best yacht glasses

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best polarized sunglasses for sailors: 9 pairs tested

• Theo Stocker
• September 19, 2022

A decent set of polarized sunglasses are essential on the water. Theo Stocker explains why they’re so vital, and tests nine pairs

Product Overview

Bright sunlight, little shelter, white decks and sails, and glare reflected off the water all make being at sea a hostile environment for our eyes. We all know the discomfort of squinting into sun, trying to pick out the next navigation mark or up at the sails on a bright day.

Even in overcast conditions, the amount of light around can be visually tiring. With all this light comes harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Many sunglasses for sailors will have a brown tint, as this helps increase contrast, and will be fairly dark to block out bright sunlight, with a transmission rating of just 10-15%

Exposure over a few years can contribute to corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration amongst other conditions, and as sailors, we are more exposed than most. Far from being a mere fashion accessory, a proper pair of sailing sunglasses that blocks out the harmful rays and makes it easier for us to see is essential.

Most sailors will opt for polarized sunglasses. If you haven’t tried them before and don’t know what the fuss is about, ask to try someone else’s next time you’re out on the water. Tip your head on one side to see what things look like with dark glasses, then look normally to see how much additional glare the polarization cuts out and you’ll be amazed.

They do have some downsides, however, including the frustrating characteristic that they can make it hard to see digital screens and instrument read-outs at certain angles. Like buying clothing or footwear, finding the right pair of sunglasses is a hugely personal choice.

Polarized sunglasses for sailors: 9 pairs tested

Tribord 100 Floating Sunglasses

Best on test

Specifications Lens: Brown mirrored polarized Hinge: Screw Weight: 25g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 139 x 48 x 135 Colour options: Frame: dark grey

As the cheapest shades in our polarized sunglasses for sailors test, we weren’t expecting much from these, but were pleasantly surprised when we took them out of the box as they looked and felt pretty good for such a budget pair.

The mirrored polycarbonate lenses sit in an understated frame with in-built buoyancy, making these one of only two floating sunglasses on test. There is no grippy rubber on the nose or ear pieces, but the arms do hook behind the ears with holes to attach a strap.

The mirrored lenses looked good. A stainless steel screw secures the hinge. This is why we considered these the best pair of polarized sunglasses for sailors. Credit: Theo Stocker

Amazingly, these were some of the most secure sunglasses on test, requiring over 500g force to pull them off, perhaps in part thanks to these being the narrowest glasses we tried.

For this reason, they also felt a little tight, and were marginally less comfortable than others in the test. The lenses weren’t the best on test, but they were only just shy of our top three performers.

Good lens clarity and light reduction made these capable sunglasses for sailors. Credit: Georgie Stocker

With a warm brown tint, they provided good definition with little distortion, and transmission of just 11%. The polarization was effective, cutting out 69% of reflected glare (a little shy of their claimed 80%). Given the price and strong all-round performance it’s hard to see how you could go wrong with these.

Buy Tribord Floating at Decathalon

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Tifosi Swick

Specifications Lens: Polarized smoke Hinge: Screw Weight: 26g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 143 x 50 x 138 Colour options: Frames: Satin Vapour, Satin black/neon

This Italian sports brand has been increasing its offering for watersports optics, and we tested two pairs. The Swick is the more lifestyle-oriented pair, with a flatter frame. Offered in a range of colours, the green stripe on ours had a matt rubberised finish, though these weren’t actually rubber.

Comfortable enough to wear all day, reasonably securely. Credit: Georgie Stocker

Comfortable to wear and on trend, these were a medium-sized pair of sunglasses. The rubber nose pads were a nice touch lacking on other glasses. The performance of these sunglasses was perfectly adequate, in line with a pretty modest price tag. Everything worked fine, although no area excelled in our test.

Some of the lightest lenses on test, with a grey tint, we measured a transmission of 15%, and a polarized glare reduction of 61%, so at the lower end of our selection.

The arms are textured and have a matte finish. The grey lenses are not mirrored. Credit: Theo Stocker

Security on the head was moderately good, requiring 130g to pull them off – still better than some of the more expensive models.  Mirroring on the lenses would have been a nice touch, as would proper rubber grips. There are lots of other models and colourways in the Tifosi range to choose from, making this an inexpensive brand worth looking at.

Buy Tifosi Crit at Tifosioptics.com

Buy Tifosi Crit at Tifosi-optics.co.uk

Tifosi Crit

Best sports glasses

Specifications Lens: Enliven Offshore Polarized Hinge: Screw Weight: 29g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 146 x 44 x 124 Colour options: Frame: Matte Smoke

These wraparound sports sunglasses are a different animal to the other Tifosi shades we tested, and have a higher price tag to reflect this, though still pretty reasonable. Half-lens frames mean that lenses can be swapped for different conditions, and vents prevent sweat up on hot days.

Rubber ear socks and adjustable rubber nose pads make these grippy on the head, without being tight or uncomfortable.

The Enliven Offshore polarized lenses can be popped out and swapped for different conditions or sports. Credit: Theo Stocker

The lens curve (32mm) ensures your vision is fully covered. Slightly deeper lenses would have been nice to block out some of the light coming off the deck. Green-brown in tint, the lenses were the second most effective on test, with light transmission measured at 10.3%, these easily dealt with a bright day afloat.

Polarization was a close second, cutting out just over 73% of the remaining light, and blocking all but 0.1% of our UVA torch light.

Peripheral vision was well covered, though some light got in under the lenses. Credit: Georgie Stocker

Grip on the head was reasonable but not much more than those without rubber, the grips perhaps compensating for the wider more comfortable fit. Style wise, these might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they do their job well and would double up for other sports.

Buy Tifosi Crit at Amazon (UK)

Oakley Leffingwell

Best lenses

Specifications Lens: Prizm Deep Water Polarized Hinge: Screw Weight: 28g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 148 x 52 x 136 Colour options: 7 lens/frame combinations

American brand Oakley have long led the way in innovative, top-quality sunglasses, and have a price-tag to match. One of their many new models is the Leffingwell, which comes with frames made from a plant-based plastic.

The Prizm polarized lenses are among the best on the market for contrast and colour on the water; they can be replaced if scratched and Oakley also offer prescription lenses.

The lenses were the best we tested. Credit: Georgie Stocker

The design leans more towards lifestyle, and lacks some of the brand’s sportier elements. Put these glasses on after wearing a cheap pair of sunnies, and you’ll notice just how clear and crisp the image is, with no distortion at the edges, and how the warm brown tint boosts contrast and colour.

While they didn’t seem dark, they had the most effective light reduction, with just 9.1% transmission (Oakley rate them at 12%), and the polarization cut out a huge 72% of glare.

The textured arms didn’t offer much grip for a pair of polarized sunglasses for sailors. The hinges have metal screws – many Oakleys have pop hinges. Credit: Theo Stocker

For sailing, they would benefit from rubber ear socks as the textured arms didn’t offer great grip (the lowest on test). Despite the fairly flat curve of the frames, however, the lenses give surprisingly good peripheral cover.

Buy Oakley Leffingwell at Oakley

Buy Oakley Leffingwell at Amazon

Dirty Dog Axle

Specifications Lens: Brown Polarized Hinge: Screw Weight: 28g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 145 x 49 x 130 Colour options: Frames: Blue, black, tortoiseshell; Lenses: Brown, grey, green grey mirrored

Don’t be put off by the name. Dirty Dog have been around for years, and make glasses that many sailors have used for a long time, such is their build quality. With a whole wealth of styles available, we were testing a ‘unisex’ style, although the fit and shape were rather wide.

The polyamide frames are meant to retain their original shape, so should resist stretching and loosening over time. This pair had tortoiseshell frames and brown polarized lenses.

The fit is unisex and one of the wider styles on test. Credit: Theo Stocker

Without a mirrored finish, these have a more understated appearance, but a generous wraparound (31mm depth) means these offer excellent cover to the field of vision.

On test, these proved secure to wear (190g force) required to pull them off, despite not having any rubber grips. They fitted snugly to the face, leaving few gaps for glare, and didn’t feel like they’d fall off easily.

There’s a metal-screwed hinge, but the flexible frame should resist stretching and loosening over time. Credit: Theo Stocker

A brown tinted lens gives 12.3% transmission, which is good for a range of conditions, and the polarization performed well, cutting out 68.2% of the glare. UV protection was good too. They don’t float, and you’d need a slide-over strap to avoid losing them, but this is a solid pair of glasses that should last well without trying to be flashy.

Buy Dirty Dog Axle at Amazon

Gill Kynance

Specifications Lens: Grey Polarized Hinge: Pop Weight: 23g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 141 x 49 x 133 Colour options: Black

Gill produce a range of polarized sunglasses specifically for sailing. Having tested their floating Fusion sunglasses in the past (which are excellent, by the way), we were looking at the entry-level Kynance model in this test.

Still polarized, but aimed more at lifestyle than performance, the cheaper price tag reflects this. With pop hinges to avoid rusting hinge screws, these should be more impact-resistant.

Pop hinges won’t rust, but they didn’t go back together easily. The lenses are only slightly tinted. Credit: Theo Stocker

However, when we popped the hinge out, it felt loose after refitting. Rated for 8-18% light transmission, we found these the lightest in our test at 15% transmission. That’s no bad thing if you want them for everyday wear and aren’t always in full sunshine.

Good looks but comparatively basic in both performance and build quality. Credit: Georgie Stocker

The polarization did its job, cutting out 63% of the glare, and grey tinted lenses cut out 98.8% of our UV torch’s light – the 1.2% it did let through could well just be visible purple light. With 140g force to pull these glasses off, they aren’t the most secure, but also not the worst.

These are a reasonable pair of shades at a reasonable price, and will serve well on and off the water, but they don’t reach the standards of the best glasses in this test.

Buy Gill Kynance at Amazon

Bollé Holman

Specifications Lens: HD Polarized Offshore Blue Hinge: Screw Weight: 24g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 142 x 46 x 135 Colour options: Blue, red, black

Bollé are synonymous with top-notch optics in skiing, sailing, and for safety goggles. They have a huge amount of expertise in making high-quality lenses, and the Holman are no different. Another brand that has hundreds of styles to choose from, the Holman is one of the few styles they offer designed for sailing that float.

Unlike most floating sunglasses, however, they don’t have bulky buoyancy built in, but are made of nylon frames that are inherently buoyant, allowing the frames to be as slim as those that don’t float.

The blue-tinted lenses worked well in bright light out on the water. Credit: Theo Stocker

Bollé’s HD polarized Offshore Blue lenses are some of the only ones in this test with a blue, rather than brown or grey tint, it is claimed to give better contrast on the water.

This worked well, and we were surprised how vibrant colours remained despite the cooler tint. They were the second darkest lenses on test, blocking transmission of all by 10.8% of the light.

The lightweight nylon frame makes these an inherently buoyant pair of polarized sunglasses for sailors. Credit: Theo Stocker

The polarization, in contrast, was more light-touch, with a further reduction of glare of just 58.2%. The frames offered a good degree of wraparound (26mm) without appearing too sporty, and leaning towards the narrower side, these were a more genuinely unisex style.

The hooked arms and snug fit meant they were pretty secure too, even without any rubber grips.

Buy Bollé Holman at Amazon (UK)

Buy Bollé Holman at Amazon (US)

Buy Bollé Holman at SmartBuyGlasses.co.uk

SunGod Sierra SKO

Best everyday polarized glasses

Specifications Lens: 8KO Polarized Blue Green Hinge: Pop Weight: 22g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 143 x 53 x 145 Colour options: 7 standard options, or 12 frame colours. 8 lens colours, fully customisable

SunGod is the new kid on the block when it comes to cool sunnies, and are bang up to date with their styling and company ethics. With just a handful of styles, but lots of customisation options, you can create your own glasses online and receive them the next day.

While entry-level options for the Sierras start at £55, the top-end 8KO nylon polarized lenses are double the price.

Comfortable enough to be worn every day. A little more wraparound would help though. Credit: Theo Stocker

A lifetime guarantee means they will be repaired free of charge (except for scratches and loss), and replacement lenses are available.

The lightest on test, these glasses are made with a flexible frame designed to withstand knocks and bumps, and the pop hinges will come apart rather than snapping, for you to clip back together. They felt strong and secure.

12 frame colours, 8 lens colours and a range of icon badges are available. Pop hinges prevent breakages. Credit: Theo Stocker

With just 12mm of wraparound depth, these were also the flattest on test, meaning less of your peripheral vision is protected, but the brown tinted lenses gave good definition.

Extremely comfortable to wear for long periods, these would be great everyday sunglasses that also have surprisingly good grip. A polarization score of 74.6% nudges these ahead of the rest, although this is on slightly higher transmission of 13.8%.

Buy SunGod Sierra 8KO at SunGod

Sungod Renegade 8KO

Best sustainable glasses

Specifications Lens: Blue Smoke 8KO Polarized Hinge: Pop Weight: 26g Dimensions (W x D x L mm): 147 x 52 x 142 Colour options: 7 standard options, or 12 frame colours. 8 lens colours, fully customisable

SunGod know how important image is and have got their styling on trend. They have also put massive effort into the company’s green credentials, with green energy used in manufacture, all recyclable packaging used during carbon-offset delivery, a lifetime repair guarantee and recyclable materials.

They also offer frames (and since we tested, lenses) made from recycled plastic, which was unique for the sunglasses we tested.

SunGod’s recycled plastic frames made them the most eco-friendly polarized sunglasses for sailors on test. Credit: Theo Stocker

This is a great step towards circular-economy. With slightly more wraparound than the Sierras, the Renegades have good deep lenses, with a warm brown tint that increases vibrancy without being intrusive.

We did find that the Silver Blue 8KO lens coating on the inner surface was a bit too reflective, producing distracting reflections in certain conditions, but we were told this is a problem with this specific lens, and isn’t an issue on other options.

On-trend styling and a flatter design. Credit: Theo Stocker

Build quality felt among the best on test. With one of the lower grip factors on test, some rubber coating or a strap would be necessary with these. UV protection (99.8%), polarization (67%) and transmission of 13.9% all put the lenses in the middle of the pack.

Buy SunGod Renegade at SunGod

Polarized sunglasses for sailors: Conclusion

With hundreds of styles of polarized sunglasses for sailors out there, and many brands, there’s no shortage of choice. Not all are created equal, however, and if you’re going to be spending long hours on the water, then having shades that stay on your head, protect your peripheral vision, and cut out direct light and reflected glare is essential.

When it comes to lenses, you get what you pay for on the whole, and cheaper glasses will save in this area, as well as the quality of their construction. We were surprised on both counts, however, by the cheapest pair on test from Tribord, which performed consistently well in all areas, to make it the test winner.

Unsurprisingly, the Oakley’s lenses were standout best on test, and another style from that brand could well perform better in other areas on the water, if you are willing to dig a bit deeper into your pockets. The SunGod Sierras with the 8KO BlueGreen lenses performed well across the board, bringing them in second.

SunGod has also done more than any other brand about its environmental impact in considering the full life cycle of their products. The sporty Tifosi Crit impressed with lenses suited to bright light and lots of movement on deck.

How to choose the best polarized sunglasses

Looking straight into the sunlight, the far horizon and navigation mark is still visible, thanks to the polarization. This is looking through the Oakley Leffingwell Prizm lens.

Everyone’s face is different, and finding ones that fit comfortably and securely in a style that you like will take a certain amount of trying on. Most brands carry multiple styles, however, that use the same ideas and technologies to suit a range of wearers.

The main considerations include:

• Style: Flatter ‘lifestyle’ sunglasses (very on trend this year), or sportier wrap-around glasses that cover more of your vision
• Lens darkness: The amount of light allowed through, as a transmission percentage
• Lens tint: Different colours suit varying light conditions and can increase or reduce contrast
• Security: Strap attachment, grippy rubber on the nose and ear socks, or floating in water
• Construction: Screwed or pop hinges – the latter will pop apart rather than snap if sat on
• Repair: Whether damaged parts, such as scratched lenses, can be replaced
• Sustainability: Increasingly, glasses are available made of recycled materials with sustainable manufacture, shipping and packaging, and end-of-life disposal considered
• Prescription lenses: If you wear prescription glasses, you will need a pair of sunglasses that can be fitted with prescription lenses.

How do polarized sunglasses work?

Polarized sunglasses are a bit like magic. It is often said that they ‘block out reflected light’, but how does this really work?

It helps to understand what your new glasses will and won’t do. Light travels in waves. These waves oscillate along different planes – imagine waves coming at you each aligned vertically, horizontally, and all the angles between, through a full 360º.

For this example, it is easier to visualise just the vertical and horizontal waves. The lenses of polarized glasses are coated with a polymer, the molecules of which form vertical slats.

Credit: Maxine Heath

The waves oscillating vertically can pass through the lens but any that aren’t vertical are blocked out, reducing the amount of light transmitted. When light is reflected off a surface or refracted through a material, it becomes polarized.

Light bouncing off flat water would be polarized, so that just the horizontal waves parallel to the surface of the water are reflected. When these reach vertically polarized lenses, the light is blocked. This means that they are very effective at cutting out glare off the water.

The downside is that light from your instruments can be refracted through their screens, polarizing it parallel to the surface of the glass, so you might need to tilt your head to see the screens clearly.

How we tested the best polarized sunglasses

We focused on how well the glasses work on the water rather than style or individual fit. We have tested to see whether each pair of sunglasses deliver what they promise in terms of light reduction, polarization, weight, whether they float and how robust they are.

We have measured

• The light reduction in LUX of the lens, looking into direct sunlight, with a cardboard tube between the meter and the lens to block out glare and ensure a consistent reading distance
• UV transmission, using a black light (UVA) torch. All glasses claim 100% UV reduction. Our figures didn’t quite match that, but UV LED torches also emit some visible purple glare, which would account for the discrepancy
• Polarization, by measuring the LUX reduction between vertically and horizontally rotated lenses, whilst aimed at a flat metal surface reflecting direct sunlight, replicating water glare
• The force in grams required to pull the sunglasses from the wearer’s head, using luggage scale attached to the central nose bridge
• The weight and dimensions of each pair, including how flat or wrapped around they are, measuring the linear distance from the nose bridge to a line between the rear edge of the lenses
• Whether they float in water
• We have also added our subjective opinion on whether we liked the look, feel and quality of each pair.

We used a LUX meter to measure ambient light and then light reduction from the lens. By aiming it at reflected light, and rotating the lenses through 90º, we could see how well the polarization worked. And the LUX meter also measured light from our UV black light torch, and how much the lenses blocked out.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.

5 Best Sunglasses for Boating: A Complete Guide

When it comes to boating, sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory—they’re a critical piece of gear that protects your eyes from harmful UV rays, reduces glare from the water, and enhances your vision on the open water. With the sun reflecting off the surface of the water, a good pair of boating sunglasses can make all the difference between a comfortable, safe day and one filled with eye strain and fatigue.

In this guide, we will explore the 5 best sunglasses for boating , looking at price points, specs, features, and why they should be a part of your boating gear.

1. Costa Del Mar Fantail Pro Polarized Sunglasses

Price: $269 Features & Specs:

• Polarized 580G lenses : These glass lenses offer unparalleled clarity and are designed to reduce glare and enhance contrast, making them perfect for long days on the water.
• UV Protection : 100% UV protection to shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
• Hydrolite Nose and Temple Pads : Ensures the sunglasses stay in place even in wet conditions.
• Scratch-resistant coating : For durability and longevity.
• Frame Style : Available in different frame colors to suit your style.

Why They’re Great for Boating: Costa Del Mar is known for producing high-quality polarized sunglasses tailored to water activities. The Fantail Pro is particularly great because its polarization eliminates the intense glare off the water, allowing for clear vision. The hydrolite nose pads ensure that the sunglasses remain securely on your face, even when you’re moving around the boat. The glass lenses also provide superior scratch resistance, making these sunglasses a long-lasting investment.

2. Maui Jim Peahi Polarized Sunglasses

Price: $279 Features & Specs:

• PolarizedPlus2 lenses : Cuts 99.9% of glare, blocks 100% of harmful UV rays, and enhances color perception.
• SuperThin Glass lenses : Provide the sharpest optics available, with scratch resistance and a lightweight design.
• Water and oil proof : Coating that repels water, oil, and debris for easier cleaning.
• Wraparound style : Protects your eyes from light coming in from the sides.

Why They’re Great for Boating: Maui Jim is famous for its lens technology that enhances colors and clarity while protecting against UV rays and glare. The Peahi model, named after the iconic surfing location in Hawaii, is perfect for boaters who need durability and performance. These sunglasses will help you see clearly in bright, reflective conditions, whether you’re fishing, cruising, or navigating rough waters. Their wraparound style ensures no side light interferes with your vision.

3. Oakley Split Shot Polarized Sunglasses

Price: $226 Features & Specs:

• Prizm Polarized Lenses : Oakley’s Prizm technology boosts contrast and color, perfect for marine environments.
• O Matter™ frame : Lightweight and stress-resistant frame for all-day comfort.
• Integrated leash : Comes with a detachable, lightweight leash to keep your sunglasses secure while you’re on the boat.
• High-definition optics : Delivers superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision from all angles.

Why They’re Great for Boating: Oakley’s Split Shot sunglasses are designed with boaters in mind. The integrated leash is a handy feature, ensuring you don’t lose your sunglasses to the sea if they happen to fall off. The Prizm lens technology is perfect for identifying changes in water depth or spotting fish, while also reducing the strain caused by bright sunlight. The lightweight design makes them comfortable for long hours on the water, and the frame is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor activities.

4. Smith Optics Guide’s Choice Sunglasses

Price: $259 Features & Specs:

• ChromaPop Polarized Lenses : Enhances contrast and natural color, making it easier to see in different lighting conditions.
• Anti-reflective coating : Reduces eye strain by minimizing glare from reflective surfaces.
• Hydroleophobic lens coating : Repels moisture, dirt, and grease, keeping your vision clear.
• Large coverage : Provides protection from side glare with wide lenses.

Why They’re Great for Boating: The Smith Guide’s Choice sunglasses are designed with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The ChromaPop lens technology offers outstanding clarity and contrast, allowing you to see beneath the water surface more clearly, which is a major advantage for fishing. The anti-reflective coating keeps your eyes from getting fatigued by glare, and the wide lens coverage offers extra protection from peripheral light. These sunglasses are built to endure the harsh elements of boating.

5. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Polarized Sunglasses

Price: $211 Features & Specs:

• Classic polarized lenses : Provides excellent protection from UV rays and glare reduction.
• Acetate frame : Lightweight and durable, with a classic Wayfarer design.
• G-15 lenses : Designed to enhance clarity while maintaining true color perception.
• Timeless style : The classic look of Ray-Bans fits almost any occasion, on or off the water.

Why They’re Great for Boating: The Ray-Ban Wayfarer is not just an iconic fashion accessory but also a practical option for boating. These sunglasses offer reliable UV protection and glare reduction, making them suitable for boaters who want both style and functionality. While they may not have the specialized features of some of the other models listed, they remain a solid choice for casual boaters or those looking for a versatile pair of sunglasses they can wear on and off the water.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Sunglasses for Boating

1. polarization.

One of the most essential features in boating sunglasses is polarization. Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces, such as water, ensuring clearer vision and less eye strain. All of the sunglasses mentioned above are polarized, making them ideal for spending time on the water.

2. UV Protection

Ensure your sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Constant exposure to the sun while on the water can lead to long-term eye damage, so UV protection is a must.

3. Lens Material

Glass lenses are more scratch-resistant and offer superior optical clarity but tend to be heavier. Polycarbonate lenses, on the other hand, are lightweight and impact-resistant but may scratch more easily. Depending on your boating activities, you may prefer one over the other.

4. Fit and Comfort

Your sunglasses should stay securely on your face, even in active situations. Look for features such as hydrophobic or rubberized nose pads and temple grips. Wraparound styles also offer added protection from side light.

5. Durability

Boating involves exposure to saltwater, wind, and sun, so your sunglasses should be durable enough to handle these elements. Scratch-resistant coatings and water-repellent technologies are great additions that help keep your lenses clear and long-lasting.

Investing in a good pair of sunglasses for boating is about more than just style—it’s about protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays, reducing glare for clearer vision, and ensuring comfort during long hours on the water. The Costa Del Mar Fantail Pro , Maui Jim Peahi , Oakley Split Shot , Smith Guide’s Choice , and Ray-Ban Wayfarer are all excellent options, each offering unique features tailored to boating enthusiasts.

Whether you’re cruising, fishing, or just enjoying a day out on the water, one of these five options is sure to meet your needs and keep your eyes safe and comfortable in any conditions.

Happy Boating!

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Read Floating Cinemas: Planning Movie Night on a Boat until we meet in the next article. 

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Top Sunglasses for Boating and Fishing

• By Randy Vance
• May 8, 2022

Sunglasses with polarized lenses have been an important piece of navigation equipment since they came on the market 40 years ago. With polarized filtered lenses, side glare from windshields, water and shiny surfaces is eliminated.

In more recent years, popular thinking says blue-mirror and gray-base lenses are best for offshore, and copper or amber-base lenses with green, gold or copper mirror are best inshore in brackish, brown or green water.

Lens density is a critical choice if you can only own one pair. And for as much as $300 a pair, the trick is selecting the right one for most situations.

Frame style plays a big role in glare reduction. Light leaking in around the sides can cause lens flare, making glasses a liability in some cases. You’ll need to choose frames that wrap closely around your face, leaving as few gaps for light as possible.

We tested three pairs from each brand represented: one for offshore blue water, one for inshore, and one for low-light conditions. In each brand, we brought our two faves to you in this report. The frames we chose might not work for you, but the lens colors served us well, and we think you’ll appreciate them too.

WileyX says its sunglasses are built for protection, durability and performance. Its offerings span from fashion to ballistic impact protection and are sought by anglers, boaters, motorcyclists, shooters and military personnel. The lenses are ANSI-tested and approved for clarity and, if you choose models with ballistic qualities, they can take a high-speed impact from a small-caliber projectile. We proved they would deflect a BB at 400 feet per second with only a dimple in the lens.

Our Twisted glasses ($180) came with a gray matte frame and blue-mirror and gray-base polymer lenses. This color combo is most sought after by bluewater boaters and anglers because it transmits neutral colors while cutting glare, making fish and underwater obstacles easier to spot. For offshore anglers, the wide temples combat side glare and enhance clarity when trying to spot gamefish. In clear, blue water, they provided a definite contrast advantage over the copper lenses.

For boaters and inshore anglers, an alternative might be the Peak style ($190), with narrower temples that don’t block peripheral vision, and copper lenses that transmit more light but cut blue light to enhance greens, yellows and reds without an uncomfortable color shift. These lenses are curved to wrap around the eye without distorting image transmission. They also bring more light to the eye, giving the benefit of polarizing contrast in overcast days.

costadelmar.com

Costa (previously known as Costa del Mar) has a long and exemplary history of providing quality performance eyewear for fishermen, hunters and boaters. Its 580 lenses are designed to block low blue light that diffuses clarity over distance. Available in many colors to suit water conditions, the 580s come in 580P for polycarbonate and 580G for glass. 

The Santiago is part of the Untangled Collection, which features frames made from recycled discarded fishing nets collected before they can be lost in the ocean, which helps remove the lethality of ghost nets from the water. Santiago sunglasses ($226) sport a large-frame, face-hugging style useful in any region. We tested 580G blue-mirror, gray-base lenses that are the choice of boaters and anglers in clear blue water. In our test, they provided a high-contrast, true-color view in blue water and did surprisingly well in inshore water. The Untangled series uses glass for its sustainability and recyclability, and even the frames and hinges of this stylish series are recyclable.

Costa’s Rincondo glasses ($267) in gloss-black frames boast 580P green-mirror lenses with a copper base. They definitely beat out the blue-mirror-and-gray glass combo in green and brown water. Naturally, they took a back seat to blue mirror and gray in blue water, but still assisted in scoping out detail in clear blue water. The included hard case and microfiber cleaner cloth keep them looking good and help maintain a clear view.

bajiosunglasses.com

Bajio is a fledgling brand in a tough, competitive market of fashion eyewear, with stringent technical standards for performance. Blocking blue light below 445 nanometers and filtering the harshest yellow light at 580 nanometers is the specialty of Bajio’s line. The company reaches across generations with an eye for the millennial, so that’s important. You won’t find the brand talking technology much, but its customers demand that industries today work sustainably to clean up a damaged world. So, Bajio chooses low-impact, durable, and fully recyclable or biodegradable materials at every turn.

Nippers ($249) are available in black or tortoise frames, and ours had a violet-mirror and red base. Bajio’s Lapis lens technology is designed to reduce the bad blue wavelength below 445 nanometers and the hottest yellow at 580. This reduces haze over long distances and increases clarity. The red lens base is responsible for clarity, and Bajio’s engineers’ profound accomplishment in lens technology is the polarizing film. We found it effective in both backwaters and blue water, but with an edge in backwaters.

Bajio’s Bales Beach sunglasses ($249) employ glass lens technology—the choice of most anglers due to scratch resistance—and their blue-mirror, gray base also blocks bad blue light, important for protecting the eyes of the younger crowd from screen time. Glare-killing polarizing technology eases eyestrain and makes obstacles visible below the water. These will be the choice of coastal boaters in blue water. The eight-base curved frame hugs the face, enhancing peripheral vision while sealing out stray light. The roughly 1/2-inch-wide temples shield side glare without inhibiting peripheral vision.

Hobie Eyewear

hobieeyewear.com

Hobie glasses are a “started in a garage” success story by a water-loving boater and surfer who wanted something better for his sport. The polycarbonate lenses have five coatings: a hardness coating inside and out to combat scratching, a coating to prevent water spotting, a mirror layer, and a polarization filter to reduce side glare and confine light transmission to horizontal beams. Frames are made of Ultem and TR-90 materials. Spring-loaded hinges open precisely, and co-molded temples and nose pads are bonded to the frames for durability and to secure a friction fit.

The Huntington frames we tested in the blue-mirror polar lenses ($109) were ideal for a larger face. They provided good side-glare protection from the face-hugging curve of the lens without peripheral-blocking wide temples. The twist to our Huntington style is it offers the owner seven different interchangeable clip-lens options ($40 to $50 each). Blue-mirror polar lenses were great for blue water and seemed to transmit more light, which is helpful in lower light. The green-mirror copper lens worked best in brown water.

The Bells frames ($120) came with magnetic clip lenses and are available in five different flavors. We liked the green-mirror copper for inshore, and found the magnetic clips far easier to change than the standard clips of the Huntington. The smaller frame and more rounded lenses are an ideal fashion statement, but still effective for most boaters with a narrower face. Both frames boasted narrow temples, allowing better peripheral views.

Flying Fisherman

flyingfisherman.com  

Flying Fisherman—founded in the Florida Keys, one of the greatest fishing destinations in the world—launched as a value-based brand and was often the quick replacement for forgotten or lost premium sunglasses. Its low-price niche of $20 to $30 provided clear, polarized vision in angler-style lenses and became popular. Recently, the brand expanded into fashion and higher-end models (from $70), incorporating high-tech lenses and mirrored lenses (from $80).

Rip Current Matte ($80) is an excellent example. The nylon frames boast large lenses, and simple but reliable molded hinges with stainless-steel hinge screws. We tested them in Smoke Blue Mirror, a green-base lens that proves most effective in blue water, but filters colors to provide good contrast in green and brown waters. Even at that price point, they provided good clarity and eye comfort.

Mojarra Matte frames ($80) are gray with green-mirror and amber-base lenses. Recessed nose pads and temple pads are co-injected in Grilamid TR-90 that’s heat- and impact-resistant. The lenses provided the best contrast and clarity in brown water, but were surprisingly strong in blue water too. With both glasses hitting the wallet at $70 (suggested retail), these warrant consideration as either primary or backup eye protection.

mauijim.com

Maui Jim is one of the last independent sunglass manufacturers in the world and at the top of its game. The company uses proprietary polymers for its nonglass lenses. In glass, its manufacturing process renders extra-thin, extra-durable, optically correct lenses. PolarizedPlus2 lenses stop 99.9 percent of glare and 100 percent of harmful UV light. They are guaranteed for life against defects, and friends who accessed customer service have reported pleasing results.

The Akau ($189) came with olive-matte temples and is available in six more colors. It weighs less than 1/3 ounce, and features minimal, hollow nose pads for ventilation and comfort. The high-transmission (HT) lenses are the thinnest, lightest material available and offer great contrast and polarizing clarity that relaxed the eye in bright sunlight in spite of the higher light transmission. These would be the ideal lenses for fishing backwaters, and we thought the lenses provided a better look beneath brown water than copper lenses.

Another Maui Jim choice is the Huelo 449 ($229), which uses Maui’s proprietary Maui Pure polymer lens for clarity that rivals glass. The bronze base starts with red mirror at the top and shades to orange at the bottom. The PolarizedPlus2 lenses block more light from above and allow in more light from below for added clarity. The matte-black frames offer a face-hugging, durable fit, and the thin temples preserve peripheral vision. They are a great option for inshore and offshore boaters.

Ocean Waves

oceanwaves.com

Ocean Waves offers handmade glass lenses in various densities and colors that cover the light spectrum, from low-light fishing and boating with its Luminator lens to fishing in high sun with gold-mirror and gray-base glass. Surfers and fishermen founded the company 40 years ago in Atlantic Beach, Florida, near Jacksonville. Frames and lenses are handmade in Atlantic Beach and can be custom-fit to hug the face. They offer the optimal durability and optical clarity you can only get with glass polarized lenses.

Ricochet frames ($259) arrived in light, stylish tortoise with Luminator glass lenses in purple mirror and amber. Ocean Waves says they are enhanced to gather light, making them ideal for cloudy days, sunrise and sunset. We found them great for driving, as well as fishing or navigating. Amber lenses are often favored for high contrast in brown or murky water. Thin temples allowed optimal peripheral vision. Their underwater contrast was excellent. Even in full sun, light-blocking density was just about right—you won’t have to remove them to tie knots or read a GPS chart.

Pablo Beach frames ($259) are definitely an offshore boater’s go-to. Blue mirror over dark amber lenses provided high contrast in blue water and soothing coolness in the blazing sun. The frames are definitely for anglers; navigators might find that the glare-blocking wide temples block too much peripheral vision.

Read Next: Three Types of Sun Protection for Boaters

redfinpolarized.com

Redfin is one of a few new brands we’ll see in 2022. As the marketplace changes due to acquisitions, personnel move to new opportunities. Redfin is an example of that. The company might be new, but its engineering is strong. Stylish Italian frames, stainless-steel hinges and Zeiss lenses will put these sunglasses on the top shelf with competitors you know and trust. We didn’t expect this upstart brand to test so well.

Sanibel frames ($229) are made of black-matte material with molded-in nose pads. Green-mirror and amber-base lenses provided peel-back-the-water clarity to shallow bottom structure, and delivered glare and light protection above water. Neutral gray lenses might shift the colors a little less, but these clearly distinguished between all shades in our test view. Redfin says coatings protect lenses from water spotting, and make wiping off oily residue and fingerprints easy.

Redfin’s Tybee frames ($229) in tortoise make an eye-catching fashion statement, but still provide polarizing protection and filter blue and yellow light for clarity. Narrower temples preserve peripheral vision and are ideal for a smaller face. Molded-in nose pads add comfort, resting easy on the face and minimizing pressure points after a full day on the water. Oil, sweat and water-spot protection coatings help make them easy to clean.

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15 Best Sailing Sunglasses (Affordable & High-Quality)

Being out on the water with friends or family sailing with the sun shining bright and the blue water sparking can produce the most powerful feelings of contentedness and freedom.

In my opinion, it just doesn’t get much better than that. But there’s no doubt staying safe is the number one priority, including the health of your eyes.

By using good quality sailing sunglasses, you’ll be able to block harmful UV rays through the use of polarized lenses so that nothing gets in the way of a quality day of sailing.

Not only is it important to keep your eyes healthy via effective eye protection, but it’s also important to have clear vision while out on the water so you can easily be on alert when necessary.

Simply put, if you’re serious about sailing then investing in a good quality pair of nautical

sunglasses is a great way to go. That’s why I put together a list of the best sailing sunglasses that’ll fit any budget.

The Best Sailing Sunglasses for Any Sailor

1. polaroid wayfarer polarized sunglasses.

While Polaroid used to make some pretty good cameras, they definitely make a great pair of sunglasses for sailing.

When it comes to a pair of high-quality sailing sunglasses, my first choice as of late has been the Polaroid Polarized Wayfarer Sunglasses . I personally own a pair and they look great and fit extremely well.

The price of ensuring your eyes are safely guarded by the sun is incredibly important, which is why these sailing sunglasses have fully polarized lenses and have a 100% UV protective coating.

Something I’ve realized while owning mine is that they don’t pinch my nose when I wear them for a long time, which makes a big difference in terms of comfort compared to some other sunglasses.

2. Oakley Men’s Fives Squared Rectangular Sunglasses

If you’re looking for one of the best sailing sunglasses, look no further than those made by Oakley.

If you’re a lover of sunglasses, you likely need little convincing when it comes to the value Oakley sunglasses bring to the table.

The Oakley Men’s Fives Squared Rectangular Sunglasses are one of the best sailing sunglasses you can find on the market. While that’s definitely reflective in the price, the value you get back is unbeatable.

The polarized lenses are made out of Plutonite, which is guaranteed to block out 100% of UVA, UVB, UVC, and harmful blue light up to 400nm.

On top of all that, they have a Three-Point Fit design which provides maximum comfort while holding the lenses in precise optical alignment.

Their High Definition Optics (HDO) are patented and provide superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision at every angle. You definitely want to check these sunglasses out!

3. Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses

If you’re looking for a pair of sailing sunglasses that’s within a reasonable price range without breaking the bank, the Hulislem S1 Sports Sunglasses are a great choice.

Hulislem has a large assortment of sunglasses for sailing that’ll match the style and budget for any sailor.

Not only are these sunglasses polarized, but they have a really nice sporty look and are fitted with polycarbonate frames.

They’re also equipped with the cutting edge AcuTint coloring system, which allows them to present natural colors the way they should be represented while adding sufficient color contrast in any natural setting.

This is perfect for anyone out on a sailboat looking for easily one of the best sailing sunglasses.

4. B.N.U.S. Corning Glass Sports Sunglasses

There are a few sailing sunglasses out there that are of exceptional quality that aren’t a part of the typical high-end brands we all know and love, and the sunglasses by B.N.U.S. are definitely one of them.

These B.N.U.S. Corning glass unisex sports sunglasses are difficult to beat when it comes to design and functionality.

These sailing sunglasses by B.N.U.S. are all designed and manufactured in Italy. This pair of sunglasses is even more exceptional since the polarized lenses are made out of Corning glass, which gives you one of the most natural visions when wearing sunglasses ever and really cuts out the uv rays.

And since they’re made out of Corning glass, they never scratch! If you’re looking for one of the best sunglasses for sailing that are highly functional and actually good looking, look no further.

5. Dual SL2 ProX Sports Bifocal Sunglasses

Most sailing sunglasses aren’t catered to the visually impaired, which means it can often time be difficult to find high-quality sunglasses that have corrective lenses already installed.

Thankfully, the SL2 ProX Sports Bifocal Sunglasses by Dual are a perfect solution to this exact problem!

With these Dual sunglasses, you can choose between a magnification strength of 1.5X, 2.0X, or 2.5x while having an effective pair of sailing sunglasses.

Not only that, but the lenses are made out of a special polycarbonate so they’re 100% shatterproof and scratch resistant.

Something I really like about these sailing sunglasses, as well as Dual sunglasses in general, is that it’s a family-owned business located in Boulder, Colorado.

From what I can tell, they really care about their customers and seem to provide a very high level of customer service. If you haven’t already taken a look at their products, I highly suggest you do if you’re looking to buy one of the best sailing sunglasses.

6. Newport Polarized Marlin Bifocal Sunglasses

Sunglasses that include some level of correction for those that need it in terms of a prescription can be pricey, but that doesn’t always have to be the case.

With the Newport Polarized Marlin Bifocal Sunglasses , you get nothing but great looking sunglasses that provide superior performance of correction.

The fact that these sunglasses have polarization as well as magnification strengths of 1.5X, 2.0X, 2.5X, and 3.0X while also being incredibly affordable makes them one of the best bifocal polarized sailing sunglasses and one of the best inexpensive sunglasses polarized in general.

The design looks great and has an innovative optical technology that meets the highest quality eye protection standards on the market.

7. Oakley Polarized Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses

There are so many different kinds of Oakley sunglasses out there they could fill up my entire list, but there are a couple that are exceptional sailing sunglasses.

When it comes to the Polarized Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses by Oakley, there’s no doubt about that.

If you’re looking for some of the most stylish and effective sunglasses for sailing, look no further than the Half Jacket 2.0. With their emblematic frames, you can even change out the lenses easily to match the color of the current season or weather.

Not only that, but they even come with a convenient carrying case and have comfortable nose pads. Easily some of the most sporty and effective sailing sunglasses out there.

8. Duduma Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Some sunglasses claim that they have a frame that’s unbreakable while others guarantee that. Well, the Duduma Polarized Sports Sunglasses are one of the most durable sailing sunglasses you’ll find and for a great price.

The vast assortment of lens colors you can choose from in terms of the frame and lenses is truly unbeatable.

These sunglasses by Duduma are polarized and mirrored so your eyes get the highest level of protection.

They’re so confident that their sunglasses won’t break, they offer a lifetime warranty for both the frame and lenses.

Whether you’re sailing, hiking, or just plain walking around, these are sunglasses that look amazing and are very affordable making them one of the best sailing sunglasses out there.

9. Costa Del Mar Fantail Polarized Sunglasses

Over the years, more and more brands of sunglasses are designing sunglasses with a more rectangle look and I tend to like them. I have yet to purchase a pair, but if I did it would be the Fantail Polarized Sunglasses by Costa Del Mar.

Costa Del Mar makes a lot of really amazing sailing sunglasses, but these ones, hands down, look the coolest. Their polarized lenses are made out of glass to provide an excellent quality of clarity.

They also claim to be 20% thinner and 22% lighter than your average polarized pair of sunglasses and come in a variety of styles.

Not only that, but they’re also made in the USA. These are a great choice and one fo the best sailing sunglasses!

10. Rivbos Polarized Sports Sunglasses

If you’re in the market for some high-quality sailing sunglasses without breaking a budget, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the Rivbos Polarized Sports Sunglasses .

Not only do they have an incredible sporty look, but they come in a number of designs that’ll fit anyone’s style.

These polarized, mirrored sunglasses by Rivbos are Swiss designed and appear to provide a high level of comfort when wearing them.

They even come with a hard protection portable case, a stylish colored pouch, and a reusable lens cleaning cloth. Honestly, for the price of these sunglasses and the extras it comes with, these are difficult to beat.

11. Maui Jim Men’s World Cup Sunglasses

There are a few sunglass brands out there that are known around the world, especially by us sunglasses aficionados.

Well, Maui Jim makes an exceptional pair of sunglasses called the Maui Jim Men’s World Cup Sunglasses that are right up anyone’s ally who’s on the market for high-quality sailing sunglasses.

These sunglasses by Maui Jim are so effective at skin and eye protection that they are recommended by the Sun Cancer Foundation.

Along with that, they’re built with lenses with a patented Polarized Plus 2 technology that are anti-reflective, scratch resistant, polarized, natural light enhancers, water and grease resistant, and bi-gradient mirror designed.

If you plan on spending a little more cash on your next pair of sailing sunglasses, consider these ones.

12. Gear District Polarized UV400 Sport Sunglasses

Breaking the bank to get a nice pair of sunglasses for sailing isn’t necessary if you’re on a budget, which makes the Polarized UV400 Sports Sunglasses by Gear District an excellent choice.

While the selection isn’t the biggest, the quality appears to be high and has been accepted by many as a great pair of sailing sunglasses.

One of the aspects of this pair of sunglasses that I really like is that they don’t have the frame on the bottom of the lenses, which allows for easy lens replacement.

Not only that, but these sunglasses come with a soft carrying case, a hard case, a reusable cleaning cloth, and a strap to keep your sunglasses on in case they slip off.

If you’re looking for quality, affordable sailing sunglasses, I think these will suit you just fine.

13. Sungait Men’s Polarized Sunglasses

If you’re still trying to stay within a reasonable budget for your next purchase of sailing sunglasses, there’s an extremely popular brand called Sungait that produces many styles of sunglasses for sailing.

In particular, the Sungait Men’s Polarized Sunglasses are some of the most popular out there and can be found at a very affordable price.

With a versatile set of designs based on their frames and lens styles, Sungait Men’s Sunglasses won’t disappoint. These sunglasses are built with a lightweight aluminum-magnesium alloy metal frame that have a nice, sturdy weight to them.

Apart from coming with a carrying case and reusable lens cleaner, they even come with a mini-screwdriver allowing for interchangeable lenses in case you ever want to replace the lenses or the frame.

14. Maui Jim Polarized Ho’okipa 407 Sunglasses

Another amazing pair of sunglasses by Maui Jim, their Polarized Ho’okipa 407 Sunglasses take the cake when it comes to having a surprising mix of elegance and sportiness while providing high-end functionality.

Definitely a pair of sailing sunglasses that are difficult to compete with in terms of other brands of sunglasses.

These sunglasses are built with lenses with a patented Polarized Plus 2 technology that are anti-reflective, scratch resistant, polarized, natural light enhancers, water and grease resistant, and bi-gradient mirror designed.

Not only that, but every single pair of sailing sunglasses produced by Maui Jims are designed and tested in Hawaii.

They also have some pretty cool lens colors to choose from. Similar to the other Maui Jim sunglasses I suggested, these are also endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

15. Bolle Python Sunglasses

It’s amazing that I’ve just only now gotten to one of the best sunglass brands in the world, but, you know what they say, save the best for last.

The Bolle Python Sunglasses are one of the nicest pairs of sunglasses for sailing I’ve ever seen and they are shockingly affordable.

I’m a big fan of Bolle sunglasses because they don’t pinch noses (for those of us with big ridges in our nose) very easily.

They look fantastic and come with polarized lenses that are also fog resistant and have a special thermo-grip technology so they won’t slip off your face in case you start sweating or get wet. These are a great choice among the best sailing sunglasses, no doubt!

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best floating sunglasses: 6 floatable sunnies for active sailors

• Olivia Michel
• April 27, 2023

Invest in a pair of the best buoyant floating sunglasses, which will stay afloat even when dropped in water – a necessity for sailors and watersports fanatics that want to prevent losing sunglasses at sea.

Protecting your eyes at sea is necessary for sailors, who are exposed to bright glare and harmful UVA and UVB rays for extended periods. But investing in one of the best pairs of sailing sunglasses  can be a waste of money if a mishap causes them to fall off and sink straight to the bottom of the seabed.

For sailors and watersports fanatics with a tendency to lose their sunnies at sea, a pair of floating sunglasses is the solution.

Made from lightweight plastics or bamboo wood, floatable sunglasses are inherently buoyant. They are designed to stay above the waves so that they can quickly be retrieved by their owners. Floating sunglasses offer a convenient alternative to sunglasses retainers, which can be cumbersome to use.

Additionally, buoyant sunglasses are incredibly comfortable for long-term wear because of their lightweight nature, making you forget that you even have them on.

There are many different types of floating sunglasses on the market, with varying shapes and sizes suited to every individual. For sailors, the best floatable sunglasses offer polarized lenses with certified total UV ray protection, as well as hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coatings to protect your sunnies from saltwater exposure. Features like an anti-scratch design and wrap-around arms will ensure they can stand up to all conditions.

For sailors hoping to never lose another pair sunglasses, we roundup six of the best floating sunglasses to buy right now.

6 of the best floating sunglasses for sailors

Tribord 100 floating polarized sunglasses

Reasons to buy

-Affordable -Secure fit -Eco-conscious design

Reasons to avoid

-Some buyers noted the area of eye coverage is small -Frame size can be tight for some wearers, but various sizes are offered

At a very reasonable price, Decathlon’s sailing brand Tribord has developed lightweight floatable sunglasses for offshore cruising. They are equipped with Category 3, 95% polarised lenses for excellent UV protection and reduced glare while on the water.

The low-density frames have an air capsule moulded into each arm to ensure they stay above the waves should they fall off, but wrap-around arms and a secure fit should prevent any accidents to begin with. Two different sizes ensure a secure fit for most face types.

The brand also boasts eco-friendly credentials. By reducing the lens thickness by 0.5mm, the designers have reportedly cut the model’s CO2 impact by 13% without compromising on eye protection.

Buy now from Decathlon

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Cressi Ninja floating sunglasses

-Affordable -Hydrophobic lenses for extra clear vision -Anti-glare, polarised lenses with 100% UV protection

-Delicate frames -Designed for smaller heads -Sunscreen may affect the outer coating on the frames

Hailing from the bay of Portofino, Cressi has been making revolutionary dive and water sports equipment since the 1930s. The Italian brand has three types of floating sunglasses, but the Ninja style is the most popular among consumers.

The mirrored lenses are polarised and offer 100% UV protection making them safe for long-term wear at sea. The main selling point of these sunnies is that they have been designed with a hydrophobic treatment that ensures extra clear vision – any spray drops or water splashes will be immediately repelled.

Cressi’s Ninja sunglasses do feature shatterproof lenses, however, some wearers have noted that the frames themselves are quite delicate.

Buy now on Amazon

Gill Kynance watersport sunglasses

 – Affordable -Hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to reduce damage from salt and oil residues -Transient lens filters suitable for bright, regular and darker lighting

-“One size fits all” may not fit every face

The Kynance model is a popular choice for floating sunglasses by Gill. All sailing sunglasses by the British brand feature total UVA, UVB and UVC protection, but the Kynance style adds integral floatation, oleophobic technology to repel oils from fingerprints or sunscreen and a hydrophobic coating for clear vision even after saltwater submergence.

The polarized category 3 lenses allow for anywhere from 8 to 18% light transmission, meaning they’re suitable to wear in various weather conditions. A classic style in two different colour tones makes them a good choice for most face types too – and all for under £50.

Andwood bamboo floating polarized sunglasses

-Stylish, hand-made frames -Unisex design -Eco-friendly, natural material

-Lenses are not mirrored, though the brand assures us this doesn’t diminish UV protection -Some wearers noted that protective lens film may rub off if submerged frequently

The air-filled cellular structure of bamboo wood makes it an inherently buoyant material. For sailors in search of a plastic-free alternative to regular floating sunglasses, bamboo frames are an eco-friendly option. Andwood is a popular brand, with each pair of unisex sunglasses hand-made with a unique wood grain pattern.

Aside from comfortable and stylish frames, Andwood sunglasses are designed for wear by the water with total UV protection and polarized lenses to protect the eyes from the sun’s glare.

GoPro Mezcal floating sunglasses

-Polarized lenses -Extremely comfortable, lightweight frames for long-term wear -Three pairs of interchangeable lenses for different light conditions.

-Fragile frames; users have noted intensive use can lead to chipping, scratching and lens tint degradation -Swapping in the different lenses may be fiddly -Frame size made for bigger heads

Action camera brand GoPro has turned its hand to creating sunglasses for its sporty customers. Designed to float in fresh as well as saltwater, GoPro polarized sunnies stand out by offering three interchangeable lenses to suit various light conditions.

For low light on cloudy days, wearers can opt for blue lenses, while the amber-tinted option is ideal for sun exposure at sea. Finally, the grey lenses are designed for use in extremely bright conditions including while skiing or driving.

If you can be bothered to change out the lenses, these glasses will do a great job of protecting your eyes. Users have also noted that the lightweight feel of the frames makes them extremely comfortable for long-term wear.

There are three frame styles in GoPro’s floating sunglasses range – poolside, magnum and mezcal – but the mezcal option is generally preferred by active wearers, as the frames are smaller and more compact for a secure fit.

Buy now from GoPro

Rheos Bahias floating polarized sports sunglasses

-Wraparound, wide-armed frame prevents slipping and increases face protection -Anti-scratch, hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coatings -Excellent visual clarity -A portion of sales profits donated to waterway protection charities

-Designed for smaller faces -More delicate frames and lenses -Pricier

Rheos is a staple brand in the realm of nautical eyewear. Coopers are typically the best-selling model, but sailors, watersports lovers and anglers swear by the wrap-around frames of the Bahia model for a more secure fit and increased splash and wind protection.

The polarized lenses offer total UV ray protection and reportedly excellent visual clarity in all types of conditions. Hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coatings also ensure that these floating sunnies can stand-up to frequent saltwater and sunscreen exposure.

Users have noted that despite the higher price, however, Rheos frames and lenses are far more delicate than other brands. A portion of that higher cost will be donated to waterway protection charities though, which is a comforting thought for buyers.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products.

7 Best Sunglasses for Sailing

Whether you're on the water or onshore, wearing the right sunglasses for sailing is vital in protecting your eyes and making you feel comfortable so that you can enjoy your sailing adventure. Here are the best sunglasses for sailing.

Synonymous with style and personality, sunglasses are one of the most common accessories in any wardrobe. Besides their unquestionable aesthetic importance, sunglasses are essential in protecting your eyes by minimizing the possible impacts of ultraviolet rays. Unfortunately, your typical street sunglasses might not be the best for sailing. You certainly need well-designed sunglasses that can properly protect your eyes from damaging UV rays while improving your comfort and visibility by mitigating the intensity and glare of the sun. And because the damage caused by harmful UV rays when sailing today can last for your lifetime, investing in a quality pair of sailing sunglasses is paramount.

What kind of sunglasses do sailors need? The best sunglasses for sailing should be non-bulky, lightweight, enhance your visibility, and comfortable to wear for long hours. They have to be attractive and effective by offering UVA and UVB protection, polarized lenses, and bifocal options. They should be impact resistant and have non-slip pads on the nose to keep them in place.

Although sunglasses are personal accessories that you want to suit your style and tastes, we'll show you the best sailing sunglasses that give you a good starting point if you're looking for sail-specific eye protection. But before going through the best sunglasses for sailing, let's go through some important factors. 

Table of contents

Importance of Having the Best Sunglasses for Sailing

The sun, wind, and salt spray are all essential in having a perfect day on the water. Unfortunately, they can have significant impacts on your eyes. Combined with reflections and glares from water, sails, and polished fiberglass hulls, direct sunlight can be scorching on your retinas and this is something that you don't want. This is essentially why having the best sunglasses for sailing is of great importance. A good pair of sailing sunglasses can protect your precious eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays while improving your visibility and comfort.

Besides the harmful UV rays, the unfiltered glare that results when sunlight is reflected on the water and various parts of your sailboat such as sails, bright white decks, and windshields can impair your vision, which is potentially hazardous. Such glare can also cause visual discomfort, fatigue on your eyes, squinting, and headaches. With that in mind, the best sunglasses for sailing should be designed to reduce light intensity through coloring. That's technically why their lenses are colored in green, amber, gray, yellow, purple, and many other colors.

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Sailing

There are a lot of important features to consider when choosing the best sailing sunglasses. 

Polarized Lenses

The glare that arises when sunlight reflects off a surface can be harsh and overwhelming to the eyes. Having polarized lenses is essential in filtering out the glare that can be harmful to your eyes. Polarized lenses are vital in protecting your eyes from UVB and UVA rays that can reduce visual sharpness while also causing degenerative eye diseases such as snow blindness, photokeratitis, pterygium, cataracts, and various types of eye cancer.

The shape of the lens is a major factor when choosing the best sunglasses for sailing. Lenses with less angularity are typically much better in preserving the contour and contrast of various objects. On the contrary, they have less resistance to glare and may not be ideal for you if you're looking for sailing sunglasses that offer optimal visibility.

You should avoid flat lenses because they generally do not repel harmful UV rays that are reflected in the water. You can consider curved lenses as they prevent sunlight from reaching your eyes but offer worse sharpness.

The color of the lenses is not only important in reducing glare but also essential when choosing the best sailing sunglasses. While various colors can be essential, our favorite color is gray because it offers a high level of visibility sharpness on sunny days.

Type of Material

You certainly want sunglasses that are designed from material that can withstand even the harshest sailing environment. The material shouldn't be corrosive and should be shatterproof to ensure that your eyes are protected from injury even when there's sudden collision or impact.

While glass is the most conventional material, going for sunglasses that are designed with polycarbonate is ideal. This material is very light and offers a great deal of functionality. It also does not splinter or shatter so your safety in the event of an impact is guaranteed. Better still, it's a lot easy to clean. 

Needless to say, you certainly do not want to buy those cheap sunglasses that will break down the minute you set sail. Of course, your sunglasses should be well-designed to withstand any form of punishment while sailing. They should be shock-resistant and serve you for many years to come. Remember, some sailing sunglasses are quite expensive so it's only appropriate to ensure that they are very durable.

Lightweight

While this may be a matter of personal preference, an ideal sunglass for sailing should be lightweight but some people may prefer heavier options. 

Fit and Size

It is important to make sure that you buy the right sunglasses that can perfectly fit your face. This is vital for both your comfort and style. Sunglasses are generally available in multiple sizes so you should choose the perfect size and fit based on your gender.

Style and Design

The fact that you'll be sailing doesn't mean that you have to leave your stylish part at home. You need to be stylish at all times even when out there on the water! Just don't settle for sunglasses that make you look ugly.

You'll be generally using these sunglasses on the water so you want them to be waterproof and can cope with the corrosive power of seawater. This may come back to the material used to manufacture the sunglasses, but it's still an important thing to consider.

This is the part that you've been eagerly waiting for, so we'll jump straight in.

Maui Jim Ho'okipa Polarized Sailing Sunglasses

Maui Jim sailing sunglasses are among the best in the industry and the Ho'okipa is a testament to this. These sunglasses come with a rimless frame, polarized lenses, and blue tint, which make it a perfect pair for your sailing escapades on the open water. This pair offers superb protection, ultimate comfort, and doesn't compromise on durability.

The frame is somewhat rectangular and looks good in a wide range of face shapes. In terms of protection, the polarized lenses can 99% glare and 100% UV rays. This is vital in delivering the highest possible protection for your eyes, as well as excellent visibility while on the water. The Blue Hawaii coloration is perfect for most sailing conditions while the polycarbonate and nylon material makes it lightweight, durable, rugged, and resistant to bangs, drops, and impacts. 

• ‍ Lightweight
• Offers your eyes maximum protection from UV rays and glare
• Anti-fog lenses
• Beautiful design
• ‍ The sizing options are limited

Costa Del Mar Brine Sailing Sunglasses

Designed to be perfect for medium-wide and large faces, the Costa Del Mar Brine is an aviator-style sailing sunglasses that sits comfortably on your face and won't fall off even when the action becomes intense. This pair is not only stylish but also functional thanks to its gray polarized polycarbonate lenses.

With these sunglasses, you'll easily have your eyes protected from harmful UV rays and glare without compromising on the much-needed visibility. Its durability is up there with the best and can take a lot of beating without breaking down. That's why the manufacturer offers you a lifetime warranty with the option of replacement or repair at a small nominal fee.

The frames are available in a wide range of colors and sizes and can be customized to suit your preferred style.

• Offers maximum eye protection
• Available in a wide range of sizes
• Very durable and shock-resistant
• ‍ The lifetime warranty doesn't cover all damages

Smith Wayward Basecamp ChromaPop Sailing Sunglasses

This is an utterly comfortable and lightweight pair of sailing sunglasses. Designed with voyager-style shape, the lenses are not only nice but are big enough to offer a lot of coverage. This pair is available for both narrow and wide heads, which make them comfortable and well-proportioned.

The sunglasses are designed with polarized lenses to ensure maximum protection for your eyes. They're made from bio-based materials, which is a win for environmentally-friendly sailors. The pair also comes with anti-reflective coating to prevent glare and are made with ChromaPop lenses, which are oil and water repellant to make them waterproof and durable.

• ChromaPop polarized lenses offer the best glare protection
• Anti-reflective coatings
• Water and oil resistant
• Anti-slip nose pad for a comfortable fit
• ‍ The auto-lock hinges should be improved

Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses

Widely known for creating stylish and functional sunglasses, Oakley delves into the sailing world through its Oakley Holbrook sunglasses, which are sleek, stylish, and very functional for sailing adventures. Available in a wide range of lens colors and frames, these sunglasses are lightweight and are designed with polarized polycarbonate lenses that offer 100% protection from glare and harmful UV rays.

With these sunglasses, you can attain a razor-sharp vision thanks to its high definition optics. The stress-resistant frame is a sure guarantee that the sunglass will remain solid throughout even the most intense sailing activities. The comfort that you achieve from the sunglasses is on another level.

• ‍ Look great on almost anyone
• The polarized lenses are high-quality
• Available in a wide range of colors and frames
• Well worth the price
• Very durable and stress-resistant
• ‍ The frames may let you down

Sungait Polarized Sailing Sunglasses

If you've been looking for highly comfortable sailing sunglasses, the Sungait polarized sunglasses may be what you've been looking for. Designed with perfect spring hinges that conform to almost any face, you can wear them for hours on end without feeling tired or infringed. The sunglasses have incredible temple joints that offer gentle and snug fit while still offering room for small adjustments.

These sunglasses are designed with a UV400 polarized lens, which is one of the best in protecting your eyes from glare and those harmful UVA and UVB rays. The sunglasses metallic frames are durable and among the best out there. They're strong, stress-resistant, and yet very light.

• ‍ Designed with quality polarized lenses
• Spring hinges are skin-friendly and comfortable
• Very affordable
• Durable construction
• Flexible temples
• Lightweight, stress-resistant, and very strong
• ‍ Some options are non-polarized

Oakley Men's Five-Squared Rectangular Sunglasses

As a top brand that offers quality sunglasses, Oakley will rarely disappoint you when it comes to sailing sunglasses. The Oakley Men's Five-Squared Rectangular Sunglasses is another top-notch sailing sunglass that you can find on the market today. The value that it gives you is unparalleled thanks to its Plutonite polarized lenses, which will protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays.

These sunglasses are designed to have a three-point fit design for maximum comfort and precise optical alignment. The sunglass also has high definition optics to ensure that you have a superior and razor-sharp vision from all angles.

• ‍ Available in various frames, Very lightweight but durable
• Offers a sophisticated and modern look
• Offer maximum eye protection
• Comes with a unique case
• ‍ Can be too bright

Bolle Tetra Python Sailing Sunglasses

Designed with offshore blue for harsh glaring light and inland gold for high glare, Bolle Tetra is a premium sailing sunglasses that offers more than 20 times protection than most sailing sunglasses.

Its hydrophobic and oleophobic exteriors make this sunglass three times lighter and its anti-fog internal surfaces offer impeccable vision clarity and the utmost protection. It is also designed with anti-reflective coatings and photochromic technology to darken and lighten the lenses, which is perfect for varying conditions.

More importantly, it has an interchangeable system that's meant to optimize it according to your specific needs. For example, it gives you the possibility of inserting prescription adapter lenses. This pair of sailing sunglasses may look like your everyday street shades but it has marine-specific characteristics that make it one of the best sailing sunglasses on the market today.

• ‍ Offers one of the best eye protection in the market
• Very durable and lightweight
• Very technologically advanced
• Available in a wide range of sizes and fits
• Sleek and gorgeous
• ‍ Frame color will fade after a few months

To this end, we hope that this list will help you find the best sailing sunglasses that fit your style and preferences. You should never go out there on the water with good sailing sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while making your adventure enjoyable and worthwhile.

Happy sailing!

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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The Best Sailing Sunglasses

• By Cruising World Editors
• Updated: September 6, 2017

Costa Del Mar Kiwa

Suited to medium-wide and large faces, the aviator-style Costa del Mar Kiwa sits comfortably on the face and won’t fall off when the action picks up. The Kiwas are both functional and stylish – perfect for a day on the water, and shoreside activities afterward. The Grey Polarized Polycarbonate lenses tested cut glare off the water, without sarificing color intensity and vibrance. With the wear and tear of days on the water sure to take a toll on your eyewear eventually, the Costa del Mar warranty can’t be beat. Every pair is backed for life, and in the event of a defect or damage, Costa del Mar will replace or repair your pair for just a small processing fee.

The Kiwas are available in numerous frame colors including tortoise and matte black, with both glass and polycarbonate lenses. The Kiwa can also be customized with prescription lenses.

costadelmar.com • $169

Kaenon Avila

The Kaenon Avila is a versatile pair of sunglasses that will suit a variety of face types and shapes. While designed for women with a medium to full face, the slim fit keeps them snugly on your face – even after a full day of racing – without feeling like they are stuck. The B-12 Gold Mirror lenses does an exceptional job reducing glare, making it easy to see approaching puffs on the water. The lens color is easy on the eyes, eliminating the need to squint through your glasses, even in bright sunlight. The large lenses block peripheral light like a wrap frame, ensuring a full field of vision without full wrap styling. The Avilas are covered by a one year warranty from Kaenon in the event of damage to the lenses or frames.

The Avila is available in Matte Tortoise, Black and Driftwood, with grey, rose, and gold lenses and can be customized with prescription lenses.

kaenon.com • $199

The Revo Otis sunglasses fit perfectly on an average face size, and are extremely light. The large, rounded lenses offer exceptional coverage of your field of vision, blocking out any peripheral light. The Green Water Serilium lenses are made of a shatterproof polycarbonate, specifically coated to repel water and sweat. The mirrored coating uses the same technology to reflect light that NASA uses to protect satellites to keep your eyes safe. The lenses greatly reduce glare, and also enhance color, making these sunglasses valuable even on cloudy days. Revo offers a two-year warranty on its glasses in the event of damage, and has partnered with the Brien Holden Vision Institute to donate $10 from every purchase to protect against vision impairment in children and adults.

The Otis is available in brown, black and grey frames, with blue, green, brown and grey serilium lenses available.

revo.com • $189

Smith Wayward

The Smith Wayward is a very light and comfortable pair of sunglasses. They have a Wayfarer-style shape with nice big lenses that provide a lot of coverage. Testers with both wide and narrow heads (also both male and female) found them to be very comfortable and well proportioned. The Waywards are “Evolve” frames, made from 53% bio-based materials – a win for the environment, and your eyes. The Polarized Bronze Mirror lenses are ideal for inshore sailing, when you are looking for fish below the surface, or spotting coral heads in an anchorage. The front mirror reflects light, while on the inside, an anti-reflective coating prevents glare from the sides. The ChromaPop lenses also are water and oil repellent, making them more durable than other Smith lenses. The Waywards feature Smith’s unique lifetime warranty; send your damaged glasses back and if they can’t repair them, they’ll give you a discount on a new pair.

The Smith Waywards are available in matte black, black, and tortoise frames, with a variety of polarized lens colors.

smith.com • $169–$249

Under Armor Assist Storm

The Under Armor Assist Storm sunglasses were made for activity. The medium-sized sunglasses fit well and sit snugly on the face through a day or sailing, boating, or golfing. The sunglasses are equally at home off the water, too, and a versatile enough style to wear on shore to your next summer soiree. The grey polarized lenses suppress glare well, even when salty from spray, but do slightly reduce the clarity of vision. The Under Armor sunglasses also feature a lifetime warranty. Overall the glasses are great for a highly active person looking for a versatile pair of glasses to wear both on and off the water, with a great price tag.

The Under Armor Assist Storm sunglasses are available with black frames and grey polarized lenses.

underarmor.com • $75

Maui Jim Swept Away

The Maui Jim Swept Away glasses are a good fit for wider faces. The glasses are snug but not tight, and secure no matter how much they are bounced around. The Swept Away frame is a stylish design and offers a large field of vision, but does lack side protection from additional glare. The SuperThin glass lenses provide crisp and clear views, both up close and at a distance. The trade off for the improved optics comes at the cost of heavier glasses. Maui Jim offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you shop on their website, plus a two-year warranty. They are renowned for their excellent customer service and repair support. Overall the Swept Aways are a great looking pair of glasses more at home ashore, but perfect for a calm day on the water as well.

The Swept Away is available with blue-grey, blue-pink, tortoise, and ruby frames, and grey, bronze and rose lenses. The Swept Away can also be customized with prescription lenses.

mauijim.com • $299

Oakley Sliver

The Oakley Sliver is a modern, classy pair of square sunglasses. The Slivers rate high in both comfort and style. The frames are light and sit high on the temple and have a good grip on the face. The square frames are ideally suited to big-boat sailing, where the risk of snagging your sunglasses on a small line are minimal. The light-grey tones of the Prizm lenses brought great accents in low-light scenarios, and helped our tester’s ability to clearly see wind on overcast days. The blue-sky bright sun sparkle off the water was reduced, but still intense after a long day. Definition was good and glare negligible. The Shallow Water lenses are best suited to a mixed-cloud cover day. Overall, the Oakley Slivers are a solid set of shades for big-boat sailors that can serve double purpose for the boat and the yacht club. Given their strength in the mixed-cloud setting, they’re a good all-around package.

The Oakley Slivers can be customized to suit your specific needs, and are also available in a variety of preset options for both frame and lens color.

oakley.com • $180

Gill Squad Junior

The perfect pair of sunglasses for any junior crew member. The Gill Squad Sunglasses sit comfortably on the face of our 9 year-old tester. The blue lenses reduced glare, and offered wrap-around protection on the sides. Reading and spotting puffs on the water were all made easier through the polarized Gill lenses. A key feature of the Squad Sunglasses is the built-in floatation. With built-in buoyancy, you will never lose these sunglasses overboard. In addition, once our tester saw how cool he looked in them, they stayed on all day!

The Gill Squad Floating Sunglasses are available with a blue frame and blue polarized lenses.

gillna.com • $70

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The 8 Best Sailing Sunglasses

Great sailing sunglasses will protect a sailor's eyes against the sun and the harsh marine environment while also being stylish and comfortable.

There are a large number of sailing sunglasses on the market today to choose from.

The best sailing sunglasses are:

• Best Overall : Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses
• Best For Men : Sungait Sailing Sunglasses
• Best For Price : Torege Polarized Sunglasses
• Best With Patented Technology : Maui Jim Sailing Sunglasses
• Best For Women : SUNGAIT Vintage Retro Sailing Sunglasses
• Best For Kids : Aoduoke Sports Polarized Sunglasses
• Best For Watersports : SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Sunglasses
• Best For Style : Oakley Clifden Sunglasses

These sunglasses come in all different prices from $15 to $320 so there are sunglasses available for every budget.

Whether you are racing a sailboat and want the best boating experience possible or just want to relax on a sailboat in beautiful sunshine, there are types of sunglasses that will suit every sailing environment.

You'll also not want these glasses to corrode with the seawater so we've only listed the ones that are 100% durable during all sailing climates.

Below are the best sailing sunglasses reviews.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

1. Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses

The best overall sailing sunglasses are the Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand Costa Del Mar in Florida, America and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.9/5 stars.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses comes in a package that includes sunglasses, a zipped costa case to store the sunglasses safely and a cleaning cloth to clean the sunglasses.

These sunglasses are designed for men only. They are not designed for children or teens as these sunglasses are too large for them.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses are priced between $90 to $250 at most retailers. The prices of these sunglasses vary based on the color and material chosen.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses come in 11 different color options including:

• Black frame with grey lenses
• Gunmetal frame with copper green mirrored lenses
• Gunmetal frame with grey-blue mirrored lenses
• Gunmetal frame with grey polarized lenses
• Matte black frame with blue mirrored lenses
• Matte black frame with copper green lenses
• Matte black frame with grey-blue mirrored lenses
• Matte grey frame with green mirrored lenses
• Tortoise frame with copper green mirrored lenses
• Tortoise frame with copper brown lenses
• Tortoise frame with grey-blue mirrored lenses

The blue mirror lens color is the best-colored sunglasses for off-shore sailing and the days with the brightest sunlight.

The copper-green colored sunglasses are the best for mixed sunlight conditions where the sunlight is not extremely bright.

The grey-colored lenses sunglasses are the best all-around sunglasses for all weather environments with a natural contrast.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses are constructed of co-injected nylon frames and patented 580p lightweight polycarbonate polarized lenses. These sunglasses offer 10% light transmission.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses can be used for sailing, fishing and general boating activities. They are not used when swimming in the seawater as it is difficult to keep them on your head.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses come with a 2 year warranty against manufacturer defects. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear.

The dimensions of the Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses are a lens width of 59 millimeters, lens height of 35.9 millimeters, bridge is 18 millimeters and the arm length is 130 millimeters.

The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

According to Costa Del Mar, their costa glass lens is 20% thinner and 22% lighter than the industry's average polarized glass lens while still blocking 99.9% of glare.

The pros of the Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses are:

• Polarized lenses help protect eyes against glare : Polarized lenses are great when sailing because they protect eyes against blue light rays and ultraviolet rays and any reflective glares
• The lenses are scratch-resistant : The lenses have a super thin protective coating that protects the lenses against scratches
• There is a 2-year warranty : The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses come with a 2-year warranty for added peace of mind
• 100% UV protection: These sunglasses provide 100% protection against harmful sun UV rays
• They are waterproof : The Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses are waterproof and can withstand harsh seawater with their strong and durable nylon frame construction

One con of the Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses is they are made for men only and are not unisex.

Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses On Amazon →

Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses On Walmart →

2. SUNGAIT Men's Sailing Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses for men are the SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand SUNGAIT in Chengdu, China and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.8/5 stars.

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses comes in a package that includes the sunglasses, a glasses cloth to clean the lenses and a glasses bag to safely store the sunglasses.

They are designed for men only. They are not designed for kids or teens because they are too loose on younger people's faces and do not fit correctly on them.

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses are priced $40 at most retailers.

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses come in 4 different color options including:

• Gold frame with green lenses
• Gunmetal frame with grey lenses
• Silver frame with grey lenses

The grey-colored lenses are the best option as they provide optimal contrast in all weather environments.

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses are constructed of AL-MG alloy metal frame, soft rubber temple covers, inner concave and convex anti-skid lines to prevent the glasses from falling off and high-quality TAC polarized lenses.

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses can be used when sailing, fishing and doing general boating activities. They are not used for swimming activities.

The UV400 protective coating blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.

The dimensions of the SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses are a lens width of 62 millimeters, lens height of 47 millimeters, the nose bridge is 18 millimeters, the frame width is 144 millimeters and the leg length is 140mm. These sunglasses offer 10% light transmission

The SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses are:

• They are cheap : These sunglasses can be purchased for under $40 at most retailers so they are not expensive and are budget friendly
• They have multi-purpose uses : They can be used when sailing and out on the water or for other activities like golfing, fishing, etc. They are not restricted to just using it when sailing
• They have adjustable hinges for a better and more comfortable fitting : These sunglasses come with adjustable hinges which allow for a more comfortable fit on most face shapes
• They are durable : The high-quality metal frame is durable and can withstand the harsh marine environment when out sailing. These glasses can last for over 2 years

One con of the SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses is they do not come with a warranty.

SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses On Amazon →

SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses On Walmart →

3. Torege Polarized Sailing Sunglasses

The best sunglasses for the price is the Torege Polarized Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand Torege in America and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.7/5 stars.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses are priced under $30 at most retailers making them one of the cheapest sailing sunglasses on the market. These sunglasses come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses comes in a package that includes the sunglasses, a glasses cloth to clean the lenses and a glasses bag to safely store the sunglasses.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses come in 11 different color options including:

• Black frame with red lens
• Black frame with rainbow lens
• Black frame and blue lens
• Grey frame and light rainbow lens
• Transparent frame and blue lens
• Transparent grey frame and green lens
• Transparent grey frame and orange lens
• White frame and blue lens
• White frame and ice blue lens
• White frame and orange lens

The blue lens Torege sunglasses are great for reducing glare and improving contrast and these blue-colored lenses have a light transmission of 50% to 60%.

The yellow lens Torege sunglasses are great for enhancing contrast and these yellow-colored lenses have a light transmission of 86%.

The black lens Torege sunglasses are great for glare reduction and these black-colored lenses have a light transmission of 15%.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses are constructed of a detachable scratch-resistant polarized lens, non-slip no pressure rubber nose pad and a rimless polycarbonate frame. They are durable and light weighing just 5 ounces.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses are stylishly designed for both men and women. They are not designed for children or teens as the sunglasses will not fit on their faces comfortably.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses can be used when sailing, fishing and enjoying all outdoor boating activities. These sunglasses block harmful UVA and UVB lights.

The dimensions of the Torege Polarized Sunglasses are a lens width of 120 millimeters, arm length of 160 millimeters and a sunglasses height of 43 millimeters.

The Torege Polarized Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the Torege Polarized Sunglasses are:

• The lenses are interchangeable : The lenses in these sunglasses can be easily detached and changed from one color to another with ease so buyers have plenty of lens color options to choose from without having to buy new sunglasses
• It can be used for multiple activities : These lightweight sunglasses can be used when doing multiple activities like sailing, watersports and general boating activities and there are no limitations on when they can be used
• 60-day free returns : If you are unhappy with the sunglasses, Torege will offer a great 60-day free return for added peace of mind
• They are unisex : These sunglasses can be worn by both men and women and they are not limited to one gender
• Great anti-fog ventilation : These sunglasses come with a uniquely crafted ventilation system that helps prevent the lens from fogging when sweating
• They are comfortable : The ultra-flexible ergonomic design makes these sunglasses fit comfortably on your face

One con of the Torege Polarized Sunglasses is the yellow-colored lens gets glary in extremely bright and sunny weather which can make it difficult to see.

Torege Polarized Sunglasses On Amazon →

Torege Polarized Sunglasses On Walmart →

4. Maui Jim Sailing Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses with patented technology is the Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand Maui Jim in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.6/5 stars.

The Maui Jim Ho'olipa Sunglasses are priced between $220 and $250 at most retailers. They come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturer defects. These sunglasses offer 15% light transmission.

The Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses comes in a package that includes the sunglasses, a small tri-fold case to securely store the sunglasses and a microfiber cleaning cloth for cleaning the sunglasses.

According to Maui Jim, their patented PolarizedPlus2 lenses wipe out 99.9% of glare and block 100% of harmful UV rays while boosting colors and enhancing the view.

Maui Jim Ho'okipa sunglasses come in 4 different color options including:

• Gloss black frame with bronze polarized lenses
• Gloss black frame with neutral grey polarized lenses
• Smoke grey frame with blue polarized lenses
• Tortoise frame with rose polarized lenses

The rose-colored polarized lenses are the best color Maui Kim sunglasses for offering the clearest views and it helps to enhance the view on the sunniest and brightest days.

The Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses are constructed of rimless oleophobic coated polarized lenses, a saddle-style bridge with adjustable nose pads, a grilamid temple, a stainless steel pin hinge and lightweight injected nylon frames. These sunglasses weigh 3 ounces.

The Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses are designed for both men and women. They are not designed for children or teens as the sunglasses will not fit on their faces comfortably.

They can be used in all marine activities including sailing, fishing or just lounging onboard a boat. They are not used when swimming.

The dimensions of the Maui Jim Ho'olipa Sunglasses are a lens width of 64 millimeters, bridge width of 17 millimeters, temple length of 130 millimeters and a sunglasses height of 39 millimeters. They weigh 3 ounces.

The Maui Jim Ho'olipa Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses are:

• They are waterproof : The Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses come with an oleophobic coating which helps to prevent smudges, fingerprints and water or oils from sticking to the lens
• They are unisex : These Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses are unisex and they are not limited to one gender
• The sunglasses come with a great two-year warranty : Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses come with a 2-year parts warranty for added peace of mind
• They are available in prescription : The Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses are offered in prescription too so people with poor eyesight can also wear them and the glasses are not limited to just people with good eyesight

One con of the Maui Jim Ho'okipa Sunglasses is they are not cheap with a price tag of between $220 and $250.

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5. SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses for women are the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses manufactured by the brand SUNGAIT in Chengdu, China and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.5/5 stars.

Most retailers price the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses at $20 to $30. They come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. These sunglasses offer 15% light transmission.

The SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses comes in a package that includes the sunglasses, a glasses cloth for cleaning the glasses and a sunglasses bag for safely storing the glasses.

SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses comes in 12 different color options including:

• Black frame with pink lens
• Amber frame with green lens
• Black frame with grey gradient lens
• Transparent grey frame with grey lens
• Transparent grey frame with blue mirror lens
• Black frame with blue lens
• Brown frame with brown gradient lens
• Amber frame with brown gradient lens
• Amber frame with grey lens
• Transparent brown frame with light brown lens
• Tortoise frame with green lens
• Transparent frame with green lens

The grey lenses are the best color for blocking the brightest sunlight and offer the best protection against UV rays.

The SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses are constructed of TR90 material for the frame which is extremely durable, flexible and lightweight, an integrated nose piece for the nose to fit comfortably and a screw bolt hinges.

They are designed for women. They are not designed for teens or children as the frame will be too big for younger people.

The SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses are used in sailing, watersports, fishing and many boating activities. They are not used when swimming.

The dimensions of the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses are a lens width of 55 millimeters, the bridge width is 19 millimeters, frame width of 140 millimeters, sunglasses height of 49 millimeters and leg length of 137 millimeters.

The SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses are:

• They are cheap : These sunglasses cost only $20 to $30 which means they are one of the cheapest on the market
• Great lifetime breakage warranty : These sunglasses come with a great lifetime breakage warranty for added peace of mind
• It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee : SUNGAIT offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for people that are unhappy with the product which is a great benefit and gives a buyer added peace of mind
• It offers great UV400 protection : These sunglasses offer great UVB and UVA protection for your eyes

One con of the SUNGAIT Vintage Retro Sunglasses is the sunglasses are not unisex and are only designed for women.

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6. AODUOKE Outdoor Kids Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses for kids are the Unisex AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand AODUOKE and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.4/5 stars.

There is no warranty with these sunglasses. These sunglasses offer 20% light transmission. The price of the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses ranges from $15 to $25 at most retailers.

The AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses comes in a package that includes the sunglasses, an adjustable strap, a small zipped bag, a glasses cleaning cloth and a polarized test card.

The AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses come in 10 color options including:

• Black frame with green lenses
• Black frame with blue lenses
• Black frame with orange lenses
• Black and red frame with grey lenses
• Blue frame with grey lenses
• Navy blue and yellow frames with grey lenses
• Pink and green frame with grey lenses
• Pink and purple frame with grey lenses
• White and red frame with green lenses

Grey lenses are the best color lenses because they provide the best UV protection and offer the best protection against sun glare.

The most popular selling color of the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses are the black and red frame color with grey lenses.

The AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses are constructed of polycarbonate TAC polarized lenses and silicon gel rubber frames which help with impact resistance and two holes in the arms of the sunglasses to attach an adjustable strap where necessary. The sunglasses weigh 2 ounces.

The AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses are designed for both boys and girls aged between 4 to 12 years old. They are not designed for adults as they are too small for larger faces.

They are used in sailing, fishing, watersports and general boating activities for kids. They are not used when swimming.

The dimensions of the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses are a lens width of 57 millimeters, sunglasses total width of 118.1 millimeters, legs length of 120 millimeters, nose width of 17 millimeters and frame height of 36.8 millimeters.

The AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses are:

• The sunglasses come with a great adjustable strap to help with the fitting : The adjustable strap helps make the sunglasses fit comfortably on children's faces and the strap ensures the sunglasses don't fall off them when they are playing onboard
• They come with a great 30-day money-back guarantee : If a buyer does not like these sunglasses, they can get a great 30-day money-back guarantee so this gives buyers added peace of mind
• The rubber frame material allows for more flexibility : The rubber frames help with the flexibility of the sunglasses which helps prevent the sunglasses from cracking or breaking easily
• It offers 100% UV400 protection : The TAC polarized lenses offer 100% protection against UVA & UVB rays

One con of the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses is they can only be worn by kids and not adults. As they are stylish, it would be great if they offered adult versions too.

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7. SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses for watersport activities are the SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand Seaspec in Florida, America and sold worldwide. They comes with a 1 year manufacturer warranty. We rate these sunglasses 4.3/5 stars.

SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses are priced between $35 and $65 at most retailers. These sunglasses offer 15% light transmission.

A SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses package includes the sunglasses, a small sunglasses pouch and a sunglasses cloth for cleaning the glasses.

The SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses come in 3 color options including:

• Neon green frame with grey lenses
• Tortoise shell frame with grey lenses

The SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses are constructed of high-quality polarized lenses, an adjustable and elastic nylon strap and plastic frames. These sunglasses weigh 3 ounces.

The SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses are designed for both men and women. They are not designed for children as they will not fit comfortably on a child's face.

They are used for sailing, fishing and especially watersports activities while out boating. They are not used when swimming.

The SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses come in two sizes which are small to medium and medium to large. These sizes fit most adult face sizes.

These sunglasses offer 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses are:

• They are cheap : These sunglasses can be bought for less than $65 at most retailers so they are not expensive and are within most people's budget
• They are waterproof and shock resistant : These sunglasses are waterproof and can work fine in corrosive seawater. They are also shock resistant and can withstand force
• They come with a ventilated anti-fog design : These sunglasses come with a ventilated frame design which is great for preventing the lenses from fogging up and ensuring the best clarity when out on the water
• They fit comfortably : These sunglasses fit comfortably with the adjustable strap ensuring they remain on your head during extreme watersports or rough sailing conditions
• They come with a great 1-year warranty : These sunglasses come with a 1-year manufacturer defects warranty for added peace of mind

Two cons of the SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses are they do not come in multiple color options with only 3 colors available and the adjustable strap is not removable.

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8. Oakley Clifden Sunglasses

The best sailing sunglasses for the style are the Unisex Oakley Clifden Sunglasses manufactured by the eyewear brand Oakley in California, America and sold worldwide. We rate these sunglasses 4.1/5 stars.

The price of Oakley Clifden Sunglasses ranges from $250 to $320 at most retailers. They come with a 2-year warranty against manufacturer defects. These sunglasses offer 20% light transmission.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses package includes the sunglasses, a pouch for storing the sunglasses, lens cleaner spray and a microfiber cloth for cleaning the sunglasses.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses come in 4 different color options including:

• Black frame with polarized black lenses
• Black frame with polarized snow black iridium lenses
• Blue frame with polarized deep water blue lenses
• Polished black frame with polarized ruby lenses

The polarized black lenses are best-colored sunglasses for protecting the eyes from 100% of UVA and UVB rays. The grey-colored lenses offer the highest contrast in lighting and provide a clear and enhanced view.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses are constructed of no-slip nose pads which help increase the grip around the nose, polarized prizm lens technology which is patented to Oakley and a plastic frame. These sunglasses weigh approximately 4 ounces.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses are designed for both men and women. They are not designed for children.

These sunglasses can be used when sailing or enjoying boating activities out on the water. They are not used when swimming.

The dimensions of the Oakley Clifden Sunglasses are a lens height of 51.1 millimeters, frame width of 129.9 millimeters, arm length of 146 millimeters, bridge width of 17 millimeters and lens width of 54 millimeters.

The Oakley Clifden Sunglasses has zero safety recalls since they were first introduced.

The pros of the Oakley Clifden Sunglasses are:

• They are stylish and fashionable : These sunglasses are the most stylish and fashionable on the market to wear when sailing with a unique complete eye protection design
• There is great built-in impact protection : The lenses can withstand a lot of force and shock without breaking
• A prescription can be added to the sunglasses : Prescription lenses can be added to these sunglasses which is an added benefit for those with poor eyesight

One con of the Oakley Clifden Sunglasses is they are expensive with a price tag of $250 to $320.

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Top Sailing Sunglasses Comparison Table

What To Consider When Purchasing Sailing Sunglasses

The factors to consider when buying sailing sunglasses are:

• Type of material : You'll want material that can withstand the harsh environments of sailing and material that isn't corrosive in seawater. The sunglasses above are all protected against seawater corrosion
• Durability : The seawater can cause damage to sunglasses and getting a pair of sunglasses that are durable is an important factor to consider. Ensure the sunglasses can withstand damage and are durable to last a long time
• Price : The price of sunglasses is an important factor to consider when buying sunglasses for sailing. People have different budgets but this top sailing sunglasses list has sunglasses in every price range
• Size & Fit : You'll want to make sure you get the right size of sunglasses for your specific face. This is very important for both comfort and style. All the sunglasses above come in multiple sizes and genders so make sure to get the right size specific for you to avoid disappointment
• Style & Design : The style and design of the sunglasses are factors to consider when buying sunglasses. People have different preferences so inspect the photos of the sunglasses thoroughly before buying them
• Lightweight : This is a matter of preference but still worth mentioning. Some people prefer heavier sunglasses but for performance and comfort, lightweight sunglasses are the best option when sailing
• Waterproof : Sunglasses that are waterproof is an important factor when buying them as a buyer will need sunglasses that can cope with corrosive seawater

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Sailing Sunglasses

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about top sailing questions.

What Are The Best Sailing Sunglasses Brands?

The best sailing sunglasses brands are:

• Costa Del Mar

Are Top Sailing Sunglasses Expensive?

No, a person can buy a pair of great sailing sunglasses for as little $15 to $25 in some instances.

What Is The Cheapest Top Sailing Sunglasses?

The cheapest top sailing sunglasses are AODUOKE Outdoor Kids Sunglasses which cost between $15 and $25.

What Is The Most Expensive Top Sailing Sunglasses?

The the most expensive top sailing sunglasses are Oakley Clifden Sunglasses which cost between $250 and $320.

What Top Sailing Sunglasses Has The Best Warranty?

The top sailing sunglasses with the best warranty is the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses with a lifetime warranty.

What Top Sailing Sunglasses Has The Lowest Light Transmission?

The top sailing sunglasses with the lowest light transmission are the SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses and the Costa Del Mar Brine Sunglasses with a light transmission of 10%.

What Top Sailing Sunglasses Has The Highest Light Transmission?

The top sailing sunglasses with the highest light transmission are the AODUOKE Kids Polarized Sunglasses and the Oakley Clifden Sunglasses with a light transmission of 20%.

What Top Sailing Sunglasses Has The Most Color Options?

The top sailing sunglasses with the most color options is the SUNGAIT Vintage Round Retro Sunglasses with 12 color options.

What Top Sailing Sunglasses Has The Least Color Options?

The top sailing sunglasses with the least color options is the SeaSpecs Stealth Extreme Sports Floating Sunglasses with 3 color options.

My Cruiser Life Magazine

Best Sailing Sunglasses for Serious Sailors

Protecting your eyes and enhancing your vision are vital parts of the sailing lifestyle. Sailing without sunglasses can cause long-term eye damage. Sailing involves looking at bright white sails, white decks, and the unrelenting ocean, all of which cause damaging glare. Battling glare, UV rays, and sunshine cause eye fatigue. Whether you are racing or just out for fun, great sailing sunglasses are a necessity and an important part of your sailing kit. 

Table of Contents

Sailing sunglasses – polarized lenses or regular, high quality construction, comfort and fit, mirror finishes.

• Grey lenses 

Bronze lenses

Rose lenses, green lenses, yellow lenses, blue lenses, lens construction – glass or polycarbonate lenses, gill corona sports sunglasses, maui jim waterman sunglasses, bolle anaconda polarized offshore sunglasses, costa del mar fantail sunglasses, maui jim stingray sunglasses, oakley holbrook polarized sunglasses, kaenon avila sunglasses, costa del mar waterwoman sunglasses, gill race vision bi-focal sunglasses, calcutta outdoors prowler, suncloud milestone polarized sunglasses.

• Don’t Set Sail Without Your Polarized Sailing Sunglasses 

Sunglasses for Sailing FAQs

How to find the best sailing sunglasses.

What makes some sunglasses more suited for sailing and watersports than others? Buyers will want to find high-quality lenses. Polarization is key to protecting your eyes from water glare. In addition, check to ensure that sunglasses filter out harmful UV rays and are comfortable for all-day use. 

Polarized sunglasses help block the glare that reflects from the water’s surface. In addition, they help boaters see through the water. So, if you are looking to avoid coral heads or catch fish while you sail, polarization can be a life-saver. 

Polarized sunglasses reduce eye fatigue and damage and protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Polarized sunglasses help you stay out on the water all day without squinting or getting headaches. The Maui Jim website has good information on the benefits of polarized sunglasses for a life on the water.

Sailors should look for good quality sunglasses that can stand up to saltwater. Inferior sunglasses have coatings that easily fail and peel off after exposure to harsh elements. Brands such as Maui-Jim and Costa Del Mar are higher-quality and have durable materials in addition to superior optical clarity. As with the best sailing binoculars , high-quality sunglasses make a world of difference in reducing eye fatigue and providing a lifetime of dependable service onboard.

A comfortable fit is essential for all-day wear. Many sailing sunglasses have standard over-ear attachments. Some feature rubberized or grippy nose bridges for additional security, while some have wrap-around straps for the ultimate security. Try on several pairs to see which sunglasses fit the best, will stay secure during your sail, and feel comfortable. 

Lens Coatings

An anti reflective coating helps cut down on the sun’s glare in bright sunlight that could be of great help if you are living on your boat . Hydroponic and water-resistant coatings shed water so you can keep your vision even after getting soaked by a wave or rain. Some coatings also resist saltwater, which is great for ocean sailors. 

Mirror finishes are fashionable. Other sailors looking at you will see themselves reflected. Often, exterior mirror finishes come in several colors, such as blue, green, or pink.

Lens Colors

After picking the frame style you like, you’ll often have a choice in lens colors. Some lens styles, like the mirrored style, are purely for fashion, while other colors change how you see the world. Choose your lens color based on the conditions you usually face when sailing. 

Grey lenses

Grey lenses protect against bright sunlight. Grey lenses are advised if you sail in bright conditions and deep water. Grey lenses are the best at accurately depicting colors. 

Bronze lenses enhance contrast and make the colors pop. These lenses are good if you sail in shallow water and want to look out for coral heads, judge the depth of the water, or watch for fish or marine life. 

Rose-colored glasses do exist and are great at enhancing contrast. Rose-colored lenses are perfect for fast-moving sports like dinghy racing or fishing.

Green lenses enhance colors and contrast and are great for low light conditions. They provide better contrast than grey lenses and more accurate colors than bronze glasses. In addition, green lenses reduce glare and are good on cloudy, foggy, and sunny days. 

Yellow lenses are often favored by pilots looking for the best clarity. Yellow lenses help sailors focus on moving objects in hazy and low-light conditions. Yellow lenses filter out harmful blue light that causes eye strain. 

Blue lenses reduce glare and improve color perception. These glasses are good in misty and foggy conditions.  

Lenses can be made with glass or polycarbonate. Glass lenses are the best for super-clear optics but are heavier and easier to shatter. If razor sharp vision and precise optical alignment are your priorities, pick glass.

On the other hand, polycarbonate lenses are more durable and lighter than glass and appropriate for eye protection since they are shatterproof.

Sailing Sunglasses Reviews

Best all-around sunglasses for sailing.

Gill makes world-class foul-weather gear, but they also make fabulous sunglasses that won’t break the bank. So if you are looking for high-quality yacht sunglasses that stand the test of time and float, look no further than Gill sunglasses.

Gill is well-known in the sailing world for making foul weather gear and other clothing items like sailing bags for serious sailors. Gill created their Corona Sunglasses to be a perfect pair of sailing glasses that provide serious protection for sailors’ eyes. These polarized sunglasses block 100% UV radiation, including UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. 

Gill Corona sunglasses provide glare-free protection so you can keep focusing on what’s important. They have a hydrophobic coating that sheds water and salt. In addition, these high-tech sunglasses have an oleophobic coating that resists sun lotion, skin oil, and fingerprints. 

Gill Corona sunglasses float, so if you drop them from your dinghy or while climbing onto the boat, you can grab them instead of sacrificing them to Davy’s locker. The lenses allow eight percent to eighteen percent light transmission, making these sunglasses great for bright sunny days on the water. 

Gill’s Corona sunglasses are fashionable, too. There are several frame color choices, and the style suits smaller and medium-sized faces. 

• Several frame colors
• Hydrophobic and oleophobic coating
• Great for bright sunlight
• Good for small and medium-sized faces

• gned to exceed EN safety standards. Glare-free vision. Clear contrasts. Reduced eye fatigue. Filter category 3 lenses allowing 8-18% light transmission and are useful in bright sunlight

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

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High-Quality Sailing Sunglasses Reviews

If you are serious about protecting your eyes, don’t settle for cheap knock-offs. While quality sunglasses can be pricey, the investment is worth it. Many high-quality brands like Maui Jims offer warranties and low-cost lens replacements to protect your investment.  

Maui Jim is one of the most well-regarded sunglasses brands out there. Many hard-core sailors use Maui Jim’s high-quality polarized sunglasses to protect their eyes on and off the water. Maui Jim Waterman sunglasses have remarkable scratch-resistant lenses. They reduce 99.9% of glare and have water-resistant and oleophobic treatment. 

The Waterman’s best feature is the wrap-around head strap. Instead of standard over-ear frames, these sunglasses have a secure strap. So if you are dinghy sailing or racing, these sunglasses won’t fly off at a critical moment. 

Sailors can choose from several Maui Jim lens options. The neutral grey-tint lenses are great for bright light. The High Contrast Lens Bronze glasses offer a warm tint for everyday use. 

The Maui Rose lens has a rose tint for high contrast. Finally, the Maui HT lenses offer contrast and color for low light conditions. And this pair makes a great gift for your sailor’s friend .

All Maui Jim glasses have a Bi-Gradient lens to reduce the brightest light at the top and bottom of the sunglasses. This technology effectively reduces squinting. 

• Several frames and lens colors
• Water-resistant and oleophobic coating
• Wrap-around strap for adventurous sailors
• Two-year warranty

• Click the Maui Jim link above to visit our brand store, where you can find our entire catalog of sunglasses

Bolle Anaconda sunglasses are polarized and optimized for offshore use. Bolle Anaconda sunglasses feature polycarbonate polarized lenses to reduce water glare. The anti-fog coating resists fogging, scratches, and chemicals. 

The nose pads, adjustable nosepiece, and temple tips feature the comfortable and grippy Thermogrip material. Thermograip grips even when wet, so you’ll have a secure and comfortable fit. 

• Polarized lenses
• Plastic lenses and frame
• Thermogrip 
• Anti-fog, anti-chemical, anti-scratch coating

• The anacondas curved arms hug your face to keep your sunglasses right where they belong. This progressive design is perfect for those with medium to large faces looking for a wear-everywhere sunglass thats extremely versatile and comfortable.

The Costa Del Mar Fantail sunglasses are ready to hit the water with you. These sunglasses are polarized and co-molded. 

The Costa Del Mar Fantail glasses have lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. The lenses block harmful blue light, reduce harsh yellow light, and enhance the beneficial red, green, and blue lights. 

The co-injected nylon frames are extra durable and crafted with an environmentally-friendly process. In addition, the frames are resistant to heat and cold. 

The Costa Del Mar Fantail sunglasses come in an amazing 30 combinations. Choose your frame color and lens color for a unique and stylish look. 

• Durable frames and lenses
• 30 lens and frame options

• 100% UV PROTECTION: All Costa Del Mar Eyewear lenses block potentially harmful high-energy visible blue light rays and protect against 100% of Ultraviolet rays (up to 400nm).

Maui Jim sunglasses feature Polarized Plus2 lens technology that excels at shielding your eyes from harsh light, glare, and harmful UV rays. The lenses are water-resistant and oleophobic to resist chemicals and fingerprints. 

You can choose from neutral grey lenses or HCL bronze lenses. The neutral grey lenses are great for harsh bright light, and the HCL bronze lenses have a warm tint that is great in changing light conditions. The lenses are made with SuperThin glass that is shatter-resistant, scratch-resistant, and lightweight. 

The Stingray sunglasses have wrap-style lenses that increase protection from the sun. The frames are crafted with lightweight injected nylon and are very durable and comfortable. 

• Polarized Plus2 technology
• Water-resistant and oleophobic
• SuperThin glass lenses
• Neutral grey or HCL bronze lenses

Oakley is a well-known brand that produces stylish, top-quality sunglasses. However, most of their sunglasses aren’t polarized, so be sure to check out the specs before investing. Oakley’s Holbrook sunglasses feature a lightweight, stress-resistant frame that offers all-day protection and comfort. The frame features injection-molded thermoplastic for strength and flexibility and won’t shift or deform over time. 

Sailors can choose from several frame colors, such as black or matte brown tortoise. 

The Plutonite lenses with Prizm Sapphire Polarized lenses block 99% of reflected glare. The lenses are durable and feature protection against high-velocity impact. Oakley’s Prizm technology enhances colors and improves contrast. The lenses offer 100% UV protection against UVA, UVB, and UVC light. 

• Prizm lens technology
• Lightweight

• Oakley Plutonite Lenses offer 100% UV Protection filtering of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400 millimeter. Oakley’s lightweight Plutonite lens material offers superior comfort, clarity & protection against impact and ultraviolet radiation.

Kaenon Avila sunglasses feature polarized lenses and full coverage to protect your eyes. Kaenon Avila sunglasses are attractive with a butterfly silhouette. These stylish sunglasses will keep you looking amazing while offering superior protection and high-quality features and materials.

The SR-91 lens is an advanced polarized lens with amazing clarity, lightweight construction, and impact resistance. The stainless-steel hinge is high-quality and won’t rust. 

The Variflex nose pads are recessed and hypoallergenic. These high-quality nose pads have extra grip and won’t slip even during the toughest of tacks. 

• Stainless steel high
• Attractive design
• One-year warranty

• AVILA SUNGLASSES: Unfurl with Avila’s wrapped butterfly silhouette and curved flowing temples that offer full coverage with a unique sense of style. This womens style best suits a medium to large face size.

These polarized sunglasses are made for a harsh life on the water. They feature polarized lenses and offer 100% UV protection. Costa’s 580G glass lenses are known for their scratch-proof clarity and block harmful light while enhancing colors and contrast. These glasses are perfect to use in the harsh sun while out on the water.

The co-injected nylon frames are durable and manufactured with an environmentally friendly process. 

The Costa Del Mar Waterwoman sunglasses come in 15 options. Choose from a variety of frames and lens options. 

• Costa 580G glass lenses
• Durable frame
• Trendy design

Prescription Sailing Sunglasses

If you want to protect your eyes from harsh glare and read your nautical chart, you might look into a pair of prescription sailing glasses or bifocals. 

Gill’s Race Vision Bi-Focal sunglasses provide the same great specs and protection as their regular sunglasses while adding in prescription strength reading glasses. Choose from the +1.5 or the +2.5 strength. 

Gill Race Vision Bi-Focals are polarized and scratch-resistant. The hydrophobic coating sheds water and salt so you can keep your focus. These sunglasses also float, so you can retrieve them in a sunglasses overboard drill. 

• Scratch-resistant
• Hydrophobic coating

• gned to exceed EN safety standards. Glare-free vision. Clear contrasts. Reduced eye fatigue. 100% UV 400 protection. Filter category 3 lenses allowing 8-18% light transmission and are useful in bright sunlight

Sailing Sunglasses Budget Buys

While your eyes are worth protecting with an expensive pair of sunglasses, you might be looking for a backup pair or need a budget buy for occasional use. In that case, consider adding a budget buy to your sailing kit. 

Calcutta Outdoors Prowler sunglasses are polarized and have a sturdy polycarbonate frame. They are comfortable for all-day wear, lets say while chilling on your yacht or sailboat . The frame is fade-resistant and ready for tough sailing conditions. The frames have a stainless steel hinge that’s saltwater resistant and long-lasting.

Calcutta Outdoors Prowler sunglasses feature 100% protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays.

Calcutta Outdoors Prowler sunglasses come in several frame and lens options. Choose from black, timber, and gray frames. Lenses are available in blue, blue mirror, and grey. 

• Several frames and lens color options

• SUN PROTECTION: The Prowler sunglasses feature durable 1.0mm Triacetate (TAC) Polarized lenses that virtually eliminate blinding reflected glare. Keep your eyes sheltered with 100% UV ray protection.

Suncloud Milestone sunglasses have a wrap-around style for extra protection. The lightweight plastic frame is durable. The lightweight polycarbonate lenses are scratch-resistant and impact-resistant. Sunclouds are a good budget buy for those looking to spend a fun day out on the water. 

The Suncloud Milestone sunglasses come in several frame and lens color options. Sailors can choose from a black or tortoise frame. Lens options include grey, bronze, green mirror, and blue mirror. 

• Fashionable
• Variety of frame and lens colors

• Polarized Polycarbonate Injection Molded Lenses

Don’t Set Sail Without Your Polarized Sailing Sunglasses

The best nautical sunglasses keep you looking good and good at looking. Sunglasses are a vital part of a sailor’s gear. It’s worthwhile to invest in at least one high-quality pair of sailor sunglasses so you can enjoy your days on the water. 

Are polarized sunglasses good for sailing?

Polarized sunglasses are essential gear for sailing. Polarized glasses help block the water’s glare so you can see through the water instead of being blinded by the glare.

What should I look for in sailing sunglasses?

Sailing sunglasses should be polarized and made of high-quality materials that stand up to saltwater and harsh sailing conditions. 

Are Gill sunglasses good?

Gill sunglasses are a good investment for sailors looking to protect their eyes. Gill sunglasses are polarized, reduce glare and eye fatigue, and they float. 

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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5 Best Sunglasses for Boating

Time on the water can be hard on the eyes, which is why boaters need to invest in good pair of boating sunglasses that are designed specifically for the boating lifestyle.

There have been numerous advances in sunglass technology, and progress has been made with lightweight nylon lenses and thermoplastic and bamboo frames that float in case they go in the drink.

Most sunglasses brands offer multiple models but here, we’ve picked out five styles at a range of price points that will work for most anglers , sailors , watersports enthusiasts , and all-purpose boaters .

These are a few of the best boating sunglasses on the market today, listed in no particular order.

Explore Different Boat Types & Activities

1. Costa Del Mar: Untangled Collection

A sunglass maker with a mission is Costa Del Mar that offers their Untangled Collection with frames made of recycled fishing nets (learn more about Costa's Untangled Collection in 5 Eco-Friendly Boating Products Making a Difference ).

Four styles are available including the wide-framed Baffin and Pescador models, as well as the narrow Victoria and Caldera versions that are more suited to smaller faces. The tumbled manufacturing process creates durable frames that can handle the boating lifestyle and each pair offers the promise of cleaner, less tangled oceans.

The lenses are polarized glass and come in grey, blue, green and copper while the frames are generally a dark grey.

Price: $199 to $219; CostaDelMar.com

2. Shady Rays X Series

If you like to buy from companies with a great attitude as well as a purpose, check out Shady Rays. Not only does this company offer 10 styles in assorted frame and lens colors, they also have a unique approach to business. They’ll replace broken or lost glasses up to two times for just a shipping/handling fee.

The X Series has a choice of four lens colors and three finishes and features a wrap-around frame with polycarbonate lenses. They come in the original ($48) or extreme ($64) versions, the latter having the option to have prescription lenses added. To top it off, they provide 10 meals to the hungry with every purchase. 

Price: $48 to $64; ShadyRays.com

3. Rheos Nautical Gear: Bahia

Another brand of floating sunglasses that offers quite a few styles and lens colors is Rheos Nautical Gear. Their nylon lenses are light and excellent at cutting glare whether from the water or from bright sails. Their Bahias series has four finish/lens color options including the stylish gunmetal/emerald combination.

These polarized glasses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, and are fairly impact-resistant in case they go flying mid-tack. A portion of sales is allocated to nonprofit organizations that defend coastlines and waterways and at $55, these glasses are a bargain.

Price: $55; RheosGear.com

4. EveryDayBoater: Cuda

EveryDayBoater (EDB) offers four styles each with four lens color choices including blue, green, grey and amber. Their aviators may be cool, but boaters will most likely opt for their Dorado or Cuda models that offer more protection on the face.

EDB’s Cuda glasses have quality gloss TR-90 plastic frames and premium polarized glass lenses, and they’re sized for small to medium sized heads, so they’re good for women. They provide 100% UVA and UVB protection and come with a rubber nose pad, a case, a strap, a microfiber cleaning cloth and a limited lifetime warranty all for $119.

Price: $119; EveryDayBoater.com

5. DRAGON: Vantage LL H20 Polar

Constructed with an injection molded thermoplastic with a low density, the Dragon H2O Series glasses can float, are scratch resistant, and are also oleophobic which means they repel dirt, dust and oil so they’ll minimize smudges from sunscreen.

The Vantage LL will fit larger male faces well since they’re more substantial but they’re still lightweight and sporty. The Clark Little Signature Vantage has the iconic Hawaiian photographer's imagery on the inside of the temple. These glasses offer 100% UV protection and have color-optimized nylon lenses.

Price: $205; DragonAlliance.com

Read Next: 10 Best Gifts for Boaters for Any Occasion

You May Also Like:

• 5 Eco-Friendly Boating Products Making a Difference
• Sunscreen & Sun Safety Tips for Boaters
• The Ultimate Boating Accessories Guide
• Holiday Gift Guide for Boaters
• Find the Right Boat for Your Lifestyle

Editor's Note: Pricing is recent as of last date of publish; Dec. 8, 2020.

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The 15 Best Sunglasses For Sailing 2024

Choosing the best sunglasses for sailing can make the difference between a really enjoyable day on the water and a disastrous one!

Whether you’re relaxing on the deck in the Caribbean or beating into waves off the UK coastline, a pair of decent sunglasses for sailing will protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays, and stop you squinting into the light for hours on end.

We’ve had the opportunity to test out a whole lot of sailing sunglasses (completely against our wishes, due to a combination of gravity and dolphins off the bow!) and we’ve also got a few rave reviews in the bank for future pairs.

We’re sharing our favourite sunglasses for sailing with you below – just don’t forget to grab yourself a sunglasses lanyard too so you don’t have to replace as many pairs as us!

Quick Guide To Buying Sunglasses For Sailing

• Why buy the best?
• What to look for in sailing sunglasses?
• Keeping your sunglasses safe
• The best sunglasses for sailing for men
• The best sailing sunglasses for women
• Prescription sailing sunglasses

Why Buy The Best Sunglasses For Sailing?

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate programs. This means we may receive a small commission on products purchased through our links at no extra cost to you.

It might be tempting to settle for wearing your everyday sunglasses when sailing but we’d advise against this.

You need sunglasses fit for purpose if you’re going to spend hours on the water, and most everyday sunglasses just won’t cut it.

Not only are you competing with rays from the sky while out at sea, but you also have the sunlight reflecting off the water, making glare a real problem if you don’t have the right equipment.

A lot of specialist sunglasses for sailing are pretty expensive (but worth the money in our opinion!) They’re designed for purpose and have a lot of ‘built-in’ features that make them superior.

If you plan on being out on the water frequently and for long stretches then spend well, spend once as the saying goes!

With that in mind, make sure you get yourself a lanyard to prevent them from falling off when you’re dolphin-watching – skip to our top suggestions for how to keep your sunglasses safe !

If you aren’t sure if sailing is for you yet, or you don’t plan on being out on the water very often, then we’ve included a few budget options that we got on well with when we first started sailing.

What To Look For In The Best Sunglasses For Sailing

Are Polarized Lenses Good For Sailing?

The short answer here is, yes absolutely. Polarized sunglasses are the best type of sunglasses for sailing and we would recommend against buying anything but.

Polarized lenses are vital in protecting your eyes from UVB and UVA rays that can be super damaging.

When choosing sunglasses for sailing this should be your top priority, and the great thing is that polarized sunglasses aren’t necessarily more expensive.

Asides from providing the best protection for your eyes, polarized sunglasses give sailors a hidden advantage! They are amazing at cutting through the sun flare on the water, giving you eyes on dangers lurking beneath the surface when coming in to anchor.

They honestly make such a difference to visibility under the water when you’re standing on the bow and we would never go sailing without a pair!

This isn’t to do with how stylish you look I’m afraid! The shape of the lens in the best sunglasses for sailing is important for another reason!

Flatter lenses are usually much better at preserving the contour and contrast of various objects BUT they have less resistance to glare.

Flatter lenses also typically struggle to keep out the rays reflected from the water.

If you have a choice, we would recommend going for curved sunglasses to keep your eyes protected.

We haven’t noticed a big difference in the contrast quality from pair to pair, though you may want to try both before you decide which is best for you.

What Colour Lenses Are Best For Sailing?

This isn’t all about fashion!

Just like when you go skiing you can buy goggles with interchangeable lenses for different weather, the same idea applies to sailing.

Different colour lenses provide different levels of visibility in changing weather, so if you’re serious about your sunglasses you might want to buy a few different lens colours to suit the conditions.

Most will want to opt for a pair that can cope well with all weather conditions, such as black/grey, and if you’re sailing in sunny countries then you might want to opt for blue/purple tints which are great at blocking glare.

For a more in-depth analysis, this is a really helpful guide .

Type of Material

Not only do your sailing sunglasses need to withstand being constantly battered by the sun, sea and wind but it’s also a good idea to make sure they’re shatterproof just in case you suffer any collisions with hard surfaces while out in a seaway!

The other thing you may want to consider is the fact that you might well lose a pair or two to the ocean, and if that happens it’s good to know you went with a more eco-friendly pair. We’ve listed a few for you below.

If you’ve ever been sailing, you know that it’s important to have a good pair of sunglasses. The sun can be very bright on the water, and the glare can be intense.

But it’s not just about style- sailing sunglasses need to be durable, too. They need to be able to withstand being dropped or stepped on, and they need to be able to resist salt water and wind.

After all, when you’re out on the water, the last thing you want to worry about is your sunglasses. So next time you’re looking for a new pair of shades, make sure to choose a pair that can stand up to the elements. Your eyes will thank you for it.

• Lightweight

Not all sunglasses are created equal – weight is an important factor to consider when choosing the right pair of sailing sunglasses.

Heavier sunglasses will tend to stay in place better, even when there’s a lot of movement on the boat. And since you don’t want your sunglasses slipping into the water, it’s important to choose a pair that won’t be easily dislodged.

That being said, the last thing you want is a super heavy pair of sunglasses that make using them and carrying them impractical.

So next time you’re shopping for sailing sunglasses, make sure to keep weight in mind – it could be the difference between a great day on the water and a disastrous one.

Anti-corrosion

We’ve lost many a cheap pair of sunglasses to the power of salt water and have vowed never to buy cheap again for this reason.

Let’s face it, whether you’re out on the open sea or just sailing around your local lake, the last thing you want is a pair of sunglasses that corrode easily.

Anti-corrosion helps to prolong the life of your sunglasses by preventing the frames from deteriorating. So if you’re looking for a pair of shades that will last, make sure to choose a pair with anti-corrosion protection. Most higher-end sunglasses will have this feature as standard.

Ok, ok, style shouldn’t be the main thing you look for but it’s impossible to ignore the fact you’ll want your sunglasses to suit you!

If you hate how you look in them then you’re far less likely to wear them! Buy a pair of sunglasses that you really love the look of.

Keeping Your Sailing Sunglasses!

When Adam and I first started living on board we must have lost about 5 pairs of sailing sunglasses to the sea.

Perhaps Poseiden saw them as a gift and has been kind to us because of this, but it’s far more likely he was pretty cross at us adding to the plastic in the ocean.

We felt terrible and even poorer.

Save your money and the ocean by getting yourself a lanyard to keep your sunglasses from falling into the ocean as you look overboard.

We found an added benefit is that you can store them easily around your neck when you take them off to go below. You don’t put them down for someone to sit on later, and you always have them on hand.

Sun Soul Sisters is a small business run by two sisters who design and hand-make their products and Emily’s fallen in love with the designs.

Not only are small businesses so much better for the environment, but you also won’t find anyone else out there with these unique designs! They deliver worldwide.

We particularly love the Goa rope designs made from vegan leather, which are waterproof and practical for watersports at anchor.

The Gili turquoise stone is lovely for sunset walks, and Emily’s favourite is the Langkawi shell design.

The Best 15 Sunglasses For Sailing

This is the part that you’ve been eagerly waiting for, so we’ll jump straight in.

The Best Sailing Sunglasses For Men

#1 sungod vulcans.

We’ll put out a full disclaimer here to let you know we’re thrilled to have recently become SunGod ambassadors.

BUT, we don’t make any money from you buying yourself a pair, so there really is no agenda here other than the fact we genuinely think these are the best sunglasses for sailing.

We’ve been using SunGod ski goggles for years now and absolutely love their products and company ethos, so we were (a little more than) excited when we got the opportunity to work with them and try out their sunglasses.

These sailing sunglasses are top-of-the-range. With the option of 8KO, anti-glare, and high contrast lenses for you to choose from. You design the sunglasses, with your choice of arm colour and material, lens colour, logo colour, shape, and lens type.

SunGod sunglasses are guaranteed for life. Yes, we have tested this several times! We sent back several pairs of damaged ski goggles over the years, no questions asked.

They also have a commitment to do better for the planet, making sunglasses that last and can be repaired to prevent waste, using recyclable packaging, and supporting numerous charities that help protect our Earth.

As you can tell we’re pretty crazy about them, and these are our sailing sunglasses of choice from now on. They tell their story a whole lot better than I can so go check them out and let us know what you think!

• ‍Sustainable company, lifetime guarantee
• Maximum protection from UV rays and glare
• Very durable and shock-resistant
• Can be custom designed
• ‍There is a limited choice of lens style

#2 Maui Jim Ho’okipa sailing sunglasses

Maui Jim sailing sunglasses are among the best – these are sunglasses worth paying that little extra for.

There’s a large range of different styles to choose from but we love the Ho’okipa sailing sunglasses for men.

They’re subtle but one of a kind and will go with almost any outfit. The embedded nose pads ensure ultimate comfort and the PolarizedPlus2® lenses eliminate 99.9% of glare and block 100% of harmful UV.

Plus, these Maui Jim sailing sunglasses are made from super-thin glass, providing the crispest optics available. They’re scratch and solvent resistant and made from shatter-proof polycarbonate. The blue/black lenses make them great for a range of different weather conditions.

These are a really quality pair of sunglasses but they don’t come cheap, so make sure you get yourself a sunglasses chain so you don’t lose them overboard while dolphin watching!

Buy now from West Marine

Buy now from Amazon

• Incredible optics
• Comfortable fit
• Durable and shatter-resistant
• Will suit everyone

#3 O’Neill Zepol Sailing Sunglasses

O’Neill sailing sunglasses are a great mid-range option. They have a fantastic reputation for making quality sporting products designed for harsh outdoor environments.

All O’Neill polarized lenses are made of polycarbonate, an ultra-durable, ultra-lightweight, impact-resistant material, and offer optimal polarization and visual clarity.

We love the fact that polycarbonate is a sustainable material with a minimal impact on the environment, being fully recyclable at the end of its life.

The Zepol sunglasses wrap around for full eye protection when sailing.

• Ultra-durable
• Available in wrap-around for maximum protection
• Some people find the fit a little tight

#4 Knockaround – Best Budget

If you’re looking for a budget option then these sunglasses for sailing are a great choice. They’re designed for outdoor use and are rugged and polarised, yet affordable!

They come in a range of different styles and lens tints so you find just the right pair for your needs.

• A range of lens tint options
• Not as long lasting as others on this list

#5 Calcutta

For another great affordable choice check out Calcutta’s range of sunglasses , just make sure you opt for one of their polarized options.

These Caymen sunglasses are perfect for all weather conditions with their blue-tinted lenses, and we love the look too! These sunglasses are also super lightweight so they’re a great option for long days onboard.

#6 Pelagic Sailing Sunglasses

Pelagic have really thought their sunglasses through and designed them perfectly for life on the water.

With features such as a hydrophobic coating applied to the lens to resist rain, dirt and dust, and oleophobic coating to repel sweat, sunscreen and skin oils these sunglasses will stay cleaner for longer.

They have a rugged design and are made for a life outside. They are designed to protect you from harmful rays and glare and have some really interesting extra features that enable this, alongside the polarized lenses.

#7 Sunski Polarized Sailing Sunglasses

We really like the simple, stylish look of these sunglasses , and obviously the fact they’re designed for outdoor use and polarized for the best eye protection possible!

If you’re looking for something simple that works then go for these sunglasses for sailing and you won’t be disappointed!

You should note however that some users have found they don’t fit very well. We think the price bracket probably makes up for this but you should be aware before you buy!

#8 Oakley Sunglasses

Oakley is well known for making quality outdoor products and their sunglasses are no exception. The dark lenses on this pair make them a great choice for all weather conditions, and the wrap-around arms mean maximum protection from harmful rays and glare.

Our favourites have to be the Holbrook Oakleys though, as they come in a wide range of styles with a choice of lens for all weather conditions.

The lenses are treated with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare, and the frames are made from durable, lightweight materials that won’t slip or slide when you’re sweating.

With Oakley sunglasses, you’ll be able to stay focused on your sailing goals and enjoy the experience of being out on the open water.

• High-quality polarized lenses
• Maximum protection from glare and UV
• Available in a wide range of colors and frames
• Durable and lightweight
• ‍The frames feel a little less sturdy than others

#9 Costa Sailing Sunglasses

If you’re looking for quality sailing sunglasses made with the environment in mind then the Tasman Sea sunglasses from Costa are a great choice.

This bio-based resin offers a 70% reduction in emissions over petroleum-based resin, helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint.

They are, of course, 100% polarized, scratch-resistant, and ensure reflective glare and eye strain is minimized or eliminated altogether. The blue mirrored lenses are the way to go for offshore use with bright, full sun on open reflective water.

These sunglasses are on the pricier side but come with a lifetime warranty, so if you’re looking for sunglasses for life then these are the pair for you!

The Best Sailing Sunglasses For Women

#10 hananpa’a sunglasses.

Maui Jim sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and glare, while still providing crisp vision.

They come with an embedded nose pad that ensures ultimate comfort all day long. These sailing glasses also feature super thin glass for improved clarity, as well as scratch-resistant polycarbonate material making them resistant against scratches which would otherwise leave stains.

Maui Jim provides high-quality products, but you will pay for the quality, so make sure you look after them out on the water!

#11 Women’s Oceanside Polarized Sunglasses

The O’Neill line of sunglasses is a perfect choice for any occasion, with designs that will suit your personal style.

These frames are flattering for most, with their simple style, and they provide excellent protection from harmful UV rays while offering superior clarity.

These sunglasses provide weightless comfort thanks to their durable material construction which features 100% recycled polycarbonate materials (which also makes them eco-friendly- yes please!)

#12 Deja View Women’s Sailing Sunglasses

Looking for a way to spice up your look? These fashionable frames have the statement silhouette of oversized sunglasses without taking things too far. With contoured tops and full coverage lenses, these shades will add some elegance while also making you stand out in any crowd (if there’s anyone around to see you in the middle of the ocean!)

These are the perfect option for low-light sunglasses, so if you’re sailing in areas that aren’t known for their sunshine then these are the sunglasses for you!

#13 The Isla

The Isla is a women’s specific frame combining performance with elegance featuring a proprietary XP-700™ Polarized Lens System.

It offers the latest optical technologies to create an ultimate visual advantage both on and off water. The design of this frames fits many facial types making it perfect for all face types, so it’s perfect if you can’t decide which style you prefer.

#14 SunGod Sierras

We’ve already raved about SunGod as a brand above, so go give it a read if you’re interested.

If not, go check out what the company themselves has to say, they say it much better than us! And while you’re at it, give the Sierra’s a once over. They’re Emily’s favourites. Now customise them to suit your style!

Buy now from SunGod

#15 Prescription Sunglasses For Sailing

Adam wears contact lenses some of the time, but they aren’t all that practical for sailing. He runs out when we’re on remote islands, or the wind and sea salt dry out his eyes and make them impossible to wear.

For this reason, he bought a really decent pair of prescription sunglasses for sailing that he can wear instead of his contacts and still protect his eyes!

Diff eyewear has a fantastic range of prescription sunglasses, but that isn’t the only thing we love about them!

Diff has partnered with Sightsavers to provide charitable glasses, testing, and more to people in need all over the world. They’re a great choice for anyone in need of prescription sunglasses for sailing.

So there you have it! Our top picks of the best sunglasses for sailing. If you’re looking for more advice on top sailing gear then check out our guide on essential sailing gear .

Hopefully this has helped you choose the perfect pair for you – do let us know what you went for in the comments below and shout if there’s any you think we’ve missed!

If you found this article helpful then please do follow us on the social media channels below for more sailing and travel posts, and feel free to share, it really helps us out. Thank you!

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10 Best Sunglasses For Boating

Technological innovations in the marine industry have led to the production of new and advanced equipment. For instance, nowadays most boating sunglasses are made of nylon lenses. These are lightweight and their frame is made of thermoplastic and bamboo so they float and do not sink in water.

Table of Contents

Why do you need a good pair of boating sunglasses?

Strong sunlight and Ultraviolet rays can be harmful to eyesight, so buying the best boating sunglasses that are specifically designed for boaters, is important to protect the eyes.

If a person sets out on the sea without proper sunglasses, they could get photokeratitis, also known as “snow blindness.” Ophthalmologists have said that it is a condition seen among people who are in the sea for a longer duration without proper glasses.

Water reflects a lot of sunlight which increases the burden on the eyes. While the symptoms of this disease such as redness or discomfort might last for some time, it could also cause permanent damage to the eye.

The American Optometric Association has stated that excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to the development of eye diseases such as cataracts, pinguecula, macular degeneration, pterygium and even cancer as the skin on the eyelid is thin.

The market is flooded with numerous models, with different shapes, sizes and materials, but it is important to know what features to look for before choosing the best boating sunglasses.

Important features of boating sunglasses

Go for Non-Corrosive, durable and sturdy material

Saltwater is corrosive and excessive sun’s heat in the waters can soften sunglasses made from acetate, as it has less heat tolerance. One should refrain from buying metal frames that will easily corrode in water. It is advisable to go for sunglasses made of a material such as nylon. It is comfortable, sturdy and non-corrosive.

Excellent coverage

Water reflects light and the glare from it could cause pain in the eyes. Many sunglasses have all the features except providing proper coverage. Hence, sunglasses that give a side coverage or those that fully cover the eyes are ones boaters should buy. Good coverage would prevent the light from reaching your eyes from the frame’s corners and offer great protection.

While looking for perfect sunglasses, comfort is important. Since they would be worn most of the time, they should be comfortable. Most manufacturing companies use good quality rubber on the nose and near the arms of the frames to make the glasses more comfortable and to prevent them from becoming loose and falling off. Some expensive ones also have a channel to prevent sweat from accumulating near the eyes and nose.

Kind of lenses

Sunglasses are either made from glass or polycarbonate plastic. Both these materials have their advantages and disadvantages, that should be considered.

Lenses made of glass offer more clarity in vision however they are heavy, can break easily and are costlier than their plastic counterparts.

Polycarbonate plastic lenses provide great protection from ultraviolet rays and are more durable, lightweight and less expensive. But they do not provide excellent vision clarity as glass and are not scratch-resistant.

Weighing their pros and cons, plastic ones seem to be the better deal. Also, most boaters opt for plastic sunglasses.

Polarised or non-polarised sunglasses

Polarised glasses are darker than non-polarised ones but they prevent intense sunlight from damaging the eyes. They offer better eye protection, and better clarity so that boaters can see the objects with greater visual detail. These sunglasses filter glare and give excellent visual clarity at sea. Hence, boaters should opt for polarised sunglasses.

Opt for mirrored lenses

Mirrored lenses also help to eliminate glare.

Sunglasses consist of numerous tints that are useful in different conditions.

• The blue-tinted ones are perfect when the sunlight and glare are intense.
• Green ones are ideal for fishing and boating as they offer good contrast.
• Silver lenses can be used on land as well as in water to eliminate glare. They also provide comfort to tired eyes.
• Copper lenses- are the best option for cloudy days as they offer increased transmission of light.
• Yellow lenses should be used at dawn and dusk as they offer increased contrast and better clarity in low light.

Now that we are aware of the requisite features, let us have a look at the best boating sunglasses.

1. Costa Del Mar Men’s Fantail 580p Rectangular Sunglasses

Costa’s Fantail 580 P sunglasses for men are quite popular in the market. The company’s 580 lens technology allows the enhancement of colours.

These lenses come in 7 different tints as well. Most importantly, it offers excellent polarisation and significant glare reduction. They also prevent the harmful UVA/UVB and UVC light from reaching your eyes and also filter out excessive blue light.

They are made of a resin frame and a plastic lens with a width of 59 millimetres and a height of 14 millimetres. The bridge is 14 millimetres and the sunglasses arm measures 127 millimetres.

Costa’s 580 Polycarbonate sunglasses offer vision clarity, they can take a heavy impact and are also scratch-resistant. They are lightweight and can be worn without any discomfort for a longer duration.

These Matte-black and blue mirrored polarized sunglasses are perfect for the hot, bright days in the seas. These sunglasses use co-injection technology. They have a bio-based nylon frame that makes them strong and durable. They are manually assembled and have a limited lifetime warranty.

• Polarised lens
• Offers 99.9% glare reduction
• Colour enhancement
• Excellent vision clarity
• Impact and scratch-resistant
• Lightweight
• Frames are close to the eyes, tight fit
• Small frame
• Arms are tight
• Loose rubber nose piece
• Not full coverage

[Amazon box = “B00SBYGMFO”]

2. Maivnz Floating Polarized sunglasses for men

Having a TPX frame, sleek and stylish design, Maivnz floating sunglasses are perfect for all kinds of water sports. These come with a triacetate cellulose lens and a UV protective coating.

These black framed sunglasses lens width is 2.45 inches. They are made from an unsinkable plastic material so you don’t have to worry about losing your glasses in water.

Made from great quality TAC polarized lenses, these sunglasses offer high visual clarity. These glasses are transparent, impact and scratch-resistant and anti-reflection.

The TPX material used for making these glasses is lightweight and highly flexible. They are comfortable and also durable. Apart from wearing them while at sea, they can be worn as regular sunglasses too. They come with a lifetime warranty and a month’s money-back guarantee.

• Polarized and UV protection
• High transparency
• Stylish and lightweight
• Wrap-around design
• Ideal for water sports- fishing, boating, sailing etc
• Full coverage
• Not great quality
• Loose frame

• FLOATING DESIGN- Our polarized fishing sunglasses are designed with a special buoyancy material that allows them to float on water, ensuring that they won't sink if they accidentally fall in the water. This feature makes them perfect for anglers who love to fish in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• BEYOND POLARIZED- These fishing glasses feature high-quality polarized lenses that help reduce glare, making it easier to spot fish in the water. They also provide superior clarity and color contrast, allowing you to see more clearly underwater to gain a competitive edge when fishing.
• UV PROTECTION- Our floating sunglasses offer 100% UV protection, safeguarding your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This feature is particularly important for water enthusiasts, where they are exposed to more intense UV radiation. So you can enjoy more time kayaking, surfing, paddling, beach or boating with high-performance water sports sunglasses from maivnz.
• DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT- Our polarized sunglasses are made from high-quality ultra-lightweight materials that are resistant to scratches, impact, and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting use.They are incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear, perfect for enthusiasts who spend long hours on the water.
• NO RISK TO BUY-All maivnz customers can enjoy worry-free after-sales and perfect customers’ shopping experience. In case of any problem,please contact our customer service team at any time and we will help you solve the problem until satisfied. We are at your service anywhere.

3. Hornet Watersports Floating Sunglasses with polarised lenses

Hornet Watersports sunglasses have polarized lenses and a mirror coating. These black matte glasses have air chambers that allow them to float on water. Having a sporty design, they are ideal for your boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking trips. You could also flaunt them while relaxing on a beach.

They are regular size and unisex. They offer 100% protection from UV rays and keep your eyes safe.

They make a great gift, as they come with a custom-made box and a special microfiber case.

• Floats on water
• Sporty and stylish design
• Ideal for water sports
• Protects the eyes
• Poor quality
• uncomfortable

• Floats on Water: Our sunglasses have special air chambers that enable the frame to float on water. Not only do they float on water, but they are also comfortable, light, and durable.
• Sporty Design: Whether you are kitesurfing, fishing, boating, paddling or just relaxing on the beach, these sunglasses will protect your eyes and float in the water reducing the chances of losing your sunglasses
• Unisex and One Size Fits All: Our floating sunglasses that are polarized are designed to fit both men and women.
• Polarized and UV 400 Protection: Our polarized lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, reduce glare, and will protect your eyes.
• Gift Idea: Each purchase comes with a custom-designed box, microfiber case, and unisex sunglasses. These sunglasses make for a great gift for any boating or watersports lover.

4. INFI Polarized Sunglasses for men

The INFI polarized sunglasses are made of TR90, a thermoplastic. Produced through the latest Swiss technology, this material is the best for making sturdy eyewear. The TR90 frame of these sunglasses is flexible, extremely lightweight, highly durable and comfortable.

The lens is made of nylon and has a mirror coating. They can take ground and water impact and use a special technology that prevents the lens from getting smudged easily.

The lens width is 57 millimetres and the height is 41 millimetres. The Bridge measures 20.4 millimetres and the arms are 128 millimetres. These lenses do not break easily and offer UV protection by filtering UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm. Thus, they offer a clear and sharp vision.

• Made from the latest Swiss technology
• TR90, nylon frame
• Durable, lightweight, sturdy, flexible
• Do not smudge easily
• UV protection
• Clarity and sharp vision
• Impact-resistant
• Not stylish
• Too dark lenses
• Oversized lenses
• Small fitting, tight frame

• ►INFI mens fishing sunglasses are treated with special technology to solve the problem of lens cleaning
• ►Polarized sunglasses The lens are made of Unbreakable.offers the highest degree of protection
• ►High quality TR90 material Frame is both lightweight and sturdy for all-day comfort
• ►INFI driving polarized sunglasses giving you a clear and glare-free vision.
• ►UV Protection filtering 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm

5. KastKing Hiwassee Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Men and Women

KastKings Hiwassee polarized sunglasses are made from high-quality, latest Grilamid,using German and Japanese materials. The glasses have a 1.00 mm thick polarized lens. The width of the lens is 2.5 inches.

These sunglasses are scratch-resistant and anti-glare. The TAC or triacetate lenses offer excellent eye protection, are lightweight and comfortable.

They fit perfectly and do not slip as they have anti-slip nose pieces and temple pads. They are tested with double decentering to see that there is no optical distortion.

These sunglasses are extremely flexible and heat resistant. They are tough and malleable, which makes them a comfortable fit. They provide UV protection and exceed all U.S. ANSI standards.

These sunglasses come with a custom case for keeping them and Prym 1 Camo microfiber pouch and a microfiber cloth for cleaning them.

• Made of high-quality Grilamid frame
• Scratch and impact resistant
• Triacetate lens
• Do not slip
• Comfortable, durable
• Can be used in water and also for running or driving
• Lens spotted after being in saltwater
• Too long temples
• Very light colour tone for bright sunny days
• Require constant cleaning

• KEY FEATURES - Polarized lenses reduce glare - Impact resistant TAC lenses protect your eyes from flying objects - Lightweight, durable, and comfortable Grilamid frames – Anti-slip nose and temple pads - Block 100% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays
• OUTSTANDING LENSES – 1.0mm polarized lenses are comparable to the thickness you would find on much higher priced sports eyewear. KastKing TAC (Triacetate) lenses pass a double decentering test to ensure there is no optical distortion which can cause eye strain and headaches. KastKing Polarized reading sunglasses help reduce glare caused by reflected light to improve vision and comfort.
• PREMIUM FRAMES – Made from the same Grilamid material commonly used in military and medical applications, KastKing sunglass frames are lightweight, extremely flexible, and heat and UV resistant. Grilamid frames are well known for their astounding strength, lightweight comfort, shape integrity, and impact resistance. This virtually indestructible ultra-lightweight and malleable material translates to a very comfortable fit and the tacky nose and temple pads prevent slipping.
• BASE LENS COLOR and UV PROTECTION – Smoke lenses are ideal for bright sunlight with the most realistic color reproduction and also work well in medium light and partial shade. Brown lenses increase contrast and depth perception, ideal for partly cloudy to sunny conditions. Copper lenses provide excellent contrast and depth perception, best suited for moderate to low light. KastKing sunglasses block 100% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays and meet or exceed all U.S. ANSI standards.
• PROTECT YOUR EYEWEAR – KastKing includes a molded custom hard case for storage and a custom Prym1 Camo microfiber pouch which can be used for cleaning as well as storing your sunglasses. To avoid lens scratches and lens coating damage, clean your lenses with a clean microfiber cloth or lint free cloths and fresh warm water. Never dip them in saltwater or dry with a paper towel.

6. Rheos Eddies Sport Style Floating Polarized Sunglasses

Rheos eyewear is specially designed for those who love water sports. The Rheos Eddis sunglasses consist of a composite frame and nylon optic lens that are clearer than glass. They are polarized and unsinkable. They have an anti-fog coating too.

The lens width is 3 inches and the bridge and arm measure 20 millimetres and 119 millimetres respectively. These sunglasses are lightweight and super comfortable. Rheos is a part of ‘ 1% for the planet’ and so a part of the profit from the sale of its sunglasses go to organizations that protect coastlines. These sunglasses are specially designed in Charleston and come with free returns and a lifetime warranty.

• Strong and stylish
• Floating sunglasses
• Polarized nylon lenses
• Comfortable
• 100% UV protection
• Clearer than glass
• Not very durable
• Not a proper fit
• Not high quality

• FLOATING SUNGLASSES: Our lightweight frames don’t sink, so you can do more of what you love without worry. The unisex Eddies sunglasses are built for the ultimate sportsmen and women. Enjoy every moment in the water with the unsinkable Rheos Eddies sunglasses.
• WRAPAROUND FRAME: The Eddies feature a wraparound frame that complements both men and women that enjoy sport performance sunglasses. The comfort grip nose and ear pads offer additional stability and a secure fit. These sunglasses measure 64mm lens width, 41mm lens height, 125mm arm length, and 14mm bridge width.
• POLARIZED NYLON OPTICS: Our Marine lens features a smoke base tint with a VLT of 12-14% making it a great choice for bright sunny days; ideal for open ocean fishing, beach days and everyday wear. All Rheos lenses are polarized with 100% UVA- and UVB-ray protection. Our nylon optics are clearer than glass lenses for best in class clarity on and off the water. With the anti-fog and anti-smudge lens coatings, your sunglasses will stay clear even in challenging conditions.
• WATER SPORTS FRIENDLY: Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, deep sea fishing, surfing, or kayaking, the Rheos Eddies Sunglasses are created to enhance your experience. These sunglasses reduce glare, provide UV protection and feature a floating frame, making them perfect water sport sunglasses.
• CRAFTED FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: These floating sunglasses are buoyant, comfortable, and designed to reduce glare- especially on the water. Crafted for everyday wear on both water and land, these polarized sunglasses are incredibly lightweight and won't cause tension headaches or fatigue. Spend more time outside with a tailored fit that keeps up with your lifestyle.

7. MALIDAK Polarized Floating Sunglasses for Men and Women

Malidak sunglasses come with a sporty composite frame and triacetate cellulose lens with a UV protection coating and reduced reflection, allowing you to see the underwater fishes. The arms measure 55 millimetres.

They are made of the latest TPX material which makes them nearly unbreakable. They have hollow channels that make them float on water. They are perfect for boating, fishing, voyaging, drifting and surfing.

They come in ‘three-point wrap-around design, suited for American faces. The ductile silicone nose pads sit comfortably on the nose and the non-slip rubber foot does not easily slip from the cheeks. The sunglasses come with a lifetime warranty and you can even return them within 30 days.

• UV Protection
• Special wrap-around design for American faces
• Lifetime warranty
• Easy returns
• Colour distortion

• 【Floatable Frame】 MALIDAK floating sunglasses for women men is made of newest breakable TPX material with special hollow design, making it float on the water without sinking. Great for outdoor water sports like sea fishing, voyaging, drifting and surf-riding etc.
• 【72 Hours Anti-Sea Water Effect】Polarized pool sunglasses' lenses not only offers you anti-glare & UVA/UVB protection from the sun, but also helps you eliminate the reflection of water waves, more clearly seeing the fish float and fishes under the water. Besides, the lens have high effect in anti-sea water corrison for at least 72 hours.
• 【Three-point Wrap Around Design】MALIDAK floating sunglasses adapts three-point design, which is specially designed for the face shapes of Americans, you can wear the pool sunglasses for men more suitable and comfortable.
• 【Exquisite Details】Ductile silicone nose pads can reduce the pressure of the nose bridge. Soft rubber non-slip foot set fits your cheek perfectly when you do intense exercise. Sturdy and durable hinge provide you a longer usage of the sunglasses water sports.
• 【Sale Guarantee】 MALIDAK promises all of our customers a satisfaction after-sale guarantee. If there is any question, please be free to contact for refund or return. Customer's satisfaction is out top priority!

8. DEAFRAIN Polarized Sunglasses for Men and Women

Deafrain HD polarized sunglasses are just right for boating, fishing, beach and also Driving and Outdoors. The lens width is 2.52 inches and they weigh only 0.25 g so you can hardly feel them.

They are 1.00 millimetre Tac scratch-resistant and offer excellent UV protection. They also provide high contrast, detailed and sharp visual clarity.

They are made from Swiss Grilamid TR90 material that makes them lightweight, flexible and durable. It has a wrap-around frame that is suitable for all types of face shapes.

They come in various colours such as green and blue that are ideal for bright sunny days. They have rubber temples and provide full coverage. The sunglasses come with a microfiber cloth, a carry pouch and a UV testing card and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Scratch-resistant
• HD polarized lens
• Perfect colour contrast
• Excellent visual clarity
• Feel sharp at the edges

• EXCELLENT HD POLARIZED LENS- 1.0mm Polarized Tac Scratch-Resistant Lenses –100% Full Spectrum UV protection against the sun's harmful rays. DEAFRAIN Polarized Lens delivers high contrast, crisp definition, and peak visual acuity. Not only perfect for your weekend adventures, but also an excellent choice for your weekday commute.
• SUPERIOR SWISS TR90 FRAMES- Constructed from virtually indestructible SWITZERLAND Grilamid TR 90 material, ultra-lightweight, flexible, yet strong and durable. The classic wrap-around frame is suitable for any face type. These great features make DEAFRAIN polarized sunglasses an excellent choice for outdoor and water sports activities.
• LENSES COLOR OPTIONS- Smoke lenses are ideal for bright conditions – they dim the bright sunlight to ease the strain on your eyes. Green Lens are good in bright conditions, and they work particularly well in moderate-light or partly cloudy conditions. Blue Lenses are ideal for bright sunny conditions and also work well when you are in medium light conditions.
• PERFECT for SPORTS- Rubber Touch Temple and Full-Wrap Fit provide a comfortable but solid grip. Extremely Strong, durable and ultra-lightweight, only 25.0 g, which makes you hardly feel them on your face while ensuring you all-day comfort. - Perfect for Driving, Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Beach, and Outdoors. Sporty, Function, Comfort and Protection, this is the one you've been asking for.
• 30 DAY MONEY BACK SERVICE- All DEAFRAIN polarized sunglasses are backed by 30 Day Money Back and a Lifetime Limited Service. Customers can return and get refunded in case the purchasing is not satisfactory for any reason. Supplied with cleaning cloth, soft carry pouch, UV testing card, and high quality protective hard case. So You have no risk to try!

9. KUGUAOK Polarized Sports Sunglasses for Men

Kuguak Polarized glasses are anti-glare, anti-reflection and offer great visual clarity. They are designed to block the intense light so that you can see a natural view with colour enhancement. They are made of durable plastic and come with a UV protection coating. The lens width is 2.48 inches while the bridge and arm measure 44mm and 63mm.

The sunglasses come in a hard shell packaging along with a soft cloth and a polarized test card. They can be used for all watersports and outdoor activities. The frame is light and comfortable and doesn’t fall off easily. It comes with a lifetime breakage warranty.

• Made of durable plastic material
• Lightweight and flexible
• Fashionable
• Groovy nose piece
• poor Reflective coating

10. WYND Blocker Vert Motorcycle & Boating Sports Wrap Around Polarized Sunglasses

The WYND multipurpose sunglasses have many features. Their frame and lens are made of plastic and have 100% UV400 protection. The polarized lenses take care of intense and scarred light. The TAC technology makes them high-performance lenses that are impact-resistant and don’t break easily.

The height and width of the lens are 40mm and 60 mm respectively.

It also has a removable wind-resistant eyeliner and these sunglasses can be transformed into goggles as they come with an extra backstrap. The rubber earpieces offer a solid grip and prevent them from falling off. They are ultra-lightweight and specially designed for those who love watersports and other outdoor games.

They come with a microfiber bag that can be used for cleaning the lens too.

• Can be transformed into goggles
• Blocks wind
• Excellent eye protection
• Clear, unaltered vision
• poor peripheral view
• Liner not heat-resistant

• TAC POLARIZED LENS - 100% UV400 protection coating blocks 100% harmful UVA & UVB rays while the polarization restores true colors and elimnates reflected, glaring, and scattered light. TAC (Triacetate Cellulose) technology provides a high-performance hard coated polarized lenses which have impact resistant and anti-scratch properties.
• PRODUCT DIMENSIONS - Lens Height - 40mm; Lens Width - 60mm; Temple Length - 130mm; Nose Bridge - 25mm; Frame Width - 140mm
• WYND BLOCKER VERT FEATURES - Removable wind resistant eye liner; Option to convert to goggles with included backstrap; Rubberized ear pieces help maintain stability and grip on users head; Lightweight design ideal for motorcycle and cycling bicycle, driving, running, fishing, racing, skiing, climbing, trekking, boating and/or other outdoor activities.
• INCLUDES - WYND Blocker microfiber bag which can also be used as a lens cleaner; Backstrap to convert from glasses to goggles
• Lifetime guarantee against defects - please contact the WYND Blocker brand owner with any concerns

These are some of the boating sunglasses you can opt for.

You may also like to read –

• Top 11 Books On Boating
• 10 Best Sailing Watches

We earn a commission if you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.

Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

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About Author

Vasudev Ghangnam is a marine engineer, presently sailing as 3rd Engineer with Bibby Ship Management on their Gas Tankers. He has sailed on a variety of Oil and Gas tankers and keeps special interest in marine insurance. He loves reading about latest technology and writing his opinions on contemporary maritime issues.

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Best Sailing Sunglasses of 2024

Sun, wind, and salt spray are all parts of a perfect day on the water. They can also put a serious burden on your eyes, especially when direct sunlight combines with reflections and glare from water, sails, and polished white fiberglass hulls. Eye protection is a must for sailors, and your street sunglasses are probably not going to be enough. Fortunately for our windows on the world, we have a wide range of shades to choose from, many specifically adapted for water sports in general and sailing in particular. We’ve made the choice easier by selecting five of the best sailing sunglasses at a range of price points.

What kind of eye protection do sailors need? Look for wraparound styles that protect against glare from the sides and from below. Polarized lenses with full UV protection are preferred. Sailing glasses should be impact resistant and have non-slip pads on the nose to keep them in place. Floating glasses have the advantage, especially for aggressive small-boat sailors who often end up in the water, and if you don’t have them (or even if you do) you’ll want to add a retaining strap with flotation. Sunglasses are a personal choice and you’ll want to choose a pair that suits your personal style, but these top picks make a good starting point for anyone looking for sail-specific eye protection!

For more of our top sailing gear recommendations, check out the Best Sailing Hats .

Quick Answer - The Best Sailing Sunglasses

• SeaSpecs Classic Extreme View at Amazon
• Bollé Python View at Amazon
• COSTA Brine View at REI
• Maui Jim World Cup View at REI
• Gill Classic View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best Sailing Sunglasses

Reviews - The Best Sunglasses for Sailing

Seaspecs classic extreme.

• Lens Material : Polycarbonate
• Polarized : Yes
• UVA/UVB Protection : Yes
• Floating : Yes
• Integrated Strap
• Face-Hugging Design Keeps Water Out
• Designed For Active Water Sports

BEST FOR: AGGRESSIVE SAILING

Half sunglass, half goggle, SeaSpecs will be your eyewear of choice if your style of sailing has you out in a trapeze blasting a catamaran across a choppy beam reach. Designed for surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and other sports that have you in the water as much as on it, they feature a built-in retaining strap designed to keep them on your head even when things get wetter than expected! If they do come off they will float for easier recovery, but they’re affordable enough that losing a pair isn’t the end of the world. The accessible price also makes them a great choice for a spare pair of glasses to keep in the boat for backup use or if a friend needs a pair.

Reviews of the SeaSpecs are generally very positive, but a few users have reported issues with lenses popping out. On the other hand, with SeaSpecs priced at only a small fraction of what some of the higher-end glasses cost, a spare pair is a reasonable investment!

Bollé Python

• Lens Material : Coated Polycarbonate
• Floating : No
• Anti-Slip Nosepiece And Temples Keep The Glasses On Your Face
• 14% Light Transmission - Made For Bright Conditions
• Wraparound Design For Wide Field Of Vision

BEST FOR: STREET-TO-SAIL USE

If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that are as comfortable on the street as they are on deck, check these out. Boll é is known for blending serious sporting credibility with appealing style, and the Python is right in line with that reputation. The Python gets high marks for quality optics, a wide field of vision, non-slip nosepieces and temple linings, and coated lenses that resist scratching, impact, wetting, and fog. These glasses cut a lot of light, and are best used in very bright conditions: if you like wearing sunglasses at night, use a different pair!

On the downside, they don’t float, so make sure you have a retaining strap that does! A small minority of users report issues with the coating peeling off. Some fakes are reportedly circulating, so be sure to buy from a reputable source.

COSTA Brine

• Material : Glass
• Lightweight Glass Lenses Provide Maximum Clarity
• Cuts 99% Of Visible Glare
• Environmentally Sensitive BioResin Frames

BEST FOR: LENS CLARITY

Glass lenses provide greater clarity than any other material, but most manufacturers shy away from them because they are usually heavier and bulkier than polycarbonate. Costa claims that their unique technology allows them to produce glass lenses that are 20% thinner and 22% lighter than those of any competitor, allowing them to maximize clarity without excessive weight and bulk. The Brine was designed for saltwater fishing but is highly adaptable to sailing, particularly if a clear view of the water is a high priority!

The glass lenses do leave these too heavy to float, so you’ll need a floating retaining strap. They’re also on the pricey side, but the quality is proportional to the price!

Maui Jim World Cup

• Lens Material : Glass
• Waterproof And Oil-Resistant Coating
• Added Contrast For Fog And Overcast Skies
• Anti-Corrosion Spring Hinges
• Embedded Nose Pads

BEST FOR: VARIABLE LIGHT CONDITIONS

These are high-end sunglasses in every sense: Maui Jim has a great reputation among the saltwater set and the World Cup is one of their leading offerings. This version offers a neutral grey tint with a hint of bronze that combines exceptional bright-light performance with added contrast and superb color rendition in cloudy or foggy conditions, making it a great choice when you’re not sure what the weather will dish out! The manufacturer claims that “patented PolarizedPlus2 lens technology wipes out 99.9% of glare, blocks 100% of harmful UV and boosts color”, and a small army of satisfied customers backs up their claim!

As with most glass-lens sunglasses, these will not float, so be sure your retaining strap does!

Gill Classic

• Hydrophobic And Oleophobic Coatings
• Lenses Exceed EN (European Standards Organization) Safety Standards
• Total UV Protection: UVA, UVB, And UVC

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND VALUE

No list of sailing sunglasses would be complete without an entry from Gill: the company was founded by sailors, and while they are popular across the water sports spectrum, they are designed first and foremost for sailing. As you’d expect from sailing-specific eyewear these check all the usual boxes, and they get particular praise for a hydrophobic exterior coating that sheds water and salt residue and an oleophobic inner coating that resists fingerprints, sunscreen, and skin oils. The high-grade optics slash glare and reduce eye fatigue. They even look good, at least to our sense of style!

The downside? We’re still looking for one!

BONUS PRODUCTS

Tortuga straps floatz.

Any sunglasses you use on the water need a retaining strap, and even if your glasses float, you’ll want to add flotation to keep them on top of the water and visible. Tortuga Straps makes a high quality floating strap that consistently gets rave reviews!

CROAKIES FLOAT KIT

If you already have a retaining strap you like, these bright yellow floats will add flotation and keep your fallen shades visible in the water! These are worth considering if you often lose glasses, or if you use an expensive pair of shades that you really don’t want to lose.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING SUNGLASSES FOR SAILING

Any sunglasses are better than no sunglasses, but if you’re going to be spending much time on the water you will want a pair that is specifically designed for water sports. Look for a wrap-around design that gives you a broad field of vision and protects your eyes against glare from the sides and reflected light from below. You want glasses that hug your head and have non-slip nose and temple contact points: you need your glasses to stay on your head when you’re moving quickly and exposed to wind and water. They should be comfortable: you’ll be wearing them for hours at a time.

Metal frames corrode quickly when exposed to salt water. Most makers of water sports glasses use corrosion-resistant materials with hardware designed to resist salt exposure.

Many entry-level glasses use acrylic lenses, which are inexpensive but easily broken and scratched, and prone to distortion. Polycarbonate lenses can be made to much higher standards, and many manufacturers have proprietary polycarbonate blends and manufacturing techniques. Glass provides the highest optical quality, at the expense of added weight and bulk.

You wear sunglasses for protection from the sun, and that’s the primary consideration. You want polarized lenses with the highest possible degree of UV protection. Remember that UV-protective coatings are colorless, so a dark tint doesn’t necessarily translate to better protection! For extra UV protection, consider wearing a sailing hat , as well.

If you’d like to know more about sailing-specific sunglasses and how to choose them, try these detailed buyer’s guides from West Marine and Sail & Leisure .

FEATURES EXPLAINED

Uv protection.

Ultraviolet light is invisible to the naked eye but can do serious damage to the skin and eyes. There are three wavelengths of light classified as Ultraviolet: UVAm UVB, and UVC. UVC has the shortest wavelength and most UVC light is absorbed by the atmosphere, but full UVA and UVB protection is a must for serious water sports eye protection. Remember that the tint on sunglasses has nothing to do with UV protection, and even dark-tinted glasses may be inadequate. Look for a specific UV protection rating!

If you want to know more about UV rays, their effects, and how to protect against them , this review from the World Health Organization will tell you all you need to know!

LENS COATINGS

Manufacturers use a variety of coatings to keep lenses clean and clear:

• Hydrophobic Coatings repel water and prevent water stains and salt residue from forming on lenses. They are often used on the outer surface of a lens.
• Oleophobic Coatings repel oils and prevent fingerprints and stains from sunscreen and skin oils. They are often used on inner lens surfaces.

POLARIZATION

Light reflecting off a flat surface can produce intense glare and is “polarized” into a horizontal plane. Polarizing lenses are treated with a special filter that allows only vertical waves to pass, cutting out that reflected glare. Reflected light is a major presence in marine environments, and polarizing lenses are a must! One downside of polarizing lenses is that you may be unable to read LCD screens and some instrument panels.

This article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains polarized light and how to protect against it in detail!

For more of our top sailing gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:

Sailboat Anchors

Sailboat Winches

Sailing Shoes

Solar Panels for Sailboats

Bilge Pumps

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Best boating sunglasses: Eliminate the glare and elevate your style

Quality sunglasses are an essential investment in protecting your vision on the water. Here’s how to find the best sunglasses for your boating lifestyle.

Sunglasses are often viewed as primarily a fashion statement, but to find the best boating sunglasses, you should consider vision health, safety, and sharpness as much as style.

There are a few critical options to think about when it comes to protecting your eyesight at sea. These include lens tint, coating, and materials, which in turn affect light transmission, ultraviolet protection, and impact resistance.

In other words, the frame style is less important than performance, except for boaters and anglers who may want wraparound sunglasses to minimize light leaks at the temples and heighten visual acuity.

New to boating sunglasses? Read our explanation of what to look for

Looking for gifting inspiration? Check out our guide to the best Christmas gifts for boaters

Recommended videos for you

8 of the best boating sunglasses on the market, costa del mar 580p/g fathom.

Best boating sunglasses for general use

The Fathom is a stalwart of the Costa Del Mar line. Incorporating Costa’s proprietary 580 lens technology, it is available either in polycarbonate or glass (580P or 580G).

The Fathom features an oval to slightly cat-eye shape with frame vents that prevent fogging and a scratch-resistant lens coating.

This is a medium-sized frame that looks good on just about anyone, although it is less well-suited to a narrow or large head shape. There are men’s and women’s versions.

The Fathom is available in blue or green tints with a VLT rating of about 10%, which makes it ideal for bright conditions, such as boating.

Reasons to buy

• A time-tested design suitable for any activity. • Lightweight and rugged frames. • Reasonably priced high-end sunglasses. • Low VLT rating (10%) to block light and reduce glare.

Reasons to avoid

• Frame style may be too tight for wide faces. • The glass lens version is slightly heavier than polycarbonate.

RRP: £135/$177

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Smith optics guide’s choice.

Best boating sunglasses for blue water

Offshore boating demands reliable kit, and the Smith Optics Guide’s Choice brings best-in-class performance to the task.

The glass lens is super vivid and incorporates Smith’s ChromaPop technology, which means it separates primary colours (red, blue, green) for better definition.

It is available in a wide array of lens colours, but offshore conditions often call for a blue or green tint. For extra protection, mirrored coatings are beneficial on the brightest days.

Padded nose and temple components mean all-day comfort, and spring hinges adjust to a variety of face shapes.

In eyewear, base curve is a measurement of frame curvature. The Guide’s Choice has an 8-base curve, which is to say it offers a medium wraparound contour for a snug, light-blocking fit.

• Available in an extra-large frame. • There is a bifocal lens option. • Heavy-duty sunglasses.

• High-end shades with a high-end price. • The wraparound frame does not fit a narrow face well.

RRP: £151/$199

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Peppers Cutthroat Polarized Sport Sunglasses

Best boating sunglasses on a budget

A pair of sunglasses that retail for less than $50/£40 might not be your primary shades, yet it is always wise to keep an affordable backup pair in the console.

Sure, the Peppers Cutthroat lens is plastic, but it is polarized and reportedly very scratch resistant.

The lens features a UV-protection coating, and the large, wraparound frame blocks wind and prevents light leaks at the temples.

The Cutthroat is available in several lens tints and frame colors and is best suited to a large face shape. Most importantly, they float!

• Very affordably priced sunglasses. • Floating foam insets make them buoyant (if not unsinkable). • Full UV protection. • Comes with a hard-sided case and lanyard.

• Visual acuity is not on par with high-end sunglasses. • Less suitable for a narrow face.

RRP: £30/$39

Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley

Best boating sunglasses for anglers

Offshore anglers need their sunglasses to do one thing especially well — reduce glare. Whether you are pulling baits offshore or casting plugs in the bay, you need a lens that will enhance contrast and penetrate the water.

The Tuna Alley is Costa’s most advanced product, featuring a 580 glass lens for ultimate clarity and performance.

The rectangular frame offers more coverage than a rounded lens, and the temples are extra wide to block out ambient light.

Like the popular Fathom, the Tuna Alley also incorporates a series of vents to reduce fogging. It is available in multiple lens tints and frame finishes.

• A solid build that will stand up to offshore boating and fishing. • Wide lenses offer excellent coverage. • Lightweight despite their overbuilt quality. • Available with either glass or polycarbonate lens.

• May appear too bulky for a smaller face shape. • The glass lens versions are very pricey.

RRP: £142/$187

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Maui Jim Ho’okipa

Best boating sunglasses with lightweight frames

Although most boating sunglasses sport a frame with wide temples to block light, rimless shades are a good choice for someone looking for lightweight versatility at sea as well as on land.

Maui Jim’s Ho’okipa thin nylon frames reduce weight without sacrificing durability.

The polycarbonate lens is shatterproof with a VLT rating of 20%. Consequently, the Ho’okipa’s moderate light-transmission property makes for a good all-around lens.

While the Ho’okipa is available in multiple lens colors, the manufacturer’s Blue Hawaii tint is a great choice for boaters, especially in saltwater.

• Lightweight frames reduce fatigue. • A moderate wraparound style offers good eye protection. • Rubberized nose pads for comfort. • Unisex frames are suitable for men or women.

• More delicate than full-frame sunglasses. • Fairly expensive.

RRP: £152/$199

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Smith Redding Low-Light Ignitor

Best boating sunglasses for low light

The most popular lens tints of blue, gray, brown and bronze work great in most conditions, but in low light you need a specialty lens that provides greater contrast and depth perception.

This usually means amber, rose, yellow, or even copper to provide greater definition at twilight and in overcast or foggy conditions.

Look for a high VLT rating that allows the maximum visible light through the lens while still affording protection. A VLT of 25% to 35% will get the job done.

Good low-light lenses also offer eye protection in conditions where you might otherwise not opt to wear sunglasses, such as early morning boating or fishing.

• A lightweight and durable frame. • Glass lens for ultimate clarity. • Available in prescription lenses.

• A specialty lens that is not optimal in bright conditions. • Expensive for a pair of single-purpose sunglasses.

RRP: £110/$140

Smith Parallel Max 2

Best boating sunglasses with interchangeable lenses

Staying on the water for extended periods ensures that you will encounter variable conditions, and interchangeable lenses make it possible to quickly adapt to shifting light.

While not as convenient as photochromic lenses that automatically darken or lighten in response to brightness, interchangeable lenses are fixed tints that you manually swap out.

The advantage is that you are not limited to one color range, and as a result, you can have as many lens tints as you are willing to invest in. That is a great option when you know a certain day is going to be predominately overcast and the next mostly sunny, or vice versa.

Interchangeable lenses also offer cross-functionality between boating and other outdoor activities, from biking and golf to tennis or trap shooting.

• Ability to swap lenses from one day to the next. • Lightweight rimless frames. • Smith’s Ignitor lens is excellent in low light. • Medium to large frame style fits most face shapes.

• Replacement lenses are $30 to $60. • Interchangeable lenses can loosen in their frame over time.

RRP: £114/$149

Ray Ban Original Wayfarer Classics

Best boating sunglasses for stylish seafarers

There is hardly a more timeless frame style than the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, which has been a worldwide hit since it was introduced in the early 1950s.

Yet that fashion-forward look is also perfectly suitable for watersports . Wide temple arms and large frames provide excellent sun protection and light blockage, while the glass lens offers exceptional clarity.

The frame comes in either a black or tortoiseshell finish, with multiple lens colors. It is also available in non-polarized versions or with mirrored coatings for extra glare reduction.

The Wayfarer is a unisex frame, which means it is available in various lens widths for both men and women.

• A classic fashion frame that is also suitable for boating. • Generous lens coverage in multiple sizes. • 100% UV protection. • Glass lens for heightened visual acuity.

• Not really a sport frame (but who cares, right?). • Beware of counterfeits. Most genuine Ray-Bans are made in Italy.

RRP: £124/$16

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What to look for in the best boating sunglasses

Overall, lens color is the first practical consideration. A dark lens (gray, brown, blue) is better for bright days, and a light-coloured lens (amber, rose, gold, yellow) is more suitable for low-light conditions, such as fog or twilight.

Gray lenses significantly reduce glare, so they are a good all-purpose choice suited to bright inshore or freshwater conditions. Boaters headed offshore, on the other hand, usually prefer a blue or green tint.

Lenses with a mirrored coating provide additional protection from bright sunlight, and other coating options may include UV protection and scratch resistance.

A frame with interchangeable lenses offers the greatest versatility, but it can be cumbersome to keep up with spare lenses.

Photochromic sunglasses change tint with brightness, which means they spare you the hassle of swapping lenses.

Quality sunglasses are essential for a day on the water. Photo: Alamy

As for lens material, glass provides superior clarity but less impact protection. Synthetic lenses, such as polycarbonate, offer a balance between sharpness and safety.

There are two common lens designations to look for. Firstly, consider the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) rating, which defines the percentage of visible light that can pass through a lens.

VLT numbers below about 20% are best for bright light, while higher numbers allow more light for overcast conditions.

Secondly, any pair of sunglasses worth owning should have a UV protection rating of 99% to 100%.

Fully polarized lenses are the norm for boating use, except in cases where they could interfere with polarized LCDs or instrument screens. The two polarizing surfaces can cancel each other out, making screens appear dark.

What are polarized lenses and how do they work?

The majority of modern sunglasses are polarized, but what exactly does that mean? In simplest terms, a polarized lens filters out light waves that are oriented in a given plane or polar axis.

Think of the snow-blinded explorer cutting narrow slits in a scrap of cardboard or patch of duct tape to fashion a pair of survival sunglasses. His makeshift eyewear has the same general effect as a polarized lens.

This is because, in their original state, light waves are chaotic and multidimensional. But when reflected off of a flat surface, such as a snowfield or the water’s surface, the waves can organize into a unified plane or axis.

Polarizing filters (and narrow slits) block rays that are not oriented parallel to their own axis. Like trying to push a key into a keyhole sideways, it’s a no-go. The result is reduced glare and eyestrain.

Despite their advantages, polarized lenses are not always preferable as boating sunglasses. LCD screens and even tinted windows can have their own polarization that effectively blocks all light when also viewed through a pair of polarized sunglasses. But for everyday protection out on the water, polarized lenses are the way to go.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.

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Best Sunglasses for Sailing – Top Eyes Protection!

It is important to wear sunglasses in the sun to protect the eyes from UV radiation and glare. However, by not wearing the right sunglasses, you may irritate and fatigue your eyes which can cause headaches and visual discomfort, especially on a boat. Why, in particular, on a boat? Well, simply because the sunlight is much more dazzling on the water’s surface than on land. To keep your eyes healthy, you need a good pair of polarized sunglasses to protect them from damaging UV rays. Sunglasses are not only designed to preserve the eyes but also to give a great stylish look!

Without further ado, let’s combine quality, protection, and beauty with the 13 best sunglasses for sailing in 2023

Post Updated: 18 January 2023

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Table of Contents

1. Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses

Costa Del Mar sunglasses will blow you away. The only thing you may regret after buying this pair of glasses is that you didn’t get them earlier. These are available with plastic or glass lenses. Glass is much more durable, clearer, and heavier than plastic lenses. Also, glass provides a better view, and it is scratch-proof, but if you want a pair for everyday recreational use, then the plastic lenses will be a good option. Costa Del Mar sunglasses are top-quality shade and clarity.

Average Rank: 4.7 out of 10

• Cheaper online than at a local retailer
• Top-notch clarity
• Easy to clean
• Excellent against the glare
• They fit great
• Give good depth
• They are polarized
• Block the light from getting in from the side
• Good looking sunglasses
• Lenses glass is heavier than plastic.
• Plastic lenses do not transmit light as well as glass lenses

2. Oakley Men’s Gascan Rectangular Sunglasses

If you want to stay fashionable and protect your eyes as well, then look no further than the Oakley Holbrook sunglasses. Whether it is to wear good-looking outfits or sporting clothing, these sunglasses will definitely give you a great stylish look. The Holbrook is available in hundreds of different options and customizations, allowing you to wear them with any outfit. These sunglasses boast a rectangular frame which adds an impressive appearance to any round face shape. Oakley sunglasses are lightweight, durable, and provide fantastic visual clarity. These pairs of sunglasses will add a touch of color to your everyday life!

Average Rank: 4.4 out of  5

• Polarized lens keeps the glare down
• Lightweight
• Extremely comfortable and durable
• High quality
• Comes with warranty documents and numbers to register them on Oakley’s website.
• A wide variety of lens colors
• Holbrook sunglasses were made with men in mind, but women can surely wear them as well.
• The lenses can scratch easily, so you need to be careful and keep them well.

3. Costa Del Mar Men’s Rincon 

It’s hard not to love the coastal Del Mar sunglasses because their quality is incomparable.

Whether fishing, boating, driving, hiking or any outdoor activity, you can count on the Rincon to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while seeing clearly wherever you go and looking stylish!

These sunglasses are available in 580 G, glass, and 580p plastic. Both are great, but there are plusses and minuses in each model. For example, the 580G is scratch-proof, while the 580P is scratch-resistant but not 100% scratch-proof.

However, the 580 G is constructed with Costa’s lightwave technology offering superior clarity. The lenses are 22% lighter and 20% thinner than most polarized sunglasses on the market. The plastic and the glass lens are 100% polarized and provide 100% protection against glare and UV

The blue lens is specially designed for harsh sun conditions and gives the highest protection when out on reflective water. So if you go boating or fishing, the blue lens will be your best bet.

The frame is made of cool injected TR_90 nylon using a friendly bio-resin process. This material resists heat and cold, making these sunglasses super durable. In addition, the arms have some flexes, which adapt to all types of face shapes. Also, a piece of rubber between the nose and the ears adds extra comfort and prevents them from slipping when you bend over.

Another great thing about these sunglasses is that they come with a case to store them inside and a cleaning towel. The Ricon is an excellent pair of sunglasses for the price. They are lightweight, fit great, have a nice look, and, most importantly, protect your eyes.

• excellent clarity
• 100% polarized
• comfortable
• high quality
• provide 100% UV protection
• A few people said that the frame feels cheap
• Several users reported the lenses were big

4.WindRider UV-Protected Polarized Sunglasses

This is another great pair of sunglasses that offer excellent protection against harmful UV rays. These not only block glares exceptionally well, but they also look stylish, and on top of that, they are durable and comfortable. WindRider is one of the best brands that produce polarized sunglasses, so you can count on them to give you superb clarity.

These sunglasses have all the features needed to make any sailor and angler happy. They weigh only 4 ounces, which is extremely lightweight, making them super comfortable to wear for long hours.

Additionally, the lenses feature a hydrophobic coating and oil-repellent to allow the lenses to stay clean without fingerprints.

The frame on these sunglasses is adjustable and stays stable on the head, allowing you to move around without worrying about losing them. Windrider offers a lifetime warranty on these sunglasses, and if something breaks, you can count on this brand to repair or replace them. Another cool thing about the Windrider sunglasses is that they float on water.

These will give you peace of mind; if they fall overboard, they’ll float on the surface of the water. These come with a nice zippered case and microfiber lens cloth, and they are reasonably priced. These are the types of sunglasses that you can use for boating, fishing, and any watersport, even for driving.

 Average Rank: 4.6 out of 5

• Great polarization
• Prevent fogging
• Float on the water
• Adjustable frame
• Lifetime warranty
• A few users found the arm pieces a little tight on the sides of the head.

5. Kaenon Men’s Burnet Polarized Rectangular Sunglasses

Kaenon was founded by two brothers in 2001 who were disappointed with the sunglasses they found on the market and decided to create something beyond that of better quality. Kaenon sunglasses were made in Italy and designed with both men and women in mind. Kaenon never compromises on quality, which is why they have built such a good reputation on the market. These sunglasses are easy to wear and fit every type of face shape, providing incredible contrast and clarity thanks to their top-notch polarized lenses, hydrophobic “water-repellant,” and anti-glare film. Not to mention, they look beautiful!

 Average Rank: 4.3 out of 5

• Remarkably high-quality sunglasses
• Suits well all types of face shapes
• They sit comfortably on the face
• Excellent and strong construction
• lightweight
• Fantastic polarization for extended use
• Comfortable
• Water repellent
• They are a bit delicate, and the lenses may scratch easily. You need to be careful with them.
• They are pricey but worth every penny

6. Maui Jim Rimless Frame Polarized Lenses

With Maui Jim sunglasses, you’ll see clearer than you ever did before, thanks to its patent PolarizedPlus 2 sunglasses and its multi-layered lenses featuring three unique earth elements that provide higher transmission of the colors. Maui Jim offers about 125 different styles of sunglasses, and without exception, all of them are 100 percent polarized.

• Awesome polarization
• Very comfortable
• Great looking sunglasses
• High-quality product
• Beautiful colors
• Flexible frame
• Very clear lenses
• The frame is very flexible. This may be a disadvantage for some people and an advantage for others.
• The lenses are vulnerable to scratches, need to keep them well!

7 . Hobie Woody Readers Sunglasses

If you are looking for high-quality sunglasses at a relatively low price, then the Hobie is a perfect choice for you. Hobie sunglasses feature top-notch quality polarized lenses providing 100% protection from UVA UVB UVC rays giving you incredible visual clarity. Hobie Polarized lenses are resistant, lightweight, and repel water and oil. The frame is made of TR-90 Grilamid, which is well known for being a strong, lightweight, and durable material. To be honest, it is uncommon to find sunglasses of such high quality at such a good price!

Average Rank: 4.4 out of 5

• Extremely comfortable
• Polarized lenses
• High-quality sunglasses
• Some people may find it annoying to see the Hobie on the right side of the sunglasses.
• They may be smaller than other sunglasses brands.

8. Bolle Python Sunglasses

Founded in France in 1888, Bolle has been making high-quality and stylish sunglasses for over 130 years. Bolle specializes in a wide variety of sporting eyewear. Whether it’s skiing, cycling, or sailing, Bolle is making the perfect eyewear for that activity.

The Bolle Python is the perfect example of Bolle’s attention to detail in making the ideal sporting sunglasses. From the lenses to the frames, these sunglasses, in particular, are designed for sailing.

The lenses offer HD polarized lenses for super clarity. The HD lenses are also treated with a hydrophobic coating to prevent anything from latching onto the outside of the lenses. This coating is ideal for sailing, as it will keep your vision unobstructed while you cut through the water.

In addition to the hydrophobic coating, the lenses are also treated with an exceptional, industry-leading anti-fog coating. Bolle’s anti-fog coating gives their glasses a permanent resistance to fog, as well as scratches and chemicals. This coating is also applied directly to the lenses, which means it will last as long as the glasses and not chip off like some cheaper options that spray or dip their lenses.

The frames are also equipped with Thermogrip technology. The Thermogrip material is located at the temple tips, nose pads, and nose pieces. This material helps the frames maintain their grip on the face, no matter how wet the sunglasses or your face gets. Thus, making them perfect for water sports as they eliminate glasses slipping off the face when wet.

Average Rank: 4.3 out of 5

• The HD lenses with hydrophobic coating and anti-fog coating ensure your vision is kept clear during sporting activities like sailing.
• People who bought this product were thrilled with how durable the sunglasses were for their price point.
• Some buyers have mentioned that the glasses wear large on the face, especially on people with smaller head sizes.
• The size and features also add to the weight of the sunglasses, coming in at four ounces.

9. HUK Eyewear Full Frame Sunglasses

If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of Costa del Mar sunglasses, the Huk is a fantastic option. You may not even want to buy a pair of Costa or any other brand after wearing them. They are lightweight, comfortable, and make everything so clear. With them, you’ll be able to spot your fish from afar quickly in the water. However, don’t compare them to Costa Del Mar in terms of quality, but they are great considering the price.

They have Premium Polarized polycarbonate lenses, which are made by injection molding. Polycarbonate provides 100% UV protection and excellent Clarity of vision as it blocks glare exceptionally well. They also resist impact and are more durable than standard plastic or glass, making them ideal for any outdoor trip. The lenses are large and wrap the eyes perfectly, enhancing protection. The Huk comes in four different color lenses – gray, brown, green, and blue to suit any type of activity.

The frame is made with Injected TR90, a lightweight, flexible, and durable thermoplastic material. Since this material is flexible, It can bend easily and conform to the face’s shape, making it extremely comfortable to wear all day long. Each end of the earpiece features a non-slip rubber to ensure the sunglasses stay stable on your head. And the best part? They come with a protective microfiber bag to store and protect your sunglasses. 

Average Rank: 4.6 out of 5

• Comfortable to wear for long hours in the Sun. 
• Provide excellent Clarity of vision 
• Extremely lightweight 
• Great for the price 
• Some reviewers complained that the rubber on the arms came off after A few months of use.
• A few customers said they don’t block the glare on the sides.

10. REKS Unbreakable Wrap Around

REKS decided to take on a challenge, produce high-quality sunglasses that are as close to indestructible as possible and reasonably priced. The result is sunglasses that are ideal for sporting activities.

The lenses are made of a special shatter-resistant material that is a whopping 10 times more shatter-resistant than typical glass or plastic.

The lenses are also treated with a hydrophobic coating to keep water off the lenses while sailing or enjoying water sports.

The lenses are also treated with an anti-reflective coating on the back to reduce glare from light that comes in from behind the wearer’s head. Meanwhile, the anti-scratch coating acts to extend the life of the lenses by keeping micro scratches from forming and obstructing your vision.

Average Rank: 4.2 out of 5

• Protection from the sun, the lenses are polarized and offer 100% UV 400 protection.
• Incredible durability for the price and excellent water resistance make it ideal for sailing.
• Some buyers have noticed that fog forms on the lenses when exposed to certain conditions.

11. Bnus Italy-Made Classic Sunglasses

Bnus is a leader in fashion-forward sunglasses that double as feature-packed sports sunglasses. And the Bnus Italy-made classic sunglass with Corning real glass and the polarized lens is the perfect example of how they do this.

The Corning glass lens provided maximum clarity. The 100% polarized lenses reduce glare and eye strain down to nothing. In addition to glare reduction, the Bnus Truecolor polarized lenses also reveal natural colors in the environment by improving red, green, and yellow contrast by 75%, revealing an eye-popping vision.

The nylon frames offer further style and comfort. The nylon conforms to the face comfortably so that one does not have to worry about their sunglasses shooting off while sailing, fishing, or walking about town. The nylon material is also very durable, furthering this sunglasses’ reputation as being both stylish and sporty.

Average Rank: 4.5 out of 5

• Durable seawater-resistant lenses make these sunglasses ideal for sailing.
• Many of Bnus models come in multiple size options to ensure you get the perfect size glasses for your face.
• Polarized lenses help enhance vision in addition to blocking the sun.
• Some buyers have noticed that the lenses scratch easily when compared to sunglasses that have been treated with anti-scratch coatings. Careful care can help prevent this.

12. Coyote Eyewear Polarized Reader Sunglasses

The perfect sunglasses for those who wish to sail and fish without needing to grab a pair of readers to read or tie knots. These sunglasses offer a unique added feature that allows sailing lovers not to have to swap between sunglasses and reading glasses while on the water.

A unique feature of these sunglasses is the bifocal built into the sunglasses themselves. The bifocal is integrated into the back of the sunglasses so that it is totally unnoticeable. The bifocal comes in +1.50, +2.00, and +2.50 strengths so that you get the right strength bifocal in your sunglasses. The impact-resistant copper lenses also offer excellent light contrast for enhanced all-around vision as well.

• Multiple bifocal options ensure the right strength in every pair of sunglasses.
• The scratch-resistant coating helps keep the lenses clear and usable.
• These glasses offer a great feature with the bifocal; however, this can be a con if you are someone who does not need that for their feature for their close-up vision.
• They can also be a bit more fragile than other options, so some previous buyers recommend handling them carefully.

13. Ray-Ban Rectangular Sunglasses

Ray-Ban is one of the most iconic brands in the world, and its sunglasses have a well-deserved reputation for quality and a loyal following of customers who rely on the brand’s high quality. From their ground-breaking Aviator to their instantly recognizable Wayfarer, there is a style of Ray-Ban for everyone, including the sailor.

The RB4075 is equipped with polarized lenses that eliminate glares while enhancing clarity and contrast. Creating an excellent clear vision that will easily cancel out the sun as it reflects off the water. The lenses are also made with high-contrast pigments that enhance natural colors.

The lenses also have a hydrophobic coating that helps keep water from forming on them, another excellent feature for those who will use these sunglasses on the water. The durable frame is also wide enough to not interfere with your peripheral vision. These features make the RB4075 a favorite for sailing.

• Top-notch polarized lenses from an industry-leading company.
• Large field of vision.
• Durable and trustworthy design that will have a long lifespan, even if not properly cared for.
• Some buyers may be hesitant to take sunglasses at this price point out on the water.
• Some buyers have noticed that fog may form under certain conditions.

Buying Guide

How polarized sunglasses work.

Polarized sunglasses have a chemical film embedded in the lenses, which is what makes them polarized. This film blocks the light that reflects off flat surfaces such as water, snow, sand, and metal. In short, polarized sunglasses act as a filter for what reflects directly into your eyes. Now there are two types of light, vertical and horizontal light, and the role of polarized sunglasses is to block the horizontal light and allow the vertical light to pass through to prevent glares from blinding you.

Sunglass Lens Materials

The material used to make the lenses will affect their Clarity, weight, durability, and cost. Here is what you need to know.

Glass offers top-notch Vision clarity and top-notch scratch resistance. However, the downside with glasses is that it’s heavier than plastic and more expensive. 

Polyurethane Provides excellent Clarity And superior impact resistance. It’s lightweight and flexible, but quite expensive, too.

Polycarbonate Has a high level of impact resistance and outstanding visual clarity. The problem with this material is that it’s not scratch-proof, but it’s lightweight, not bulky, and affordable.

Acrylic  is a cheap alternative to polycarbonate, but it’s less durable and often creates distorted images.

Sunglass Lens Coatings

Sunglasses made with several layers of coating are likely to be more expensive. These layers can include

• An anti-scratch coating to increase the lenses’ longevity,  
• A hydrophobic coating to repel water drops
• An anti-fog coating prevents the lens’s surface from frogging.
• Flash or mirrored coating is a reflective film placed on the sunglasses lenses’ outer surfaces to block the lenses’ glare. Mirrored coating often makes the reflected images appear darker than they are. That’s why companies use lighter tint to make things seem a little brighter.

  Sunglass Lens Features

Photochromic lenses:  Photochromic lenses adapt to changes in light conditions. The lenses get darker when exposed to UV light and get brighter in low-light conditions. Be aware that the photochromic lenses won’t transition inside a car as windshields block the UV rays.

Interchangeable lenses:  Many sunglasses today come with removable lenses of various colors, allowing you to adapt your eye protection to all sorts of activities.

Polarized lenses:  Polarized lenses reduce glare exceptionally well. If you do water sports activities or spend a lot of time in the sun, polarized lenses will protect your eyes.

Sometimes, polarized lenses don’t work well with the tints on windshields. If your windshield has a polarizing filter, and you wear polarized sunglasses, too much light will get filtered, and it will automatically create blind spots, which reduce visibility. So, before using your polarized sunglasses inside the car, ensure your windshield doesn’t have any polarizing filter. You can check this by holding your sunglasses 90 degrees away from your face. If you see clearly and nothing is getting dark, this means your windshield is not polarized.

Visible Light Transmission

The visible light transmission, also called visible light transmittance or VLT%, Is the amount of light that passes through the lens. This visible light transmission is evaluated in percentage, determining the lenses’ thickness and color, the coating they feature, and the material they are constructed with. Know that the lower the amount of %VLT, the darker the lens tint will be. The darker lenses will block more glare, while the lighter ones will allow more light to pass through the lens. When buying a pair of sunglasses, make sure to check the VLT %

• 0-19% VLT: This is ideal for bright and sunny conditions
• 20-40% VLT: Excellent for all usage
• 40+% VLT: Great for cloudy days and low light conditions.
• 80-90+% VLT: Virtually clear lenses for very dim and night conditions.

Sunglass Lens Colors (Tints)

The lens color plays a significant role in how your eyes are protected from UV and how well you see contrast and colors.

For instance, dark lens colors like green, brown, and gray are excellent for outdoor activities. As I mentioned above, the darker tint lenses block the glare, reducing eye fatigue in bright conditions. The gray and green lenses provide excellent clarity. On the other hand, the brown lens can cause some small distortion.

Light lens colors like rose, yellow, gold, and amber perform best in low-light conditions. These color lenses are excellent for snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing. They make things appear brighter, enhance visibility in flat light conditions,s and provide outstanding depth perception.

Sunglass Frame Materials

The frame is as important as the lenses; it needs to be comfortable, sturdy, and stable so that you can enjoy your activities without worrying about your sunglasses falling or breaking apart.

Nylon:  This material is lightweight, affordable, and more durable than metal frames. Some nylon sunglasses are built to withstand high-impact Sports, but they usually can’t be adjusted unless they feature an inner adjustable wire core.

Metal is heavier, more expensive, and more prone to breaking, thus not ideal for high-impact sports. Metal frames are made of stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. Stainless steel and titanium resist more rust and corrosion and are more robust than aluminum. On the other hand, aluminum is lighter, making it more comfortable to wear. Know that If you leave metal in the sun, it can get very hot. Metal adapts easily to the face and doesn’t obstruct the field of vision.

Castor-based polymer frames are lighweight, durable, and made of non-petroleum-based material extracted from castor plants.

Acetate frames are made with a variation of plastic and are usually constructed on high-quality glasses. They offer a wide variety of colors but aren’t very flexible and aren’t designed for high-impact sports.

My Final Words

Whether for fishing, boating, or everyday use, you need a good pair of sunglasses or even two, in case you lose one pair. The sunglasses you see are top-rated on the market. So you can’t go wrong. Of course, you’ll find pluses and minuses in each of them, so it will all boil down to your personal preferences. However, no matter what you select, one thing is for sure. All of them will protect your eyes 100% from the sun.

More Reviews

• Choosing polarized sunglasses
• Nautical Gifts for Boating
• Waterproof Duffel Bags

Do you know other great pairs of sunglasses that are not listed in the article? If so, feel free to share it in the comments below.

AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Cruising Sea is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.

Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.

26 thoughts on “Best Sunglasses for Sailing – Top Eyes Protection!”

Hello Deniella, I read you article and I have to say I loved your writing style. Also it is good to read both pros and cons about sunglasses before we buy them. You know it’s actually a good thing to know pros and cons about any product we are interested in because we all know nothing is 100% perfect. I personally liked Kaenon sunglasses but it is bit of my price range. My second best is Maui Jim sunglasses. Glad to read your article Deniella and I wish you good luck with everything you do in future. 🙂

Thank you for your kind comment, I really appreciate! It is always great to read compliments:)

Yes, it is critical to know the Pros and the Cons when buying an item, it helps us to decide whether to buy or not the product. You have good taste:) The Kaenon and the Maui are fantastic sunglasses. You are right, they are pricey, but they are worth the price! What’s the point to invest in a cheap pair of sunglasses and then a few months later they break out. What you do is throwing money out of the window! I prefer to pay a higher price no matter the product and be sure it will last for a long time.

Thank you again for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

Very interesting post! I work outside in the summer and spend a lot of time on my local lake rarely wearing sunglasses, I will have to reconsider as now I know the dangers of the sun on the human eyes. I currently have RayBan clubmasters. I know these are more of a fashion pair of glasses but they keep the sun out my eyes nicely. What is your take on Rayban?

It depends on what matter the most to you. Ray-Ban sunglasses are more fashion led while the Oakley are more sport focused. Ray-Ban and Oakley brands, both are owned by the same company.

Which one is the best? Again, this will depend on your personal preference!

Thank you for the comment and wish you a fantastic day!

Thank you for pointing out these options. I am regularly getting headaches and pains in my eyes from the sun and the glare can be so strong that it completely blinds you. I had a set of oakley glasses before but the kids broke them so I have been looking around trying to find a really good pair at a decent enough price under $100. Which ones are the most robust and most child proof options? (so they wont break them again!)

Thank you for your comment!

Yes, this is what usually happen when we don’t wear the right pair of sunglasses, or we don’t wear one at all. The Oakley are strong quality sunglasses and to tell you the truth, it happened to me as well that my children broke my sunglasses. Any sunglasses will break if it is accessible to children, even if it is made of strong quality:) What I do now is I store them in a place out of reach of my kids. It works perfectly! You should do the same:)

Thank you again for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!

You have given me a LOT of choices. I won’t use them for sailing per se, but I have been looking for a pair of sunglasses to replace my Ray Bans I just lost again! So, I need a new pair but want something different. I have been looking at Maui Jims, and shoot the price is way better than my Ray Bans. I have just found the perfect new pair for me. Glad I found your article, I loved reading the reviews. Really helped me decide to switch!

Hi Matt, I am glad this article helped you find the right pair of sunglasses:) Enjoy!

Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

Daniella, I’m guessing that since you rated the Costa Del Mar sunglasses at the highest rating compared to the others, that those are the ones that you use? I do like the idea that the sunglasses block the light from getting in on the sides. I find that this type is especially great when snow is on the ground on a sunny day.

I actually am quite fond of the Maui Jim sunglasses. I would never had thought to get the higher quality sunglasses until my sister introduced me to them. She prefers the Oakley brand and I wore hers once but found that the Maui Jims were much more suitable to my needs. Very lightweight and extremely comfortable.

I will have to check out the Costa Del Mar sunglasses to see how they work for me. Thanks for the information! A

Well, my husband uses the Costa Del Mare, and he loves them very much.  But I have rated them based on Amazon reviewers. Although these are the highest rated and undoubtedly fantastic sunglasses, this doesn’t mean they are the best. The more reviewers, the more evaluations! Snow, dazzling water and straight light from the sun have the same effect on the eyes. So yes, sunglasses that prevent the light penetrate from all directions, whether the bottom, the top, or sides, provide high protection. Not all sunglasses offer this feature, but the Costa Del Mare does! Maui Jim, Oakley, Costa Del Mar, Kaenon, and Hobie are high-quality sunglasses and the best will depend on the personal preference.

Thank you for the useful comment and wish a wonderful day!

Hi, I have found this article to be very interesting i actually own a pair of the Oakley sunglasses and find them to be quite good and suitable for my eyes. These particular sunglasses are polarised and that makes all the difference. You are quite right they are lightweight and comfortable to wear. And on water there are not many that are better. and as you say they will all protect your eyes 100% from the sun. Great article thanks Shane.

Indeed, the Oakley is an exceptional pair of sunglasses and yes, polarised make a big difference when it comes to protecting your eyes. So make sure your sunglasses are polarised!

Thank you for passing by and for the comment:)

Hello Daniella, I must say that this article is very helpful and informative. I am a guy who enjoys sailing especially with my family. I really did not think about sailing sunglasses so far but now I see I was wrong. Ray-Ban rectangular are the ones I like the most primarily because of its powerful design and they are also pretty affordable. Thank you for sharing such a useful piece of text!

It would be best to have sunglasses while sailing to protect your eyes from the UV. The Ray-Ban rectangular sunglasses are excellent for the eyes; I am sure you will love them.

Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day

Hi Daniella

It is very important to have eye protection from the sun , especially from the glare from the water and shiny metal objects such as ships. When I buy sunglasses I am looking for something that has maximum protection from UV light, to have anti- scratch, be light weight, and to be long lasting and durable. So, if you drop it, it does not look good if it breaks to millions of pieces. The glasses you have chosen all look good and practical. I would certainly look good in any of them.

The problem is that I am a spectacle wearer and so can any of these be worn over prescription glasses. I also think you need the glasses to be secure, as when you are doing something physical, you do not want the glasses flying everywhere.

Hi Antonio,

As you said, it is essential to wear sunglasses so you can protect your eyes from the glare. You cannot wear sunglasses over the prescription glasses, but you can customize your sunglasses. for this, you will have to send the sunglasses with your prescription to the company from which you bought your sunglasses.

I hope it helps. Let me know if you need more info; I’ll be more than happy to assist you.

Thank you for the comment and I wish you a fantastic day

Shopping today for some information about the best sunglasses to buy, I found your article and I’m glad I did, as I got the idea to give one of my kids some sunglasses for Christmas and the title of your article got my attention Best Sunglasses for Sailing.

This kid loves water sports as he lives in Quebec where there are some lakes and rivers to do the water sports, I must say he spend all his free time during Summer right next to the lake.

I think I’ll go for the Bnus sunglasses, as you got them as the top pick, I like the design and I’m sure my son will love them too. 

Hi Alexandra,

The Bnus sunglasses are fantastic and affordable too. I am pretty sure that your son will love them as they are lightweight and durable. thank you for passing by and saw the comment

I wish you a lovely day.

I am a huge sunglass collector and always have a pair or two with me. I have been wearing polarized lenses since the 1990s as they help to avoid and prevent light-sensitivity and migraine headaches. My two favorite brands are Kaenon and Maui Jim. 

I have also had an excellent experience with Maui Jim’s customer service. Highly recommend both of those brands even at their premium cost.

I agree with you; Kaenon and Maui Jim have superb customer service. I do, too, recommend those brands:)

Thanks for the comment, and I wish you a lovely day! 

Hi, Daniella,

Thanks for putting together this detailed review. I love sunglasses, so this information comes in handy. They’re a must for any traveler regardless of the destination.

I see that most of your suggestions are rectangular lenses and a few oval ones like Oakleys. I like rectangular shades but Oakleys are not my favorites, at least not the sports type.

Out of all the ones you reviewed, the ones I liked the most were the Costa del Mar. They look elegant and fashionable, and that shade of blue is perfect.

Do you have any recommendations for aviators sunglasses? They’re my favorite type.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Enrique,

I am glad you liked the article.

If you want to buy aviator sunglasses, the best I can suggest to you are Maui Jim, Kalvin Klein, Salvatore Ferragamo, or Ray-Ban. They are made of high quality, so you can be sure they will last for a long time:) 

I hope it helped; please let me know if you need more help. I am always happy to assist:)

Thanks for passing by, and I wish you a great day!

At first from reading the title I wasn’t really sure why sailing requires sunglasses but then I understood the glare must be strong. Just like when it rains and the car headlights bounce on the wet road and hit your eyes but ten times more when it comes to the sea and sun.

These are some great examples. I believe for me a scratch resistant sun glasses as well as other features are quite important when it comes to picking.

Thanks for taking your time to create this informative post!

It’s not a requirement to wear sunglasses when out on the water. It’s just that if you want to protect your eyes and enjoy your trip, it’s better to wear a pair—everything count when choosing sunglasses, style, protection, scratch-resistant, and durability. You don’t want to end up buying a pair every few months. This will cost quite a lot of money:)I am glad you found this article useful. Thank you for the comment, and I wish you a lovely day! 

Thank you so much for your review on all these amazing glasses! I personally love the glass lens than the plastic lens even though they are heavier, it is just harder to get scratched in my opinion. Costa Del Mar Fantail Sunglasses Looks promising and I love the fact that I can get them cheaper online and I have the option to choose the lens. Bnus Italy Made Classic Sunglasses Is another on in my top picks. I am going to check them out now. Thanks again!

Hi Nuttanee,

You are very welcome there!

Yes, if you are worried about scratches, a glass lens is the best option, then. Mar Fantail and Bonus are excellent sunglasses; I am glad you’ve found the ones you like:)

Let me know if you need help; I’ll be more than happy to assist!

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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Wine Glasses for Use on a Boat

Published on November 27, 2010 ; last updated on November 29, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

The best wine glasses for your boat?  That’s a hard one . . . what’s perfect for me may be all wrong for you.  So I’ll first discuss several considerations, then discuss the pros and cons of specific wine glasses.  Unfortunately, I haven’t found the glass that meets all the criteria for use on a boat, so you’ll have to decide your priorities to pick “the perfect boat wine glass.”

What Do I Want in a Wine Glass?

The look and feel of the glass are always important, but being on a boat adds a few other considerations:  are they likely to tip over?  if they tip or fall, will they break?  Depending on your location, there may be other factors such as the ability to keep bugs out of the wine.

One problem with traditionally-shaped wine glasses — that is, glasses with stems — is that they don’t fit into drink holders.  Or maybe I should say that drink holders don’t keep them from tipping.  I recently ran across a drink holder insert designed for stemmed wine glasses (see photo at right) that does prevent tipping.

This wine glass holder is called a Yoebi , and it fits inside a standard drink holder.  You then slide the foot in and out to drink and set the glass down. See my full review of the Yoebi — I love it!

There are some more good photos of it on the Yoebi web site and you can buy them there — as well as discounts on sets of 4.

9 Wine Glass Options to Choose From

Below are “mini reviews” on 9 wine glasses that are good on a boat and links to several other wine glasses that I’ve reviewed since I first published this.  You’ll probably laugh at some — a sippy cup?  really? — but each makes sense in certain circumstances.  In making these recommendations, I’ve tried to keep affordability in mind but I also know that everyone has a different idea of how much they’re willing to spend and some options (such as stainless steel wine glasses) simply do cost more.

Here are my choices, with “glass” glasses first, followed by less breakable options:  plastic and stainless.

Traditional Glass Wine Glasses

If you want a traditionally-shaped glass wine glass, the Libbey Catawba Footed Goblet is my choice.  The tulip shape works for either red or white wines.

Being glass, they are breakable, but the glass is heavy enough — particularly in the stem, the most vulnerable spot — that they are less likely to break than many other glass glasses.  They are also less top-heavy than many other wine glasses, making them less tippy.

While they have a nice look and feel, the primary disadvantages are the fact that stemmed glasses just can’t be put into most drink holders (but see the Yoebi above), making them more likely to tip or fall, and the fact that if they do fall, they’re glass — if one breaks and you’re barefoot, be careful!  The corresponding advantage is that since they’re a footed glass, they hang nicely from overhead glass racks.

The Libbey Catawba Footed Goblet is sold in a 4-pack.  If you want a 12-pack, a very similar design is sold as the Sociable Wine Goblet . (Update: If the Catawba is unavailable, the Sociable is a good substitute.)

Best for boats that often entertain at the dock or in very calm anchorages, and who want a traditional wine glass look and feel.

Stemless Glass Wine Glasses

Stemless wine glasses seem like such a great idea for using on a boat, but there are a couple of things to be aware of.  First, many don’t fit in a standard size drink holder (3-1/2″).  And many don’t really have good gripping areas — which can be a problem if the boat suddenly rolls.

The Libbey Vina Stemless 17-Ounce White Wine Glasses aren’t perfect, but they are a good choice for boat use if you want a “real glass” stemless wine glass.  They will fit in most drink holders (the ones designated as “red wine” glasses won’t) and since they are a little smaller in diameter, they are easier to grip.

They are also thicker than some other wine glasses, so they are less likely to break — but they’re still not heavy glass and thus it’s likely that you’ll have some breakage over the years.  Another “disadvantage” (depending on your viewpoint) is that they are large and it’s easy to fill them fuller than you intend.

Sold in a box of four.

Other Stemless Glass Options

Another option used by many boaters for “wine glasses” are actually juice glasses.  Admittedly, they don’t have the traditional tulip wine glass shape, which bothers some purists, but they overcome several of the other problems.  Juice glasses will almost always fit in standard drink holders (and have heavier bases so they’re less likely to tip even on a table), and most have some design features that make them easier to grip.  They are also usually made of heavier glass than “wine glasses” and thus are less likely to break.  Typically, they hold 6 to 7 ounces.

Juice glasses that I like for use as stemless wine glasses:

• Bormioli Rocco Galassia Tumbler Juice Glasses (sold in boxes of 6) — smaller size than a traditional wine glass, but a similar shape.  The pattern in the base makes them easy to hold with a finger under the bottom.
• Bormioli Rocco Rock Bar Stackable Juice Glasses (also sold in boxes of 6) — these should fit in any drink holder (even “smallish” ones) and are very easy to grip.  They’re also heavier glass than almost anything else I’ve found.  No one will mistake them for fine crystal, but for everyday use on a boat, they can be a good option.

Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses

I just found these 8 oz. Strahl Unbreakable Stemless Glasses, with a 2.75-inch diameter — so they’ll fit in a drink holder. They are made of polycarbonate with a thick base to reduce tippy-ness.

Amazon:  8 oz. Strahl Osteria Stemless Glasses (set of 4)

Strahl also makes a 13-ounce stemless wine glass, with a diameter just over 3 inches:

Amazon:  13 oz. Strahl Osteria Stemless Glass (individual) (No longer sold individually)

Amazon:  13 oz. Strahl Osteria Stemless Glasses (set of 12)

Also see my posts on GSI Stemless Wine Glasses and Govino Wine Glasses

Another Plastic Option

If you’ve ever been in a rolly anchorage, tried to take your regular wine glasses for a sunset dinghy ride or been where bugs keep getting into your wine, then you’ll appreciate this idea:

A sippy cup.

The Contigo Autoseal Kids Cups (14 ounce) are actually an improvement on a sippy cup.  You press the button to drink and when you release it, it seals.  Totally spill-proof and leak-proof if it tips over.  Plastic so it won’t break.  And small enough to fit in almost any drink holder, at just over 3″.   Okay, so it may not be traditional, and it may not be fancy, but it is useful in addition to your “real” wine glasses.  Sold in sets of 2 at Amazon.  (Note:  they also make larger sizes good for other drinks that you need to protect from insects.)

Another “sippy cup” option — designed specifically for wine — are the Vino2Go glasses .

Stainless Wine Glasses

Some people like stainless wine glasses; some don’t.  They are almost impossible to break, but some just don’t like drinking wine from metal. And if you’re drinking chilled white wine in a hot locale, they’ll sweat a lot.  But as an alternative to glass, they’re prettier than the other options.

That said, these Stainless Wine Glasses can be a good choice for your boat and they are quite a bit cheaper than some of the other stainless wine glasses available and are sold in sets of 2.

And check out our other courses and products

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Reader Interactions

Lisa Novak says

November 8, 2011 at 7:44 am

Another option that I did not see here is big heavy crystal glasses. We have been using them for years. They are pretty strong and we have had a few fall on the granite counter and not break.

Candy Ann Williams on Facebook says

March 24, 2012 at 6:36 am

I love the creative sippy cup idea!

The Boat Galley on Facebook says

March 24, 2012 at 11:34 am

Creative? More like desperate not to spill . . . or have bees and other bugs in my wine!

March 24, 2012 at 2:33 pm

Lol!! Know what you mean about spilling.

Michelle Smith says

September 8, 2012 at 9:04 am

I’ve tried glass, stainless, plastic, solo cups, and acrylic, and they all have their place. I’ve found I don’t care for the way stainless changes the taste of the wine, plastic and solo cups are great for dock parties where the are lots of people to accidently knock over your glass. Sippy cups are great for dinghy rides ( especially if it’s a little rolly or high speed). But for just hanging out on deck or in the cockpit glass I prefer glass. After being a live-a-board for five years, I’ve only broken 3 glasses. For someone as clumsy as me that’s pretty good.

Leigh Ann says

December 10, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I like to use the 8 oz Tervis tumblers, as well. Keeps wine the correct temp, fits mostly in our cupholders and even with chilled wines, no condensation!

Barbara Schmitz says

December 18, 2012 at 10:25 am

I am looking for a place to order stemless wine glasses that can also engrave them with a picture of the boat and the name of the boat. This is a gift for my cousin and her husband. I found a website in September that did that (Rossmarine.com) but at that time I did not know the number of the boat to have engraved on the glass. The website had numbers that matched the model of the boat. I have since found out the number that matches, but now the website is not there. Can anyone help. Thank you, Barbara Schmitz

Carolyn Shearlock says

December 18, 2012 at 12:47 pm

Actually it’s RossMarineIdeas.com — here is the link:

http://www.rossmarineideas.com/product-category/acrylic-and-polycarbonate-drinkware/

Heather says

December 19, 2012 at 11:12 pm

Libbey makes 9oz stemless glasses, and better yet, Hercuglass (hercuglass.com) will treat them for added shatter resistance. We have Hercuglass champagne glasses (bought treated so that we could bring them on our next boat with us when we take off cruising again) and they have tipped over on wood a couple times now without breaking. I look forward to purchasing a dozen of these smaller, treated wine glasses for our next boat, rather than purchasing random packs of glasses here and there every few months to replace those that broke.

December 20, 2012 at 6:05 am

Have never heard of the Hercuglass treatment — thanks for sharing!

Kathy Orr says

September 13, 2013 at 8:08 am

Tervis makes a “stemmed” wine glass – http://www.amazon.com/Vino2Go-Insulated-Tumbler-Merlot-Through/dp/B009ZHEG68/?tag=theboagal0a-20

Winnie says

December 9, 2013 at 3:09 pm

We’ve been using these acrylic glasses from Crate and Barrel. They come in several colors now and are also stack-able which is a huge space saver. They run about $3-$4 apiece.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/search?query=stacking+wine+glasses

Chris G. says

January 3, 2014 at 12:11 pm

There’s another drink option from a company called Zarcor. I have a couple on my boat and they work great for just about every size you can think of. The top opening is 4 inches so it will fit just about everything including wine bottles and even Pusser’s painkiller mugs. The bottom works for holding traditional stemware although I will say that the shorter the stem the more difficult to get the glass in the holder as you have to tip the base out (or the bowl in) in order to get the bowl to rest on the bottom of the holder. The other option is the dedicate stemware holder.

February 6, 2014 at 12:22 pm

A lot of great options to choose from here for wine glasses on the boat. I love wine, and know how important the glass is to the flavor. I also know that on a boat there’s a higher risk of breaking glass, so the heartier the material the better. At this small online store, Kitchenova, they carry stainless steel wine glasses for a couple dollars less than the amazon link and they ship free. Using plastic tumblers is a brilliant idea, also!

February 6, 2014 at 12:54 pm

Umm, free shipping on orders over $25 and the set of 2 stainless wine glasses is $24.99 . . . so you’ll have to buy something extra (or two sets) to get the free shipping.

Jeanie says

February 27, 2014 at 7:47 pm

I was wondering if anyone else has tried using some kind of wine glass “socks” for rack hanging glasses to prevent breakage? I have heard of people using socks, hair scrunchies, and even custom made covers for their stem ware.

February 27, 2014 at 8:14 pm

I used hair scrunchies: https://theboatgalley.com/stop-clanking-glasses/

Diane Ericsson says

March 27, 2014 at 1:59 pm

We bought 4 stainless steel wine glasses with non-skid on the bottoms from West Marine in 1998. They’ve been used a few thousand times now. No problems yet.

CherylAnn Caf says

March 27, 2014 at 2:11 pm

We use the stemless at anchor & our stainless steel drink bottles on the beach. !!

Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says

March 27, 2014 at 9:24 am

We use Reidel stemless crystal. We’ve broken one in eight years. They feel good in your hand and on your lips. There are a number of sizes available and the smaller ones fit nicely in standard size cup holders.

peggy at ECY says

August 3, 2014 at 10:12 am

Stemless just seem to spill less for us. We have stainless steel and although we have never broken one and they fit in the cup holders, they are too top heavy and fit too loosely in shallow cup holders built into the binnacle… and that seems to be the most natural place to put them… we haven’t used them once and not have someone spill red wine.

the thin stemless with the thumb print, brand begins with a Z but I can’t remember how to spell it… is our favorite.

October 4, 2014 at 11:34 am

LLBean sells a plastic stem wine glass which nests the base into the cup, and allows for easy storage. We have had them on our boat for years. They are sturdy, don’t crack, and surprisingly well built for a plastic cup. I worried that the “screw” would wear out, or they would come apart during a sip and spill red wine everywhere. Never a problem. They are cheap, @ 7.95, and LLBean usually warranties their products for reasonable use.

August 5, 2015 at 11:26 am

I have used plastic wine glasses in which the stem screws into the bowl. I love them, they store with the stem inside the bowl making them compact. After years, one has started to leak. I would love to replace them. Do you know of any source for this item? Thank you, Janet

August 5, 2015 at 11:45 am

Sure do! They’re made by GSI Outdoors and Amazon carries them — click here ! Various outdoors stores (REI) also usually have them but I almost always find that Amazon has the best price, especially if you have Prime and get free shipping.

Lesley Feeney says

October 16, 2015 at 10:19 pm

Just got these ⚓️

The Boat Galley says

October 16, 2015 at 11:24 pm

I haven’t seen them before. Look cute and I like the different colors to tell whose is whose. Glass or plastic?

October 16, 2015 at 11:38 pm

Glass- they make awesome containers and water bottles, too

October 16, 2015 at 10:35 pm

Not really a wine glass find but rather a wine glass holder. I got a couple of these at the Annapolis show from a company called Zarcor (Zarcor.com). They work great for just about everything you can think of including stemware. They even hold a Pusser’s painkiller mug.

https://zarcor.com/products/snapit/index.php

Rick Garvin says

October 17, 2015 at 10:44 am

We use the Vini2Go insulated transparent wine glasses that fit cup holders, but have a stemware aesthetic. For groups, the GoVino flexible plastic stemless are pretty go, but here in the VI they can blow over since they are quite light.

October 17, 2015 at 1:57 pm

Sea Style Beach & Boats offers a large variety of glassware that is specifically designed for your galley, as well as outdoor use. Break resistant, dishwasher safe (top rack/low heat), as well as some with a non-slip ring.

Allan Cobb says

February 25, 2016 at 8:45 pm

I’ve grown fond of the silicone wine glasses. No taste, flexible, and unbreakable. I like the silicone pint glasses, too. https://amzn.to/3ijVX0y

Shawn Harlan says

February 25, 2016 at 9:57 pm

I have trouble drinking wine out of anything other than glass/crystal. Riedel wine glasses typically are very expensive however Target sells a version that is still spectacular and no stem, i keep them in the box so they dont break. https://www.target.com/p/riedel-22oz-2pk-crystal-vivant-pinot-noir-stemless-wine-glasses/-/A-79941166#lnk=sametab

Tami Steel says

February 25, 2016 at 10:37 pm

We love these. Glasses with silicone sleeves. They come in 2 sizes and different colors. We boat with kids, so they have sustained the drop test for sure! https://lifefactory.com/collections/wine-glasses

February 26, 2016 at 1:01 am

Those look really interesting . . .

February 26, 2016 at 1:04 am

The Boat Galley they are great, best of both worlds!

Roger Johnson says

February 26, 2016 at 3:24 am

This is also what we have.

Kristin Thompson Nelson says

February 26, 2016 at 4:19 am

I have these after trying many – love them!

May 9, 2017 at 12:37 pm

This tami has those too. So far so good…

Dave Skolnick says

February 25, 2016 at 11:24 pm

We have six each of the Chardonnay and Cabernet glasses by Riedel. One breakage in ten years and that was while washing up at the dock.

Kristi Black says

February 27, 2016 at 2:03 pm

We haven’t even bought our boat yet and I have already bought the Govina shatterproof stemless glasses specifically for “boatlife.” Cheers!

Ron Vavra says

March 1, 2016 at 8:28 am

Looking for stemless plastic glasses that fit in boat drink holders but come in colors or designs. Need them as a gift for my wife’s birthday…soon. She likes colors/cute designs. She has some now that fit the bill except that they look and feel cheap. Any suggestions?

March 1, 2016 at 9:09 am

I’ll look and see if I can find any but I don’t know of any right off the top of my head.

March 1, 2016 at 11:44 am

Thanks, but I just happened upon some at a place called Pottery Plus in town. Little anchors on them which hopefully will appeal to my bride.

Sailor Cindy says

June 30, 2016 at 9:29 am

We use stemmed glass wine glasses that must be short enough to fit in our plate/glass lockers. I store them in fluffy cotton ankle socks I bought for that purpose so if they accidentally break underway, the glass pieces are contained. One or two have indeed broken while underway and the socks contained the mess.

Anonymous says

March 7, 2018 at 7:49 pm

Dylan Kussrow

March 7, 2018 at 10:12 pm

Leah Shaffer

March 7, 2018 at 10:49 pm

Debbie Jackson

March 8, 2018 at 4:39 pm

We used to only use stemmed wine glasses and we were fine with just the 2 of us. But whenever we’ve had guests onboard after a sail or race, invariably one of them either knocks one over or the wind knocks over an empty wineglass that was not put back into the drink holder. Since we appreciate wine and drink out of Riedels on land, we held out for a long time on getting stemless wine glasses. And most do not fit our teak drink holder. But we’ve settled on Govino plastic glasses. They fit easily in the drink holders and they even make a stemless champagne glass. Favorite part is the indented thumb area so they’re easier to hold. Now the biggest issue is keeping the wine cold and for that we swear by the Corksicle wine keeper- holds a whole bottle of white and stays cold for 24 hours. (Of course we usually need less than 2 hours to finish the bottle just ourselves!) We bring it to friends’ boats if we’re going for cocktails or dinner.

May 28, 2018 at 6:36 am

Need ones that keep their own level and don’t tip. Like the crew on the monohull we met at Lorde Howe!

May 28, 2018 at 11:59 am

These from crate and barrel are a good option..i like glass better, but guests tend to be careless and they get broken; also tried the silicone covered stemless glasses and the glass is very fragile…these stack and wash well..happy with them for now

Maximilian says

July 20, 2021 at 6:01 am

I have always found that drinks don’t taste the same when using plastic drinking cups, we like stemless wine glasses… but then I came across this – a website called http://www.butlertechnik.com have these MAGNETIC CRYSTAL WINE GLASSES! and champagne, beer, whiskey.. regular ones too. What a solution! There is a gel-backed coaster that sticks to everything – it is magnetic, then the bottom of the glass has a magnet built in and that sticks to the coaster. Very high quality, very stylish, wine taste great and doesn’t fall over! We got a pair of the glasses and will definitely be getting more. Here is the link – https://www.butlertechnik.com/installation-accessories-c63/silwy-magnetic-systems-c140 Highly recommend.

July 25, 2021 at 10:39 am

A different brand, but I’ve written about the magnetic glasses: Crystal Wine Glasses

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Explaining the Different Types of Marine Window Material

Taking proper care of your boat keeps it seaworthy for longer. Choosing the right materials for your marine windows is one important choice boat owners need to make to do just that.

Typically, boat windows are made from specialty textiles rather than glass . These textiles are designed to withstand everything the open water throws at them. Several different kinds of clear textiles are available today and knowing your marine window material options helps you ensure you’re getting the right product for your needs.

[To Learn More About Strataglass Marine Vinyl, Contact Us Today]

Here’s a quick look at the most popular marine window materials on the market today:

• Vinyl and Polyester Composite: An excellent composite material, vinyl and polyester composite fabrics offers the flexibility you need to curve and bend along a boat’s contours easily. Fabrics made using this composite stay tight against the frame and provide waterproof and mildew resistance. Herculite Inc. offers this composite combination in two top quality marine grade fabrics: Riviera and Regatta .
• Clear Pressed Polished Coated Vinyl : A popular choice for everyday marine use, clear pressed polished coated vinyl can be rolled back easily, which is great for boat tops. Herculite’s Strataglass is one of the top brands on the market for this versatile material. Another reason for the popularity of this material it is available with scratch-resistant special coatings, which extend the life of the material considerably. Strataglass is one such example of a material that offers such a coating: VueShield .
• Polycarbonate: Made from a semi-rigid clear plastic, polycarbonate windows are widely considered to be nearly unbreakable. With polycarbonate, user visibility is clearer that other clear plastics, plus it can be coated with scratch and UV resistant coatings for additional protection. Polycarbonate is an excellent choice for rugged uses. However, this textile isn’t soft like clear vinyl so it can’t be rolled up for storage. It also tends to be pricey.
• Acrylic: Like polycarbonate, acrylic panels are semi-rigid and provide excellent visibility. Acrylic panels are very difficult to break, making them an excellent choice for rugged marine use. However, acrylic fabric windows can be scratched easier than some other options, and the panels can’t be rolled up for storage. Acrylic can also be expensive, so it’s best used sparingly.

When it comes to marine vinyl window materials, remember to consider the cost of each material and how that relates to its longevity. Some materials will last longer than others, which make their additional cost make sense over than cheaper materials that will require frequent replacement. Alternately, if you can maintain a more affordable and versatile fabric like polycarbonate or a clear polished pressed vinyl properly over time, why not choose the more cost effective solution (and get benefits like a roll up window?) How you use your boat and what your needs are will dictate which material is best for you.

One final note: remember that the gauge (a.k.a. thickness) of your windows affects how it will look, as well as its clarity and flexibility. Some marine window materials come in gauges as thick as 40 gauge and as thin as 12 gauge. Before you buy, check out this quick buying guide on marine window materials to make sure you’re getting the perfect choice for your needs.

To Learn More About Strataglass Marine Vinyl, Contact Us Today!

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