Anglers everywhere know that the right pair of shades can make or break your day on the water. Cutting glare with polarized lenses and improving contrast with the right colored lenses just might mean hooking that big one you know is out there.
You’ll find a lot of fishing sunglasses on the market, sized and shaped for men. But finding the right pair of women’s fishing sunglasses can be a little bit harder. Whether you want the perfect cat-eye design or the very best fly fishing sunglasses, we’ve got the information you need. Keep reading as we outline the main factors in choosing fishing sunglasses and tell you about our top picks for this essential accessory.
Table of Contents
What to Look for in Women’s Fishing Sunglasses
The Right Lens Color
One of the most important criteria for your fishing sunglasses is lens color. You shouldn’t assume that the sunglasses you use for other outdoor activities will always serve you well on the water. In fact, the best lens color depends on your fishing conditions.
Let’s tackle them (see what we did there) by color:
Blue – Great for deep water and open water fishing thanks to its dark tint that helps protect your eyes from bright sunlight
Amber – Best for low light conditions, providing high contrast and glare reduction for deep water or sight fishing when it’s overcast and at dusk and dawn
Green – The most versatile all-around fishing lens color; green provides excellent contrast for sight fishing and variable light conditions
Gray – Gray lenses provide excellent contrast against blue water, are versatile for many environments, and provide natural color
Copper – Great for spotting green objects while sight fishing when you’re looking for a darker tint
Rose – Works in many of the same conditions as amber lenses, with their lower tint letting in more light in dark and low-light conditions
Yellow – Great for low-light conditions while increasing contrast and depth perception
For more detail and our full analysis, be sure to check out our complete guide to the Best Fishing Lens Colors.
Lightweight Frame
The frames you choose for your fishing sunglasses add to both their style and function. And when it comes to fishing sunglasses, the most important aspect is a lightweight frame that provides a comfortable fit. From our experiences, bulky and heavy frames may feel nice in the store but after a few hours of wear, they start to hurt and become uncomfortable.
While you can find women’s fishing sunglasses with metal frames, most styles use nylon or another lightweight plastic for increased strength and durability. The best sunglasses on the market offer maximum coverage and sun protection while being comfortable all-day.
Wrap Style vs. Oversized Glasses
When we talk maximum coverage, you’ll generally see two types of sunglasses – wrap styles or oversized designs. Wrap styles or “wrap” refers to the base curvature of a pair of sunglasses, or how much it “wraps” around your face. By hugging your face, these frames provide a close fit that blocks out sunlight.
In contrast, oversized styles provide their coverage through sheer size. These sunglasses extend larger than other sunglasses (often in every direction) to block sunlight. Oversized styles work great if you have a larger head or just prefer a bigger frame.
In the end, frame shape is a personal preference. The best one for you is the one that offers the comfort of a great fit for a full day of wear.
Best Women’s Fishing Sunglasses
9. Maui Jim Kawika
Maui Jim’s Kawika (Product Link) is a browline-style frame with a medium fit. The upper edge of the frame is nylon, complemented by a metal lower frame for a classic browline look. The 6 base curve gives it a modest wrap, but this is definitely a lifestyle shape.
The rectangular lens of the Kawika is versatile and looks good on most face shapes. Maui Jim uses its MauiPure lenses in this frame. They’re made of thin, lightweight glass that offers excellent clarity.
On the Maui Jim site, the Kawika is available in four frame colors and seven lens colors. Choose Blue Hawaii, Maui HT (green), or Maui Rose for the best polarized fishing sunglasses in this Maui Jim style.
And read more in our comparison of Oakley vs. Maui Jim sunglasses.
Kawika Highlights
- Highly scratch-resistant lenses available in a variety of colors
- Prescription lenses (strength +3.00 to -6.50) and readers (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 magnification) available
- Adjustable silicone nose pads prevent slipping and allow for a custom fit
8. Costa Waterwoman 2
Costa brings us the Waterwoman 2 (Product Link), a bold, oversized frame with rounded square lenses and a tiny cat-eye upper corner. This 6-base curve moderate wrap style gives 100% UV protection to more of your face than an average-sized frame.
Costa also uses their 580 lens technology in the Waterwoman 2, offering polarized lenses that cuts glare. The frame itself is made of a lightweight, sturdy bio-resin instead of conventional plastic as part of Costa’s environmental initiatives.
On the Costa site, the Waterwoman 2 is available in four frame colors. Each frame color is offered with its own lens options. And, Costa makes both polycarbonate and glass lenses. All but the matte black frame has at least one option in each material (matte black has two glass lens options).
And since these are sport-specific sunglasses, all of the lenses are optimized for fishing and have an anti-scratch coating.
Waterwoman 2 Highlights
- Extra-large, wide frame offers extra coverage and protection
- Comfortable for high nose bridges with specially designed High Bridge Fit
- Polarized lenses only, prescription available
7. Costa Vela
Costa’s Vela (Product Link) is an elegant frame with curves and styling, as well as functionality. The full, lightweight bio-resin frame comes in a classic tortoise color that we loved. Costa calls this an extra-large style with a regular fit. If you appreciate an oversized frame, the Vela is definitely worth checking out since its 140mm frame size is pretty generous. If you have a smaller face, we’d recommend trying before you buy.
The Vela is available with both 580G (glass) and 580P (polycarbonate) lenses, although colors vary. The Vela’s glass lenses come in green mirror, while the polycarbonate is available in blue, green, and copper mirror. And all of the lenses are polarized and optimized for fishing while offering a scratch-resistant coating and 100% protection from harmful UV rays.
Vela Highlights
- Prescription lenses available, high bridge fit for extra comfort
- Adjustable temple tips combine with Hydrolite nose pads to reduce slipping
- 6-base lens curve offers a moderate wrap while maintaining a clean lifestyle shape
6. Maui Jim Joy Ride
Maui Jim’s Joy Ride (Product Link) is a medium-fit full-frame style with round lenses and a small wrap. One of our favorite features of this frame is its temple decorations inspired by Hawaiian Kapa art.
But the frame doesn’t skimp on technology either. With its lightweight acetate frame and keyhole nose bridge, it provides all-day comfort. Plus, you can choose from seven MauiBrilliant polycarbonate lens colors. We’d recommend trying Blue Hawaii, Maui HT (green), or Maui Rose for fishing. Or if you want a pair of sunglasses for both on and off the water, try the HCL Bronze lens.
Joy Ride Highlights
- Prescription lenses available in a wide power range
- Readers available in three magnification levels (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5)
- Very versatile frame suitable for fishing or casual streetwear
5. Smith Eastbank Women’s Fly Fishing Sunglasses
Smith Optics brings us the Eastbank (Product Link), with a full frame and round lenses. With its classic lifestyle look, this is a stylish, medium-fit option for anglers. Smith’s bio-based frame material, called Evolve, is a plastic alternative that’s durable and lightweight.
The Eastbank uses Smith’s high-tech ChromaPop lens technology. This contrast-enhancing lens filters out overlapping light waves for a crisper, more vibrant color. The result? A better viewing experience that makes it easier to spot fish on the water. Plus, this frame is available in 7 colors with 10 different lens options.
We’d recommend trying ChromaPop polarized lenses that combine cutting-edge contrast-enhancing with glare-reducing polarized filters. For fishing, we like ChromaPop Polarized Blue, Gray Green, or Brown lenses.
Eastbank Highlights
- Lifestyle frame shape that’s versatile for both fishing and everyday use
- Megol nose pads give the sunglasses extra grip, so they don’t end up in the water
- Prescription lenses available in a reduced number of colors
4. Costa Whitetip Polarized
Costa’s Whitetip Polarized (Product Link) is a sportier style than we’ve seen so far on our list. Its sleek, full bio-resin frame has rectangular lenses and a nice big base curve wrap. And the no-frills styling gives these sunglasses a pared-down, clean look.
These are smaller sunglasses than the lifestyle choices above, with lenses that aren’t as deep. But, they still offer good coverage, especially on the side. And, the Whitetip is available in three frame colors and three optimized fishing lens colors.
With the Whitetip you have the option of Costa’s 580G lenses in blue or green mirror or 580P lenses in a blue or green mirror or gray without a mirror finish. For fishing glasses that are lightweight and durable, we’d recommend going with 580P or Polycarbonate lenses.
Whitetip Polarized Highlights
- Medium fit is comfortable for most face sizes and shapes
- All lenses are polarized and available with prescription options
- Features temple tip holes for adding a leash and front vents for added air flow
3. Oakley Split Shot
The Oakley Split Shot (Product Link) is the brand’s first frame made specifically for anglers. Featuring a medium-large size frame, this sporty style includes some outstanding features for use on the water.
Starting off, you’ll find Oakley’s proprietary O Matter frame material that is both lightweight and durable. We’ve already covered why O Matter works so well for sports, including fishing, so we won’t go into too much detail here. But combined with a large wrap in this frame and these sunglasses will be comfortable all day while providing maximum coverage.
Plus, the Split Shot is available with a full complement of Oakley technology, including Prizm color and contrast-enhancing lenses, HDPolarized lenses, Iridium Coating to reduce glare, and HDO Optics for excellent clarity.
The Split Shot is available on the Oakley site in seven frame colors (mostly variations of black) and seven Prizm lens colors. We’d recommend Prizm Deep Water or Prizm Shallow Water to optimize your fishing vision.
Learn more about Oakley Contrast-Enhancing Prizm Lens technology.
Split Shot Highlights
- Impact-resistant Plutonite lenses protect against 100% of UVA and UVB rays up to 400 nm
- Three-Point Fit and Unobtainium nose pads keep glasses from slipping and maintain optical alignment
- Comes with a detachable leash to secure your glasses when leaning down
2. Costa May Polarized Sunglasses
Costa takes the number two spot on our list with their May polarized sunglasses (Product Link). This stylish, moderate wrap style looks great and has fishing-friendly features. Plus, the full acetate frame has deep square lenses that give a hint of a modified cat-eye for a more feminine design.
The May is part of Costa’s Del Mar collection, designed to capture the feel of life on the water. We love this frame because it works so well both on and off the water. Its sleek design means you can easily wear it at a dockside bar or walking around the city. But these sunglasses still feature the latest in Costa fishing technology. May sunglasses are available in three frame colors and three fishing optimized 580G lens colors: blue mirror polarized, green mirror polarized, and gray polarized.
Costa May Highlights
- Flattering shape with great coverage that works on and off the water
- Glass lenses offer excellent optical clarity and UV protection
- Scratch-proof mirror coating to keep your sunglasses looking new even longer
1. Oakley Trailing Point
Our top choice for the best women’s fishing sunglasses is the Oakley Trailing Point (Product Link). This super stylish semi-rimless frame features oval lenses with a hint of a cat-eye that don’t drown out your face. And sleek lines and understated planes make this the most striking style on our list.
The Trailing Point is a small size that will fit well for most women’s faces. And it features a lightweight O Matter frame that is lightweight and comfortable all day. While this frame is available with different lenses, we’d recommend buying Prizm Deep Water lenses that are designed for open water fishing. These lenses are the latest from Oakley and are specifically built for fishing, featuring contrast-enhancing Prizm technology.
Trailing Point Highlights
- Rimless frame offers expanded view and ventilation
- Extremely versatile styling can go from the water to an outdoor function with ease
- Unobtainium nose pad offers extra grip to keep glasses from sliding
Final Takeaways
Finding your perfect pair of fishing sunglasses is mostly dependent on your personal preferences. There is a huge variety of frame shapes and lens technologies to choose from.
When you’re searching for just the right pair, make sure to focus first on function. You want your sunglasses to be lightweight and have lenses that can handle glare off the water. Choose the lens color that works best for your light and water conditions, and you’re on your way.
Looking for More?
Have a question about women’s fishing sunglasses or want to learn more? Let us know in the comments below and check out these additional guides for more information:
- The 5 Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses [& Buyer’s Guide]
- The 11 Best Polarized Sunglasses for Sight Fishing
- The Best Lens Color for Fishing: Deep Sea, Fly Fishing & More
- The Best Oakley Fishing Sunglasses of 2022
