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The best-polarised fishing sunglasses are equipped with lenses that have a special filter designed to reduce glare and enhance visibility by blocking out certain wavelengths of light. These specialised fishing sunglasses are also designed with other features such as; UV protection, scratch-resistant coating, wrap-around lenses, durable, ultra-comfortable frames and – in very specific cases – magnified lens options to help with knot tying.
Like a good quality waterproof fishing jacket, polarised fishing sunglasses are an essential piece of angling equipment. The anti-glare models improve visibility in all conditions and help to eliminate glare from the water’s surface, making it easier to see what’s below the waterline. Superb for spotting fish or underwater marks of interest.
Below you’ll find the best-polarised fishing glasses on the market with something to suit every budget and spectacled need.
Table of contents
What fishing sunglasses do we currently use?
Making sure you buy wrap-around, polarised fishing sunglasses is really important. Having had a number of incidents where lure hooks get stuck in your hands or clothing, it’s sensible to protect your eyes properly. And when the sun is beating down, you’ll be very grateful.
Here I have a pair of Fortis Wraps, which we really like and a pair of Bolle’s, which are very different, but equally excellent.
What is the best pair of polarised fishing sunglasses?
The best pair of polarised fishing sunglasses are Fortis’s Vistas Fishing Sunglasses. With 100% UV protection for those long, sunny days on the bank, the thin, high-quality plastic lenses and patented polarisation technology make for exceptionally good visibility. Particularly when you consider the multiple coloured lens options are designed for differing scales of brightness.
They are even comfortable and – whisper it carefully – downright attractive. Not something you normally associate with fishing clothing.
What makes a good pair of polarised fishing sunglasses?
Several key features make a good pair of polarised fishing sunglasses:
- Polarisation quality: polarised lenses reduce glare and improve sub-surface visibility. The better the quality, the better your visibility.
- Comfort: The glasses must be comfortable enough to wear for long sessions without digging into the side of your head with adjustable nose pads
- Peripheral vision: Wrap-around style sunglasses reduce glare from your periphery and improve overall visibility.
- Durability and scratch-resistance: Fishing gear tends to get marked and scuffed through extended use outside. Scratches on lenses matter, so anti-scuff lens material is important.
- UV protection: Protecting your eyes from UV rays is the bedrock of any good pair of sunglasses
- Lens options: The best glasses come with multiple lens options so you can change them based on light levels to enhance contrast or reduce glare
Wrap-around sunglasses are the best option for fishing as they mitigate any risk that a hook could get anywhere near your eye. We find this particularly important when lure fishing, as fast strikes can send lures and hooks flying back towards you.
At a glance
The 7 best-polarised sunglasses in 2023
Fortis Vistas Fishing SunglassesBest overall polarised fishing sunglasses
Amazon.co.uk
Sportfish
eBay
- Matte black frames with lenses for dawn, dusk and in between
- Patented Fortis polarisation technology
- Multiple coloured lens options to suit light conditions
- Incredible quality visibility, in all conditions
Fortis’s Vistas Fishing Sunglasses are the best pair of fishing sunglasses on the market. The matte black frames and sleek, offering exceptional quality all-day vision without compromising on comfort. The lenses themselves are made with high-index plastic, which means they can be manufactured thinner than standard thanks to the plastic’s higher strength. durability and quality.
The three coloured lens options provide an option for multiple light conditions – amber lenses for lower light, brown lenses for all-weather conditions and blue for something in between. All are complete with high-quality UV protection and anti-glare properties for even the most ardent angler.
Fortis Wraps Bifocal Polarised Fishing SunglassesBest magnified sunglasses
- Patented polarisation technology
- Great improvements for hook and knot tying thanks to the magnification option
- Matte black, flexible, lightweight frame with rubber inserts
- Magnified + 2 lens segment available
- Protection from UV rays
- Ultra-comfortable for all-day fit
- One size and one colour is supposed to fit all
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- Fortis patented polarisation technology
- Great improvements for hook and knot tying thanks to the magnification option
- Matte black, flexible, lightweight frame with rubber inserts
Fortis Wraps Bifocal Polarised Fishing Sunglasses are arguably the most unique option on the list thanks to their + 2.00 magnification lens option. Retying your tackle is one of the most challenging parts of fishing. Particularly when conditions are tough and the weary eye of age starts to set in. But being able to see hook lengths, knots and lure clips up close is a game-changer.
The wrap-around feature removes any un-polarised glare on the bank and the frames contain soft rubber inserts that maximise comfort. And – much like the above pair of Fortis sunglasses – these sunglasses look good. The matte black frames and quality of the product see to that.
As your eyesight gets worse with age, knot tying when fishing is one of the most frustrating ways to spend your time. With the advent of magnified polarised lenses, things have got significantly better for the ageing angler.
Nash Camo Wraps Fishing SunglassesBest entry-level fishing sunglasses
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- Aesthetically pleasing, wood camo sunglasses
- Come complete with a carry-case, cleaning cloth and strap, making them (almost) un-loseable
- Scratch-resistant, shatterproof lenses
- Polarisation is not as good as top-of-the-range models
Nash Camo Wraps Fishing Sunglasses are a really good pair of polarised sunglasses. Particularly at this price point. The lens quality isn’t on par with the very best, but these glasses will more than do the job for the majority of spring and summertime sessions.
The lenses are scratch-resistant and shatterproof and come in two different options. Grey – for all-weather conditions or yellow – for lower light sessions. The hard carry-case and cleaning cloth make them simultaneously hard to lose and easy to clean.
The 7 Best Lure Fishing Boxes in 2023 Editor’s choice
Snowbee Prestige Gamefisher SunglassesMost comfortable fishing sunglasses
- Wrap-around sunglasses that are excellent value and incredibly comfortable
- Lightweight, smooth frame fits perfectly to the side of your face
- Complete with a high-quality protective case, cleaning cloth and lanyard
- Two different options – black/smoke and tortoiseshell/amber
- Excellent in low-light conditions
Snowbee Prestige Gamefisher Sunglasses are a wrap-around pair of polarised sunglasses with good quality lenses, and a comfortable wide-armed frame designed to block peripheral light. The multiple lens options mean you can choose an option that’s better in lower light conditions – amber/yellow – or in bright sunshine – smoke green.
The rubberised frame and nose pads are great for longer sessions on the bank. And the carry-case, cleaning cloth and lanyard is a nice touch. Particularly for models at the lower end of the price range.
Bolle Python Polarised SunglassesBest premium polarised fishing sunglasses
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- Comfortable, all-day, premium sunglasses with exceptional 100% UV protection
- Scratch, fog and abrasion resistant – so great for all weather conditions and trips
- The temple tips, nose pads and adjustable nosepiece are made from ultra-grippy Thermogrip material
- Volt+ technology is designed to improve the colour perception
- Not designed for the angling market, more sports adventure sunglasses
Bollé Anaconda Polarised Sunglasses are a mouthful, yes. But a worthwhile one. An excellent premium polarised option, Bolle’s range of rugged sunglasses are designed for adventure sport lovers and come complete with 100% UV protection, anti-fog treatment to prevent the glasses from steaming up and a thermoplastic rubber frame for a quality, grippy fit. These particular glasses come complete with Bollé’s Volt+ polarisation technology, designed to improve colour perception by up to 30%.
Two of our favourite features are a) Bolle’s ability to create sunglasses that fit a wider-headed gent and b) the exceptional anti-scratch, scuff and mark treatment applied to the lenses. The Anaconda range is so good for fishing because the curved arms fit tightly to the side of your head and act like a wrap-around pair. Mark-free, exceptional quality polarisation for the big-headed lads among us.
OverXcast Polarised SunglassesBest for those who need prescription glasses
- Fishing over glasses made for those of us with sub-par vision
- Designed to be worn over prescription sunglasses, fitting over 96% of all prescription eyewear
- 100% polarised, UVA and UVB protection
- Lenses come in both amber and copper colourways
OverXcast Polarised Sunglasses are ideally suited to those of us who need prescription lenses for even the most basic of tasks. If tying tackle is a near-impossible feat without your glasses, then look no further. OverXcast has created a pair of fishing sunglasses designed to go over your lenses.
With complete UV protection and two lens choices, amber – for fishing in lower light conditions, and copper – a lens choice that heightens contrast and perception, these patented frames provide exceptional visibility in all conditions.
Caperlan Fishing Floating SunglassesBest all-condition fishing sunglasses
Decathlon UK
- Tough, rugged all-weather sunglasses that float with category two lens sun protection
- The lightest glasses on the market with lenses designed for all-weather conditions
- Wrap-around shape blocks light from entering through the sides and protects from potential damage
- 63% polarisation is lower than the premium models
Caperlan’s Fishing Floating Sunglasses are tough, ultra-lightweight specs best suited to the most ardent of fishermen. If you love week-long trips that involve trekking kayaking, climbing and the like, then Caperlan’s polarised glasses are the ones for you.
Whilst the polarisation levels are not at the premium end of the market, they prevent peripheral light from entering your vision thanks to the wrap-around design And these glasses are so lightweight at just 32g that they float if you drop them in water.
FAQs
What type of sunglasses are best for fishing?
Polarised, wrap-around sunglasses are the best sunglasses to use when fishing as polarised lenses reduce glare and improve visibility whilst blocking UV rays. Wrap-around glasses prevent any unfiltered light (or hooks and sharp objects) from entering through your periphery, ensuring your vision is improved in almost any light condition.
Are fishing sunglasses worth it?
Yes, fishing sunglasses are worth it as they reduce glare, whilst filtering out certain wavelengths of light, which can make it easier to see through the water’s surface. If you spend a lot of time fishing in brighter sunshine or in areas of high contrast, then quality polarised glasses are a shrewd investment.
What colour of polarised lenses are best for fishing?
The colour of polarised lenses you should use when fishing entirely depends on the light conditions you’re fishing in.
- Yellow, or amber: These lenses can help to increase contrast and clarity in low light conditions, particularly suited to dawn or dusk.
- Copper or bronze: These lenses can help to reduce glare and improve contrast in medium and lower light conditions.
- Gray, blue or green: These lenses can help to reduce glare and improve contrast in bright light conditions.
Do polarised sunglasses make a difference for fishing?
Yes, polarised sunglasses can make a big difference for fishing. Polarised lenses are specially treated to block out glare and reflection. Perfect when fishing on a body of water with high levels of reflection.
With good quality polarised lenses, you’ll find that you suffer less from fatigue and eye strain helping stay out on the water for longer.
Does lens colour matter for fishing sunglasses?
Yes, lens colour does matter with fishing sunglasses. Yellow, copper and amber-coloured lenses are best in lower light conditions around dawn and dusk. Whereas brighter blues, greens and greys are excellent at improving contrast and reducing glare in bright light.
Why do fishermen use polarised sunglasses?
Fishermen use polarised sunglasses to reduce glare, improve sub-surface visibility, minimise eye fatigue and block out UV rays. Particularly useful for fishermen who spend extended periods of time out on the water, absorbing potentially damaging reflecting ultraviolet rays.
Polarised lenses also increase the contrast between different colours and shades, making it easier to see subtle differences in the water and spot fish or aquatic habitats and structures.
Harry
Hi, I'm Harry. A keen, albeit exceedingly average fisherman. I've spent the last few years trawling London's waterways with - if I'm being kind - varied success and would love to help you avoid the mistakes I have made.
