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It's important for softball players to keep the sun out of their eyes during day games. A good pair of sunglasses can help with this.
In this post, we take a look at the best softball sunglasses on the market and we give reviews of our top choices, starting with our best overall pick.
Scroll on to learn more...
If you want to be good at what you do, then you find every little edge you can (legally) take to improve your performance.
For both baseball and softball players - who regularly play in the sun - a simple tool that can help you play better in the field is a good pair of sunglasses.
Using sunglasses during a day game will help combat the sun - especially on fly balls.
Anyone who has ever played will tell you the sun is a killer when a pop fly is hit. But if your softball shades are on, then you just increased the chance that you will catch the ball without a problem.
Positions That Can Wear Sunglasses
Most people are used to seeing outfielders and maybe even the infield wearing sunglasses during day games.
Still, what about every other position?
Of the nine positions on the field, all are allowed to wear sunglasses. There are no rules that we’re aware of which prohibit certain positions from wearing them.
So does this mean pitchers can wear sunglasses?
Yes, fastpitch pitchers are allowed to wear softball sunglasses. Keep in mind, though, that umpires can make a pitcher take off sunglasses if they are found to be distracting to the hitter.
Polarized Versus Non-Polarized
Lenses that are polarized means that the manufacturer installed a special film to let in vertical wavelengths of light, but not horizontal ones. They do this because horizontal wavelengths of light typically cause a glare on certain surfaces, such as water.
Non-Polarized lenses do not have this added film, meaning it lets in both vertical and horizontal wavelengths of light.
Having sunglasses with polarized lenses are very useful if you are near or on the water, doing something like fishing. They can also be helpful in other situations, such as when you're driving.
But for softball, polarized lenses are not ideal. They could potentially throw off your depth perception and they may make it more difficult to judge the ball when in play.
Therefore, we recommend softball players (and baseball players too) use only non-polarized sunglasses.
Features to Consider
If you’re in the market for the best sunglasses for softball, there are a number of key features that we think you need to be aware of before making a buying decision.
- Good Fit. This may be stating the obvious, but we need to say it nonetheless. The softball sunglasses you buy need to fit well. Double check the size of any pair you're looking at. Check out this guide if you need help sizing yourself.
- UV Protection. Some sunglasses have UV protection added to the lens, which helps block harmful ultraviolet (i.e., UV) light from the sun. For softball sunglasses, we suggest a pair that has UV protection in the lens.
- Lens Coverage. For softball, we suggest most players get a pair with lens that provide good coverage. Specifically, the lens should be large and wide enough to cover above, below, and the sides of the eyes.
- Protection from Impact. Softball can be an impact sport. To be on the safe side, it's best to use softball glasses that have shatterproof or "impact resistant" lenses.
- Non-Polarized Lenses. As mentioned above, softball players should use sunglasses with lenses that are not polarized.
- Color of the Lenses. What color lenses are best for softball players? Honestly, any colored lenses (yes, even black) are more helpful than nothing, and all lens colors can be used effectively on the field. However, if we had to pick, we would go with a brighter, mirrored lenses because they tend to have better anti-reflective qualities built in.
These are just a few of the important characteristics to look for when getting sunglasses to use on the field.
Best Softball Sunglasses - Our Top Picks
Now let's move on to our top picks and reviews.
In short, we believe the best sunglasses for softball players are the Oakley Encoder.
Other picks include:
- Best Overall: Oakley Encoder
- Runner Up: Oakley Radar EV Path
- Honorable Mention: Nike Windshield Elite
Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these high-quality products...
Best Overall: Oakley Encoder
Our top sunglasses pick for softball players is the Oakley Encoder. This pair of sunglasses is incredibly high-quality and it is manufactured by arguably the most popular sunglasses brand on the planet.
It was designed specifically for athletes and it is low profile enough to be worn with a hat, visor or helmet. The lenses wrap around the eyes and also provide good coverage above and beneath them.
Encoder's lenses are impact resistant and should not shatter if hit. The specific type of lens used in these sunglasses is called Prizm™, which is a type of Oakley lens that heightens contrast and colors.
Another aspect that we like is that the material on the nose and on the sides of the glasses (which Oakley calls "unobtainium®" material) fits comfortably on the head and face, and keeps the sunglasses from slipping.
Additionally, these sunglasses come in multiple colors. It's for these reasons and more that the Oakley Encoder stands out as our best overall sunglasses pick for softball players.
Note: Standard fit. Lenses measure 36 mm x 36 mm. The bridge height is 136 mm and arm length is 123 mm. Encoder sunglasses are unisex and can be worn by men or women.
Pros
Made by the incredibly well respected brand, Oakley
Contains non-polarized, shatterproof lenses with UV filtering film
The lenses provide good coverage all around the eyes
Designed to be worn with or without a hat/helmet
Its Prizm lenses help amplify details around you
Cons
This is a premium product, so it costs more than average
Other Images of the Oakley Encoder
Runner Up: Oakley Radar EV Path
Our runner up pick, the Radar EV Path, is also made by Oakley. These first-rate sunglasses are lightweight and come in a wide variety of color combinations.
The thin, rubber-like material around the nose and along the arms of the sunglasses are the same as the Encoder. Though comfortable, keep the sunglasses from slipping once in place.
Like the Encoder, the Prizm lenses on the Radar EV Path are non-polarized, have built-in UV protection and they help increase color and sharpness. They are also impact resistant.
Although the shape of the lenses are different from the Encoder, both similarly offer excellent coverage all around the eyes. In fact, Radar EV Paths are slightly taller than Encoders.
Note: Standard fit. Lenses measure 36 mm W x 50.5 mm H. The bridge height is 138 mm, the frame width is 138 mm, and the arm length is 128 mm. Radar EV Path sunglasses are unisex and can be worn by men or women.
Pros
Built by the top-tier brand, Oakley
Non-Polarized lenses give comprehensive coverage around the eyes
Prizm lenses bring out detail
Lenses are impact resistant and they filter UV waves
Cons
Similar to our top pick, Radar EV Path glasses cost more than average
Additional Pictures of the Oakley Radar EV Path
Affordability Pick: Nike Windshield Elite
Our pick for the best pair of softball shades that are high-quality yet affordable is the Nike Windshield Elite.
These glasses contain a one piece, non-polarized lens on a very lightweight frame. The lens is fairly wide and provides good coverage, including over the sides of the eyes.
The lenses are also shatterproof and they block UV waves, like the previous two on our list.
Additionally, there is a comfortable rubber material around the temples and above the nose to keep the sunglasses from moving around on your face.
As of the date of publication, Nike's Windshield Elite sunglasses were priced competitively and were pretty affordable when compared with some others on the marketplace.
However, if you're on a tight budget and are looking for a cheap pair of sunglasses with a good reputation, we would recommend Rawlings Baseball sunglasses.
In short, these Rawlings glasses fit the bill in terms of performing like they're supposed to and looking like they belong on the field.
If you need something super affordable, then you might want to give these sunglasses a shot.
Pros
Noticeably lightweight
Shatterproof and UV protected lenses
More affordable
Available in a variety of colors
Cons
The frame does not feel as strong as Oakley's
Other Picture of the Nike Windshield Elite
Thanks for Reading!
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Scott Perry
Scott Perry is the owner and lead author at Catchers Home. He's a former baseball player, a current coach, a husband and a Dad. He remains as passionate about baseball today as he was as a kid.