Sunglasses for hunting

[Russ16]

I’m very fair skinned and light eyed. Bright sun is a real challenge for me and wears my eyes out.

I’ve always struggled with finding sunglasses that aren’t reflective so they spook game. I agree just suffer the bright sun because I’m worried about the reflection. I once had a super cheap pair made for turkey hunting where the lenses were camo but of course they broke.

So what sunglasses are you using that tent super reflective. Brand and model reconditions appreciated.

 

[Tra3]

Maui Jim.
Look for something with a more tan hue rather than grey.
Getting a bit more wrap around is good for reduction in glare from the side of the lens. (Think flat glasses, they work like a mirror on the outside part)

 

[meigsbucks]

I wear eyeglasses that have Transitions lenses. I also take a pair of Polarized grey prescription sunglasses. I think as long as you stay away from mirrored sunglasses you’ll be fine.

 

[shootist~]

Sportglasses.com

Light Medium Rose or the #2 of same for darker. Founder was a trap shooter, IIRC.
I've been a customer for about 40 years.
They give free advice.

 

[MRBlack]

Costa Sullivans with grey lenses every time for me. They have true glass lenses and dust (very prevalent on the back of a bakkie) doesn’t scratch them like it will polycarbonate.

I made the mistake of wearing Oakleys with bright blue lenses my first trip. I looked like the words goofiest horsefly going through the bush.

 

[Killo]

Costa Sunglasses work great for me…

 

[Flbt]

If you can find a pare the old Remington yellow shooting glasses

 

[Safari Dave]

IMHO -

Costa Del Mar with gray polycarbonate lenses, if hunting in the sun.

https://www.costadelmar.com/en-us/eyewear/sunglasses?filter=%257B%2522GENDER%2522%253A%255B%2522Man%2522%255D%252C%2522LENS_COLOR_FACET%2522%253A%255B%2522Gray%2522%255D%252C%2522LENSMATERIAL%2522%253A%255B%2522Polycarbonate%2522%255D%257D

Glass is wonderful, but should NEVER be used as "shooting glasses" because, under the wrong circumstances, like a bounce back shot, or a broken piece of an in-coming clay, they can, and do, break.


If you are willing to risk it, get 580g's.

If not, get 580P's.

I don't use glass for shooting glasses.



Smith Optics used to make some great shooting glasses, but quit a few year's ago. If you can find a pair with gray lenses, get them.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don't like the wrap around stuff. Too easy to get steamed up behind them. Old aviator style with nose pads provide the best ventilation. Polycarbonate with scratch resistant coating. Don't bother with anti glare coating. I tried it once. Hated it. My latest optometrist won't even let patients order it any more. You'll constantly be cleaning glasses thinking they're dirty. But they aren't. It's just the damn coating.

Here I'm looking almost directly into a setting sun. No glare off the glass. A bit of reflection off the gold frames but nothing a bit of flat black spray paint couldn't fix. Never been an issue for me. Methinks you may be overthinking this.

 

[Sideshow]

Muai Jim all day long. Glass polarised.
Tip they only steal up if you squash them onto your face

https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/shop/sunglasses/wrap/kipahulu?variantCode=H279-03F

Here’s some with grey lenses.

https://www.mauijim.com/US/en_US/shop/sunglasses/wrap/byron-bay?variantCode=746-02MR

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Cutler & Gross

Or

Rayban

 

[BeeMaa]

I don't wear them on the stalk, but on the bakkie or taking pictures...Ray Ban with a brimmed hat to keep the sun off my (balding) head.

 

[grand veneur]

The fashion show continues !

Transitions lenses from Gucci.

 

[Russ16]

I don't like the wrap around stuff. Too easy to get steamed up behind them. Old aviator style with nose pads provide the best ventilation. Polycarbonate with scratch resistant coating. Don't bother with anti glare coating. I tried it once. Hated it. My latest optometrist won't even let patients order it any more. You'll constantly be cleaning glasses thinking they're dirty. But they aren't. It's just the damn coating.
View attachment 714623
Here I'm looking almost directly into a setting sun. No glare off the glass. A bit of reflection off the gold frames but nothing a bit of flat black spray paint couldn't fix. Never been an issue for me. Methinks you may be overthinking this.

I don’t think I’m overthinking it. I once flew with a game warden on a duck survey during hunting season. We flew over a whole bunch of duck blinds and goose pits. The #1 thing that showed through their blind also was sunglasses reflecting. It was like little spotlights.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll look for some of these.

I do prefer wrap around. Being sensitive to bright sun if it can get in from the sides while the front is shaded is almost worse than kit wearing sunglasses.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

In history past it was Serengetti Drivers. Since I now need prescription lenses, the lenses are made by Zeiss and in their Ski Slope brownish tint. The clarity and contrast is beyond belief.

 

[deewayne2003]

RayBan with G15 lenses

 

[Rimbaud]

In recent years, I’ve done competitive shooting (rifle, pistol) and have come into contact with speciality companies that make glasses for shooting sports, including hunting. You might want to give a few of these companies a call and have a talk about what you need. I’ve been impressed (stunned) with how much these companies think about how light transmission and lens materials influence target acquisition and can help in the field. Plus, the glasses protect eyes from impact, which is perhaps a bigger deal when shooting at steel targets, but a comfort nonetheless in the hunting field. As for Maui Jims, I have a pair with very dark lenses that I bought a few years back. The glass work wonders at our beach house, especially during winter, when the sun bounces off the water and is brighter than in summer because the trees have shed leaves. That said, the lenses are mirrored and not great for hunting. Good luck. I think you’ll be amazed at what you find out there.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don’t think I’m overthinking it. I once flew with a game warden on a duck survey during hunting season. We flew over a whole bunch of duck blinds and goose pits. The #1 thing that showed through their blind also was sunglasses reflecting. It was like little spotlights.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll look for some of these.

I do prefer wrap around. Being sensitive to bright sun if it can get in from the sides while the front is shaded is almost worse than kit wearing sunglasses.

Most of the fields in the agricultural valley where I hunt waterfowl are west of the big water where the geese rest. Honkers generally don't leave for the fields until after sun comes up so I'm facing into it when they come out to feed. When the sun is low and I'm facing it, I am indeed aware that any little thing can reflect and spook the birds. I stopped wearing my ring and covered a jacket zipper pull with black tape. As for the glasses, my dad, who also wore prescription glasses, taught me when I first started hunting to not look directly at the birds as they're coming in. Keep head tipped down and the cap brim pulled low. And most importantly, move the head and hands as little as possible.

I suspect your areal survey was not done until well after the morning flights and shooting slacked off, when the sun was high in the sky. I'm sure the hunters were looking directly at the plane: "What is that guy doing flying around while we're hunting?" The sun was likely behind the plane. It would not surprise me if you saw gleaming glasses. But the hunters were not hunting. They were looking at a plane. If they were looking directly at a flock of birds with sun in the background, they had a lot to learn about hunting.

Admittedly, I don't have much problem with glasses fogging when hunting over decoys. But even with well ventilated aviator style, it can be an issue stalking big game or hunting uplands, especially in cold or very hot and humid conditions. Yes, light reflecting off the inside of aviator lenses can occasionally be an annoyance but much less than fogged lenses. And usually more easily resolved by simply rotating my head a bit.

The "anti glare" coating offered for prescription lenses is meant to reduce reflection from light coming in behind the lenses. It might be useful for that in the rare situations where it's actually an issue. But the rest of the time it drove me nuts (always a short trip).

 

[Tanks]

I use frames by Gatorz Specter sunglasses. Then I send them to my shooting glass compony with my shooting prescription (+0.75) to replace the lens with lens that adjusts with light plus it is ballistic glass designed for shooting. The pictures below show the color change in different light.

Here is an Amazon link for the Gatorz Specter

https://www.amazon.com/Gatorz-Eyewear-Ballistic-Blackout-Cerakote/dp/B09MLC1ZLP?crid=W3F05RG8RD2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6wKG-58Shmr7EzPTuy53mfysunT0WT5c04qVcMtWJLt1UUC6GSYLvwACYwjR4WxRFK2x1cr_X2EAA2U5o0z8VlgaoIpZHBLPqVwnJzIGWP8.d5CS1LWOtxoM5mdqOdiWEBG6pljiz8ThYpYDkKrMbxw&dib_tag=se&keywords=gatorz%2Bspecter&qid=1747325286&sprefix=gatorz%2Bspecter%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=trxpew20-20&linkId=c82c9490d359113fb7398b6bdae1e1bb&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

For shotgun, I use aviator style glasses by my shooting glass company as Gatorz are not designed to be looking up.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

A mistake I made when first starting to shoot trap/skeet was having prescription shooting glasses made with amber lenses and no bifocal. Impossible to see what I was doing with score sheet or work on my gun or dog if needed. Also, I didn't find the amber lenses at all helpful finding flying clay targets or birds. Great for road trips though, even on bright days (except the prescription wasn't quite right). I actually prefer to hunt with no tinting, if at all possible. But on very bright days, especially in snow, prescription sunglasses are necessary. Back when I was a young man a "soft pink" tint was available for those working in offices under flourescent lights. Great for hunting. Knocked the glare off snow without really changing the colors. Haven't seen that tint in years. Too hippie-ish I guess. I tried self-tinting photo-gray lenses back then. Hated them! Walk into a store or classroom from outside and can't see where I'm going. Oncoming truck won't dim his lights at night and as soon as he's past everything's almost dark in my headlights. Ugh!

I have never tried graduated bifocals but other shooters tell me to stick with lined type that distinctly segregates vision close and far. Especially important if frames are current stylish skinny things.* Too much of the lens is taken up for transition to bifocal. Graduated bifocals apparently work well for computer screens and playing piano. But for hunting I want the bifocal out of the way as much as possible. Yeah, lined bifocals make me look like an old guy. Big deal. The white hair and beard kinda confirms it.

* I note with amusement the more recent fashion trend, especially among the gals, towards big black framed glasses. When I was in the US Army back in the early 70's these were military issue and we were required to wear them, at least through basic and AIT (advanced individual training). We called them "birth control glasses." The idea of basic training is to see how far DIs can humiliate recruits before they break. Making me wear those ugly poor-fitting things just about accomplished that objective.