Article

The best Kitesurfing glasses

Rinse Kijlstra

13 November 2025

Kitesurfing glasses

At Specialspex we specialize in sports glasses and have some great kitesurfing glasses in our assortment. With the widest range of sports frames and an extensive choice of lenses, we are truly the specialist of the Benelux in the field of sports glasses, and also in prescription kitesurfing glasses.

The fit of the lenses should be extra sturdy so that they cannot fall out under high pressure. Also make sure that a frame has drainage holes. Nothing is more annoying than having to look through glasses that are half full of water.

Some of the models offered also float. This is useful for supping and canoeing, but when kitesurfing, you often lose the glasses quickly. Moreover, the combination of a frame with prescription lenses is heavier, so the glasses can often still sink.

The best Kitesurfing glasses - Specialspex

Some of the models offered also float, which is useful for supping and canoeing but when kitesurfing you quickly lose the glasses. Also, the combination of a frame with prescription lenses is heavier so they can often still sink.

Glasses: UV protection

The right glasses are essential for proper eye protection while kiteboarding. UV rays can damage your eyes and during kiteboarding you are exposed to this even more intensely. This is because sunlight is extra reflected off the water and because you regularly look up at the kite, especially when you are just starting to kitesurf.

We therefore always recommend lenses with 100% UV protection in category 3, because they are the most suitable for kiteboarding and protect your eyes optimally. You can achieve this protection with three types of lenses:

Self-tinting lenses

These glasses react to the amount of UV light and become darker when more UV and light are present. In cloudy weather or indoors, they are lighter in color.

Polarizing glasses

These sunglasses provide a calmer view by filtering out glare on the surface of the water. However, small differences in waves on the water surface are less visible, and not every kite surfer likes this. Personally, I find polarized lenses ideal for on the water, as they give a lot of rest to the eyes.

Gray or brown glasses

These provide good protection and nice contrast. With a gray tint, the colors remain more natural, while a brown tint often gives a bit more contrast. This is mostly a personal preference.

Large field of vision
To see everything clearly while kitesurfing – and certainly to keep an eye on your fellow kiteboarders – a large field of vision is important. Thanks to the special curvature of the base 8 lenses, you have good vision, even to the sides, and the glasses offer protection against annoying light from the side.

To achieve this, we use eyeglasses with extra-curved lenses with a base curve 8 (provided the prescription allows it).

Grease, dirt and water repellent

SpecialSpex prescription lenses come standard with a tempering layer and a water-repellent coating. As a result, water droplets roll off the lens easily and you maintain clear vision.

If you want maximum water- and dirt-repellent properties, choose a mirror coating. This one is even smoother.

After a day on the water, it is wise to always rinse the goggles with fresh water and then let them dry. Salt water can corrode the various materials when they are exposed to it for long periods of time.

Spectacles lanyard and neck cord

Obviously, you want your kitesurfing goggles to stay securely on your head during use, and especially in the event of a crash. There are many types of goggle lanyards available, but only a few offer really good and secure attachment.

As an extra, we often recommend attaching an extra lanyard to your wetsuit or neck-leash so that your goggles are not lost when they fall off your head.