Have you ever been chasing down a disc, only to lose it in the sun? Do you struggle to play with contacts or prescription glasses? Or maybe you want to arrive at an Ultimate Frisbee tournament and turn heads as people stare on with envy. If any of these sound like experiences you’ve had, then maybe it’s time to find the right sunglasses for Ultimate Frisbee.
If you’re in a hurry, you can use the quick links below to get the sunglasses you need right away!
Best for Style: Polarized Retro Classic Trendy Stylish Sunglasses
Best for Performance: Under Armour Igniter 2.0 Sunglasses
Best Ultimate Frisbee Eye Wear: Sports Safety Goggles
There are lots of different reasons to wear Ultimate Frisbee sunglasses. Below, I’ve split the sunglasses suggestions I have into 3 different categories. There is also some additional information that you may find useful. Feel free to click directly to a section below, or read your way down the page!
If you click our links to online stores to buy something, we may receive a small commission. For more information click here.
- Sunglasses for Style
- Sunglasses for Performance
- Eye-Wear For Ultimate Frisbee
- Negatives of Sunglasses and Ultimate
- Other Ultimate Gear (You Might Want)
Sunglasses for Style
What better way to show off your own personal style, then rolling up (or jogging up) to the Ultimate Frisbee field rocking your favorite pair of shades? Below are four stylish sunglasses that are sure to turn heads as you walk by.
Neon Color Unisex Sunglasses
For whatever reason, Ultimate Frisbee players love these sunglasses. You can customize your own style by choosing the colors you want. They are lightweight, cheap, and bright. These are reminiscent of Facecard sunglasses, the OG that took over the Ultimate Frisbee scene a few years back. They work well for almost any Ultimate Frisbee personality.
SOJOS Classic Aviator Mirrored Flat Lens Sunglasses
Have you ever wanted to play volleyball in a white shirt (or no shirt), while sweat poured off your body and 80s music played in the background? Now’s your chance! These aviator style glasses have a classic look that has never (or at least hasn’t yet) gone out of style. The glasses are at a price that makes sense, and they look good with a lot of different personal styles (especially with dirty cleats slung over your shoulder).
Woodies Zebra Wood Sunglasses
Speaking of standing out in a crowd, why not wear sunglasses with wooden style frames? Not only are these sure to draw envy from your peers, but there are several different lens options, so you can easily customize to your style.
Polarized Retro Classic Trendy Stylish Sunglasses
Similar to their Rayban counterpart, these stylish sunglasses look good on pretty much anyone, anywhere. Have a new jersey you want to show off? Pair it with these shades. Full of mud after a huge bid? Put these on. Tired from a day of Ultimate? Relax and enjoy a cool beverage while wearing these.
Bonus Sunglasses! Novelty Party Sunglasses
I once played against a player who wore a pair of sunglasses just like these. He was a cutter, and I’m going to be honest – I didn’t take him seriously. Then he scored on me. Then he scored on me again. He was very good. From now on, I will always look at sunglasses like these with respect. Respect the novelty shades.
Sunglasses for Performance
If you’ve ever heard the words, “force sun”, then you’ve played Ultimate Frisbee during a game where the sun presented a challenge to everyone on the field. Whether it is the angle of the sun, the glare of a shiny surface, or just the brightness of the day, wearing sunglasses while playing can give you a competitive edge that squinting can’t. Below are four sunglasses built for athletic performance.
RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses
If you are looking for sunglasses to improve your performance on the Ultimate Frisbee field, you’ll first want to look for sunglasses that have polarized lenses. Polarized lenses are able to cut down on 50% of the light coming through the lens. On bright days, this can give you a significant advantage over your opponents. These sunglasses have polarized lenses, and a lot of customizable color options.
TOREGE Polarized Sports Sunglasses
These Torege sunglasses are very popular for athletes, especially at this price point. The polarized lenses are durable and scratch resistant. These shades also have a soft, comfortable nosepad. If you sweat easily like I do, this helps prevent these glasses from slipping down the bridge of your nose. They are also lightweight, so you won’t even notice them as you run around the field.
Tifosi Tyrant 2.0 Sunglasses
These Tifosi Tyrant lenses have it all – they are polarized, interchangeable, and event vented to prevent fogging! Not only that, but the frame itself is adjustable, to fit every face shape. If you are looking for a pair of glasses that can be customized to fit your needs, these would work very nicely!
Under Armour Igniter 2.0 Sunglasses
The Under Armour Igniter sunglasses have everything you would need out of glasses used for an athletic event. The lenses are durable with polarized options. The nose pad can be positioned at multiple levels. The frames have a “hug” to them, so they fit snug on any head shape. Most of all, these glasses are much more durable than many others. They will survive a rough landing from a huge bid, where some other glasses might not.
Eye Black for Ultimate Frisbee Sun Protection
Believe it or not, there is an alternative to sunglasses for sun protection. Eye black for Ultimate Frisbee is often used for sun protection. There are two different options for eye black. One is eye black strips – these are sticky strips that adhere directly to the skin under your eyes. The other is the eye black marker. This is a rough material that reduces the reflective nature of your skin, often applied under the eye. Both are good alternatives to sunglasses for Ultimate Frisbee!
Eye-wear for Ultimate Frisbee
Some people are blessed with near perfect eyesight. Others of us…not so much. There are a lot of different (and stylish) ways to improve your eyesight and eye health with sunglasses or other eye-wear. Below are four suggestions for sunglasses and other eye-wear that can help when playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Over Prescription Safety Glasses
I had a teammate once who wore regular, thin-framed glasses when he played Ultimate Frisbee. Watching his glasses get bent, or broken, was a common occurrence during games – especially when laying out!
Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in creating prescription goggles and other sports eye wear. Some goggles, like the one listed above, can easily fit over prescription glasses, protecting both the glasses, and you, while you play.
Sports Safety Goggles
Ultimate is a non-contact sport. But contact happens, and its important to be protected when it does. If you need eye protection for the rougher moments of the sport, sports safety goggles are the way to go. There are versions that look like traditional sunglasses without the wrapping band, but an accidental collision could easily bump those off. These goggles, and many like them, offer anti-fog lenses and a wrap-around band just in case an accidental collision occurs.
EnChroma Color Blind Glasses
1 in 8 men and 1 in 200 women around the world are color blind. This may pose a challenge in Ultimate Frisbee, with different jersey colors and green grass marked with orange cones. Fortunately, the EnChroma Color Blind Glasses offer a potential solution. These glasses are assistive eye wear for someone who is color blind, and they can help improve color vision. While I have heard that mileage may vary with these depending on your personal condition, they are worth checking out.
Eyeglass Holder Strap
If none of the above options work for you, but you still need your personal eye wear, the next best option is an eyeglass holder strap. This easily fits on the back end of the arm on glasses. The strap can be loose, allowing the glasses to “catch” if they fall before hitting the ground. The strap can also be pulled tight, so that the glasses are harder to jostle around. This is a great option if you want to play Ultimate but need to wear a specific set of eye wear.
Negatives of Sunglasses and Ultimate
Sunglasses and other eye wear can give you a competitive advantage over your opponents. However, there may be some drawbacks to wearing sunglasses or other eye wear while playing Ultimate.
One drawback, is the possibility that your sunglasses might break. While Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport, there is no denying that contact does happen – and sometimes it can be rough. All it takes is an elbow to the cheek, or a quick jerk of the head, and your sunglasses are suddenly falling to the ground. No one wants to see sunglasses broken on the field, but it happens.
One solution to preventing your sunglasses from breaking while playing, is to get a strap for your sunglasses. That way, if they ever fall off, they just land around your neck, rather than vulnerable on the ground. I’ve also seen players wear low headbands and use the pressure from the headband to keep the sunglasses in place on your forehead.
Another possible drawback from wearing sunglasses while playing Ultimate Frisbee, is loss of peripheral vision. Some sunglasses take away the sight you have in the corners of your eye. This is called peripheral vision, and it is extremely helpful during a game of Ultimate Frisbee.
One solution, is finding a pair of sunglasses that still allow for peripheral vision. Sunglasses fit differently for everyone, so you would need to try on some different kinds, but some sunglasses allow you to use your peripheral vision while still blocking out the sun.
One final drawback from wearing sunglasses while playing Ultimate Frisbee, is eye contact. Believe it or not, eye contact is an important way to communicate with your teammates on the field, especially when playing offense. If your teammates can’t see your eyes, they may not know exactly what you plan to do on the field.
It is possible to practice and build up chemistry with teammates to avoid this being a problem. Other forms of communication, like verbal communication or movement when the disc is in your hands, can also solve this problem. Once this problem is solved, your teammates will know what you are doing, but your opponents won’t!
Other Ultimate Gear (You Might Want)
Sunglasses are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Ultimate gear. If you want the best gear, and best advice for that gear, check out the articles below!