Fishing is an outdoor activity that happens during various weather and light conditions.
Staring into the reflective water surface in the harsh sunlight can be hard on the eyes.
Protecting them with sunglasses is essential, and I finally found the best (polarized) fishing sunglasses under 100$.
Here you will see that you do not have to spend a fortune to get a quality product and good level of protection ...
In addition, I will answer some of the most common questions asked about fishing sunglasses and give you a few tips on how to choose the right ones in the following chapters:
If you don't have much time use this link below to quickly find the best boatlanes for bass fishing in Texas. You can be assured we only choose the best products and services...
My No. 1: KASTKING Skidaway
Runner-Up: KASTKING Hiwassee
- How to Choose the Best Fishing Sunglasses?
- 7 Best (Polarized) Fishing Sunglasses Under 100$
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about Fishing Sunglasses:
- What are The Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses?
- Are Polarized Sunglasses Really the Best for Your Eyes?
- What Colour Sunglass Lens is Best for Fishing?
- Which Brand of Fishing Sunglasses is the Best?
- What is “Sight Fishing”?
- What are The Best Ice Fishing Sunglasses?
- What are The Best Prescription Sunglasses for Fishing?
- Are Frames Important? If YES, How?
- About Polarized Sunglasses in Short VIDEO: Check!
- Conclusion
How to Choose the Best Fishing Sunglasses?
Sunglasses for fishing shouldn’t be chosen in the same way as those for everyday use. Such piece of fishing gear is not for fashion.
You should focus more on their effectiveness and less on their looks.
Here are some tips to follow:
COLOUR OF LENSES
Different colours of lenses have a purpose ... Various fishing conditions require different lenses.
For low light conditions choose yellow or orange lenses. If you frequently fish during early mornings and before sunset, yellow or orange is the way to go. Gray lenses are suitable for various conditions, but they are the best to be used in medium and bright sunlight. Green lenses usually has copper or amber base that ae best to be used while fishing inland or even for inshore anglers. Copper and amber colours increase contrast while the blue lenses are good for offshore fishing and saltwater anglers.
UV PROTECTION
Reputable manufacturers offer lenses with UV protection. Keeping your eyes protected from harmful rays is very important. This is one of the feeatures that benefits to anglers the most in the long term. Choose those that have maximum UV protection.
MANUFACTURER
Always choose a reputable one. If you buy from suspicious ones, expect a low-quality product that does not work as advertised. Besides, low quality lenses can have a negative impact on your eyes after prolonged usage.
SIZE
While fishing, you will move a lot, look in different direction, sweat and tilt your head forward. Make sure the sunglasses fit, otherwise they will be sliding up and down your face, or even fall off.
LENS MATERIAL
You can choose between two options, glass and polycarbonate.
Polarized lenses were usually made from glass that is scratch resistant and offers a great view. Today, you can find polarized polycarbonate lenses too. Polycarbonate ones are much more resilient to impacts if they fall and they are lighter. Scratch-resistant coating is present on some models and it really makes a difference.
For those who like to fish in extreme conditions, polycarbonate lenses are the way to go. Whether you choose plastic lenses or durable glass lenses, make sure that you buy only well-made lenses made by reputable manufacturers.
LENSE CURVATURE
Besides offering decent protection, lenses need to have certain shape. Too curved lenses will impair your vision.
The front part should be straight while the part that goes around the eye should be curved. If you can, try them on and look around in all directions in a way that you move your eyes but not the head. If you have troubles seeing or focusing on small objects, the glasses don’t have adequate curvature.
And now - Let's get started!
7 Best (Polarized) Fishing Sunglasses Under 100$
All of the models listed below are polarized, but why is that important?
Polarized sunglasses are made in a way to reduce the glare reflected at different angles. Light transmission from water, snow, and other reflective surfaces can cause eye problems later in life.
During fishing, they enable the angler to see through the water by reducing the glare in conditions where you would only be able to see the glare when not wearing polarized sunglasses. If you are in a search of a pair of sunglasses, heck out the ones below!
I will list the best polarized fishing sunglasses under 100$ and all of the features related to a certain item on the list that should help you decide which ones are the best for you.
Hopefully this list will make it easier for you to decide which one to buy ...
Here are my favorite cheap fishing sunglasses!
# | TITLE | AMAZON | EBAY |
My No. 1 | KASTKING Skidaway | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on eBay |
Runner-up | KASTKING Hiwassee | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on eBay |
No. 3 | SUNGAIT Men's | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on eBay |
No. 4 | MERRY'S Unisex | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on eBay |
No. 5 | RIVBOS Sports | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on eBay |
No. 6 | HULISLEM S1 Sport | Check Price on Amazon |
#1: KASTKING Skidaway Polarized Sport Sunglasses
KastKing Skidaway sunglasses are ideal for outdoor sports, especially fishing, and they are suitable for both men and women. They are available in different lens colours, which helps you pick the ones you need the most. Lenses are 2,5 inches wide and cover the eye in a way to protect it from all directions ...
These polarized lenses are impact resistant which is beneficial in two ways; the sunglasses will be resistant to rough use and falls, but they will also protect your eyes from branches, dirt and flying hooks without scratching.
Lenses are just 1 millimetre thick, which is usually a characteristic of high-end and pricy glasses. Lenses have no vision distortion and you will be able to do all kinds of tasks when wearing them, including tying your hooks. They even offer a full UV protection.
Material used for frames is Grilamid, which is strong, light, flexible, UV resistant and impact resistant.
These sunglasses are ideal for anglers who spend multiple days in nature and want to have a quality product. KastKing sunglasses cost on Amazon around 30$ but you can often find them on a discount.
Most importantly, they are very comfortable and won’t slide down your face even when you are sweating.
For more info and prices check the following links ...
#2: KASTKING Hiwassee Polarized Sport Sunglasses
Second pair of fishing sunglasses on this list is also from Kastking. This model comes from the same manufacturer as the previous one, but it is a bit cheaper.
You can also choose among different lens colours. It is also suitable for men and women.
These sunglasses are almost the same as the previous ones when it comes to UV protection, lens thickness, diameter, and materials used in manufacturing.
KatsKing Hiwassee have a padded nose part for comfort and their shape is slightly different. Unlike the previous model, this one has a bit more rounded outer part of the lens. Polarized lens removes all the glare and you will be able to see clearly in any light conditions.
This model is very comfortable and lightweight so you can use it from sunrise until sunset without feeling any discomfort.
You can Buy it on Amazon (here).
For more info and prices check the following links ...
#3: SUNGAIT Men's Polarized Sunglasses
Sungait polarized sunglasses are unfortunately available only for men. That means they are a bit wider and could be loose on a smaller women’s head.
The lens has a 2,55inch diameter and it offers full UV protection. You can choose from many lens colour options. They are scratch resistant and very durable. There is no vision distortion and the lenses offer a clear vision.
Frames are made from Al-Mg metal alloy and are extremely lightweight and durable. Depending on where you buy them, you can even get a warranty on them, as the manufacturer guarantees that they will never break.
These sunglasses are made for heavy use in all kinds of conditions. Temples have rubber covers and skid protection so they will always stay in place, even when wet. Nose pads are adjustable so that the sunglasses can fit every shape of the nose.
Sungait sunglasses cost on Amazon around 20$ which is extremely cheap for such a good product.
These are very comfortable to wear and that is also very important to every angler. The only downside I can state is that the frame does not go all the way around the lenses so there is no protection for the lens edge if they fall.
For more info and prices check the following links ...
#4: MERRY'S Unisex Polarized Sunglasses
As stated in the headline, these sunglasses are suitable for both men and women.
Potential buyer can choose among various lens colours to get the best possible protection for either freshwater fishing, inshore fishing or even offshore.
Lens diameter is slightly smaller than the previous models and it is 2,2 inches. Lenses offer full UV protection and vision clarity with no distortion.
Metal frame is sturdy and light. Nose pad is one-piece and it is not adjustable. The frame is also impact resistant and can be used in rough conditions.
These sunglasses come at extremely low price and cost around 12$ (on Amazon).
Materials used in production are not as advanced as in the previously mentioned models but considering the price, these sunglasses are definitely worth it.
If you are buying on a budget, these are the best cheap polarized fishing sunglasses. These are also great spare sunglasses to have, just in case.
For more info and prices check the following links ...
#5: RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses
Rivbos polarized sunglasses are made for men only. You can choose from numerous lens and frame colours.
These sunglasses are made from plastic, unlike all of the previously mentioned models. Polycarbonate lenses and a plastic frame make them light and flexible. Polycarbonate lenses are less scratch resistant but are very resilient and you will not be able to break them easily.
Lens width is 2,52 inches and they are the perfect size to protect the eye from all directions. Lenses have mirror coating that eliminates the glare completely, has no distortion and offers a full UV protection. Mirror coating decreases the amount of light that can go through the lenses and these are ideal for fishing in very bright conditions and direct sunlight.
The manufacturer claims that these sunglasses are impossible to break and often you can get a warranty with them.
With a price around 20$ Rivbos polarizes sunglasses are a great deal on Amazon. They sit very comfortable on the face and won’t slip even if wet.
For more info and prices check the following links ...
#6: HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses
Among these cheap polarized sunglasses, here is another excellent model.
At a first glance, Hulislem sunglasses look very sporty and suitable for outdoor activities.
You can choose from a few lens colours, which is less than the previously mentioned models. Colored lenses they offer will cover some limited fishing conditions.
This unisex model is completely made from plastic and it is so lightweight that you will have a feeling like you are not wearing them. They will never slip and are very comfortable to wear.
Mirror coating is suitable for even the brightest conditions and will fully protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Frames are impact resistant. The lenses are cut from a single piece and they offer great depth perception and vision clarity. This is especially important for anglers as they have to do precise work while tying knots and do similar activities. Lenses also enhance the colours without distortion.
Same as every plastic sunglass, these are impact resistant but they can be scratched. If you are on of those anglers who frequently drops their sunglasses, this model is for you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about Fishing Sunglasses:
There are a few questions that frequently come up when talking about fishing sunglasses and I will answer them here.
Some of the answers were briefly mentioned in the previous chapters but here I am going to provide more detailed answers.
What are The Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses?
It was already mentioned that polarized sunglasses reduce glare, and the glare on water surfaces is much stronger than the glare on land. The same goes for ice fishing, or fishing in winter when there is snow. But how does it work?
The chemical filter on the lenses is made in a way to block the light coming from any direction except vertical.
Only the sun rays coming from above can go through the lens, while all other directions are disabled. In that way, glare coming from the water surface can’t penetrate trough the filter and the filter eliminates it.
The result is that you will see a bit darker surroundings but the details will be much clearer.
The downside is that you will not be able to use them if you have to look at LCD screens (for example, navigation systems on a boat or mobile phones) because the filter will block the light and you won’t be able to see it.
The key benefits of these sunglasses are the following:
• Clear vision in very bright conditions
• Minimal colour distortion
• Increased colour contrast
• Minimal glare
• Minimal reflection
• Minimal eyestrain
These benefits are important for anglers who look at reflective water surfaces for prolonged time.
Are Polarized Sunglasses Really the Best for Your Eyes?
Well, it depends. But if you are an angler, or any kind of outdoor enthusiast, then the answer is YES. Besides plenty of sun protection, these lenses offer a few more benefits.
They will improve and sharpen your vision, but make sure you choose a model which offers full UV protection. UV protection is important because it prevents UVA, UVB and UVC rays to enter your eyes, which preserves your vision in the long run.
UV protection is a must-have and most of the reputable manufacturers integrate it in their lenses.
Enhanced contrast and clarity are also important to prevent small injuries while handling the equipment which can occur as a result of not being able to see something because of the sun.
What Colour Sunglass Lens is Best for Fishing?
Fishing eyewear comes in many different lens colors.
We already mentioned this in the first chapter, but here is a bit more information.
Grey colour is the one to choose if you are frequently changing locations, light and weather conditions and seasons. If you want to have just one pair of sunglasses, grey is the way to go.
All of the models on best fishing sunglasses under 100$ list are available in grey colour.
Other colours should be chosen if you like to fish in specific conditions that require colour changing.
Which Brand of Fishing Sunglasses is the Best?
This question is not easy to answer.
There are numerous reputable manufacturers that make quality products. Their models have slightly different characteristics but you can’t go wrong with any of them. It is a matter of personal preference.
Avoid cheap copies. Spending a fortune is also unnecessary because often you pay a name, not the superior quality, and it is possible to find the same product for less money.
If I have to choose one, I would say Under Armour (or maybe Kastking).
Their models are a bit more expensive than other ones on the list, but it is a money well spent. They are comfortable, lenses are excellent and they can withstand rough use for a long time. It is everything that the average angler needs.
What is “Sight Fishing”?
Sight fishing is a term used for seeing the fish under the water surface The best polarized sunglasses for sight fishing can make this techniqe much easier.
Surely you can do that in the perfect conditions, but it can be much harder than it sounds if there is bright light, a lot of glares and reflections and bad light conditions.
The best polarized sunglasses for sight fishing are the ones that have copper lenses, brown lenses, or amber lenses, which are used to increase the contrast.
If you want to choose the best ones for sight fishing from this list, go for KastKing. Most of the other models are available in some shade of copper/amber too.
What are The Best Ice Fishing Sunglasses?
The best ice fishing sunglasses are the ones that reduce glare and reflections the most.
Snow and ice can reflect up to 80% of sunlight and that is extremely harmful for the eyes. Staring at the snow without protection can even cause temporary snow blindness.
You should also choose the ones that block blue-light. It can penetrate deep into the eye tissue and long-term exposure can cause irreversible damage.
Lenses to choose are blue ones, possibly mirrored lenses. Another good option is grey but the blue ones are the best.
Extremely bright sunlight conditions and strong glare has to be minimized in the best possible way. Avoid yellow and similar colours that are suitable for low light conditions. In glare prevention in snow, noting can beat the mirror blue.
Most of the models from the best polarized fishing sunglasses under 100$ list are available in blue colour, but the Rivbos model is available with a very good mirror coating.
What are The Best Prescription Sunglasses for Fishing?
Unfortunately, some anglers have impaired vision and have to use prescription sunglasses.
When choosing lens colour and other features follow the same rules as everyone without prescription. Unfortunately, to get good prescription sunglasses, you will have to spend a bit more money.
A lot of popular manufacturers or their resellers offer prescription lenses, which can be easily fitted into existing frames, and one of those is Under Armour.
Choosing cheap prescription glasses can result in further vision damage and maybe it would be good to visit an optician or a specializes store.
Are Frames Important? If YES, How?
When buying discount fishing sunglasses you shoud think about the frames. I already mentioned some frames, materials and their features before, but here are a few more features to check:
Frame color – well-made frame shoud fit perfectly, firmly hold the lense and be light. But color is important too. Avoid shiny metals on frames that reflect light, especially if the lense doesnt cover the corner of your eye.
Frame design – this feature is important because it affects the whole sunglasses wearing experience. Frame design determines if the frame holds the lense all the way around and if there is a curved part that goes behind your ear ot it is completely straigh. Second feature is up to you and your comfort to choose. Durable nylon frame is the most versatile option when it comes to pair of sunglasses for fishing.
If you plan to get prescription lenses, check if those can fit into your desired frame.
About Polarized Sunglasses in Short VIDEO: Check!
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, polarized lenses can give you clearer vision.
More about that you can see in this short video ...
Conclusion
Choosing the right pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses and decent protection for fishing adventures can be overwhelming. That is why I listed the best polarized fishing sunglasses under 100$ and their key benefits to make your buying decision a bit easier. By choosing any model listed in this article will not go wrong.
Eye protection in sunny conditions is extremely important except for offering maximum UV protection and enhancing vision clarity, sunglasses are a physical barrier in front of your eye that can prevent possible injuries while fishing.
Always buy from a reputable manufacturer, choose the right lens colour for a specific task, especially if you are ice fishing. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars to make your fishing experience better.