If you’ve ever been fishing, then you know that a great pair of sunglasses is an essential item out on the water. They protect your eyes from not only harmful UV rays but also stray hooks. So, what are the top-rated fishing sunglasses for 2023?
When it comes to finding a quality pair of fishing sunglasses, make sure that they’re polarized and consider their clarity and durability. The top brands for fishing sunglasses in 2023 are Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar, Oakley, and Wiley X.
Trying to select the best sunglasses for your next fishing trip can be a tough task, with so many options out there. Let’s take a closer look at some of the features that you should consider and our picks for the top-rated fishing sunglasses.
Which Features Make Sunglasses Good for Fishing?
While many people might believe that any pair of sunglasses will work fine for a fishing trip, there’s actually much more to the story.
Even though most sunglasses provide ample protection, there are some special features that you’ll need when you’re sitting on the water during your fishing trip.
Polarization
One of the top features most fishing enthusiasts look for in sunglasses is polarized lenses. With polarized lenses, the glare coming off of the water can be reduced exponentially, giving you a much better ability to see what’s going on in the water.
Polarized lenses can reduce the amount of horizontal light that comes from the water, giving you better visibility. When you’re left with only vertical light, the chances of reflective glare are reduced.
Durability
Another feature you should consider when purchasing sunglasses for your next fishing trip is how durable they are. Many people have attempted to save money by purchasing a cheap pair of sunglasses only to discover that they don’t hold up and scratch easily.
When you’re fishing, there may be times when you need to take the sunglasses on and off — and you don’t want to be worried about damaging them in the process.
Clarity
A common feature fishing enthusiasts also look for when purchasing new sunglasses is how much clarity they have. Most sunglass lenses are made of either glass or polycarbonate, and the material can make a difference in clarity.
Although glass lenses are more expensive than plastic, they can be well worth it in the long run since you can see through them much better. Instead of having a blurry effect, glass tends to be much clearer.
What Are the Best Brands of Fishing Sunglasses?
There are many brands on the market today that are considered some of the best for outdoor activities such as fishing. These manufacturers have taken the time to learn what makes a successful pair of fishing sunglasses.
Maui Jim
This company, which was founded on the beaches of Hawaii, has been around since about 1987. They started with the goal of creating a way to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays while still enjoying the beautiful scenery found on the islands.
Today, they still have a mission to bring the best sunglasses to people who need them most — and to help protect eyes. With a PolarizedPlus2 lens, they created a unique way to bring the most protection with some of the greatest styles.
Although the company started with only a few styles, they have expanded over the years to more than 100 different styles. These various types of sunglasses are specially designed for both men and women and come in different colors and styles.
Not only does Maui Jim offer a wide array of sunglasses for just about every activity, but they also back them up with a generous warranty. They offer a two-year warranty on sunglasses that are discovered to have a defect in either the workmanship or materials. Keep in mind that the warranty is typically void if you’ve chosen to alter them in any way.
Overall, the Maui Jim brand of sunglasses is said to be like no other, which is why they’re considered one of the top-rated options on the market today. If you’ve never owned a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses, then it may be time to give them a try!
Some of the best models for fishing include:
- Men’s and Women’s Alenuihaha Polarized Wrap Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Men’s Local Kine Polarized Wrap Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Men’s and Women’s Peahi Polarized Wrap Sunglasses (on Amazon)
While these are only a few of the top-rated Maui Jim sunglasses, they are reportedly some of the most popular on the market today.
Costa Del Mar
Founded in Daytona Beach in 1983, the Costa Del Mar brand has been one of the leaders in the sunglasses industry. They’ve been committed to creating sunglasses that provide those who love the water with the protection they need from the sun’s harmful rays.
With their 580 color-enhancing polarized lens technology, they can help those who live on the water to protect themselves from UV rays. Whether you need a prescription or a casual pair of sunglasses, Costa has many designs to fit your needs.
Not only does this company provide some of the best-polarized sunglasses on the market today, but they are also dedicated to giving back to communities. They do this by partnering with and participating in various ocean conservation organizations to help clean up the beaches and oceans.
It’s important to note that this company was created by a group of fishermen who realized that the sunglasses they wore on the water weren’t providing the proper protection for their eyes. Because of this, they chose to come together and create Costa sunglasses.
The founders of this company worked diligently to find the best technology out there to create some of the best sunglasses around. This provided them the opportunity to give those who spend much of their time on the water, such as fishermen and fisherwomen, the best protection possible.
Today, they have more styles than they started with, and they provide eyewear for many different outdoor activities. They do this with the patented technology that they’ve been able to integrate into every pair of sunglasses they develop.
Curious as to which of the Costa Del Mar sunglasses are best for fishing? Here are a few you should check out:
- Blackfin Pro Rectangular Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Del Mar Men’s Lido Square Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Women’s Waterwomen Rectangular Sunglasses (on Amazon)
These are just a few of the many great options from Costa Del Mar. Check out the full line-up to find the prefect pair for you.
Oakley
The Oakley company was founded by Jim Jannard in 1975 in California, and he sold his first products out of his car. Some of his first products were motorcycle grips and other supplies.
Later in his career, Jannard moved on to the BMX world to create products such as elbow pads and other grips and protective gear. In 1983, the company moved into creating ski goggles, and then his first pair of sunglasses came in 1984.
After being in business for many years developing a wide range of products, Oakley raised the capital to take the company public in 1995. Once this happened, Oakley skyrocketed to the top of the sunglasses industry with their many different products.
Today, Oakley has a wide variety of products. In addition to the vast array of sunglasses they produce, they also develop eyeglasses for men, women, and children.
Between their collaborations with athletes and the military, they have been able to patent state-of-the-art technology that makes their sunglasses stand out from the competition. The polarized sunglasses they offer are deemed perfect for those who enjoy being on the water for fishing.
Through all the changes and merges with other companies, Oakley still has remained one of the top-rated brands for sunglasses for those who enjoy the outdoors. Fishing enthusiasts often purchase Oakley sunglasses to add to their gear for the various benefits they provide.
Wondering which Oakley sunglasses are the best on the market? Here are a few of the most popular:
- Men’s Oo9102 Holbrook Polarized Square Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Men’s OO9416 Split Shot Rectangular Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- Men’s OO9188 Flak 2.0 XL Rectangular Sunglasses (on Amazon)
While not specifically designated for fishing alone, these sunglasses are some of the most popular that Oakley has developed. With their polarized lenses, they’re perfect for those who enjoy fishing.
If you’re already an owner of Oakley sunglasses, be sure to check out our cleaning guide here.
Wiley X
When it comes to the top-rated brands in the sunglasses industry, no list would be complete without mentioning Wiley X. This is a company that’s family owned and operated, and it’s been in the industry since 1987.
The company specializes in using the latest technology to develop the best products on the market for those who love the outdoors. Because of this, they believe in constant innovation and creativity to stay ahead of the competition in the world of sunglasses.
The beginning desire was to provide the best eye protection for the military community. Although they started small, they’ve grown over the years to be where they are today.
At the core of who the company is, they believe in providing the best safety features to those who either work in harsh conditions or put themselves in those types of environments. This means whether you work in conditions that are rough or enjoy working or playing outdoors, Wiley X sunglasses will provide you with the highest quality of protection.
Since the company is family owned and operated, they’re in the business of developing a product that’s top of the line. With their various safety tests, you can be assured that you’re getting lenses in your sunglasses that are made of the best materials and can stand the test of time.
If you’re wondering which of the Wiley X sunglasses are best for fishing, check out the list below:
- P-17 Polarized Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- WX Grid Captivate Polarized Sunglasses (on Amazon)
- WX Glory Active Women’s Sunglasses (on Amazon)
The great thing about the Wiley X brand is that although the above-mentioned sunglasses are some of the top-rated, there are many others that you can choose from to make your fishing experience worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line when it comes to the top-rated fishing sunglasses on the market today is that there are many great brands out there. The important thing to keep in mind is that you should always do your research before you decide to purchase a pair of sunglasses for your fishing adventures.