Surf sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun while out on the water. Unlike normal sunglasses, surf sunglasses must be specially designed to handle surfing.
Fortunately, there are some innovative companies that have created sunglasses for surfing. If you’re feeling creative, you can build DIY surf sunglasses too. Be aware, surf sunglasses are just one of the several ways you can protect your eyes while surfing.
Why wear surf sunglasses?
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are amplified by reflection on the water, can damage your eyes after prolonged exposure. People that surf often are at the most risk.
Problems with surf sunglasses
Unlike many land activities, it is more challenging to wear sunglasses while surfing for several reasons:
- The turbulence of the water makes it hard to keep sunglasses in place
- Surfing glasses can get lost if they are knocked off your head
- Lenses can hold water droplets and fog up, reducing visibility
- Lenses must hold up to impact of the water
While these issues can be problematic, they can also be overcome by proper construction of surfing sunglasses and a bit of ingenuity.
Do surfers actually wear surf sunglasses?
The true answer is: probably not as much as they should. Due to the problems listed above, most surfers do not wear sunglasses.
It is true that they are an extra hassle when you just want to focus on surfing. However, protecting your eyes is important! They are the only ones you will get.
What to look for in surf sunglasses
Surf sunglasses must check several important boxes to solve the problems listed above.
Secured to your head (essential)
Surf sunglasses must not fall off during a wipeout or duckdive. In fact, they should not shift or move at all! Even slight shifting is annoying when you are recovering from a wipeout or duckdive.
Strong UV protection (essential)
Surfing sunglasses should, of course, have strong UV protection. Ideally, they should block 100% of UV rays. Also, they should be polarized. Polarized lenses provide a clearer image than standard lenses, although it is really the UV protection that is critical.
Well ventilated (essential)
Fogging is a big problem with surfing sunglasses, especially in cold water. It is important that they are well ventilated. Anti fogging coatings are one option, but they are not known to be resilient to turbulent water, so good ventilation is critical.
Comfortable (essential)
Surfing sunglasses should be comfortable. They should not rub or chafe your head or face. If they are not comfortable, you won’t wear them.
Impact resistant (essential)
The shock impact from a wipeout can be strong. You want to make sure the lenses won’t break or crack. This is critical because the lens itself could hurt your eye if it breaks.
Prescription (optional)
Many sunglasses come with an optional prescription. Contacts can be worn while surfing, but it is nice to have eye protection and vision enhancement in one piece of technology. Contacts can get uncomfortable due to the saltwater.
Float (nice to have)
It really is essential, in larger waves at least, that the sunglasses are secured to your head. However, if on the off chance they do get knocked off, you may be able to recover them if they float. Don’t rely on it though. You might never find them in large waves, even if they float.
Best surf sunglasses
These are my best picks for surf sunglasses that you can buy, in no particular order.
LiP – Typhoon
One of the more high end options, the LiP Typhoon has all the best bells and whistles you might want in a pair of surf sunglasses. You can tell that this company put a lot of work into the design and that the materials are high quality. LiP also offers prescription surf sunglasses.
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Head strap and leash with necklace
- Vent system
- Hydrophobic, oleophobic, scratch resistant lens coating
- Shatterproof lenses
- Padded interior
- Prescription optional
- 3 year manufacturer warranty
| Pros | Cons |
| High quality materials Reliable leash system Warranty | Higher price |
Check out this video: LiP Watersports Sunglasses Product Preview – YouTube
Check out this review: Lip Sunglasses Review – Surfd
LiP – Surge
The LiP Surge has many of the same features as the Typhoon in a more affordable model. The main difference between the Surge and the Typhoon is the lens quality.
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Head strap + leash with necklace
- Vent system
- Hydrophobic, oleophobic, scratch resistant lens coating
- Shatterproof lenses
- Padded on nose bridge, brow, temples, and ear stem
- Prescription optional
- 3 year manufacturer warranty
| Pros | Cons |
| High quality materials Reliable leash system Warranty | Higher price |
Check out this review: LiP Sunglasses Surge | ReddyYeti First Look – YouTube
Sea Spec – Classic
The Sea Spec Classic has just the essentials and is one of the most affordable sunglasses in this list. According to the website, Sea Spec’s mission is to make affordable water sports sunglasses. They have normal and prescription models.
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Head strap
- Vent system
- Impact resistance lenses
- Padding on nose bridge and ear stems
- Float
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable Floats | No warranty No leash system |
Check out this review: SeaSpecs Surf Sunglasses – YouTube
Silverfish – Tropical Surf
The Silverfish Tropical Surf are similar to the Sea Spec Classic in that they have only the essentials you need in a pair of surf sunglasses at an affordable price. They have several normal models and prescription versions.
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Head strap
- Vent system
- Impact resistance lenses
- Padding on nose bridge and ear stems
- Leash system (costs extra)
- Float
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable Floats | No warranty Leash system costs extra |
Check them out in action: Silverfish Surf Sunglasses – YouTube
Rec Specs – Maxx Air
Recs Specs is a recreation sports glasses company that has a ton of different models for different sports. The Maxx Air model has a serious ventilation system made to prevent fogging. These are a bit higher price but you get a quality product from a reputable company.
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Head strap
- Vent system
- Shatterproof lenses
- Padding on nose bridge and temples
- Float
| Pros | Cons |
| Large and reputable company Great ventilation system Multiple sizing options for kids | High price |
Check out this review: Surfing with Rec Specs glasses – YouTube
DIY surfing sunglasses
If you feel like getting creative, you can definitely create your own surfing sunglasses. Just make sure they check all the boxes we have discussed. Double check that they are impact resistant. Ideally, choose a pair that are already made for sports.
The tough part is securing them to your head. In fact, making your own strap or leash system can be tricky. However, some people have taken on the challenge and developed their own methods.
This guy has come up with a slick design using just a rope and a cord stop (synch fastener). I like that the tightness is adjustable and how easy it is to get the sunglasses on and off. In a different approach, this guy used a paracord and two carabiners to make a head strap. I imagine if the tightness is right to begin with, they would not need to be adjusted.
If the frames you use don’t have ventilation, you might get creative and add holes or slots in the frame to allow air through. However, this is more important if you are in a cold climate.
What about goggles for surfing?
I have never seen a surfer wearing goggles. Not to say that it can’t be done, but I think it would be more of a hassle than the benefit provides.
Goggles will leak unless you have a perfect seal. Any wave with decent power will cause them to shift and leak. Sunglasses, unlike goggles, don’t need to have a watertight seal.
Tips for wearing surf sunglasses
Even with a head strap, the surf sunglasses may shift during a big wipeout. Wearing a hat with a chin strap on the outside of your sunglasses will make them more stable.
You can add your own leash pretty easily with a cord attached to your wetsuit. Typically, there is usually something besides the neoprene on your wetsuit that you can attach the leash to. Don’t make it too long though; you don’t want it to tangle.
Other ways to protect your eyes while surfing
While sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes while surfing, you can also wear a hat. Like surf sunglasses, a surf hat must be secured to your head. If you want to learn more about surf hats, I cover them in more detail in this article.
Some surfers use special contacts for UV protection. You can use contacts while surfing, and many surfers do. However, contacts irritate some people’s eyes too much to warrant wearing them. While UV blocking contacts are better than nothing, the whites of your eyes are still exposed.
Of course, the simplest answer is to not surf when the sun is in front of you. Surf when the sun is at your back or high in the sky to avoid looking into the sun. This is easier said than done when the waves are good.
Learn more about how to protect your eyes while surfing. Don’t neglect to protect your eyes. They are the only ones you will ever get!
Heads up! Surfing is awesome but it can be dangerous! Learn more about how to stay safe and avoid dangers while surfing. If you are a beginner surfer, check out my other articles about surfing and my ultimate guide to learning how to surf.
