A Guide To Buying Best Fishing Sunglasses 2024
A Guide To Buying Best Fishing Sunglasses 2024
What to look for when buying the best sunnies for fishing
Buying The Best Fishing Sunglasses can be a tricky one to get right. When it comes to sunglasses in general there are hundreds if not thousands of different options to choose from. In this article, we are going to break down the eyewear category with the intention to provide you with the nuts and bolts overview.
If you are anything like us here at Land & Sea we are not only passionate offshore fishermen but relish our time on the rivers & lakes around New Zealand. When it comes to these two polar opposite environments, we require different things entirely from our performance eyewear. Now that we have mentioned it, let's start there – Shallow Water Eyewear vs Deep Water Eyewear.
Something not a lot of people are aware of is the reason manufacturers use an array of different lens tints and iridium coatings. Put simply the colour that you see with the human eye is the one colour your lens is NOT absorbing. For example, a deep blue iridium coating is exactly that because your eye is absorbing all other colours except iridium blue. Therefore, when applied to different environments you will naturally begin to notice one key characteristic. Blue Iridium generally make the ideal lens for fishing offshore while a green or brown base lens is more applicable in shallower water environments.
For years Oakley has dominated the sports eyewear scene, mostly due to their continued investment in R&D across all extreme environments. In 2014 Oakley released a new lens technology called Prizm. Prizm works off the premise of manually adjusting the absorption of each primary colour through the lens and into the eye. Let’s take a step back to the water and understand a bit more about how this would help us while fishing!
If I am casting stick baits at my favourite offshore reef in warm blue water my eyes are saturated with blue and black colours making it challenging to pick up the definition and contrast within the environment. With Prizm lens technology Oakley has removed much of the deep blues, and blacks to help cut through glare and increase your vision of what's under the water. Likewise removing the Green and Brown tones of a riverbank increase your ability to penetrate through the water and spot the fish.
Polarization is no doubt something you would have heard about at some point. What exactly does a brand mean when they say their sunglasses are polarized? The best way to think about Polarized sunglasses is to picture a set of Venetian blinds. Essentially there is a coating on the lens of the glass that mitigates the entrance of light into the eye. The purpose of this is to eliminate glare.
It's very important to note that this does not mean that every brand of eyewear achieves this polarization at the same level. In fact, this is the single most important reason to purchase high-quality polarized sunglasses. If this method of glare removal is performed poorly the image your eye is registering through the lens can be distorted and therefore cause your eyes to work overtime. This is how you can walk away from a day on the water with headaches & a heavy head. Let’s avoid that scenario hey?
Now that we have explained the two most important factors to choosing the best fishing sunglasses for you let’s look at our suggested options. We will take into consideration Price, Colour Correction & Polarization methods.
Our top pick for many reasons but let's start with the lens. Prizm lens technology provides unbeatable fine-tuning colour contrast for each individual environment – in this case, Deep Water Fishing. The Prizm Deep Water lens is something else and we are yet to find a lens that provides more contrast. The HDO Optics Technology offered by Oakley also ensures that the eyes do not work harder than they need to. Of course, these are polarized via an injection method to ensure no distortion through the lens.
Let’s talk a little bit about the frame. Oakley OMatter is a material that is light & durable. Why is this important? While often we set out early in the morning and return late at night. We want something you can wear all day and it needs to be light!
The Oakley Holbrook is not what we would classify as the most on-trend style these days. In fact the Holbrook has been around for over a decade. Is this as good as it is bad? Probably – some may argue that it’s now timeless and they are probably right. For us – we wouldn’t mind an update.
Land & Sea Rating: 9/10
Price - $289.00
We love these for a few reasons but a lot of it has to do with the fact they nail the balance between style and functionality. Is it important to look good while you are casting a line? We think so or more to the point we would ask why not?
Available in 580G Polarized Blue & Green, this model has you covered offshore, onshore, or even down the river. When it comes to polarization technology nobody can beat Costa’s 580G integration. It removes all glare with zero distortion and 100% accuracy when it comes to the image received by your eye through the glass. Although it adds weight to the overall sunglass the 580G provides a crystal-clear image – one you will find hard to beat.
Is there a downside to this sunglass? While yes & no. If you reach for these or the Holbrook’s mentioned above, it would really depend on how long you intend to spend on the water. If fishing is an all-day affair, then the weight of the Costa sunnies may be the only deterrent. Outside of that, we love these for all their worth!
Land & Sea Rating: 8.5/10
Price - $329.00
If a global business ever designed a set of sunglasses for the New Zealand market it was these. Quite often when you are looking for a set of sunglasses for the typical Kiwi bloke you will find hundreds of options that are just simply too small. The Costa Del Mar Spearo XL’s fits the bill when it comes to an oversized shade.
Again, incorporating the Blue & Green 580G lens options for both offshore and shallow water fishing these lenses are something else. Like the above Antille, if there is a downside – it’s the weight of the impressive 580G Glass lens. The upside is the impeccable clarity that it delivers.
Overall, we put the practicality of the Costa Spearos right towards the top of our list. Treat them hard, put them through the wringer and you will not be disappointed!
Land & Sea Rating: 8/10
Price - $329.00
Ok – this one goes against the grain somewhat. A reasonably ‘basic’ Prizm black lens that resonates more with the bloke walking down Queen Street than the one heading out for a fishing trip with his mates. But.. let me explain. One of our key attributes of any sunglass fit for the water is that the angler MUST be able to wear them all day. There is no sunglass more comfortable than the Latch. Easily tucked under your cap, this sunglass is the one you forgot you were wearing.
Although we have suggested the Prizm Black lens in this instance the Oakley Latch sunglass comes in all of Oakley's top lenses including a green base and blue base lenses. That makes the Oakley Latch sunglasses one of the more versatile, lightweight, stylish sets of sunglasses going around. If you are like us and only generally have one set of glasses whether you’re out in the boat or walking up Ponsonby Road – this is where the Latch comes into its own.
In Summary – Lightweight, practical, seriously good lens and you will look good while you're doing it!
Land & Sea Rating: 8/10
Price - $209.00
The Costa King Tide 8 Sunglasses aren't just designed for fishing; they're tailored to excel in various environments, including freshwater, shallow waters, and low-light conditions. Whether you're navigating the intricate depths of a river or casting into the shallows of a lake, these sunglasses offer unparalleled clarity and performance. With a full wrap and removable side shields, they ensure optimal viewing angles, ideal for spotting elusive trout in clear or murky waters.
In low-light conditions, where others falter, the King Tide 8 Sunglasses shine. Equipped with polarized glass lenses and UV protection, they enhance contrast and visibility, allowing you to track movements with precision even as the light fades. Additionally, their mirrored lens technology, combined with a wide fit for maximum coverage, ensures you maintain an edge, whether you're chasing the last light of day or embracing the tranquility of dawn. Dominate every fishing expedition with the Costa King Tide 8 Sunglasses – your ultimate companion for freshwater, shallow water, and low-light adventures.
Land & Sea Rating: 9.5/10
Price - $469.00
It’s all up to you!
We are lucky to live in a world where lack of choices is not one of our problems. We now have access to thousands of brands, all levels of price points and hundreds of different styles – all of which are someone's cup of tea. But hey, you asked for the best in the game & that’s what we have delivered. Our top 5 best sunglasses for fishing is simple & to the point. A parting message is something that we keep in mind ourselves.
You have one set of eyes, look after them!