While sunglasses have been worn by softball players for years to protect their eyes, the latest generation of shades can even help enhance your game! With contrast and color enhancing lenses, lightweight frames, and UV protection, the latest softball sunglasses are a must-have on the field! ,
Our buying guide will cover everything to know about the best softball sunglasses including frame materials, lens colors, and extra features like temple grips, ventilation, and nose pads. Plus we’ll review our picks for the best softball sunglasses and brands you can buy!
Now let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Softball Sunglasses Buyer’s Guide
To find the best softball sunglasses you’ll want to focus on 3 key elements:
- Frame Material
- Comfort
- Lens Color
For softball, we want all three of these elements tuned specifically for the game. That means a lightweight frame that’s comfortable for nine innings, and lenses that help highlight the ball.
Now, let’s dive into each of these elements with exactly what you should look for:
Frame Material
Naturally, you want a lightweight frame that sits comfortably on your face throughout the game. We’d recommend nylon-based sunglasses that are both lightweight and durable like Oakley O Matter or Under Armour TR90.
Both of these materials are lighter than ordinary acetate plastic frames. Plus, they’re available in a range of sports sunglasses.
Comfort & Durability
Along with a lightweight frame, you’ll want your softball sunglasses to be comfortable and durable. While a light frame is definitely more comfortable, you’ll also want to look for sport-specific frame features like rubber nose pads, temples, and earsocks for added grip.
These pieces like Oakley’s Unobtainium grips are more comfortable than a plastic frame and help keep your sunglasses on your face.
We also love these rubber grips and nylon frames since they are sweat-resistant, which means you aren’t damaging your sunglasses during long games in the sun. Just remember to gently clean your sunglasses at the end of a game and you’re set!
Lens Colors
The most important element of your sunglasses, the lenses, aren’t just a fashion statement. They help you spot the ball while also protecting your eyes! And the latest generation of lenses can even make it easier to spot the softball!
The best lens colors for softball are amber/orange, blue, red, or yellow depending on the weather and lighting conditions. Here’s when to use each lens color, plus scroll down for our handy chart:
Amber and Orange
Amber and orange lenses are great at increasing color and contrast in sunny and partly cloudy environments. Using these lenses, you’ll be able to spot the white ball against a green field or blue sky.
Blue
Similarly, blue lenses help with eye comfort under bright light conditions. This color is perfect for people with high light sensitivity. Blue lenses also enhance how you see colors on the field, so you’ll be able to spot the ball better.
Red and Rose
Rose and red softball lenses are suitable for semi-cloudy days and low light conditions. These colors increase contrast to spot the ball and other objects better. However, these colors also let in a lot of light, so they aren’t the top choice for bright conditions or people struggling with light sensitivity.
Clear and Yellow
Finally, clear and yellow lenses are great for night games, overcast or hazy conditions, and general low-light conditions. These lenses are designed to let in light while still protecting your eyes and providing optimal clarity under stadium lights.
The 5 Best Softball Sunglasses
Under Armour Playmaker
Under Armour Playmaker (Product Link) sunglasses are one of the most versatile sports frames for softball and baseball. This pair is loaded with comfortable features, including adjustable nose pads and non-slip temples to ensure your sunglasses stay on your face all game. And these sunglasses feature an impact-resistant lightweight TR90 frame that can survive a game without breaking. Finally, Under Armour’s lenses are water and smudge resistant for crystal-clear optics and easy cleaning.
Under Armour Playmaker Highlights
- Half frame design made of lightweight TR90 material that is comfortable all game
- Interchangeable lenses so you can adjust for changing conditions
- Available with prescription lenses depending on your needs
Oakley Flak Beta
Oakley is a widely respected sports sunglasses brand. And Flak Beta (Product Link) sunglasses deliver on that reputation as a top choice for softball. This frame features a lightweight O Matter frame with Unobtainium grips that might make you forget you’re even wearing sunglasses!
The Flak Beta also offers interchangeable lenses with a quick change system so you can easily swap between lens colors for different conditions. Plus, you can pair this frame with Oakley’s Prizm field lens, our favorite baseball/softball-specific lens. And if you’re looking for more coverage check out the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL or Oakley Half Jacket.
Oakley Flak 2.0 Highlights
- Semi-rimless design in a small to medium fit frame that is lightweight and comfortable
- Available with contrast-enhancing Oakley Prizm lenses including Prizm Field
- Interchangeable lenses let you use the same frame for different weather and light conditions
Oakley Encoder
One of the hottest sunglasses on the market, the Oakley Encoder provides plenty of coverage in a modern design. With a large wrap and shield lens, you’ll never have to worry about the sun in your eyes again. Plus the Encoder has Unobtainium nose pads and ear socks for extra grip, even when wet or sweaty. All of these features make the Encoder one of our favorite sports frames of this year!
Encoder Highlights
- Large shield lens for maximum coverage in a modern rimless frame design
- Lightweight temples designed to fit comfortably with softball hats and helmets
- Available with Oakley’s Prizm lens technology including Prizm Field
Read more in our Oakley Encoder Review.
Under Armour Tuned Force 2
Under Armour Tuned Force 2 (Product Link) sunglasses feature baseball/softball-specific lenses for players who don’t want to take any chances. The UA Tuned lenses offer optimal contrast enhancement to help you track the ball regardless of the light conditions. And these sunglasses offer an impact-resistant frame made of lightweight TR90 material! Plus, you also get Under Armour’s fully adjustable nose pads for optimum comfort and a sturdy fit.
Under Armour Tuned Force 2 Highlights
- Half-Rim shield lens design made of impact-resistant TR90 frame material
- UA Tuned Baseball lenses provide contrast enhancing to help you spot and track the ball
- Integrated lens vents help to keep air flowing, and reduce moisture, and fogging
Oakley Radar
Oakley Radar (Product Link) sunglasses are a dependable classic for softball players thanks to their versatile design. And this frame comes is available in two different lens sizes. The Radar Pitch option is perfect for people with bigger faces, while the Path option fits people with medium-sized or smaller faces. There’s even the Oakley Radar EV Path option if you’d prefer a full visor frame design.
Regardless, each Radar model is made of lightweight and durable O Matter material. Plus Radar lenses feature Prizm lens technology to improve contrast and enhance color. That means you’ll never miss another pitch or pop-fly heading towards you!
Read more in our guide to Oakley Radar Sunglasses.
Oakley Radar Highlights
- Semi-rimless frame design available in a variety of sizes for the perfect fit
- Impact-resistant Prizm lenses help block 100% of UV rays while enhancing contrast and color
- Unobtainium earsocks and nosepads provide added grip even when wet or sweaty
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Wear Sunglasses in Softball?
Yes, you can wear sunglasses in softball games at all levels. And a good pair of softball sunglasses can even help improve your game.
The latest softball-specific sunglasses make spotting fly balls against the sky or sun easier. These sunglasses also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays (UVA, UVB, and UVC), and projectiles including dirt from the field. And most of these sunglasses are designed to integrate seamlessly with helmets or hats.
Are Polarized Sunglasses Good for Softball?
While polarized sunglasses are useful for sports like softball since they help to block glare, we’d recommend contrast-enhancing lenses instead.
Contrast-enhancing lenses help block a similar amount of light as polarized lenses while providing color and contrast improvements tuned for softball. Since softball isn’t a high glare sport (unlike fishing), polarized lenses don’t make much of a difference.
Additionally, polarized sunglasses may negatively affect your depth perception, which puts you at a disadvantage. However, contrast-enhancing lenses do not affect your depth perception.
Read more in our guide: What are Polarized Lenses?
What Lens Color Is Best For Softball?
Some of the best lens colors for softball include amber/orange, blue, rose/red, clear, and yellow. However, some softball-specific brands like Oakley Prizm Field are optimized for the diamond, so you may not need to worry too much about the lens color.
For more related content check out our Best Baseball Sunglasses of this year!
Have a Question?
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