Fishing Sunglasses Lens Guide

See deeper, choose smarter.
This guide helps you pick the right polarised fishing lenses for the way you fish — tint, material and coatings.
We’ll show you how different colours perform in different light and water, explain the difference between
glass, Triple X and standard lenses, and when to use photochromic and mirror-coated options.
The goal is simple: less glare, more detail, less eye strain. That’s how you find fish faster.

Why polarised lenses matter

When light bounces off flat surfaces like water it becomes polarised, which creates harsh horizontal glare.
That glare blinds you to what’s under the surface and it’s fatiguing to look at for hours.
Fortis polarised fishing sunglasses use a polarising filter layer that blocks that reflected glare so you can
see more clearly into the water and keep your eyes comfortable for longer.
Our lenses deliver high polarising efficiency, UV400 protection and are tested to and pass BS EN ISO 12312-1:2015.

Translation: less white-out on the surface, more detail below it.
Reduced eye strain.
Better watercraft.

Lens colour: which tint should I use?

The quickest way to choose a lens tint is to match it to light level
and water clarity.
You don’t need a science degree — just the right tool for the conditions.

Amber / AMPM

• Light transmission: high (lets in more light).
• Use in: low light, overcast days, snaggy margins, under trees, coloured / murky water.
• Why: boosts brightness and contrast so you can still read shape and movement when it’s dull.

Brown / 247

• Light transmission: lower (darker tint).
• Use in: brighter daylight, mixed cloud, situations where you need strong contrast.
• Why: high contrast definition helps pick out silhouettes, bars, patrol routes, fish shapes.

Green

• Light transmission: medium.
• Use in: medium to bright light, shallow / clear / weedy water.
• Why: gives a natural view of the water and weed without over-warming or over-darkening the scene.

Grey

• Light transmission: darker / sun-friendly.
• Use in: bright sun, high glare, clear water, open water in summer.
• Why: neutralises brightness and helps reduce eye fatigue if you’re sensitive to harsh light.

SWITCH / Photochromic

• Light transmission: variable — lens automatically lightens when it’s dark and darkens in sun.
• Use in: “all day on the bank” situations with changing weather, or if you hate swapping glasses.
• Why: adapts to conditions so you keep usable contrast from first light to bright spells.

Rule of thumb:
Bad light / coloured water → Amber or SWITCH.
Mixed light / natural contrast → Brown or Green.
Full sun / high glare → Grey.

Lens material: glass vs Triple X vs standard

Different lens materials change clarity, weight, durability and price.
There isn’t one “best lens”.
The real question is: which lens is right for you?

Glass

• Clarity: maximum optical precision and colour fidelity.
• Polarisation: full, consistent polarising performance.
• Durability: excellent scratch resistance; stands up to long-term use.
• Trade-off: heavier on the face, higher cost.
• Best for: experienced anglers or guides who live in their glasses, need absolute detail, and want long service life.

Triple X (polymer, high-definition)

• Clarity: extremely high.
  In plain English: extra clarity, extra definition, extra protection.
• Polarisation: ~99.9% polarised performance.
• Weight: significantly lighter than glass — comfortable for long wear and mobile fishing.
• Protection: UV400 / UVA / UVB coverage.
• Trade-off: less scratch resistance than glass; can mark sooner over time.
• Best for: anglers who move, stalk, recce and need all-day comfort without giving up clarity.

Standard

• Clarity: good everyday optical clarity.
• Polarisation: ~99.9% polarisation, so it still genuinely cuts harsh surface glare.
• Weight: lightweight and easy to wear.
• Price: most affordable option in the line.
• Trade-off: less long-term scratch resistance and (on very aggressive wrap styles) a touch more distortion compared to premium lenses.
• Best for: anglers who want proper polarised performance without paying glass money — “does the job and lets me see deeper.”

Quick chooser:
Glass = ultimate clarity + scratch resistance (heavier / premium).
Triple X = high definition, super light, all-day comfort.
Standard = lightweight, affordable, still genuinely polarised.

Coatings and tech

Coatings tweak how the lens behaves in harsh light and awkward angles.
Here’s what those names actually mean:

XBLOK (mirror coating)

• Mirror-style outer coating that adds an extra layer of glare block on top of the base polarisation.
• Each XBLOK colour is tuned to a job:
  • Gold XBLOK: highest contrast — great for spotting dark shapes in deep, clear water.
  • Silver XBLOK: tuned for vibrance and pop.
  • Blue XBLOK: built for very bright sun; boosts contrast when the light is harsh.
  • Fire XBLOK: strong all-round glare block and protection across mixed light.
• Also helps reduce eye strain in open, high-reflection water.

AR coating (anti-reflective inner coating)

• Applied to the inner surface on certain models.
• Stops light bouncing off your face and reflecting back at you from the inside of the lens (cheekbone glare, jawline reflection).
• Result: cleaner view into the water, especially in bright or low-angle sun.

SWITCH (photochromic)

• Photochromic tech: the lens automatically darkens in sun and lightens in cloud.
• You stay in the useful contrast zone from first light to full daylight without swapping pairs.
• Perfect if you fish long sessions through changing conditions.

Which lens should I actually choose?

Use these three questions to narrow it fast:

1. What’s the light like?
   Dull / under trees / low sun angle → Amber or SWITCH.
   Mixed / bright-but-not-blinding → Brown or Green.
   Full sun / harsh glare → Grey.
2. How clear is the water?
   Murky / coloured → brighter lenses that let more light in (Amber, SWITCH).
   Clear / shallow / weedy → darker, more contrast-controlled tints (Brown, Green, Grey).
3. How long are you wearing them?
   All day, scanning constantly → weight matters, so Triple X or Standard.
   Ultra-detail / guiding / extreme conditions → consider Glass for maximum clarity and scratch resistance.

Quick pros & cons by material

Glass lenses

Pros: maximum clarity, 100% polarisation, superior scratch resistance, richer tone reproduction.
Cons: heavier, more expensive.

Triple X (polymer) lenses

Pros: ~99.9% polarisation, excellent clarity, significantly lighter than glass, comfortable for long wear.
Cons: less scratch resistance, can mark sooner.

Standard lenses

Pros: ~99.9% polarisation, good clarity, lightweight, very affordable.
Cons: less long-term durability, a bit more distortion on very wrapped frames.

Still unsure between two tints or materials?
Look through both, outside, over real water.
That decision takes 10 seconds in real light and can save you buying the wrong pair.
Or call us on +44 (0) 203 441 6495 and we’ll walk you through it.

FAQs

Are all Fortis lenses actually polarised?

Yes. All Fortis fishing sunglasses use a polarising filter designed to block reflected surface glare so you can see through water more easily. That’s the core job.

Do I need Grey lenses for bright sun and Amber for cloud?

That’s a solid starting rule.
Amber / SWITCH for low light and coloured water.
Brown / Green for mixed light and detail work.
Grey for harsh glare and full sun.

What is “photochromic”?

Photochromic (SWITCH) lenses change tint automatically — lighter when it’s dull, darker when it’s bright — so you don’t have to swap glasses as conditions change.

Why are glass lenses heavier?

Glass gives maximum clarity and scratch resistance but adds weight and cost.
Triple X is the lighter, high-clarity option for all-day wear.
Standard is the affordable, still-properly-polarised everyday option.

Can I get prescription lenses?

Yes. We offer prescription options. Click this link to the Prescription page.

Still not sure?

Your eyes are different, your water is different, and what you target is different.
The fastest way to confirm is to physically look through the lens outdoors.
Use our stockist finder to handle frames, compare tints and get the right fit before you buy — or call us for advice.