Baseball Sunglasses – The Best Sunglasses for Players and Coaches
If there’s a better place to be on a hot summer’s day than somewhere playing or watching baseball, we haven’t heard of it. Whether you’re out on the field playing or watching from the stands, it doesn’t get much better than spending a day under the sun with a quality game of baseball.
It’s great to be out playing when the sun’s shining, but it’s also incredibly important to enjoy the good weather responsibly and that means having the right kit and protection to ensure you’re staying safe without compromising your performance.
Whether you’re out in the field, up to bat or coaching a team, it’s essential that you can track the movement of the ball and accurately follow the game. If you’re getting blinded by the sun, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to react quickly, make catches and throws accurately and it’s going to heighten the risk of getting hot by a ball and needlessly injuring yourself.
Having a suitable pair of sunglasses out on the field is going to be advantageous whether you’re out playing, coaching or spectating the game. For players they’ll provide excellent protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays whilst simultaneously improving your game and, if you’re just watching from the side lines, a good pair of sunglasses is certain to improve the overall experience of spectating.
Finding the right pair of sunglasses to best suit you can be tricky as there’s a few factors you’ll need to take into consideration before investing. Here at Mindfuse Baseball, we like to take some of that pressure away and aid you in your choice. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the very best baseball sunglasses on the market.
As always, our careful research has allowed us to assess and test a wide range of products to find the best and most suitable sunglasses for baseball available.
Before Purchasing Your Sunglasses: What to Look For
The very best sunglasses need to provide a combination of comfort, durability, UV protection and style. A pair of shades that embody all of these factors will be top of the range with high quality materials. The quality of individual components that go into a great pair of shades need to be carefully considered.
The perfect pair of baseball sunglasses will have solid frames manufactured with high end materials to ensure that they’re strong and won’t break if they take an impact from a ball or get dropped on the ground.
As well as good frames, the lenses will need to provide protection from harmful UV rays and help to combat glare. Polarized lenses are perfect for this as they actually filter the light, giving you crisp vision and a less bright and dazzling view of what’s going on on the field.
You’ll want to rely on your sunglasses for a long time period, especially if you’re investing in higher spec shades. That’s why durability is an important factor to consider when looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses to suit your needs.
A good thing to think about is whether you want plastic or metal frames. Plastic is a great choice as it’s flexible, especially a high quality plastic which can withstand drops and impacts. If, on the other hand you’d prefer metal frames, you’ll be provided with a more lightweight and ultimately stronger product.
Most metal frames these days are made from titanium which is incredibly durable and weatherproof. Titanium is also a great option if you have sensitive skin as it’s hypoallergenic allowing you to play without worrying about any form of irritation.
A solid and comfortable fit is paramount when looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses. Think about all of the rapid body movements you’ll be making while wearing your shades. Your sunglasses will need to stay in place during fast paced sprints, jumps and dives in the field as well as during powerful swings and pitches.
The last thing you want is to be adjusting your sunglasses between or even during plays. Ideally, you want to feel like you’re not wearing anything at all so that it won’t interfere with your natural game.
So, you’ll need to have a pair of sunglasses that fit your face and adapt to the shape of your head snugly; A good fit is going to ensure you can perform at your very best without compromising your comfort. This is why, when buying shades, it’s important to always choose comfort over cost. You could go out and buy the most expensive, brand name sunglasses and have a really stylish product, but if they don’t fit you comfortably, they’re going to be useless.
Ventilation is often overlooked when selecting sunglasses, but if you’re going to be using them for sports and want to get the most out of them, it’s definitely worth thinking about.
If your sunglasses start to fog up at a crucial moment in a game, it’s going to affect your vision and reduce your ability to perform well. The perfect pair of shades will fit your face snugly without reducing the airflow to your face.
A lot of frames come equipped with airflow regulators which allow the sunglasses to fit tightly and not move out of place without fogging up. This is incredibly important, especially when playing on a hot day.
OK, so as we mentioned earlier, the key to a good pair of shades is comfort and you should never go for style or brand over comfort. This is true, but at the end of the day, you also want something that looks good, right? So it’s all about finding a balance.
If you opt for plastic frames, they come in a range of colours and you’ll be able to find a pair of sunglasses that match your team colours or your cleats for example and you’ll look pretty snazzy on the field.
Similarly, polarized lenses come in lots of different shapes and colours so you have plenty of options when choosing the right ones for you.
Review Section: 7 Best Baseball Sunglasses
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of what makes a great pair of sunglasses, let’s go into our rundown of the best baseball sunglasses out there on the market right now.
We’ve selected seven pairs for you to consider based on quality, comfort, durability, ventilation and style.
#1: Oakley Men’s Oo9211 Radar Ev Pitch Shield Sunglasses
Unsurprisingly, our top choice for the best sunglasses for baseball goes to Oakley. They’re market leaders when it comes to shades and have a great track record of producing some of the very best shades across all sports and activities.
These shades are available with a number of lens choices, the best being Oakley’s trademark PRIZM lenses which have been carefully designed to reduce glare whilst increasing colour and contrast. This in turn improves your depth perception and helps you focus on the finer details, making them an ideal solution for baseball.
Pitching and batting on a bright day will be no problem with these excellent lenses.
These shades also have a super lightweight, injection-moulded and UV-coated plastic frame available in a number of colours. The frames are stress-resistant to ensure a long lifespan with intensive sports use. They’re also highly flexible, making them stand up to the rigour of a baseball game.
As for ventilation, Oakley have incorporated Unobtanium earsocks and a snug nose pad to reduce fog and guarantee comfort and stability during performance.
Overall, these shades are perfect for use in the field or the batting cage. They guarantee comfort whilst remaining incredibly stylish and there’s a lot of options for frame colour and lens type. You’ll really struggle to find a pair of sunglasses more suitable for playing baseball with this amount of quality.
#2: Oakley Flak 2.0 XL 00918
Our best alternative choice also comes from Oakley.
If you’re looking to spend slightly less whilst retaining value for money, these are a great option.
They don’t incorporate the same top of the range features as other shades, but they do have that classic, sporty look we’ve become accustomed to from Oakley.
The plastic frames are stylish and come in a variety of colours for you to choose from.
You’ll also get a great bundle with the Flak 2.0 XL which, alongside the shades, includes an Oakley eyewear leash, a hard protective case, a cleaning kit as well as Oakley’s 2-year guarantee.
This bundle option is perfect for baseball players. The Oakley designed eyewear leash provides that extra degree of security when playing, as it massively reduces the risk of the shades falling from your face and onto the floor.
You can also remove them and let them hang loose without having to put them down during a game, should there be any temporary cloud cover.
Also the hard carry case and cleaning kit will allow you to really look after your shades and keep them in top condition season after season.
The only drawback with these sunglasses are the lenses. They aren’t polarized so won’t give you the same quality as some competitors. However, then lenses have been designed with high definition XYZ Optics so you’ll still have excellent visibility.
On the whole, these are a superb choice if you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses and a good deal. If you like the look of the frames, you can also invest a little bit more and get higher quality lenses.
Best Sunglasses for Youth Baseball Players
If you’re in the market for a pair of shades for your kids or a younger member of your family, you’ll also want to shop around to find the very best.
We’ve selected the following three choices of sunglasses for youth baseball players to help you out in your search.
#3: Under Armour Youth Windup Wrap Sunglasses
The Under Armour Windup Wrap Sunglasses are an excellent choice for youth players.
The lenses are impact resistant and provide excellent protection against harmful UV rays, making them perfect for kids.
Whilst keeping you safe from impacts and the sun, these shades are also stylish.
Their super sporty design will keep you looking good whilst performing at your very best.
The Ultralight ArmourFusion frames are available in numerous colours to match team uniforms or your personal style.
In terms of performance, Under Armour have designed a lens that helps increase precision and depth perception thanks to the contrasting and resolution tints.
This is guaranteed to allow the user to be accurate in hitting, pitching and catching in high-glare conditions.
Overall, these are a comfortable, affordable pair of baseball sunglasses for youth players and should definitely be considered.
Under Armour have considered everything you need for a youth player, from safety to style and these shades make for a great gift.
#4: Oakley Youth Boys’ Oj9001 Radar Ev Xs Path Shield Sunglasses
Another excellent pair of shades from Oakley which have been scaled down in size to provide youth players with classic Oakley style and comfort.
One of the best features of these shades is the extended range of view in the lens. Essentially, the lens is taller than standard, providing an increased range of view. They’re also incredibly wide, despite being scaled down, providing protection to your blind spots.
As with all Oakley shades, you can upgrade the lenses and get prescription lenses included with your order making them a great option for youngsters with eyesight issues.
They also come with a hard case and an anti-scratch cloth ensuring they’ll stay in top condition for a long time. Overall, they’re a superb choice for improving youth players ability to adapt in bright conditions.
#5: Rawlings Youth Ry107 Sport Baseball Sunglasses
If you’re buying on a budget but still want to receive great quality, look no further than the Rawlings Youth Ry107 Sunglasses. What sets them apart from the other products out there is that they have been specifically designed for baseball.
The lightweight frames have been designed to fit snugly to the face and reduce any movement when hitting, throwing or running.
A handy added feature of the frame are the temple tips, a added layer of soft rubber to ensure comfort and reduce the chance of rubbing making them a great choice for kids with sensitive skin.
Now let’s move onto the lenses. They’re multi-layered and mirrored to give you an edge over your opponent when pitching.
They also provide 100% protection for UVA and UVB solar radiation so they’re bound to keep your kids safe under the sun.
Available in three different colour combinations, the Rawlings Youth Ry107’s are a great product.
On the whole, they’re affordable and quality and safety has been carefully considered in their design making them perfect for youngsters.
Affordable Sunglasses for Baseball for Under $50
Let’s face it, big brand sunglasses aren’t cheap and it’s always tricky to hunt out a pair of quality shades on a budget.
Luckily for you, we’ve managed to sniff out a couple of great bargains that guarantee great value for money and good quality.
Here’s our choices for the most affordable sunglasses under $50.
#6: Rawlings 26 Adult Sunglasses
Rawlings have developed a pair of sunglasses specifically designed for baseball, with the needs of baseball players carefully considered in the manufacturing process.
What’s more, the price is unbeatable – you’ll really struggle to find a more affordable pair of baseball sunglasses.
The frames are plastic and fairly lightweight, so they may not be as sturdy as other brands.
They are stylish though with oval shaped frames to allow large facial coverage and they’re available to order in two different styles making them an adaptable choice.
Where they lack in frame quality, the Rawlings model makes up for in its lenses.
Rawlings have developed a lens that is 100% effective in protecting you against harmful sunlight rays.
As well as this they’re made from a 2mil, shatter resistant polycarbonate, so they’re fully equipped to stand up to the rigour of day-to-day use.
On the whole, these are a comfortable and, most importantly, affordable choice for anyone looking to purchase a pair of sunglasses for baseball on a budget.
#7: Duduma Polarized Designer Fashion Sports Sunglasses for Baseball
If you’re after a pair of shades that are really going to stand the test of time and last you a number of seasons without breaking, all at an affordable price, you definitely need to check out the Duduma Sports Sunglasses.
In terms of durability, you’ll struggle to find a pair of shades as sturdy as these for such a great price.
What really sets them apart from competitor baseball sunglasses in this price range is the bendable frame.
It’s lightweight, yet tough and practically unbreakable, should you end up dropping them.
These shades are equipped with UV400 lenses which protects from the sun and provides clear and crisp visuals whilst reducing glare, making them perfect for seeking out those fly balls against the sun.
The lenses also have an anti-scratch coating to increase the lifespan of your shades.
All in all, these are a really affordable pair of sunglasses that can compete with big name brands in terms of toughness and function.
You also get a microfiber pouch for storage and transportation and a glass cloth to keep your shades clean and ready for the name game or practice session at the diamond.
Baseball Sunglasses Brands
Now we’ve rundown our top choices for the best baseball sunglasses available on the market, let’s take a look at some of the top manufacturers, after all it’s always important to know a little bit about the brand that you’re buying from.
We often see Oakley sunglasses being worn by and endorsed by the pro’s and there’s good reason for that. In terms of quality, design features and customization, they’re difficult to beat. Oakley provide a range of lenses and tints which offer differing protection and visuals, so you’ll be free to choose a lens to suit your needs. It’s also important to remember that Oakley provide prescription lenses should you require them.
As well as a wide range of lenses, Oakley also offer numerous frame designs to suit your face shape and provide you with ultimate comfort and functionality. We highlighted the Radar as the best model, however these may not be for you. Be sure to check out the RadarLock, which is designed to fit snugly with a batting helmet and the M2 frames which are designed to provide industrial strength for long lasting use.
Most Oakley sunglasses allow you to easily change lenses which is fantastic if you’re using them in different types of light. If you need to change them when there’s cloud cover, no problem – it’s fast and easy. This also makes the lenses replaceable should they every get damaged beyond repair. Instead of buying a whole new pair of sunglasses, you can order replacement frames directly from Oakley.
With a decent range of sunglasses specifically designed for baseball, Under Armour are a safe bet.
They’re stylish, well-reviewed and provide excellent quality for the user.
Like Oakley, they’re often endorsed by pro’s and offer an excellent field of vision without interfering with depth perception.
The range of frames give you a scope of choice so you’ll be able to find the most comfortable shades for you and their wrap-around style not only offers extra security and comfort, but also increases your field of peripheral vision. There’s one model (the Core Switch) which allows you to easily change lenses.
Lens-wise, Under Armour offer Multi-flection coating on the majority of their products which is an excellent repellent of liquid and dirt meaning that you’re guaranteed a crystal-clear visual experience during a game or training session.
Unlike Oakley, if you’re looking for prescription lenses from Under Armour, you’ll have to speak directly to your optometrist.
Renowned worldwide for manufacturing top of the range equipment across a wide spectrum of sports, it’s hard to go wrong when buying Nike. Their baseball shades are no exception and will guarantee comfort, style and excellent ventilation.
Nike’s best frames for baseball are the Show X1 and Show X2. They offer superb comfort and should definitely be considered if you struggle to find good fitting sunglasses.
Overall, you know what you’re getting with Nike – quality, style and a guarantee of precise, clear vision from all angles thanks to the Nike Max lens technology.
Rawlings have been providing professional quality at affordable prices for decades, and their sunglasses are no exception. We’ve featured a few of their products in this guide because they really do stand out as great choices if you happen to be buying on a budget.
With Rawlings, you’re guaranteed 100% protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays, lightweight yet durable frames and comfort. They’re a great choice for adults and youths alike and they offer a variety of styles from wrap-around to half-rim frames, so you’re bound to find something that suits you with Rawlings.
