Fly Fishing Gear 12 min read

Top 5 Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Ken Sperry

Posted by Ken Sperry

September 13, 2021

best fly fishing sunglasses

The best fly fishing sunglasses are undoubtedly one of the essential accessories to have in your kit. By shielding your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, you can have optimal visibility in all conditions. Not only will fishing become more comfortable, but you’ll also find your catches will be more productive.

There are several excellent fly fishing sunglasses to consider with an assortment of helpful features. Let’s explore the features, pros, and cons of five of the most outstanding models you’ll find in the market today.

Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: A Review

1. Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses

Having high-quality eye protection is of the utmost importance for spending time outdoors. With the incredibly reflective nature of water, you’ll want to ensure your eyes have plenty of protection.

The Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses is a fantastic option with fantastic features.

Product Highlights

There are several great features you’ll love to have at your disposal with these sunglasses. If you’re looking for your next set of eyewear, let’s explore some of its biggest highlights.

  • 100% UV Protection

UV protection is the first thing to look for in your next pair of sunglasses since it shields your eyes from the sun. The Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses boasts 100% UV protection, offering coverage up to 400 nanometers. This level is said to surpass CE and ANSI standards for general eyewear.

  • Enhanced Lens Technology

Apart from their UV protection, these sunglasses offer improved lens technology for better visibility. You’ll be able to notice enhanced contrast in your environment, making it simpler to target underwater species. It’s also likely your clarity and depth perception will be improved, helping reduce eye strain.

  • Scratch-Resistant

If you’ve invested in outdoor eyewear in the past, you know how easily the lenses scratch over time. This set is said to be scratch-resistant, helping you to keep your eyewear in its best condition.

You’ll also find that the frames are impact-resistant, making the Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses great for travel.

  • Clarifying Optics

As mentioned, the lenses in the Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses are pretty impressive. With their clarifying optics, you’ll begin noticing that seeing in bright and low-light conditions is simpler. Instead of simply darkening, the sunglasses help improve your vision with less available light.

What To Like About It

The Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses offers plenty of enhancements to your vision. With the amber lenses, you’ll notice significantly less surface glare while also being able to see riverbeds clearly. They’re also remarkable for people with sensitive eyes, helping reduce strain and eye-watering.

What Not To Like About It

The most significant concern with the Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses is its overall build quality. The lenses could pop out independently with regular use, and the rubber nose bridge is poorly installed.

Pros

  • Ideal amber lenses
  • Removes surface glare
  • Helpful for sensitive eyes
  • Useful for seeing riverbeds

Cons

  • Lenses could pop out
  • Rubber nose bridge falls off

2. Bircen Men’s Polarized Carbon Fiber Sunglasses

The Bircen Men’s Polarized Carbon Fiber Sunglasses has a sleek and stylish appeal for any outdoors enthusiast. You’ll love the unique build quality that makes it look and feel expensive. Also, it’s an incredibly comfortable option for everyday wear.

Product Highlights

There are several highlights that these sunglasses offer, especially for anglers. Let’s look at some of their most impressive features.

  • Magnesium Aluminum Frame

Having an aluminum frame on your sunglasses is a great way to improve their durability. This material is durable while also remaining lightweight, making the eyewear more comfortable to wear. Also, it looks pretty modern, especially when compared to traditional pairs of fishing sunglasses.

  • Carbon Fiber Arms

Another unique feature of the Bircen Men’s Polarized Sunglasses is the arms, which are made from carbon fiber. This material is renowned for its strength and resilience over years of use. You’ll find it’s almost as strong as diamonds while also being more lightweight than aluminum.

Overall, the arms are bound to withstand plenty of wear and tear, whether you fish in salt or freshwater. Also, it’s a fantastic material that holds up against corrosion from sweat and UV exposure.

  • 100% UV Protection

You can guarantee these sunglasses offer 100% UV protection for your peace of mind. While outdoors, you’ll no longer have to worry about overwhelming glare that takes away from your productivity. It’s also a great option for wearers with sensitive eyes.

  • True Color Representation

It can be challenging to find the perfect pair of sunglasses that don’t distort your vision. The Bircen Men’s Polarized Carbon Fiber Sunglasses doesn’t cut corners, offering accurate color representation. You’ll not only be able to see your environment more clearly, but also accurately.

  • Shatterproof

It can be frustrating to buy a new set of sunglasses only for them to shatter within weeks of wear. The durable design of this pair makes it the perfect partner for any activity, especially fly fishing. You’ll never have to worry about the lenses inadvertently shattering.

What To Like About It

The Bircen Men’s Polarized Carbon Fiber Sunglasses is an excellent option for a lightweight and flexible pair of sunglasses. The perfectly angled arms make it comfortable to wear for extended periods, especially if you have a larger head.

What Not To Like About It

One of the main issues with these sunglasses is their mirror coating, which can wipe off if the Bircen Men’s Polarized Sunglasses gets wet. Also, the nose bridge is relatively large compared to most traditional pairs of sunglasses.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Flexible
  • Perfectly angled arms
  • Incredibly comfortable

Cons

  • Mirroring wipes off
  • Oversized nose bridge

3. Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses

If you love the look of traditional sports sunglasses, the Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses is a great option. Its sleek and modern aesthetic makes it another excellent option for fly fishing. It has many of the same features you’d expect to see in a few higher-end pairs.

Product Highlights

There are many valuable features these sunglasses have to offer. Let’s explore some of the most noticeable benefits you’ll use to your advantage.

  • Plastic Frame

If you’re not a massive fan of metal frames on outdoor eyewear, the plastic frame of these glasses is ideal. It’s durable enough to where you won’t have to worry about it breaking immediately.

Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses is also so lightweight that you can wear it for several hours without discomfort.

  • Plastic Lens

Opting for plastic lenses in your sunglasses can often be preferred, especially for high-impact activities. This feature helps make the sunglasses quite versatile for many outdoor activities.

  • UV Protection Coating

With the addition of a protective UV coating, you can shield your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. These sunglasses are said to have 100% UVA and UVB protection for proper polarization.

  • HD Polarization

Instead of choosing an inexpensive set of sunglasses that warps your vision, these are a considerable upgrade. With the integration of REVO technology, the Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses reproduces original colors. You’ll have color accuracy in your environment while enhancing contrast and clarity.

  • Glare Reduction

One of the essential features of fly fishing sunglasses is their ability to reduce glare. With this pair, you’ll be able to cut out scattered light as well as reflected light for better visibility.

You’ll find visuals will be softer on your eyes, making the Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses ideal for sensitive wearers.

  • Travel-Friendly

Everything that you need to travel with your new sunglasses is included with your order. You’ll receive a carrying pouch, hard zipper case, as well as a cleaning cloth to upkeep the lenses.

As an added benefit, they also come with a screwdriver so you can tighten or loosen the arms as needed.

What To Like About It

The Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses is an excellent choice for when you need great eye protection with crystal clear visuals. You’ll find it effortlessly protects your vision without causing distortion, even after months of use.

What Not To Like About It

A concern with the Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses is the lenses may feel darker than expected, especially in low light. Also, their plastic parts feel a little less expensive than most other high-quality sunglasses.

Pros

  • Crystal clarity
  • No distortion with regular wear
  • Don’t fog easily
  • Easily protect eyes

Cons

  • Feel inexpensive
  • Darker than expected

4. JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses

The JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses is the perfect combination of fashion and functionality. With a youthful appeal, it will surely become one of your favorite pairs of fishing glasses. As an added benefit, it’s also a pair that you can wear for casual outings.

Product Highlights

The JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses has plenty to offer. Let’s explore some of their most notable features.

  • TR90 Material Frame

When looking for fishing glasses, always ensure you choose a pair with a high-quality frame. This pair is crafted from TR90, an impeccably stress-resistant and highly durable material.

With steady pressure, these sunglasses aren’t likely to break while also remaining lightweight and comfortable.

  • HD Polarized Lenses

Another high-quality feature of the JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses is its polarization.

The ideal tinting helps filter out reflected glare from the sun while also offering 100% UVA and UVB exposure. Over time, you’ll notice your eyes will feel significantly more comfortable with direct light.

  • Wind and Dust Protection

An interesting benefit of this eyewear is that you can also use it in special circumstances. The lens design helps add a barrier between your eyes and elements such as dust and wind.

It’s also recommended for indoor wear, especially for post-surgery patients that are light sensitive.

  • Improved Grip

One essential feature for outdoor sunglasses is grip since it helps keep the eyewear comfortably on your face. The JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses boasts grips on both the nose pad and frame to keep them secured.

What To Like About It

The JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses is an excellent choice for sunglasses that stay in place throughout the day. You’ll love its unisex design that is comfortable and lightweight for men and women with different-sized heads.

What Not To Like About It

One major issue with the JOJEN Polarized Sports Sunglasses is its build quality, as the frame looks and feels cheap. Also, the lenses are likely to get blotched over time, especially with exposure to water.

Pros

  • Stay in place
  • Impressive clarity
  • Unisex design
  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • Low-quality plastic frame
  • Lenses get blotches

5. DUBERY Men’s Sport Polarized Sunglasses

The DUBERY Men’s Sport Polarized Sunglasses is an excellent option for a low-profile pair with plenty of protective features. It has a style similar to more high-end brands with standard components useful for an assortment of activities.

Product Highlights

Let’s get into some of the most impressive highlights these sunglasses bring to your fly fishing experience.

  • Plastic Frame

If you’re on the hunt for an inexpensive pair of sunglasses designed for all-day wear, this pair is remarkable. It features a plastic frame that makes it lightweight and easy to wear for several hours.

Although it’s not made from heavy-duty metal, it has a discreet design that sits lightly on your face.

  • Composite Lenses

With the addition of composite lenses, the DUBERY Men’s Sport Polarized Sunglasses feels even more lightweight than those with glass lenses. Also, you have the added protection of a mix of plastics rather than glass lenses that can shatter.

  • UV Protection Coating

With the addition of a protective UV coating, you can ensure your eyes get adequately shielded from the sun. Also, the lenses feature polarization which helps cut back on glare produced by the sun.

What To Like About It

The DUBERY Men’s Sport Polarized Sunglasses is a comfortable set of sunglasses with an attractive design. Its build quality feels more solid than expected, even with its plastic frame and composite lenses.

What Not To Like About It

Unfortunately, these sunglasses aren’t the best option for chlorinated and salt water as the lenses spot easily. Also, there isn’t any scratch protection, so the lenses will likely scratch excessively over time.

Pros

  • More solid than expected
  • Optimal lens clarity
  • Don’t slide down the nose
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Lenses scratch easily
  • Get damaged in chlorine

Buyer’s Guide

With the hundreds of sunglasses on the market, it can be challenging to find the perfect pair. Surprisingly, no two sunglasses are the same as an assortment of features make some better than others.

Let’s explore some of the most important things to look for in the ideal pair of sunglasses.

Lens Treatments

Lens treatments are likely one of the most important things to consider as they determine the wearability of the sunglasses. You wouldn’t want a pair of eye protection that doesn’t shield your eyes from the sun.

Our recommendation is to find a set that offers UVA and UVB protection, blocking the sun’s rays. With this treatment, you can guarantee you have the extra level of protection to reduce eye strain and damage.

Another thing to consider is polarization, which helps significantly reduce the sun’s glare. When fly fishing, you’ll be focusing on the water’s surface, and by reducing glare, you can see deeper in the water.

Frame Material

The material your sunglasses’ frame is made of has everything to do with how comfortable they are.

Full metal sunglasses have high durability but are also heavy, making them less convenient for all-day wear. On the other hand, plastic is lightweight but has nearly as much durability as metal eyewear.

Many anglers can often prefer plastic frames because they’re lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive. You also won’t have to worry about corrosion from water and sweat exposure.

Lens Material

Lens material is another essential feature to consider that determines the wearability of your shades.

Ideally, you’ll want lenses that are high-quality and unlikely to crack, scratch, or shatter. Otherwise, you’ll be putting your eyes in harm’s way, especially with fly fishing.

For optimal clarity and protection, plastic or composite lenses are often recommended. As luxurious as glass lenses can be, they add weight to the sunglasses and shatter over time.

Lens Color

Did you know that the color of your lenses significantly affects their clarity and color reproduction?

Ideally, you’ll need a pair of shades that offers accurate color representation while also boosting contrast. There are several you can choose from, but our recommendation is to find shades with the following lens colors:

  • Grey and Green: Great for the outdoors without distorting colors while reducing eye strain.
  • Amber: Useful for low to mid-level light conditions and are remarkable for outdoor sports to boost depth perception and contrast.
  • Brown: Another great option for the outdoors, they help enhance light quality to improve contrast.

Frame Design

It’s essential that when spending money on sunglasses, you have a pair that feels comfortable. You’ll want a lens shape that blocks the most light without feeling too overbearing on your face.

It’s also essential to find frames that won’t need to be continually adjusted, especially if they’re too large. Most anglers find that sports sunglasses have a sleek and streamlined silhouette that sits comfortably on the face.

They’re also designed to be aerodynamic, making them quite versatile for an assortment of other activities. You’ll have optimal eye protection without feeling like you’re wearing a full eye shield.

Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses FAQs

1. What Color Sunglasses Are Best for Fly Fishing?

There are a few highly recommended colors to consider when it comes to fly fishing.

Ideally, you’ll want lenses that help block out glare while also offering improved depth perception to see riverbeds. It can be highly beneficial to consider amber as your lens color of choice since they don’t distort colors and enhance contrast.

2. Is Prizm or Polarized Better for Fishing?

Prizm is a patented technology from Oakley that is often regarded as the same as polarization. This point isn’t remarkably accurate, as Prizm lenses can have additional filters to block glare from reflected light.

Standard polarized lenses, on the other hand, are specifically designed to block glare from reflected light. It’s possible to get your hands on Prizm lenses that don’t have any polarization as they’re designed for specific activities.

For example, Prizm Everyday lenses are available in non-polarized and polarized versions. Oakley’s lenses offer a little more versatility when matching your sunglasses to your specific needs.

3. Do You Need Polarized Sunglasses for Fly Fishing?

Polarized lenses are one of the top recommendations for fly fishing because they help improve the quality of your vision. By reducing glare on the water’s surface, you’ll be able to target fish in your environment easily. Also, eliminating glare can help with getting rid of eye strain and headaches over hours of fishing.

4. Why Do Fishermen Wear Glasses?

The primary reason fishers wear glasses is to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. After several hours of staring into the water, your eyes get continually exposed to UVA and UVB rays.

Over time, this can cause significant deterioration, affecting your overall vision. Not only do these glasses help with reducing eye strain, but they also offer better visibility.

When fly fishing, you’re typically working with shallower bodies of water like rivers. Using sunglasses can help you improve your depth perception, easily seeing riverbeds. With better contrast and accurate color representation, targeting fish has never been simpler.

Even the most professional anglers wear sunglasses, whether it’s bright and sunny or overcast outside. With the right set of eyewear, you can make significantly more catches simply by seeing clearer.

5. Can You See Fish With Polarized Sunglasses?

Seeing fish with polarized lenses can be significantly easier than without one. By cutting through reflected light on the water’s surface, you’ll be able to see deeper in your favorite rivers and lakes.

Which Pair Should You Choose?

The five models we reviewed offer great features, but our top recommendation for the best fly fishing sunglasses is the Bea Cool Polarized Sports Sunglasses. Its build quality is superior while also feeling lightweight over several hours of wear. You’ll love how it significantly improves your vision’s clarity while also accurately reproducing colors.

Looking for more product reviews? Check out our Buyer’s Guide to the Best Fly Fishing Gear.