High-quality eyewear isn’t discussed enough, despite the fact that footwear plays an important role in pickleball.
When you play pickleball at a fast pace, it can be difficult to keep track of the ball. You’ll have a tough time if you add blinding sunlight to the mix. That’s why you should consider purchasing sunglasses. As a bonus, you’ll look damn cool while playing with them, so you won’t have to squint again.
A pair of pickleball sunglasses with red or rose lenses usually makes for the best choice. For varied climates, brown lenses work well both on overcast and extremely sunny days. Red/rose lenses, however, enhance contrast more effectively, making it easier to track the ball.
In terms of pickleball sunglasses, that’s just the bare minimum. Find out what you should be on the lookout for and what models I recommend as you read on.
Best Sunglasses for Pickleball
Oakley Men’s Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses
Pickleball players generally consider the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses to be the best pickleball sunglasses. A Prizm Field technology is one of the coolest features of these headphones. As a result, they are ideal for sunny days since they enhance contrast.
In addition to the O Matter frame, we appreciate the Unobtainium nose pads and ear socks that go with it. You will remain comfortable wearing these sunglasses all day, and as you sweat, the grip increases. Great for pickleball matches with high intensity!
A staggering 38 colors are available, which significantly outpaces the competition. It is also possible to swap lenses quickly depending on the conditions. We’re impressed!
Tifosi Vero Sport Sunglasses Unisex
An elegant blend of function and fashion, with a touch of pink flair. These sunglasses feature a wraparound design for smaller heads, polarized lenses, and UV protection, so they not only look great but provide excellent eye protection as well.
Under Armour Playmaker Wrap Sunglasses
Under Armour’s Playmaker sunglasses may be a good option if you’re looking for a more affordable pair. TR90 frames are robust, flexible, and hypoallergenic, and the Duo lenses provide 100% UV protection.
The water and smudge resistance of these sunglasses makes them easier to clean than other brands. A total of five colors are available for the Under Armour Playmaker sunglasses. The red-tinted lenses are recommended for pickleball.
Their reduced price point certainly makes them more appealing than Oakley Flak 2.0 sunglasses. The warranty is extended to 3 years, giving you even more confidence.
HULISLEM S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses
Stylish and functional, these sports sunglasses offer the best of both worlds. Lightweight and UV-protective, they feature mirror flash-coated lenses that protect from harmful UV rays. In addition, you can match them with your favorite pickleball gear since they come in multiple colors.
Unique Tourna Specs Blue Tint Sports Glasses
Sports enthusiasts will appreciate Tourna Specs, which have anti-fog and anti-scratch lenses. Furthermore, the lenses are shatter-proof and distortion-free, and they are capable of withstanding 10 times the force of an impact. Having adjustable temples makes them comfortable to wear and minimizes gaps between the lens and the eye.
Oakley Mens Holbrook XL Square Sunglasses
Introducing the Holbrook, Oakley’s second pickleball sunglass. In the 1940s and 1960s, screen heroes dominated movies. These sunglasses were inspired by those heroes. This pair of sunglasses shares a great deal of technology with the Flak 2.0 XL.
There is, however, a significant difference in the frame. There is far less curve in this jacket than in the Flak 2.0 XL, and it has a three-point fit. There is only contact between the frame and the head’s nose and side.
Flak 2.0 XL uses a semi-rimless frame, but the full-frame Flak 2.0 uses a full frame. Even though the lenses for these sunglasses are larger, their field of view is slightly reduced. The size is 59mm x 43mm, not 58mm x 38mm like the Flak 2.0 XL.
There is very little that separates these two pairs of sunglasses. As a result, we believe that style and fit play a large role in the decision. Our top choice is the Flak 2.0 XL because of its better fit.
Tifosi Alliant Sport Mens Sunglasses
This eyewear delivers exceptional eye protection with a sporty and vibrant look. There aren’t many glasses that are as comfortable as these for pickleball players. It is a durable and practical eyewear for active players thanks to its impact-resistant lenses and supreme comfort and fit.
Tifosi Swank Sport Sunglasses
You may not think these glasses are your typical sports sunglasses, but don’t let that fool you. It’s the perfect fit! Featuring polycarbonate lenses that block 100% of UV light and are scratch-resistant, these glasses are also anti-glare.
In addition to the TR90 frame, these sunglasses are made by Under Armour as well. Their frame weighs just 23 grams, making them both durable and lightweight. Additionally, we like the Tifosi Glide technology that makes them easy to wear and take off. It would be nice if they were grippy a little more. Some people who are big sweaters might not find the hydrophilic rubber nose pads sufficient.
You can choose from 29 different colors when you purchase Swank sunglasses. This crystal brown onyx has a brown gradient that we are particularly fond of. In terms of style, it screams pickleball and is ideal for players in a variety of climates. Additionally, women’s pickleball sunglasses are available in lighter colors like satin crystal blush and teal.
A lifetime warranty seals the deal when you purchase from Tifosi. There’s nothing better than that!
Oakley Flak Jacket 43 Polarized Replacement Sunglasses
These glasses are very lightweight and durable, making them ideal for wearing all day long. Your eyes are protected from any errant shots thanks to their ability to withstand stress and impact. In order to maintain grip even when sweat covers the nose pads and ear socks, Unobtanium is used.
Nike Gale Force Sunglasses
Your pickleball matches will be as brutal as they are cool and comfortable. In addition to providing constant airflow, the frame’s enhanced ventilation also prevents fogging. Safety and comfort are enhanced by the shatter-resistant lenses. UVA/UVB rays are also protected 100% by these sunglasses.
Tifosi Intense Sport Sunglasses
With the Intense sunglasses, Tifosi is back to its best. The Tifosi Swank sunglasses are also available, but how do these compare? I appreciate your question. Each has its own merits. The sunglasses are largely the same, which is good to know. Both lenses are scratch-, shatter-, and glare-resistant polycarbonate, making them scratch-, shatter-, and glare-resistant.
As well as TR90 frame material, which is lightweight and strong, they also feature the same frame design. You should know, however, that there are some differences between the two. Let’s start with the obvious. In contrast to Under Armour Playmakers, these sunglasses have a much more sporty design.
Wrapping around the head makes them more secure. A hydrophilic coating enhances grip as well. The Swank sunglasses are therefore less likely to come loose, which is the main problem. Conversely, there are fewer colors available, with only six available. In terms of style, they are also inferior to the Swank.
Nevertheless, clear lenses are one of the distinguishing features of these sunglasses. As a result, they’re perfect for indoor play and don’t require tinting.
Why You Should Consider Wearing Sunglasses for Pickleball
Sports require every advantage you can get. You wear the shoes you wear and the racket you use for this reason. Compared to wearing no eyewear at all, sunglasses offer a distinct advantage when it comes to visibility.
The following are some of the benefits:
- UV protection for your eyes
- Enhances contrast
- Light reaches your eyes more easily
- Glare reduction
- Eye strain is reduced
- Cleans and protects your eyes from dirt and debris
- Enhances your appearance
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Pickleball Sunglasses Buying Guide
Picking the Right Colored Lenses
Gray, Brown, and Green
Compared to the other color options, these colors produce the least effects. There is, however, no comparison between them.
Brown is the clear winner in this group. If you live in a region with a variety of climates, it performs well in both overcast and sunny conditions. Gray, however, should be avoided. There is little contrast, so it doesn’t have any sporting appeal.
Orange, Amber, and Yellow
Despite not being our first choice for colored lenses, some players find these colors appealing. As a result, the image you see is never dull because more light penetrates through your eyes. You may also know that blue light can be harmful, so they block it as well.
You’ll see a little funky view with orange, amber, and yellow lenses because they distort color. It takes a bit of getting used to them.
Red and Rose
For sports, red-tinted and rose-tinted glasses are recommended. Your depth of field will be improved and your contrast will be increased.
Clear
Indoor pickleball is best played with clear lenses. Tinted lenses don’t distort colors since UV rays aren’t present.
UV Protection
The protection from UV rays is a non-negotiable requirement for pickleball sunglasses. In other words, as long as you don’t want to develop any nasty conditions such as cataracts or cancer. We sure hope that you do not!
When you wear tinted lenses, your eyes dilate, allowing more light to reach your pupils. Sunglasses that do not provide UV protection cause more damage than those that do.
Non-Polarized
Sunglasses with polarizing lenses are one of the most common mistakes players make. Pickleball isn’t a great sport to play with these lenses because they interfere with depth perception, which is important for a fast-paced game.
Furthermore, pickleball often has little glare, so polarizing lenses are certainly more detrimental than beneficial.
Robust Frame
You will have to take more punishment on your sunglasses when playing pickleball than you would if you were strolling leisurely. To prevent it from shattering under stress, you need a frame that’s strong but gives a bit.
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What to Avoid in Pickleball Glasses?
In addition to protecting your eyes from whizzing balls and UV rays, pickleball sunglasses with gray lenses do not provide the same high-contrast, clear vision as those with red, amber/orange, or brown lenses.
It is because of their ability to reduce glare that polarized lenses are preferred for water sports and recreation. However, polarized lenses tend to make your vision flatter, reducing your ability to perceive depth while playing pickleball.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Polarized Glasses Good for Pickleball?
Pickleball players should avoid wearing polarized sunglasses. In order to play pickleball effectively, you must be able to perceive depth, which is hindered by wearing polarized sunglasses. Furthermore, glare on a pickleball court isn’t a huge problem, so it’s a bad trade-off.
Does pickleball eyewear come in different sizes and shapes?
You can choose from a variety of sizes to suit your face shape when choosing pickleball eyewear. In spite of this, the above options are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Don’t worry, they can be tailored to fit any situation.
Make sure they fit securely on your ears and nose to prevent them from falling off. To make your eyewear more comfortable, consider adding adjustable nose pads or cords/straps.
What Color Sunglasses Are Best for Outdoor Sports?
Your climate determines the best lens color for pickleball. You will be able to see more clearly under overcast conditions when wearing orange, amber, and yellow sunglasses. Rose and amber, on the other hand, improve depth of field when used in sunny conditions.
Conclusion
A quality pair of sunglasses is an excellent investment for pickleball players who play outdoors. The competitive edge it gives you can help you win more games in a margin game. Using sunglasses indoors can reduce the effect of distracting artificial lighting.
As a final note, Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses are the best sunglasses for pickleball. In particular, we selected this pair because it comes in a mind-boggling 38 colors. All the models on this list were rated equally, so there wasn’t much to separate them.
We hope one of the pairs we chose tickles your fancy, but if not, follow the advice we outlined in our buying guide. There is no competitive advantage to be gained from gray-tinted lenses. Make your choice from browns, reds, roses, yellows, or similar colors.
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