Is glare getting in the way of your winning game? Sports Opticians agree that polarized athletic sunglasses can make or break your performance. To see which frames came out on top, our team put polarized sports sunglasses to the test. Discover which styles made it into our top five picks for the best polarized sport sunglasses for every athlete.

Table of Contents

A. What To Look For in Polarized Sport Sunglasses
B. Best Polarized Sport Sunglasses
1. Rudy Project Rydon Slim
2. Maui Jim Ho'okipa
3. Oakley Flak 2.0 XL
4. Wiley X Valor
5. Oakley Radar EV Path
Bonus Frame: SportRx Huckson
C. Polarized Sports Sunglasses FAQs
D. Shop Polarized Prescription Sport Sunglasses Online at SportRx


What To Look For in Polarized Sport Sunglasses

Before we get into our lineup, we'll briefly cover which features to consider when selecting polarized sport sunglasses. Our Sports Opticians also used these criteria when curating today's frames.

Frame Technology

Sports glasses should be lightweight, comfortable, and impact-resistant. To achieve all three, opt for innovative materials like nylon, Grilamid TR-90, and Oakley's O Matter™. These frame materials can handle the occasional fumble without adding extra weight. An 8-base wrap around design with rubber grip also provides additional peripheral protection while keeping your frames in place.

Lens Technology

For your lenses, it's important to understand how polarization works. When light bounces off a reflective surface, horizontal light is created, aka glare. Blinding glare is one of the most severe forms and impedes clarity and contrast for details in your environment. To combat glare, polarized lenses use a vertically applied chemical treatment to filter out this horizontal light. You'll experience greater clarity, more saturated color contrast, and more comfortable vision when wearing polarized athletic sunglasses.

Today, many top brands offer proprietary polarized technologies that block glare and enhance contrast. To explore a few of our favorites, follow the links below:


Best Polarized Sport Sunglasses

Let's get into the lineup!

Rudy Project Rydon Slim

Our first frame is a performance powerhouse in one sleek, compact design. Introducing the Rudy Project Rydon Slim, a smaller-fitting frame that doesn't cut corners despite its size. This mixed-composition sunglass uses Grilamid and Kynetium™, which is an aluminum blend that guarantees a lightweight, comfortable fit that keeps up with the action. Fully adjustable rubber nose pads and temple tips also allow for a custom fit that stays in place no matter how much you move. The flying lens design encourages air flow and provides a wide field of vision thanks to its 8-base wrap. You can also swap lenses on the fly to guarantee you have the perfect tint for early morning training sessions and evening games.

As for lens tech, the Rudy Project Rydon Slim is available with POLAR 3FX HDR lenses that reveal sharper details and brighter colors. By blocking glare and harmful UV rays, you'll experience less eye fatigue and better views.

Rudy Project Rydon Slim polarized sport sunglasses in carbon grey with green semi-rimless lenses.

Rudy Project Rydon Slim in Carbon with POLAR 3FX HDR Multilaser Green Lenses

Shop Rudy Project Rydon Slim

Rudy Project Rydon Slim Key Features:

  • Smaller version of the Rudy Project Rydon
  • 8-base wrap around design for maximum coverage
  • Interchangeable flying lenses allow you to swap lenses on the go
  • Fully adjustable nose pads & temples guarantee a perfect fit
  • Rx-able
  • SportRx Frame Width: 130 (What is SFW?)

Maui Jim Ho'okipa

Our next frame turns up the style without compromising durability. The Maui Jim Ho'okipa uses innovative materials to create a fashionable sports design that excels when put under pressure. Whether you're on the last mile of your trail run or swinging for a hole-in-one, the Ho'okipa guarantees to keep your eyes on the prize. Its featherweight construction is so comfortable to wear that it simply disappears and may make you forget that you're even wearing sunglasses. Ultra-thin Grilamid creates a refined look and rubber temple tips deliver extra staying power. The adjustable, rubber nose pads also promise to keep your Ho'okipa perfectly in place.

Maui Jim sunglasses are available with PolarizedPlus2® lenses, which blocks 99.9% of glare and blends rare earth elements to boost colors. PolarizedPlus2® lenses are also Rx-able, making them an ideal choice for prescription-wearing athletes.

Maui Jim Ho'okipa rimless sunglasses in grey with blue polarized lenses.

Maui Jim Ho'okipa in Smoke Grey with Blue Hawaii Lenses

Shop Maui Jim Ho'okipa

Maui Jim Ho'okipa Key Features:

  • 8-base wrap prevents peripheral light leak
  • Ultra-lightweight construction made of Grilamid
  • Adjustable, rubber nose pads deliver a custom, comfortable fit
  • Rx-able
  • SFW: 134

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL

The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is no stranger to our sports lineups. In fact, it's such a popular choice that it has won a REXY Award for the past four consecutive years! And for good reason. Sports Opticians and athletes alike are wild about the Flak 2.0 XL for its performance capabilities and enigmatic design. Made of proprietary O Matter™, this 8-base wrap around frame is impact-resistant, lightweight, and easy to wear. Unobtainium® rubber grip on the nose pads and temples react to moisture, so the more you sweat, the tackier it gets. You'll benefit from serious staying power that doesn't quit regardless of the competition.

In addition to its impressive frame construction, an interchangeable lens system makes sure you always get the best view of the terrain. Swap semi-rimless lenses in no time and select from a variety of PRIZM™ Polarized lenses for glare-free vision and reduced eye fatigue.

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL polarized sports sunglasses in black with PRIZM™ Ruby lenses.

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL in Polished Black with PRIZM™ Ruby Polarized Lenses

Shop Oakley Flak 2.0 XL

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Key Features:

  • Four-time REXY Award Winner
  • 8-base frame made of impact-resistant O Matter™
  • Unobtainium® rubber grip gets tackier the more you sweat
  • Interchangeable lens system featuring PRIZM™ Polarized lenses
  • Rx-able
  • SFW: 135

Wiley X Valor

If physical encounters are bound to happen during your sport, you may want to consider a frame that's built as tough as its players. The Wiley X Valor is ANSI-certified and ballistic-rated, making these safety glasses as durable as they come. Built for action, the Wiley X Valor is part of the Changeable Series, which includes an interchangeable lens system in every design. You'll get a versatile frame that allows you to swap between clear and dark, polarized lenses — all depending on your needs. If you wear prescription, you can also opt for Wiley X CAPTIVATE™ lenses, which are polarized and finetune your depth perception. Finally, straightback temples fit seamlessly under helmets while creating a secure grip.

Wiley X Valor in Black Ops Matte Black with Polarized Smoke Grey Lenses

Wiley X Valor in Black Ops Matte Black with Polarized Smoke Grey Lenses

Shop Wiley X Valor

Wiley X Valor Key Features:

  • 8-base frame from the Wiley X Changeable Series
  • ANSI Z87.1-certified & MIL-PRF-31013-certified
  • Shatterproof Selenite™ lenses are interchangeable
  • Rx-able
  • SFW: 137

Oakley Radar EV Path

Next up in our lineup of the best polarized sport sunglasses, we have the undeniably cool Oakley EV Radar EV Path. With a shield design that gives you an expansive field of vision, you'll make out every detail of your environment with ease. Packed with the best of Oakley tech, the Radar EV Path has a durable O Matter™ construction, contrast-enhancing PRIZM™ Polarized lenses, and comfortable Unobtainium® rubber grip. Venting along the frame and lenses also keeps your vision fog-free, so you can take home the gold.

Oakley Radar EV Path shield sunglasses in matte black with polarized blue PRIZM™ lenses.

Oakley Radar EV Path in Matte Black with PRIZM™ Deep Water Polarized Lenses

Shop Oakley Radar EV Path

Oakley Radar EV Path Key Features:

  • Shield design with expansive view
  • Vented frame & lens encourages air flow to prevent fogging
  • Unobtainum® rubber keeps sunglasses comfortably in place
  • Available with embedded prescription lens by phone order only
  • SFW: 140

Bonus Frame: SportRx Huckson

To close out our top picks for polarized athletic sunglasses, we have a bonus frame to put on your radar: the SportRx Huckson. Created by athletes. For athletes. Our Sports Opticians rolled your favorite performance features and their optical expertise into one do-it-all frame. The Huckson is an ultra-versatile style that can keep up with your most intense sports and serve serious style when you're on the sidelines. Its eco-friendly construction is lightweight to wear, and strategically placed rubber detailing gives you the frame grip you need to focus on the game.

While the SportRx Huckson doesn't have a wrap around design like the other styles in our lineup, the generous square lenses provide all the sun coverage and glare protection you could need. Their 6-base design also makes the Huckson more Rx-friendly, making it a standout style for athletes with high prescriptions. Choose from a variety of polarized Sport Optimized Lenses and we guarantee you won't ever want to take them off.

SportRx Huckson sunglasses in matte grey with prescription grey lenses.

SportRx Huckson in Matte Grey with Grey Prescription Lenses

Shop SportRx Huckson

SportRx Huckson Key Features:

  • 6-base frame handles a range of prescriptions with ease
  • Generous square lenses deliver 100% UV protection
  • Rubber nose pads & temple tips ensure a slip-free fit
  • Rx-able
  • SFW: 136

Polarized Sports Sunglasses FAQs

Have more questions about polarized sports sunglasses? We've got more answers!

Do you want polarized sunglasses for sports?

The answer depends on the sport. In general, Sports Opticians recommend polarized sunglasses for running and water sports like fishing, boating, and sailing. Polarized lenses can also work well for cycling and snow sports, although it may come down to personal preference. Finally, Sports Opticians advise against polarization when playing ball sports. To learn why, and for a more extensive list of sports that work with polarized lenses, visit our Polarized Sport Glasses Guide.

Do polarized sunglasses really make a difference?

Yes. When you're playing under bright sun or in environments surrounded by water, polarized sunglasses make a significant difference. They reduce glare, provide greater clarity and contrast, and ultimately allow for more comfortable vision.

Are polarized athletic sunglasses available in prescription?

Absolutely. Many polarized athletic sunglasses are available with prescription lenses. When shopping at sportrx.com, simply toggle the "prescription ready" slider button at the left of the screen, and you'll see all Rx-able options for polarized sport sunglasses.

Are polarized sports sunglasses worth it?

Sports Opticians agree that polarized sunglasses are absolutely worth it — depending on your sport. If you're an athlete whose sport works well with polarization, you'll experience more comfortable vision, reduced glare, and more refined clarity and color contrast. And while polarized lenses can have a higher price point than standard, non-polarized lenses, we think they're well worth it.


Shop Polarized Prescription Sport Sunglasses Online at SportRx

Need polarized prescription sport sunglasses? Done. All the frames in our lineup of the best polarized sport sunglasses are available with Rx. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. The answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, contact us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly Sports Opticians who can help you build the best polarized sports sunglasses with prescription.

Ditch risky online shopping with our See Better Guarantee. If you're not 100% satisfied with your polarized athletic sunglasses, let us know and we'll make it right. You'll get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get the best polarized sport sunglasses online at SportRx today!

Shop All Polarized Sport Sunglasses