Looking for the BEST Fishing Sunglasses

17 Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2023 (On-Water Testing)

I can confidently say that a great pair of polarized sunglasses is one of the most essential pieces of gear you can own. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, but by enhancing your ability to spot fish, they provide you with a competitive edge.

Image spotting fish before you spook them. Trout live by being aware of their surroundings, so any advantage you can give yourself will increase how many fish find the net.

Smith Guides Choice
Smith Guides Choice

Smith Guides Choice

These sunglasses are my top pick and embody my personal ‘fishy factor,’ combining all the characteristics I look for in fishing sunglasses. Highly Recommended!

👉 Read review

Maui Jim Local Kines
Maui Jim Local Kines

Maui Jim Local Kine

The Local Kine’s excel in both style and function. They perform exceptionally well in on-water testing, striking a perfect balance between everyday wear and fish spotting ability.

👉 Read review

Costa Del Mar Fantail
Costa Del Mar Fantail

Costa Del Mar Fantail

The added VLT will help when fishing in harsh sunlight conditions. Lots of fishy features built into the design make these sunglasses perfect for salt.

👉 Read review

Fishoholic Budget Sunglasses
Fishoholic Budget Sunglasses

Fishoholic

A standout budget pair of sunglasses.  Preformed better than some brands costing +$100 more. For around $25, a no brainer unless you truly want the best.

👉 Read review

Recently, I’ve tested more than 17 models of fishing sunglasses, ranging in price from a modest $18 to a whopping $300.

Some of the sunglasses I tested - looking for the best fishing sunglasses
Some of the sunglasses I tested – looking for the best fishing sunglasses

I’ve spent countless hours on the water, scrutinizing every aspect of these sunglasses – from their UV protection and polarization to their Visible Light Transmission (VLT), I even dug into the coatings – to bring you the most reliable recommendations.

My +30 years of fishing experience plus a Plastics Engineering Degree, combined with bench testing and extensive video analysis, has helped me identify the best fishing sunglasses on the market today.

How well the Guides Choice cut the glare and see fish-Truly amazing
How well the Guides Choice Sunglasses 👈 (link to Smith) cut the glare and see fish is truly amazing!

In this article, I’ll share my insights and top picks, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision and ultimately enhance your fishing experience. So, grab your waders and join me as we dive into the world of the best fishing sunglasses.

In addition to UV protection, sunglasses serve as a protective barrier against flying lures and hooks. When casting or reeling in, lures can move at high speeds, posing a risk to your eyes.

A good pair of sunglasses with a wraparound design and sturdy lenses can prevent these objects from causing injury, ensuring your eyes remain safe while you enjoy your favorite pastime.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the outstanding sunglass models that are sure to enhance your fishing experience, offering the perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and style.

1. Best Overall Fishing Sunglasses 👉 Smith Guides Choice

How Well Can You See Fish?

What is the key factor when shopping for fishing sunglasses? Seriously, it’s how well they SEE THE FISH. The Smith Guides Choice excel in this department, check out the video and pictures below.

Video review of the Smith Guides Choice
Looking at fish with the Guides Choice
Looking at fish with the Guides Choice

Guide Recommendation: If you’re ready to take your fishing to the next level, I highly recommend these sunglasses. You can get them with these shortcut links to 👉 Smith Optics Guides Choice or 👉 Amazon Guides Choice.

Polarization

The polarization on the Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses is exceptional. These sunglasses feature Smith’s ChromaPop™ polarized lenses, which are designed to not only reduce glare effectively but also to enhance color and contrast. This results in an excellent visual experience allowing you to spot fish and underwater structures with ease.

UV Protection

The Smith Guides Choice sunglasses offer excellent UV protection, scoring an 8 in my tests. They effectively block UVA and UVB rays, making them a solid choice for fishing.

Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses
Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses

Comfort and Fit

The Guides Choice sunglasses are quite comfortable, thanks to their generous megol pads on the nose and ears. They also have spring hinges on the temple arms and a gentle hook over the ear for secure retention. I’d give them a 7 out of 10 for comfort.

My pair of sunglasses had a loose ear pad, or the comfort rating may have been a little higher. The ear pads are removable for installing a lanyard.

Read my individual review of the Smith Guides Choice 👉 HERE

Price and Warranty (at time of review)

The Guides Choice were $279 when I reviewed them. Smith offers a Lifetime warranty against manufactures defects. Read about the warranty here.

When asked which sunglasses are best I can answer with confidence. Experience for yourself – shortcut links to 👉 Smith Optics Guides Choice or 👉 Amazon Guides Choice

6 Key Factors Scored – Smith Guides Choice

I evaluated each pair of sunglasses for 16 different factors. The full comparison with all the results for all the sunglasses tested can be found in PDF form > HERE

Smith Guides Choice 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 9
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)7
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)8
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)9
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.4

2. Maui Jim Local Kine 👈 Style plus Function

How Well Can You See Fish?

What’s the most crucial aspect to consider when looking for fishing sunglasses? It’s undoubtedly their ability to SPOT THE FISH. The Maui Jim Local Kine excels in this area; take a look at the video and images provided below.

Video Review of Maui Jim Local Kine
Looking at fish with the Local Kine
Looking at fish with the Local Kine

Guide Recommendation: The Maui Jim Local Kine are the perfect balance of style and function for fishing. You can get them with these shortcut link to Amazon👉 Maui Jim Local Kine

Polarization of Local Kine

The polarization on the Maui Jim Local Kine Sunglasses is exceptional. These sunglasses feature Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2® lenses, which are designed to not only reduce glare effectively but also to enhance color and contrast. This results in an excellent visual experience allowing you to spot fish and underwater structures with ease.

UV Protection

The Maui Jim Local Kine sunglasses offer excellent UV protection, scoring an 8 in my tests. They effectively block UVA and UVB rays, making them a solid choice for fishing.

Maui Jim Local Kine a perfect balance of style and function
Maui Jim Local Kine a perfect balance of style and function

Comfort and Fit

The Local Kine sunglasses are quite comfortable, thanks to their generous nose and ear padding. They also have spring hinges on the temple arms and a gentle hook over the ear for secure retention. I’d give them a 8 out of 10 for comfort.

Price and Warranty (at time of review)

The Local Kine were $279 when I reviewed them. Maui Jim offers a 2 year warranty against manufactures defects. Read about the return and warranty here.

Style and function, I love the two tone frames and with ratings in the top category for “seeing fish”. Experience for yourself – shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Maui Jim Local Kine

6 Key Factors Scored out of 16 Tested – Maui Jim Local Kine

I evaluated each pair of sunglasses for 16 different factors. The full comparison with all the results for all the sunglasses tested can be found in PDF form > HERE

Maui Jim Local Kine 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 9
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)8
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)8
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)9
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9

3. Costa Del Mar Fantail 👈 Best for Sun and Saltwater

How Well Can You See Fish?

The most important factor is how well they SEE THE FISH. The Costa Fantail’s are a little darker tint making them perfect for the harsh sun conditions found in saltwater fishing. Check out the video and pictures below.

Video Review of Fantail
Looking at fish with the Costa Fantail
Looking at fish with the Costa Fantail

Guide Recommendation: Don’t let bright sun chase you off the water. The Fantail’s are built for bright sun. If saltwater fishing is were you call home – I highly recommend these sunglasses. You can get them with these shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Costa Del Mar Fantail

Polarization

The polarization on the Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses is outstanding. These sunglasses are equipped with Costa’s polarized lenses, which are specifically designed to effectively reduce glare and enhance color and contrast. This leads to an exceptional visual experience, enabling you to spot fish and underwater structures effortlessly. They’re particularly great for bright sun conditions, like when saltwater fishing.

As a side note, I tested the 580P version, the fantail comes in a 580G (glass version) This would bump the durability score a little and improve clarity.

UV Protection – Top Marks

The Costa Del Mar Fantail sunglasses provide excellent UV protection, achieving a score of 8 in my tests. They efficiently block UVA and UVB rays, making them a reliable choice for fishing. The darker tint of the lenses offers additional protection for your eyes.

Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses for Fishing
Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses for Fishing

Comfort and Fit

The Fantail sunglasses are quite comfortable, thanks to the ample padding on the nose and ears. They don’t feature spring hinges, but the hook over the ear holds well and is comfortable I would rated their comfort level as a 7 out of 10.

Price and Warranty (at time of review)

The Fantail sunglasses were priced at $213 when I reviewed them. The warranty information for the all Costa Del Mar sunglasses is somewhat confusing (it’s qualified by dates?). I found no warranty information in the paperwork provided other than saying visit the website.

For salt and sun go for the Costa Del Mar Fantail. Check prices and reviews with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Costa Del Mar Fantail

6 Key Factors Scored out of 16 Tested – Costa Fantail

I evaluated each pair of sunglasses for 16 different factors. The full comparison with all the results for all the sunglasses tested can be found in PDF form > HERE

Costa Del Mar Fantail 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 9
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)7
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.2

4. Maui Jim Haleakala 👈 Stylish Everyday

How Well Can You See Fish?

The Maui Jim Haleakala are super stylish. I’m by no means a model, but I appreciate the design and style of the Haleakala’s. This is a fishing sunglass review though, so let’s check out how well these SEE FISH. The best way is to check out the video and pictures below.

Looking at fish with the Maui Jim Haleakala
Looking at fish with the Maui Jim Haleakala

Guide Recommendation: You can get the Maui Jim Haleakala with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Maui Jim Haleakala

Polarization

The polarization on the Maui Jim Haleakala Sunglasses is outstanding. These sunglasses feature Maui Jim’s HCL® Bronze lenses, which are not only effective in reducing glare but also provide a warm tint that’s versatile in changing conditions. This results in a great visual experience allowing you to spot fish and underwater structures with ease, while maintaining a stylish appearance.

UV Protection

The Maui Jim Haleakala sunglasses offer excellent UV protection, scoring an 8 in my tests. They effectively block UVA and UVB rays, making them a solid choice for fishing.

Comfort and Fit – Most Comfortable

The Haleakala sunglasses are extremely comfortable, owing to their superb nose pads, which are my personal favorite. They have a comfort rating of 9, which is the highest I’ve given. The perfect blend of style and functionality, these frames are sure to impress.

Read my detailed review of the Maui Jim Haleakala 👉 HERE

I'm not a model but the Haleakala's look nice
I’m not a model but the Haleakala’s look nice
Nose pad on the Haleakala sunglasses
Nose pad on the Haleakala sunglasses

Price and Warranty (at time of review)

The Haleakala sunglasses were priced at $249 when I reviewed them. Maui Jim offers a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Read about the warranty here.

Lens Material

The lenses on the Maui Jim Haleakala sunglasses are made from MauiPure, which is Maui Jim’s most popular lens material. It combines optics almost as crisp as SuperThin Glass with ultra-light and excellent scratch & shatter resistance, making these sunglasses both stylish and practical.

Coming in at #4 in my listing the Haleakala are a solid choice for daily wearing and fishing. Read more with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Maui Jim Haleakala Sunglasses

6 Key Factors Scored out of 16 Tested – Haleakala

I evaluated each pair of sunglasses for 16 different factors. I’ve got a free PDF with all the details > HERE

Maui Jim Haleakala 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 7
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)9
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)8
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)8.2

5. Costa Del Mar Rincon 👈 Style and Sun

How Well Can You See Fish?

What is the key factor when shopping for fishing sunglasses? SEEING THE FISH. The Costa Rincon have a darker tint and polarization, but do a pretty dang good job, but the proof is in video and pictures below.

Without Sunglasses (Rinconcito Testing)
Without Sunglasses (Rinconcito Testing)
Seeing Fish with the Rinconcito Sunglasses
Seeing Fish with the Rinconcito Sunglasses

Guide Recommendation: If the Rincon’s are calling you, read more and check availability with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Costa Del Mar Rincon Sunglasses

Polarization

The polarization on the Costa Del Mar Rincon Sunglasses is outstanding. These sunglasses feature Costa’s Green Mirror polarized glass lenses, which not only cut glare effectively but also enhance color and contrast. This leads to an excellent visual experience, enabling you to spot fish and underwater structures with ease.

UV Protection

The Costa Del Mar Rincon sunglasses provide excellent UV protection, scoring an 8 in my tests. They effectively block UVA and UVB rays, making them a solid choice for fishing.

Costa Del Mar Rincon Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar Rincon Sunglasses

Comfort and Fit with the Rincon’s

The Rincon sunglasses offer pretty good comfort, thanks to the small pads at the nose and ear temples. The spring hinges on the temple arms also contribute to comfort and durability. While not optimized for fishing due to the lack of wide side shields, they still manage to provide a comfortable experience. I’d rate them a 8 out of 10 for comfort.

Price and Warranty (at time of review)

The Costa Del Mar Rincon sunglasses were priced at $223 when I reviewed them. The warranty provided by Costa is a bit confusing as it depends on the date range of the purchase. You can read about the warranty on their website.

Overall, the Costa Del Mar Rincon sunglasses are a stylish option with great polarization and UV protection. The comfort and durability make them a solid choice for those who prioritize style while fishing.

When asked which sunglasses are best I can answer with confidence. Experience for yourself – shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Costa Del Mar Rincon

6 Key Factors Scored out of 16 Tested – Costa Del Mar Rincon

I evaluated each pair of sunglasses for 16 different factors. I’ve got a free PDF with all the details > HERE

Costa Del Mar Rincon 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 7
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)8
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.4

6. Wiley X WX Contend Captivate

A solid pair of fishing sunglasses. Priced just under $200 and still ranking in the top half of my results. The Wiley X WX have the benefit of truly having impact resistant lenses.

How Well Do They See Fish

Video and pictures are better than words. Check out how the Wiley X WX Contend sunglasses performed below.

Without Sunglasses (Testing Wiley X Contend)
Without Sunglasses (Testing Wiley X Contend)
Seeing Fish with the Wiley X Contend Sunglasses
Seeing Fish with the Wiley X Contend Sunglasses

If the Wiley X WX Contend sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Wiley X WX Contend Sunglasses

Wiley X WX Contend Sunglasses Review
Wiley X WX Contend Sunglasses Review

Read my detailed review of the Wiley X WX Contend 👉 HERE

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization – Great polarization, I rated as an 8 out of 10. The tint leaned more toward the red versus the bronze/yellow which I feel provides better contrast.

UV Protection – Rated as an 8, these sunglasses ranked with the best for UV protection.

Comfort – I ranked as a 5. The WX does not have padding at the ear or nose.

Fishy Factor – Scored a 5, lacking glass lenses, wider side shields and spring hinges.

Price at Time of My Review – I bought mine for $185. ***I see the price of sunglasses swing up and down by 30%. Check the current price with the links provided.

Wiley X Contend Captivate 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 8
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)5
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)8.4

7. Smith Outback 👈 Amazing On-Water

The Smith Outback’s jumped out when it comes to seeing fish. I ranked them above sunglasses costing over $100 more. I bought mine for $127 (this price can fluctuate wildly) and I truly recommend these if you don’t want the added features found on more expensive models.

How Well Can You See Fish?

What is the key factor when shopping for fishing sunglasses? Seriously, it’s how well they SEE THE FISH. The Smith Outback excel in this department, check out the video and pictures below.

Looking at fish with the Smith Outback
Looking at fish with the Smith Outback

Guide Recommendation: If you’re paying over $200 is out of your reach seriously consider getting the Smith Outback. Essential is to get the Glass Lenses with Chromapoptm Check current price and read more with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Smith Outback Sunglasses

Polarization and UV Protection

The Outback’s tested an 8 for both polarization and UV protection. 8 was the highest score I gave, some sunglasses in this price category didn’t perform as well as these.

Smith Outback Sunglasses for Fishing
Smith Outback Sunglasses for Fishing

Comfort and Fishy Factor

These sunglasses have padding on the ears or nose, the slight bend at the ear adds some insurance these sunglasses won’t fall off. I rated as a 6 for comfort, because the temple arms had a slightly rough finish. It may have been an unique occurrence. I have a dedicated review of the Smith Outback Sunglasses.

For the fishy factor, I scored these as a 5. If the side shields were a little wider the score would have jumped up. I was disappointed these sunglasses didn’t come with a protective case.

Smith Outback 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 9
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)6
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)8.6

The Smith Outback’s are the perfect selection if your primary need is to see fish. Highly recommended – check prices with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Smith Outback Sunglasses

8. Oakley Split Shot

How Well Do They See Fish

Video and pictures are better than words. Check out how well the Oakley Split Shot work below.

Without Sunglasses (Split Shot Testing)
Without Sunglasses (Split Shot Testing)
Seeing Fish with the Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses
Seeing Fish with the Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses

If the Oakley Split Shot sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses

Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses Review
Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses Review for fishing

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization – Rating of 8, with a lighter tint and my VLT testing of 15.9%

UV Protection – 8, but I got some minor bleed through of UV. It could have been my testing error.

Comfort – 7 as cool as the lanyard attachment is I felt it was a little uncomfortable how the ear pad touched my head.

Fishy Factor – 5 rating. I marked it down because the side shields are on the small side. Plus their was no option for glass lens. As a side note, in the course of 30 days my sunglasses got scratched.

Price at Time of My Review – I bought them for $225. Again these prices can vary widely.

Oakley Split Shot 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 8
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)7
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.8

9. Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Sunglasses

I wanted the Tuna Alley’s to rate higher in my evaluation. I’ve read a lot of great stuff on the internet about these sunglasses. Maybe I just received a one off problem. First, because I’m looking for the “best” I ordered the glass lenses, knowing that they are better for clarity and durability.

Unfortunately I was sent plastic, but it goes a little farther than that. The stickers on the lenses said they were 580G, but the etching on the actual lens said 580P (signifying plastic)

You can read the full review 👉 Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Review

I bought glass lenses but was sent plastic - disappointed
I bought glass lenses but was sent plastic – disappointed

I did contact Costa support, but since I bought them from Amazon they didn’t want to deal with me… Guess what happened next? I treated all of these sunglasses like precious gems.—- Yup, these sunglasses got a scratch after 4 days..

How Well Do They See Fish

Video and pictures are better than words. Check out how the Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Sunglasses performed below.

Without Tuna Alley's
Without Tuna Alley’s
With Tuna Alley's
With Tuna Alley’s

If the Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Sunglasses

Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization – 8 which is my highest rating. The Tuna Alley’s are a darker tint, I would recommend using these in harsh sunlight conditions.

UV Protection – 8 these sunglasses blocked UVA and UVB with the best.

Comfort – I rated the Tuna Alley’s as a 6. They lacked padding on the ear and nose, additionally I found the “bumps” on the contact area uncomfortable.

Fishy Factor – Rated at 5. This is my attempt to evaluate against what I think would be the perfect design. These fell short missing: padding, spring hinges and wider side shields.

Price at Time of My Review – The prices vary wildly, often going up and down a lot. I bought mine for $223 usd.

Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 5
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)6
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.4

10. Maui Jim Red Sands Sunglasses

The Red Sands are beautifully designed but not for fishing. If you occasionally cast a line these are fine, but for hard core fisher folks you might want to look at some other brands.

Something of note is how flexible the frame is, it added to the comfort. As a comment, when my daughter tried these on I had to fight her to get them back. Read the dedicated review in this article 👉 Maui Jim Red Sands Sunglasses Review

How Well Do They See Fish

Video and pictures are better than words. Check out how the Maui Jim Red Sands finds fish below.

Red Sands Review Video
Looking at fish with the Red Sands
Looking at fish with the Red Sands

If the Maui Jim Red Sands sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Maui Jim Red Sands Sunglasses

Maui Jim Red Sands Sunglasses
Maui Jim Red Sands Sunglasses Review

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization – scored as an 8, the tint level and vlt are on the higher end of the spectrum. At least in my testing the vlt = 15.1% meaning more light was passed through the lens. I prefer a vlt of between 14% and 16%. The color of the tint can play a big roll in contrast and clarity.

UV Protection – 8 ranked with the best.

Comfort – I love separate nose pads. For me any sunglasses rate a little higher because you can fine tune for fit. Rating = 8

Fishy Factor – These sunglasses are designed for style. The Red Sands aren’t designed specifically for fishing. Rating = 5.

Price at Time of My Review – I bought mine for $247. Please don’t trust this number, check the links for current pricing.

Maui Jim Red Sands 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 7
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)8
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)8.8

11. Fishoholic 👈 Stand Out Budget

The Fishoholic sunglasses (👈 detailed review) are budget minded sunglasses (priced around $25 when I bought them) that are playing in the leagues with the big boys. These aren’t the best, but a solid pair of sunglasses for cheap.

The proof is in how well they see fish. Check out the video and pictures below.

Seeing fish with the Fishoholic sunglasses
Seeing fish with the Fishoholic sunglasses

Polarization and UV Protection

The Fishoholic’s tested an 8 for both polarization and UV protection. 8 was the highest score I gave, some sunglasses in this price category didn’t perform as well as these.

Looking for sunglasses that can get the job done without breaking the bank? Consider the Fishoholic – shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Fishoholic Sunglasses

Comfort and Fishy Factor

These sunglasses didn’t have padding on the ears or nose, but the clean design has smooth contact surfaces and fit well.

For the fishy factor, I scored these as a 5. The wide side shields, wrap design, along with a nice case add protection.

Fishoholic Sunglasses 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 6
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)7
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)5
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)7
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)8.8

Tired of dropping +$200 sunglasses in the water? Get a cheap pair of Fishoholic’s – check prices with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Fishoholic Sunglasses

12. Oakley Double Edge Sunglasses Review

The Oakley Double Edge sunglasses are stylish and popular. I looked all over for bronze tinting, but settled on the grey tint polarization. These tend to have less contrast compared to the bronze/yellow polarization tint. If getting fishing sunglasses is your objective, some others might be a better selection.

I’ve got a separate detailed review of the Oakley Double Edge sunglasses. 👈 link to article.

How Well Do They See Fish

Pictures are better than words. Check out how well Oakley Double Edge see fish below.

No sunglasses (Oakley Double Edge testing)
No sunglasses (Oakley Double Edge testing)
Looking at fish with the Oakley Double Edge sunglasses
Looking at fish with the Oakley Double Edge sunglasses

If the Oakley Double Edge sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Oakley Double Edge Sunglasses

Oakley Double Edge Sunglasses
Oakley Double Edge Sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization – The Double Edge scored with the best lenses (8). The grey tint color isn’t my favorite.

UV Protection – Scored 8, among with the best.

Comfort – Comfort rating was knocked down, based on the sharp ridge on the ear contact area. I think it’s a small molded logo. I scored a 6 for comfort. No pad at ear, a small pad at the nose.

Fishy Factor – This category really hurt the Double Edge. I scored at 3, meaning they didn’t have many fishy design features. Remember, many of these design consideration make the sunglasses less stylish.

Price at Time of My Review – I purchased mine for $153; however, be sure to check current prices, as I’ve noticed that sunglasses prices can fluctuate significantly.

Oakley Double Edge 👈 Amazon Link for more infoScore with 10 Being Highest
On-Water Testing (Video, Pics and my eyes) 8
UV Protection (Scored 3-bad, 5-moderate, 8-100% protection) 8
Comfort (Padding and Fit)6
Fishy Factor (Design features that fishing sunglasses should have)3
Durability (Glass lens or option, spring hinge, scratch resistance)5
Star Rating from Others ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(2X weighted)9.2

13. KastKing Skidaway Sunglasses Review

The KastKing Skidaway sunglasses didn’t perform well in my evaluation. The package came with a pile of goodies but the performance criteria I was looking for was lacking. Short story – not recommended for fishing sunglasses.

On-Water Evaluation (with and without)

Testing on water with the KastKing Skidaway Sunglasses with and without the sunglasses

No sunglasses (KastKing testing)
No sunglasses (KastKing testing)
Looking at fish with the KastKing Skidaway sunglasses
Looking at fish with the KastKing Skidaway sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

The polarization score of 8, UV protection score of 5 with slight UV light bleed through. For comfort, I found the Skidaway’s to be comfortable, but they didn’t have padding on the ear or nose. (Comfort score of 6)

Fishy factor of 5, meaning they have some of the features I would like in fishing sunglasses.

If the KastKing Skidaway Sunglasses interest you, you can check prices and read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 KastKing Skidaway Sunglasses

14. HUK Challenge Sunglasses

Really popular with thousands of reviews on Amazon. I thought the HUK Challenge would perform better. They came in towards the bottom of the pack.

On-Water Evaluation (Video and Pictures)

Testing on water with the HUK Challenge with and without the sunglasses. Read my detailed review of the HUK Challenge.

Looking at fish with the HUK Challenge sunglasses
Looking at fish with the HUK Challenge sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

The polarization and tint was pretty good scoring 8 (polarization) and 5 for UV which means in my testing they had some VU bleed through. Padding at the ear and nose, unfortunately the nose pad had a ridge that was uncomfortable. Getting a 7 for comfort. Fishy factor of rating of 3, which was tied with three others for last place.

If the HUK Challenge sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 HUK Challenge Sunglasses

15. Kuguaok Sunglasses Review

A theme of the lower cost sunglasses seems to be mailing a bunch of stuff to you. The Kuguaok falls into this category. If your looking for budget fishing sunglasses the Fishoholic are a better option. Short story – the Kuguaok are not recommended as fishing sunglasses.

On-Water Evaluation (with and without)

Testing on water with the Kuguaok with and without the sunglasses

No sunglasses (Kuguaok testing)
No sunglasses (Kuguaok testing)
Looking at fish with the Kuguaok sunglasses
Looking at fish with the Kuguaok sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

In my non-scientific test the Kuguaok sunglasses provided very little UV protection, scoring a 1 (lowest). Polarization was an 8. Comfort is a 5 the sunglasses I had actually had a sharp ridge on the nose pad. Finally the fishy factor ranking as a 5. (they see fish better than some, but….)

As a comment, Amazon has over 10,000 reviews, I think these are okay looking cheap sunglasses. Just not for fishing.

If the Kuguaok sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Kuguaok Sunglasses

16. Berkley Fishing Sunglasses BER005 Review

The Berkley ranked toward the bottom of my evaluation. Unfortunately they didn’t exhibit many notable features. Short story – for the same $$ you can find better.

On-Water Evaluation (with and without)

Testing on water with the Berkley with and without the sunglasses

Berkley without sunglasses
Berkley test without sunglasses
Looking at fish with the Berkley sunglasses
Looking at fish with the Berkley sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

Polarization tested at an 8, which some in this price range didn’t do. In my tests I detected some UV bleed through so, I scored as a 5. Comfort = 6, the fit was ok, with small pads at ear and nose.

Fishy factor scored of 3. Basically saying few design features added for fishing.

If the Berkley sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Berkley Fishing Sunglasses

17. InFi Sunglasses Review

The INFI sunglasses didn’t perform well in my evaluation. The package came with a pile of goodies but the performance criteria I was looking for was lacking. Short story – not recommended for fishing sunglasses.

On-Water Evaluation (with and without)

Testing on water with the INFI with and without the sunglasses

No Sunglasses (INFI test)
No Sunglasses (INFI test)
Looking at fish with INFI sunglasses
Looking at fish with INFI sunglasses

Polarization, UV Protection, Comfort and Fishy Factor

The polarization and tint did not match up from the right to left lens. They only had marginal UV protection in my tests. No padding at the ear or nose. Fishy factor of 3, which was tied with three others for last place.

If the INFI sunglasses interest you, you can read more with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 INFI Sunglasses

One More Cast

In conclusion, after thoroughly testing and reviewing 17 different fishing sunglasses, it is evident that the right pair can significantly enhance your fishing experience by improving your ability to see fish in their natural habitat.

If you made it this far into this review, check out the FULL ranking PDF with my scores for all these sunglasses FREE 👉 Sunglasses Score Sheet with all the Details

Looking at fish with the Guides Choice
Looking at fish with the Guides Choice 👈 link
Looking at fish with the Local Kine
Looking at fish with the Local Kine 👈 link

Among the various models tested, the Smith Guides Choice 👈 link for more and Maui Jim Local Kine 👈 link for more sunglasses stand out as top recommendations, delivering exceptional performance in terms of polarization, comfort, and overall quality.

For those on a tighter budget, the Smith Outback Sunglasses 👈 link for more also proved to be a reliable option that performs well without breaking the bank.

Ultimately, investing in a high-quality pair of fishing sunglasses not only protects your eyes but also improves your chances of success on the water.

Hi David Humphries Owner of Guide Recommended. I love everything to do with fly fishing. Casting, Tying, YouTube, writing about it and even teaching. I’ve got a FREE video workshop teaching how to dry fly fish at this link How to Fly Fish

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