Whether you’re a grom (new to the sport) or a seasoned surfer, you need the right pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays and ensure great clarity of vision. Durability and a secure, comfortable fit are vital, too. Use the guide below to identify your perfect pair of surf sunglasses to make your experience as gnarly as possible!
How to Choose Sunglasses for Surfing
If you’re looking for surf sunglasses, then there are several key factors to take into account.
Protection from UV
When you’re out on the water, UV protection is even more important, as the ocean’s surface reflects the sun’s rays, making them even stronger. As well as cataracts, the sun’s rays can cause retinal problems including macular degeneration – as well as skin cancer in the delicate area around the eyes. It’s vital to choose lenses that offer the highest level of UV protection possible, at least level three or four.
Lens Treatment
Whether you require prescription sunglasses or otherwise, clarity of vision is crucial. To this end, while some surfers favor polarized lenses, others find that they can make it tricky to read the surface of the water when the sun is high overhead. Other lens treatments you may wish to consider are anti-fog and anti-glare treatments to ensure enhanced vision no matter what the conditions. Splash protection is also a popular option: look for a hydrophobic coating on both sides of the lens. Hydrophobic coating also reduces salt residue that would otherwise be left on the lenses.
Impact Protection
When choosing a pair of surf sunglasses it’s important to ensure they can withstand a strong impact (like being hit by a surfboard) without shattering or cracking. Look for polycarbonate frames: they’re around ten times more durable than standard plastic models.
Keeping Them In Place
Your surf sunglasses are going to be really put through their paces, and you need a pair that is going to stay on your face no matter how big the wave or bad the wipeout. Look for shades that offer a secure fit, and won’t slide down your nose or lose their grip when wet. A leash and retainer system could also be a good idea, to make extra sure that your sunglasses don’t disappear into the waves forever.
You could also choose surf sunglasses that float, although these may only be suitable for very small whitewater or surf, or stand-up paddleboarding.
Best Surf Sunglasses
Oakley Prizm Deep H20 Sunglasses
With their enhanced lens coverage, lightweight fit, and high-definition options, these polarized sunglasses from the legendary eyewear brand Oakley are perfect for surfing. They offer enhanced contrast, and a wide field of vision, and are comfortable enough for all-day wearing. And they look super stylish, too.
LiP Typhoon Sunglasses
LiP creates shades specifically for surfers, so you can be sure this option will be a great companion on your ocean adventures. The Typhoon’s frame is constructed from ultra-tough polycarbonate, with nylon lenses crafted by Zeiss, and features an eight base curved radius lenses for superior peripheral vision. Plus, they come with an advanced leash and retainer feature to virtually guarantee they won’t get lost.
Rheos Eddies Sunglasses
These amphibious shades can keep up with all your outdoor exploits, whether on land or the waves. The secure-fitting frame doesn’t compromise on the comfort levels – and they float. The Rheos Eddies model offers 100% UV protection and outstanding impact and scratch protection. Further, a portion of every sale is donated to protect waterways.
Costa Slack Tide
With ventilated, lightweight frames that incorporate Hydrolite nose and temple pads to prevent them from slipping when wet, these surf sunglasses from Costa are both high-performing and great value. They’re best for those with larger faces, or who prefer greater coverage from their frames, and the laidback design makes for the perfect surf eyewear.
Maui Jim Peahi
Thinner glass lenses make for an ultra-lightweight option in the form of these stylish shades from Maui Jim. Customize your shades by choosing from a wide range of frame and lens colors. The wraparound frames provide a secure fit and an exceptional field of vision, and they’ve been named in honor of Pe’ahi, the well-known surf break on the north shore of Maui.
Surf’s Up! Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Hitting the Waves
Taking into account several key factors, such as UV protection, floatability, durability, lens coating, and secureness of fit, will help you choose the very best pair of sunglasses for this season’s surf adventures. Use the guide above to easily find the perfect shades to see you through a spectacular – and stylish – summer on the water.
