overall fit but also, the aluminum frame can be shaped to fit your face. They feel substantial in hand, and the durability is likely untouched.

A word of caution: If you’re going to leave these on the dash, make sure to do a quick temperature check before you scald your temples with sizzling aluminum. It should go without saying, metal gets hot in the sun.