UV400
A rating meaning the lens blocks essentially all ultraviolet light up to 400 nanometers, which covers full UVA and UVB.
UV damage to eyes accumulates and it causes cataracts, pterygium and macular degeneration. Anglers get a double dose because light comes off the water as well as out of the sky, which is why UV400 matters more here than in most outdoor activities.
It is independent of tint darkness and independent of polarization. A very dark lens with no UV protection is worse than no sunglasses at all, since the darkness dilates your pupils and lets more UV in.
Almost any reputable brand includes it. The lenses to be suspicious of are unbranded ones that mention neither UV400 nor 100 percent UVA/UVB.
UV400 and 100 percent UVA/UVB protection mean the same thing in practice, since UVA and UVB together run up to 400 nanometers. A listing quoting one of them is not offering less than one quoting the other.
Coverage matters alongside the rating. Light comes in around the edges of a narrow frame and off the water from below. Wraparound frames and side shields are standard on fishing sunglasses for that reason.
Treat UV400 as a minimum requirement rather than a feature. A tinted lens without it is actively harmful.
Related terms
Where this comes up
The guides that use uv400 and show it on real gear.
UV400 is one of 206 terms in the glossary.
Browse the full fishing glossary