With so many options, narrowing down the best fishing glasses for your adventures can be challenging. Whether you’re looking for a dedicated pair of polarized sunglasses or prescription sunglasses, or looking for a pair of eyeglasses that you can use on and off the water, there seem to be endless choices. But with a little bit of knowledge about what makes sunglasses or eyeglasses good for fishing, and what types of eyewear design will be most comfortable for you, it’s easy to discover a collection of glasses that will help you see better, no matter where or when you fish.
The best fishing glasses block wind, provide full coverage and UV protection, and are lightweight. These features apply to both sunglasses and eyeglasses and the best fishing glasses and at FramesDirect.com, you'll find many brands that offer a variety of fishing glasses with all of these properties and more. However, most serious anglers choose to have a dedicated pair of fishing sunglasses or prescription sunglasses, the best of which and most importantly, block glare (allowing you to see below the surface of the water and keeping your eyes comfortable).
When most people are buying fishing glasses, they’re looking for glasses with polarized lenses. These fishing glasses work specifically to cut glare that reflects off horizontal surfaces like water, snow, and roads. The result? Amazingly clear, sharp, and glare-free vision, even in the high-glare environments that are the angler's natural habitat.
However, polarized lenses alone do not offer protection from UV damage. Only 100% UV blocking lenses can provide that. But polarization can easily be combined with UV protection—make sure to look for both in your fishing sunglasses.
If your favorite place is on the water, you're probably familiar with the discomfort caused by glare. Anglers everywhere squint, turn their heads, and brace for glare, eye strain, and washed-out colors—except the anglers wearing polarized fishing sunglasses. Therefore, you should choose polarized sunglasses that fit comfortably and provide some level of wrapping to protect your eyes from peripheral light and glare.
Once you’ve found a pair of fishing sunglasses that fit well, provide complete coverage, and offer the benefits of polarized lenses, you’ll likely have a few lens colors to choose from. Each lens color can enhance different types of fishing, but in general, green and blue lenses are the best lens color for saltwater and big lake fishing while brown and amber lenses are the best overall lens color for wade fishing (like freshwater fly fishing). If you’re fishing in the evening or in low light, a yellow lens might be preferable.
Many fishing sunglasses are available with prescription lenses, including prescription bifocal lenses. This is a popular option among people who spend time on the water. Polarization is one reason many anglers who wear glasses opt for a dedicated pair of fishing sunglasses with prescription lenses. Anglers also tend to appreciate the sports-specific fit, wraparound eye protection, and maximum coverage for maximum glare reduction in their fishing sunglasses.
Another option for many anglers looking for the convenience of their eyeglasses with the benefits and protection of tinted polarized lenses is to choose photochromic lenses, like Transitions™ Vantage lenses. These prescription fishing eyeglass lenses not only block the heavy glare you encounter on the water, but their tint adapts to changing light, allowing you to see better in the early mornings and late evenings when fishing is often the best.
If you've noticed it's getting a little difficult to thread the hook while you're on the water, you may be experiencing presbyopia — a condition most people encounter, beginning in their late 40s, where the eye's lens loses flexibility making it more difficult to focus on close objects. If presbyopia becomes a problem, you may want to opt for a pair of polarized fishing sunglasses with readers.
The best fishing sunglasses for you will be the ones that fit you best. A proper fit provides better vision, better protection, and more comfort. When looking for your pair, consider: