Polarized sunglasses make boating a much more enjoyable experience. They cut out the sun’s glare, improve contrast, and help you enjoy the beautiful scenery of your favorite lakes, rivers, or bays even more. Choosing the right pair can be difficult, but we’ve narrowed it down to the 9 best polarized sunglasses you can choose from.
Top 9 best polarized sunglasses for boating
- Best premium choice – Maui Jim Peahi Wrap Sunglasses
- Best value choice – Tifosi Crit Sport Performance Sunglasses
1. Maui Jim Peahi Wrap Sunglasses
*Best overall polarized sunglasses for boating
Features
- Glass lenses
- PolarizedPlus2 lens technology
- Blue mirror coating
- SuperThin Glass
- Blue Light protection
- UV Protection
These glasses from Maui Jim are thoughtfully designed with the user experience in mind. The PolarizedPlus2 lens technology does more than filtering out UV rays and glare- it actually enhances the colors you see around. The lightweight, injected nylon frames and SuperThin glass make for lightweight, comfortable, and durable glasses that are a pleasure to wear. You get UV protection and Blue Light protection, all in a pair of glasses that look great and feel great.
2. Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer Polarized Sunglasses
Features
- Plastic frame
- Glass lenses
- UV Protection Coating
- Multiple sizes to choose from
- Case and cleaning cloth included
- Classic style
The name Ray-Ban is synonymous with quality when you’re talking about sunglasses. They’ve been making quality eyewear for a long time, and that experience and expertise shows in the New Wayfarer glasses. The durable acetate frame will last a lifetime, and the scratch-resistant glass lenses will, too.
A protective case and a lens cleaning cloth, included with the purchase, ensure that your glasses are always protected when not in use and that you can easily keep them free from dust. Ray-Bans have a great, classic look that everybody loves, and many would say they’re much more fashionable than typical polarized sunglasses.
3. Oakley Men’s Oo9096 Fuel Cell Rectangular Sunglasses
Features
- Flexible polycarbonate frames
- UVA, UVB, UVC protection
- High Definition Optics
- Cleaning/Storage bag included
If Ray-Ban is synonymous with fashionable sunglasses, Oakley is synonymous with sunglasses for boating, fishing, golf, and pretty much any other outdoor activity. These glasses are remarkably tough, with a flexible frame that can handle anything you throw at it, and scratch-resistant lenses.
Oakley’s lenses are some of the best, and they provide much better clarity than traditional lenses. On the water, Oakley’s are popular because they do an exceptional job of cutting out glare and improving your vision.
4. Ray-Ban Men’s Rb2027 Predator 2 Rectangular Sunglasses
Features
- Acetate frames
- Glass lenses
- 100% UV protection
- Grey mirrored lenses
- Case and lens cloth included
- Sleek, stylish look
These sunglasses are perfect for those looking for something a bit sleeker than typical polarized sunglasses. The acetate frames are lightweight, comfortable, and durable and the glass lenses are scratch-resistant. The gray mirror finish doesn’t just look cool, it also enhances the glare reduction of the UV-blocking coating.
If you’re wondering why this style looks familiar, it’s because this is the style worn by the agents in the Men in Black movies. The lenses aren’t as large as other styles, so you may not get as much protection as you would with a different style.
Features
- Composite frame and lens
- Polarized with UV protection coated lenses
- Adjustable ear and nose pieces
- Lightly grip on to your head while boating or doing other activities
It’s clear that these polarized sunglasses by Tifosi are well-made upon opening the box and putting them on. They can be purchased at a great value compared to many of the other premium sunglasses on this page, and without sacrificing the quality. If you’re looking to save some money on some polarized boating sunglasses, but still want something that’s going to last, try these out.
6. Torege Polarized Sports Sunglasses
Features
- Affordable price
- Scratch-resistant coating
- UVA and UVB protection
- Rubber nose pad for comfort
- Lifetime warranty
- Multiple lenses included
Another very affordable option, Torege glasses come with three different lens styles, each one best suited to different activities. You receive all three lenses with your glasses, and they’re designed to be easy to switch out. The black lenses are the polarized ones, which is what you want for boating.
There are also yellow lenses for evening/night activities and blue lenses for glare reduction during the day. Polycarbonate lenses are more prone to scratches than glass, but the scratch-resistant coating will go a long way towards reducing that risk.
8. KastKing Skidaway Polarized Sport Sunglasses
Features
- Ultra thin, 1mm polarized lenses
- Scratch resistant coating
- Military-grade materials
- UVA and UVB protection
- Hard case and microfiber cloth included
- Mirrored lenses
- Wide lenses for total coverage
With frames made from Grimalid- a material developed for military use- these glasses are near-indestructible. The huge lenses provide excellent coverage and at just 1mm thick they don’t weight the glasses down at all. The mirrored, polarized lenses keep UVA and UVB rays out, while providing excellent color retention. These are some of the toughest sunglasses you can buy, and the price is hard to beat, too.
Features
- Incredible price
- Scratch-resistant coating
- Acetate cellulose lenses
- UVA and UVB protection
- Lenses restore true color
- Metal alloy frame
- Case, cleaning cloth, microfiber bag included
The low price of these glasses might scare you a bit-usually you really do get what you pay for- but these glasses are surprisingly well-made. The lenses are made of acetate rather than glass, but that does make them a lot more impact-resistant than the lenses in Ray-Bans. The frame is a durable, yet light, aluminum alloy that should last a lifetime.
The high-quality polarized lenses don’t just filter out UV light and reduce glare, they also restore true color so you’ll feel like you’re not looking through sunglasses at all. Oh, and there’s a 30 day money back guarantee if you don’t like the glasses. There’s no reason not to give these a try. If you’re the type to lose sunglasses, and many of us are, it might even be a good idea to have a spare pair on hand.
What to look for when buy sunglasses for boating
Polarized lenses
The glare of sunlight reflecting off the water is one of the biggest visual impairments you’ll encounter while boating, and you need polarized lenses to deal with that. Polarized lenses can filter out the glare without blocking out so much light that you have trouble seeing. They can also help you see under the surface of the water better, which can help you spot hazards like rocks under the surface.
UV Protection
If you’re out on the water all day, you want as much protection from the sun as possible. UV rays can cause sunburn (and yes, your eyes can get sunburned) and skin cancer. The more UV protection you have, the better. Some glasses offer full-spectrum UV protection, others only protect against UVA and UVB.
Glass vs Polycarbonate Lenses
Glass lenses are much more expensive, but they resist scratches much better than polycarbonate or acetate lenses. On the other hard, the various plastic lenses are a lot tougher overall, and have better impact resistance. On a boat, that’s something that could be important. Each material has its merits, so you’ll have to decide if scratch resistance or impact resistance is more important to you.
Style
Let’s be honest- you want to look good in your sunglasses. That’s at least half the point of wearing them, so don’t buy a pair that look ugly to you. It doesn’t do you much good to save money buying a cheaper pair if you hate the way they look.
Price
Some people can keep the same pair of sunglasses for thirty years. Others are going to lose every pair they buy within two months. If you’re in that second group, dropping hundreds of dollars on a pair of sunglasses is a bad idea. If you’re in the first group, paying a premium for glasses that will last a lifetime makes a lot of sense.
Optics/Clarity/Color
Sunglasses that reduce glare but also reduce contrast and mute colors aren’t much use to you. This isn’t about aesthetics- if you’re driving the boat you need to be able to see as clearly as possible. Look for sunglasses with lenses that prioritize clarity and true color visibility. All of the sunglasses we listed on this page do this well, although some probably do it better than others.
Conclusion
Polarized sunglasses are a necessity when you’re boating, especially if you’re the one driving the boat. They improve visibility to such a degree that it’s arguably dangerous to drive a boat during the day without wearing them. Whether you have a pontoon boat, a ski boat, or are just fishing, sunglasses are a must on the water.
If you’re willing to pay the price, the Maui Jim Peahi Sunglasses are hands-down the best polarized sunglasses for boating. They offer the best glare reduction, clarity, and comfort. For a more affordable, but still excellent option, you’ll definitely be satisfied with the sunglasses from Tifosi.
