YouSail category guide
What "sunglasses" means for sailors
Sunglasses in the sailing context are eye protection designed to reduce glare, block ultraviolet radiation and preserve visual contrast on a moving, reflective surface. They are more than a fashion accessory: the right pair improves safety, reduces eye fatigue, and helps you spot navigation marks, other boats, wind and waves. Onboard they are used while helming, trimming sails, navigating, motoring, and when performing deck work under direct sun and reflected light off the water.
What this category includes and excludes
This category covers purpose-built sunglasses suitable for marine use: wrap and sport frames, polycarbonate or glass lenses with UV protection, anti-glare polarised lenses, hydrophobic and anti-fog coatings, and retention systems such as straps or floating cords. It includes prescription sunglasses and clip-in prescription inserts intended for sailing. It excludes general-purpose fashion sunglasses without UV ratings, dive masks, specialised protective eyewear for grinding or chemical work, and full-face visors used for industrial protection.
Where and how sailors use them
Sailors use sunglasses both on deck and ashore. On deck they must stay secure in gusts, shed spray, resist salt corrosion and maintain clear, undistorted vision when looking at horizon, instruments or close-up lines. They are often put on and taken off repeatedly, carried in pockets or pouches, and must survive being dropped on deck or into the water.
Main product types and configurations
The principal types you will encounter are:
- Wrap and sport frames: Close-fitting frames that reduce side glare and stay put during movement.
- Polarised lenses: Lenses with a polarising filter to cut horizontal glare reflected from water and wet decks, improving contrast.
- Photochromic lenses: Lenses that darken in bright light and clear in low light—useful across changing conditions but with trade-offs in response speed and polarisation compatibility.
- Prescription sunglasses: Either custom prescription lenses or clip-in/insert solutions for those needing vision correction.
- Floating frames/retention systems: Sunglasses with buoyant frames or supplied with retainer cords that prevent loss overboard.
Why the choice matters on a sailing boat
Glare from the sea increases eye strain and can mask small but important visual cues such as waves, other vessels, buoys and telltales. UV exposure accumulates rapidly on open water. Poorly chosen sunglasses can distort colours, reduce peripheral awareness, fog under heavy exertion, or be lost overboard—each of which can reduce safety and comfort. Choosing sunglasses appropriate to your sailing style, environment and personal vision needs helps maintain situational awareness and reduces risk of eye damage from UV and wind-borne spray.
Specialist terminology explained
- Polarisation: A filter that blocks horizontally polarised light to reduce reflected glare; useful for looking across water but can make LCD screens and some instrument readouts harder to see.
- UV rating: The declared ability of the lens to block ultraviolet A and B radiation. Look for explicit UV protection statements from the manufacturer.
- Photochromic: Lenses that change tint in response to UV; they offer variable darkness but may react slower in hot weather and do not always reach full darkness in a lot of sunlight when worn behind a windscreen.
- Hydrophobic coating: A surface treatment that causes water to bead and run off the lens for better visibility in spray or rain.
- Anti-fog: Coatings or treatments to reduce condensation on the lens during rapid temperature or humidity changes.