There are a lot of reasons why tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is an amazing full-body workout that burns more calories than aerobics.
It’s also a great choice for athletes interested in cross-training because it will help you stay fast, work on coordination and reflexes, and stay in shape while trying something different.
Tennis improves coordination, balance, plus gross and fine motor control and is a great sport for athletes of all ages.
Whether you’ve just taken up tennis or if you’ve been at it for a while, the one thing that you’ll need that’s almost as important as your racquet is a really good pair of tennis sunglasses. The right pair can really enhance your game.
Tennis Sunglasses Buying Guide
You might be wondering why you need a special pair of sunglasses to play tennis. Maybe you’ve been playing in the pair you already wear every day and don’t see the need to invest in a new pair just for playing.
Well, you’ll be surprised how many features are available with tennis sunglasses. They really do have a lot of special qualities that can help you improve your skills and perform better on the court.
Before we give you the list of the ten best pairs of tennis sunglasses for this season, let’s go over some of the things you’ll need to know about the features that are available to help you decide which pair are the right ones for you.
Durability
Because tennis is such an active sport, there’s always a chance that something is going to happen to your glasses. You might get hit with the ball, fall on the court, or collide with another player
. Any of these situations can result in regular sunglasses breaking and a potential facial injury for you. But a good pair of tennis sunglasses can make all the difference.
Find a pair that has polycarbonate lenses that can bend slightly without breaking because they will typically last a very long time.
Plastic lenses are much cheaper but are more likely to break and scratch, although some of the better brands add special treatments and coatings that can increase their durability.
Remember, you’re not only worried about your glasses breaking. You also need to think about having some kind of protection for your eyes. Look for a strong pair of glasses that offers a good amount of protection.
Fit
Fit should be snug, but not tight. Styles that wrap around the contours of your face usually offer better protection.
Avoid any pair that is too tight and could put pressure on your temples because this can cause headaches and that’s the last thing you need on the court.
Of course, you also don’t want them to be too loose or they’ll be moving all over your face as you’re playing and might even fall off. If you find that you’re having trouble keeping them on your face, you can always buy a strap to help keep them on your face.
But there are so many nose, temple, and ear grips available on these glasses that most will stay on if you get the right fit. Some pads actually grip better when they’re wet, which is great for sweaty matches on a hot day.
Frames
Frames with padding on the temples and your bridge are the most comfortable because any impact is somewhat absorbed.
Wrap-around frames are best for tennis not only because they provide more protection, because also because they have the biggest field of vision.
You shouldn’t have to work around the lenses to see anything, you want the cleanest, biggest view you can get. If you sweat a lot, you might want to get a pair that is vented to allow air to get to your face and help keep you cool.
Vents will also keep the lenses from fogging. Make sure the bridge fits you well, not so tight that it will leave marks or impact breathing, but not so loose that they’ll fall off if you start playing hard. A firm silicone grip on the nose and temples will work best.
Lenses
There are a few things to consider when thinking about what kind of lenses will work best for you.
Color
Lenses that are tinted can help intensify your game by helping you see the ball better. For example, getting amber-tinted lenses will make the visibility of the yellow ball brighter, which will help you up your game even if the sun is in your eyes.
There are even some glasses that are designed specifically for this purpose.
Light Control
Polarized lenses will reduce the glare from the tennis court and help enhance definition. You might want to try self-adjusting lenses which respond to the changing levels of light by getting darker when it gets bright outside.
UV light
Look for lenses that will protect your eyes from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Tennis is typically played when it is very sunny outside, so make sure you look for lenses that will protect your eyes from light damage.
Now that you have some idea of what to look for, you can decide which of the best ten tennis sunglasses will be best for you.
Best Tennis Sunglasses Reviews
1. Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ Sunglasses
Oakley had been making top of the line, popular sports glasses for years and the Flak Jacket Iridium Sunglasses are no different.
These glasses have interchangeable lenses so you can quickly adjust them to whatever you need to maximize your game no matter what the lighting conditions.
These have a lightweight frame that wraps around to provide a wide field of vision. The lenses filter out 100% of UVA/UVB/UVC rays as well as harmful blue light, plus they have a glare reduction coating.
Two sizes of nose pads are included with every frame so you can be sure you’ll get a good fit. They have Iridium NON-polarized lenses.
Pros:
- Blocks UVA/UVB/UVC lights
- Glare reduction, non-polarized Iridium coating
- Interchangeable lenses
Cons:
- Interchangeable lenses might be difficult to change during a match
2. Maui Jim Ho’okipa MJ Sport Sunglasses
This is a more fashionable choice that will still give you what you need to excel in your match. Maui Jim lenses have amazing color enhancement and clarity.
To achieve this, they eliminate glare and use a blue mirror coating on the lenses. The amount of light passing through the glasses makes the colors pop, which helps you see the yellow ball just a bit better.
The lenses don’t only perform in the sunlight, though, they’ll provide excellent coverage even on overcast days.
They are polycarbonate so they’re lightweight and won’t break or shatter easily, plus they have Maui Jim’s Clearshell coating to take their performance to the limit.
Pros:
- Eliminate glare and filter color
- Polycarbonate
- Durability
Cons:
- Don’t wrap around as much as other on
3. Tifosi Tyrant 2.0 Interchangeable Athletic Dual Lens Sunglasses
Italian, Tifosi means “fan” or “enthusiast” and these glasses are made for athletes who are fanatics about any sport. With a light, durable frame that can tolerate the sun without getting any UV damage, these glasses offer both superior fit and function.
The nose pads and adjustable rubber ear grips allow for a snug, comfortable fit that won’t slip. The lenses are vented to let air flow through to not only help keep you cool but to also keep the lenses from fogging up when you start to sweat.
Scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses guard against glare and are also shatterproof to protect your eyes from any high impact collisions.
Pros:
- Good fit
- Vents to help prevent fogging
Cons:
- Only available in small and medium-sized
4. Bolle Copperhead Sunglasses
Bolle brand has been around since 1888 and they’ve perfected the art of sunglasses design throughout their long history. These are a functional and economical choice for athletes who are looking for stylish eyewear.
The Copperhead design is one of their best-selling frames. The grippy nose pads and temple tips on the durable plastic frame keep the glasses in place even when you start to sweat.
The lenses have an anti-reflective coating, an anti-fog treatment, and also repel both water and oil. These glasses are great for people with small faces.
Pros:
- Good price
- Stylish
- Stay in place
Cons:
- Made for small faces
5. Under Armour Igniter Polarized Multiflection Sunglasses
Armour is a big name in sports gear and athletic wear, and their tennis sunglasses are of the same caliber as the rest of their highly-rated products.
The Igniter sunglasses use the brand’s ArmourSight lenses, which improve peripheral vision and are ten times stronger than other polycarbonate lenses. The lens coating repels water and protects against scratches, smudges, and stains.
Frames are made from a titanium and grilamid mix for impressive strength and shatter resistance. The lenses block out 100% of UVA/UVB/UVC rays.
The adjustable three-point nose pad and shock absorbing hinges help to keep it in place during sweaty matches.
Pros:
- ArmourSight lenses
- Block UVA/UVB/UVC rays
- Strong and durable
- Great price
Cons:
- A bit stiff
6. Oakley Radarlock Path Asian Fit Sunglasses
With twenty color options and supreme quality, these “made in the USA” sunglasses are quite literally second to none when it comes to quality and functionality. The catch of course, is the PRICE!
While you can get something that protects your eyes reasonably for $20, this pair will set you back over $200! But, there’s a reason, and if you have a budget for this, you’ll want to seriously consider the Oakley Radarlock.
The Radarlocks we feature here are Asian-fit which means they feature a wider nose bridge and ergonomic design for higher cheekbones. Otherwise, they’re the same as other Radarlock lenses which are stellar!
The Plutonite lenses offer 100% UV protection of everything (UVA, UVB, UVC), including harmful blue light up to a wavelength of 400 nm.
Not only are you protected against impact and UV radiation, but you’ll be experiencing superior comfort and clarity along the way.
The PRIZM lens technology and HDO (high definition optics) are to thank for enhancing color, contrast and detail so any athlete has an advantage BEYOND simply cutting down solar brightness and ultraviolet rays.
The stress-resistant frame is (as expected) light and durable – in fact, it sets the standards for lightness and durability!
The injection-molded TPL (thermoplastic) frame is an industry leader (literally) in improving flexibility and strength over traditional Acetate lenses which can deform over time in harsh conditions.
Pros:
- Lenses protect your eyes like no other sunglasses
- Lenses are replaceable
- Frames are the best on the market
Cons:
- Among the most expensive sport sunglasses available
7. Maui Jim Haleakala 65 Sunglasses
The 65 is a versatile light frame that’s great for everyday use but shaped and built so that they’re also a great choice when playing tennis. They provide full coverage with a modified rectangle shape.
The frames are made of ultra-thin plastic, which gives the frame strength to last a long time but still be very comfortable to wear. The rabalon nose pads prevent the glasses from slipping and can be adjusted for a more custom fit.
The lenses are treated with Clearshell, a silicone-based coat that protects them from scratches and shattering. 100% of UV rays are blocked and colors are boosted with trusted Maui Jim quality.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Clearshell treated lenses
Cons:
- Expensive
8. Under Armour Men’s Core 2.0 Sunglasses
These Core 2.0 shades are actually my own personal favorite. They’re just over $100, but they offer features (and arguably more) than sunglasses costing twice that much. Granted, the frames and lenses are just plastic, but that’s what keeps the cost down.
After that, things get better. There are 5 different color lenses to choose from, and there’s a complete guide on which to choose on Amazon.
Armoursight lenses are used which offer enhanced peripheral vision, where sightlines are improved up to 20% better edge to edge.
They offer distortion-free vision with no image displacement, and they’re up to 10x stronger than standard polycarbonate lenses.
The fully-adjustable nose pads offer a secure, customized fit and the cap gripper ensures a secure fit when worn upside down on a cap. Of course, all Under Armour shades block ALL UV rays (even though some are beneficial, but we won’t get into that now…).
Finally, you’re given Under Armour’s Universal Guarantee of Performance! What’s that? Simply put, all sunglasses are guaranteed against defects and workmanship for life of the sunglass.
Not a bad thing! Because these glasses are so light and cover such a large field of vision, they’re ideal for tennis or sports of any kind.
Compared to some of the other pairs of sunglasses on this list, these are an absolute bargain, though they may not last as long as some of the other more expensive pairs.
Pros:
- Strong
- Durable
- Seven-layer lens
- SUPER Inexpensive
Cons:
- May not last as long as some other pairs
9. X-TIGER Polarized Sports Sunglasses (Ultra-BUDGET FRIENDLY Option!)
We had to include a budget brand just because we know that not everyone has a budget for the best shades on the market, but still need some decent protection for everyday life and sports pursuits.
We included the X-Tiger simply because after doing our due diligence (ie. research), we found that buyer of this pair of sunglasses generally loved the product and Amazon has it rated as their top buy in the category.
At over ten times less expensive than a good pair of Oakley shades or others in that higher-end category, the X-Tiger provides some necessary features that are not so bad a deal at around $20. Let’s take a look;
The frame is pretty light at only 19.2 grams, and the UV lens is super-flexible so it’s a bit more forgiving on any-shaped face. The light weight makes it feel almost non-existent on your nose bridge so no discomfort there.
The frame is stress-resistant (TR90) so it’s pretty dang durable! After-sales service is a point of pride for X-Tiger, so for less than a trip to McD’s, you can have a decent set of shades for any outdoor activity including tennis!
The whole deal includes;
- 1-EVA Case, 1-Storage Bag, 1-Cleaning Cloth, 1-Polarized Test Card
- 1-extra pair of frame arms (temples)
- 1-Myopia Frame
- 1-TR90 frame With Revo Lens
- 1-Clear Lens
- 1-Black Polarized lens
Pros:
- Insanely good price!
- Interchangeable lens
- Good for large faces
- Extra lenses and arms included
Cons:
- Does not conform to specifications of higher-end sunglasses
10. Oakley Men’s Jawbreaker Shield Sunglasses
Oakley Men’s Jawbreaker Shield Sunglasses Jawbreaker glasses are great for anyone who has a hard time finding a pair of glasses that really fits them well.
The arms adjust to three different lengths, so if you need a large fit, these frames can more than likely accommodate you.
There are five vents to improve airflow and keep the lenses from fogging, which is a really great feature if you sweat a lot.
Oakley’s Prizm lenses have color tuning technology that will help you react more quickly on the court because you can recognize the movement of the ball a little faster.
The design of these glasses is really modern and they wrap around to provide superior protection. The lenses are polarized plastic with Oakley’s high definition optics technology.
The arm and nose pads are really grippy to keep them in place during your most active matches.
Pros:
- Color tuning technology enhances gameplay
- Vented for air circulation
- Adjustable arms to fit most
Cons:
- Price
Conclusion and Overview
That concludes our list of the top ten tennis sunglasses for this year. If you take into consideration all of the factors we discussed earlier, hopefully, it will make it easier for you to choose which of these will work best for you and your needs.
The Oakley Flak Jacket Iridium sunglasses are a top-of-the-line, very popular design with interchangeable lenses and a lightweight frame that wraps around for a maximum field of vision.
They come with two different nose pads to help make them as comfortable as possible.
Maui Jim’s Square Ho’okipa MJ Sports sunglasses offer enhanced color and clarity to help you focus on the ball while you’re sweating it out on the court.
Bolle Copperhead Sunglasses are an economical choice that are a perfect fit for someone looking for something a little more stylish.
Their grippy nose pads and temple tips plus the anti-reflective, anti-fog lenses make them great for a day of tennis, but they’ll look just as good off the court.
If you’re looking for a pair of exceptionally strong, durable lenses, the Under Armour sunglasses might be the pair for you.
Their special ArmourSight lenses improve peripheral vision and are ten times stronger than ordinary polycarbonate lenses.
Oakley’s Radarlock Prism sunglasses eliminate glare and brighten colors, which could make it easier to see the ball on the court.
The lightweight, flexible, and durable frames come equipped with pads that actually get more sticky as they get wet, making this another great option for someone who sweats a lot.
Haleakala 65 sunglasses from Maui Jim are another stylish pair that are great to play in but can easily transition to life off the court.
The ultrathin frames are lightweight and extremely durable and the Clearshell silicone-based coating makes the lenses exceptionally strong.
If you’re looking for a really awesome pair of tennis sunglasses but don’t want to spend a lot of money, you have to check out the Under Armour Igniter sunglasses.
These are the least expensive option on our list by far, but with seven-layer polarized, shatterproof lenses and strong polycarbonate frames, you can’t go wrong.
If you’re looking for a pair of glasses that will make it seem like the tennis ball is glowing and dull all the other colors of the spectrum, you have to try the Bolle Vigilante Sport sunglasses with CompetiVision Gun lenses.
They’ll give you a distinct advantage on the court and are a great choice for people with larger heads.
Oakley Jawbreakers have amazing color-enhancing lenses which can enhance your ability to see and react to the ball. Plus, they’re adjustable and have vents for circulation and to prevent fogging.
There are a lot of options when it comes to picking the best tennis sunglasses, but remember that everyone has different preferences.
There is no one size fits all pair, so take the time to figure out the features you can’t live without and look for a pair that delivers. The right pair of glasses really can improve your performance on the court.