Prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays can seriously affect your eyes, especially when sailing when the dangers are heightened. Usually, sailors tend to be out in unsheltered sunshine for a long time and are exposed to different weather conditions. We might forget it sometimes but it is an important thing to consider. Extreme sun exposure and UV rays can cause eye diseases, so never forget to put on your sunglasses! Below you’ll find information about sunglasses characteristics, as well as the best sunglasses brands to buy in 2020.

Things to Consider When Choosing Sailing Sunglasses

A pair of sailing sunglasses are a vital asset on a sailboat. But what about their characteristics? Which one to choose? Are they impact-resistance? Can they resist 40-knot winds and 7G impacts? And what about the sunglasses’ durability in a seawater environment? Let’s see their important features and answer all of these questions, and more!

Type of Material

Make sure to choose sunglasses that are made from resisting materials to various weather conditions. Furthermore, the material can’t be corrosive and has to be shatterproof in order to ensure that your eyes are well protected from possible injuries, in case of an impact. Acrylic lenses might be the cheapest option, but they can be distorted and non-durable. Glass lenses have excellent optics and are very scratch-resistant, but they are relatively heavy. In general, glass is the most common material for sunglasses. However, it is proven that glasses designed with polycarbonate are better for a sailor. Polycarbonate is a light material, inexpensive, and durable.

Polarised Sunglasses

A polarized filter offers clear contrasts and radical glare reduction which will help you see in detail in the water. Furthermore, they reduce the impact of reflected light from the water’s surface or from a fiberglass dash. They also provide better clarity when refracted light is filtered through rain, fog, and wind-whipped moisture. However, polarised glasses can be expensive, but they are the best option for sailors.

Lens Shape and Color

The shape of the lens is essential for sunglasses. Remember to avoid flat lenses and prefer curved lenses as they don’t let sunlight pass through. Lenses with less angularity are considered to be better in terms of preserving the contour and contrast of different objects. However, they have less resistance to glare. So if you’re looking for sailing sunglasses that offer optimal visibility they won’t suit you. As for the color, the lighter tint provides better performance in overcast conditions. Moreover, it reduces eye fatigue and avoids any color distortion when it’s cloudy. But the slightly reddish tint of amber, bronze, copper and brown, improves contrast and depth perception. In general, amber lenses allow you to easily spot details in the water that you’d miss with green or grey lenses.

Durability

Durability is essential because your sunglasses have to withstand any harsh conditions while sailing. Moreover, they should be shock-resistant and serve you for a lot of years. Keep in mind that there are some really expensive sailing sunglasses that might not be durable, so make sure to pre-check their durability.

Design, Shape and Other Characteristics

In general, sunglasses exist in multiple sizes so you should choose the right size and fit based on your preferences and gender. Remember to buy sunglasses that can perfectly fit your face. This is important for both your comfort and style. Consider buying lightweight sunglasses because they’re more comfortable with sailing. In addition, as you’ll be wearing them mostly on the water, you should always buy waterproof sunglasses, specially designed for seawater use.

Best Sunglasses for Sailing

Maui Jim Sandy Beach – Best Sailing Sunglasses

These sunglasses have polarized lenses, a neutral grey tint, and a rimless frame. This pair also offers ultimate protection, comfort, and assures its durability. They also block reflective light and glare which is important when sailing and they quickly repel water and grease from the lenses. I believe that these are the best pair of sailing sunglasses I have ever owned and I am pretty sure that if you try them you will have the same opinion. They are on the expensive side but they will last for a long time and their quality is unmatched. Check out the price on Amazon and do not forget to purchase a floating sunglasses strap. I know that sometimes these straps can be annoying but they are not as annoying as looking at your 200$ sunglasses sinking at the bottom of the ocean.

Maui Jim Makaha

People who wear Maui Jims tend to be fanatical about them, singing the praises of their exceptional optics and light, comfortable frames. You can choose the color and tint of the lenses, but they are all scratch-resistant and use PolarizedPlus 2 to cut reflections, reduce glare, and enhance contrast. They are also oleophobic to repel greasy fingerprints, while the frames are salt waterproof. I’m not usually one to jump on a passing bandwagon, but on this occasion, I have to agree with the Maui Jim evangelists. Grippy but comfortable, rubberized nose and ear pads, light wraparound frames that suit my narrow face, and lenses, which make the world a more colorful place, have made me a convert. Check out the price on Amazon.

Cebe Lupka Polarised

The Lupkas are designed for particularly strong light, water, and high mountain use. They are resistant to impacts, scratches, glare, and reflection that sailors need. You can find a top version of Lupkas for approximately 50$, plus wraparound frames and a choice of shockproof Category 3 polycarbonate lenses, in either brown or grey.

Torege Polarized – Best Value Sunglasses

If you are looking for a pair of sailing sunglasses that won’t break the bank or you are the kind of person that loses his sunglasses more often than his keys, then these Torege Polarized Sports Sunglasses are the once for you. They have polarized and interchangeable lenses and a soft slip-resistant rubber nose pad which lets you feel comfortable while wearing them for long sailing trips. They also come in many different colors so you can definitely find the ones that fit your style.

Gill Kynance Sunglasses

These sunglasses are particularly marine-specific, with integrated flotation and glare-free polarised lenses. In addition, they have a hydrophobic outer coating which helps shed water, while the Oleophobic inside the face helps to repel oil from fingertips. These sunglasses also come with the added benefit of being made by Gill and as many sailors know, Gill and sailing go hand and hand.

WindRider Polarized Floating Sunglasses

These high-quality sports sunglasses are polarised, flexible, lightweight, and robust. They’re also really affordable around 30$. They can endure scratches and their adjustable hypoallergenic nose pads make them a much better purchase than other costly models. These sunglasses also float, so you no longer have to worry about losing a pair to the sea again. You can also forget about having to mess with ugly floating straps on your cool shades. Check the price on Amazon.

Smith Wayward Basecamp ChromaPop

This pair of sailing sunglasses are available for different types of head sizes, which make them comfortable and well-proportioned. Furthermore, they’re made of bio-based materials, and their anti-reflective coating prevents glare. Made with ChromaPop lenses, oil and water repellant that allows them to be more waterproof and durable. Also, they come in many colors to fit your personal style which is always nice. Check them out on Amazon.

VonZipper Lesmore Rectangular Sunglasses

This pair covers all the basics and is quite affordable for about 99$. They’re impact-resistant, high UV protection, and polarised with polycarbonate lenses. Dry Docks are some of the specialized features that they offer; because of the stainless steel optical hinges and their Base 8 spherical lenses. I had purchased these sunglasses for about 60$ because they were running a sale so make sure to check the price on Amazon.

Bolle Python

Bolle Tetra is definitely one of the best sailing sunglasses with just 99$. The pair offers high protection, has hydrophobic and oleophobic exteriors which makes it lightweight. Furthermore, it has anti-fog internal surfaces that offer excellent clarity. Its design has anti-reflective coatings and photochromic technology in order to adjust the lenses for varying weather conditions. And of course, they come with polarized lenses as all sailing sunglasses should.

Maui Jim Offshore 444

The oversized Grilamid frame perfectly suits a sailboat life. The pair has wraparound polarised lenses Maui HCL which are ideal for medium to bright conditions, with great glare protection. Moreover, they’re salt-resistant and provide great contrast.

Summary – The Best Sailing Sunglasses

So, what kind of sunglasses do sailors need? Above all, the best sunglasses for sailing should be lightweight, enhance visibility, and comfortable to wear for a long time. They must offer UVA and UVB protection, should be impact resistant, and have non-slip pads on the nose to keep them in place. Prefer to buy polarized lens sunglasses with bifocal options. Keep in mind that the UV rays can cause considerable damage to your eyes, therefore investing in a quality pair of sailing sunglasses is essential. So, look for well-designed sunglasses that can protect your eyes from damaging UV rays, are marine-specific, polarised, and adjustable to varying weather conditions.