8 Best Polarized Sunglasses of 2022, Tested by Experts - Men's Health

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Sunglasses have been a fashion staple of the style-conscious for as long as any of us can remember. The right shades can singlehandedly define your aesthetic. A pair of acetate Wayfarers, for example, can brighten up your look in a cool, retro-inspired way. Vintage Aviators, on the other hand, provide a degree of rugged sophistication. Bold, angular Oakleys let the world know that you're a hardcore, active man who likes to run a marathon or two on the weekends.

But sunglasses aren't just about looks. They can serve a higher purpose in protecting your eyeballs, but that requires a serious pair of polarized sunglasses. Without getting too technical, polarized shades are chemically coated to limit the type of glare that's reflected back into your eyes under bright, intensely sunny conditions.

Read more: Best Sunglasses for Men

These days, the biggest eyewear brands offer dozens, even hundreds, of polarized sunglasses, while some offer only polarized models. We tested dozens of them to find the very best polarized sunglasses of 2022.

Best Polarized Sunglasses for Everyday Wear

Original Wayfarer Colorblock

• Timeless, iconic design
• Reasonably priced for premium sunglasses
• Durable, acetate frame
• Made for everyday wear

• Bold aesthetic isn't for everyone
• Not ideal for more intense activities

Ray-Ban's iconic Wayfarer sunglasses are older than most of us. But, even after more than half a century, they're as stylish and relevant as ever. The fashion staple gets a serious reboot for 2022 with the all-new, limited edition Colorblock collection.

Two premium lens options are now available: Crystal lenses with Transitions tech that instantly adapts to a wide range of indoor and outdoor lighting conditions and state-of-the-art Chromance lenses with a polarizing filter that enhances contrast, colors, and overall clarity. We love the bold, transparent frames and retro tinted lenses, even if they might be a bit too bold for some.

Best Polarized Sunglasses for Travelers

Descend Fold

• High-contrast, glare-reducing Serilium+ lenses
• Impact-resistant lenses and frame
• Featherweight construction is comfortable
• Rimless design ensures a larger field of view
• Reduces blue light from digital screens
• Snug fit won't slip, even during intense activities

• A little pricey

There's no getting around the fact that sunglasses are fragile. That poses are a problem for travelers and anyone constantly on the move, especially anyone who's tough on their gear. Revo sidesteps that problem with the all-new Descend Fold. This latest version of one of the brand's most popular shades keeps the same silhouette, but upgrades to a foldable frame that fits in your pocket.

The streamlined aesthetic is stylish, yet streamlined enough to match just about any outfit. The curved, featherweight frame means they're extremely comfortable, even for all-day wear at the beach, exploring the town, or for replacing your facemask on long flights.

Most Timeless Polarized Sunglasses

649 Original

• Handsome, timeless design
• Great for everyday wear
• Durable acetate frames
• Product of one of the world's oldest eyewear companies
• Prescription lenses available

• A little pricey

Persol's 649 Original sunglasses have been an eyewear staple for fashionable men and women for even longer than the original Wayfarers. The handsome, timeless design is instantly recognizable with its keyhole bridge, gold arrows at the edges, and Meflecto system. All of which have made them a favorite among celebrities including Steve McQueen for decades.

The latest version is available in four distinct frames, including white, tortoiseshell, and burgundy with a handful of beautiful lens options. All are polarized, and prescription glass is an option too so these can be your everyday drivers. To really treat yourself (or someone you love), monogramming is also available directly on Persol.com.

Read more: Best Aviator Sunglasses

Best Polarized Sunglasses for Long Beach Days

Reefton Pro

• Oversized design provides maximum eye protection
• Large lenses ensure a wide field of view
• Available with glass or polycarbonate lenses
• Lightweight frame great for all-day wear
• Designed to fit a variety of face and head shapes
• Extremely scratch-resistant lenses
• Prescription lenses available

• Premium price tag

Costa sunglasses are among the best we've ever tested for serious water-based adventuring (Think: deep-sea fishing and liveaboard dive cruises). The all-new Reefton Pro combine the brand's best features into a single pair of glare-fighting shades. With an oversized, yet lightweight frame and extra-large polarized lenses, they provide maximum protection for your eyeballs.

The fit is extremely comfortable and designed to sit and stay squarely on your face, courtesy of improved Hydrolite grip on the earpieces and nose pad. For anyone hard on their outdoor gear, the Reefton Pro are also among the most scratch-resistant sunglasses available. Bonus: The frame is built using an eco-friendly, plant-based Bio-Resin.

Read more: Best Fishing Gear Essentials

Best Vintage-look Polarized Sunglasses

Pacific Palisades Coastal Dune

Knockaround

• Oversized design provides better eye protection
• UV400 protection
• Very affordable
• Great for everyday wear
• Protective pouch included

• Retro-kitsch look might be too bold for some

Of course, you don't have to spend north of $200 on a decent pair of polarized sunglasses. Knockaround's vintage-inspired Pacific Palisades specs are our new go-to summer shades. The throwback look blends summer vibes with a top-down cruise along California's Highway 1. They're bold, fun, and decidedly retro.

Beyond good looks, they're also crafted with polarized, FDA-approved lenses that boast UV400 protection. Plus, they're available in a dozen color combinations, so you can dial in the exact look you want.

Best Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Cool/S Polarized Pilot Sunglasses

• Classic, Aviator-inspired shape
• Durable acetate frame
• Oversized design offers maximum eye protection
• Affordable
• Iconic Italian heritage

• Unique shape isn't for everyone

No eyewear style has endured or proven as iconic over the last few decades as aviator sunglasses. Carrera's Cool/S Pilot Sunglasses bring a modern twist to the original silhouette with acetate frames and more rounded lenses. The result is a playful, yet suave pair of Euro-look sunglasses that work well for everyday wear.

A heavy UV-protection coating on the composite lenses and an oversized overall design ensure maximum eye protection. The unique shape doesn't work well for every face shape or style, but we love the look for those who can pull it off.

Best Polarized Sunglasses for Active Days

Men's Holbrook Square Sunglasses

Oakley

Now 13% off

• Secure fit for active adventures
• Mid-range price
• Wide variety of frames and lenses
• Scratch-resistant
• Full UV protection
• Easy to swap lenses
• Made in the U.S.

• Nothing really

There's no denying that Oakley makes some of the world's best sunglasses, especially for anyone into outdoor adventures. Their Holbrook Polarized Square line is purpose-built for anyone who loves hiking, fishing, kayaking, beachgoing, and everything in between. The combination of Plutonite lenses and Grilamid polycarbonate frames ensures they're durable and built to last for years. A heavy UV-coating and polarized lenses provide plenty of protection for your peepers for long days in the sun.

The aesthetic is simple, yet modern with dozens of frame and lens options available, so they work well as "everyday driver" shades for just about any situation. Plus, the roughly $170 price tag hits the sweet spot squarely between "budget" and "premium."

Best Polarized Sunglasses for Endurance Sports

Crit Fototec Photochromic Sunglasses

• Sharply curved lenses provide great eye coverage
• Fits securely even during intense activity
• Shatterproof lenses
• Hardshell case included
• Affordable

• Bold, aggressive look isn't for everyone

Tifosi is clear that its Crit line of polarized sunglasses is purpose-built for endurance athletes. Even if you're not a marathon runner or routinely climb El Capitan, they're fantastic shades for all manner of outdoor adventuring. The sharply curved, aerodynamic frame and rubber ear and nose pads ensure they stay well seated during even the most intense activities. The polarized lenses are also shatterproof and glare-reducing with built-in tech that allows them to transform from slightly tinted to dark, depending on surrounding lighting conditions.

Tifosi also offers several activity-specific models, like the Crit Enliven (for off-shore environments) and Crit Golf (for long days on the green). At under $100, they're arguably the best value sunglasses on this list.

Why Polarized Sunglass Lenses?

It seems every sunglass maker is touting polarized sunglasses, and it turns out that the technology is not just a marketing gimmick. There's one reason to consider polarized sunglasses above any other type of lens: Glare. More specifically, polarized lenses significantly reduce glare. This is especially important for a wide range of outdoor activities, from fishing and watersports to skiing and snowboarding. Anytime water, snow, or ice is involved, there's increased potential for things like snow blindness, temporary blindness, and, with prolonged exposure, photokeratitis (imagine a sunburn on your cornea).

Most ordinary (non-polarized), tinted lenses allow both horizontally and vertically reflected light through, so your eyes are subjected to the full force of the sun's rays. But, polarized lenses are chemically treated to allow only vertically reflected light through, while absorbing horizontally reflected light. The latter is what causes the worst glare due to light reflecting off of bodies of water, wet roads, or snow. Think of polarized lenses like literal shields for your eyeballs.

Keep in mind that polarization is not the same as UV protection. Some polarized sunglasses offer UV protection, but some don't. It's best to find sunglasses that specifically claim UVA/UVB protection to seriously safeguard your eyes, especially in high-sun environments.

How We Tested

We tested and researched several dozen pairs of polarized sunglasses over the last 18 months. That includes wearing them for long days in the sun during a wide variety of outdoor activities, namely hiking, kayaking, and beach-going. We kept notes on everything, including style, finish, overall fit, whether they stayed put when we needed them to, and, of course, price. We also tested them in ordinary situations to see how comfortable they were as "everyday drivers." The carefully selected list of eight pairs above represents our honest picks for the best polarized sunglasses to consider in 2022.

Mike Richard Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008.

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