Inexpensive Polarized Glasses

[gallowaypt]

I just read through all the comments, and I greatly appreciate the suggestions. I have owned (past tense) 3 different pairs of 100 dollar oakleys, and thy have all met their demise in one way or another. Introducing water to the equation, now that I fish, scares me into wanting the Berkeley Sk or gander mountain options.

[TNBassin']

You can't beat a pair of Oakleys. I have a polarized pair of Batwolfs, and man do I love those when I go fishing. They go for $250 though, so not exactly on the cheap side.

[fl_bass]

One option would be to go to Costco to buy really reduced price on quality sunglasses. There is a huge markup on sunglasses and Costco has the prices on just about all of them amazingly low. Bolle Raybans even Maui Jim. Check it out you may stay in budget and still get a quality pair of sunglasses. Another option is that your insurance may cover a portion of the cost of the sunglasses. Buddy of mine got a pair of vuarnet sunglasses. No prescription and the insurance covered them fully. Some options.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I have a set of costas but i dont wear them at work (i work from a boat) for fear of breaking them, so i have a few cheap pair too. The Berkely fishing glasses at walmart are ok. But my favorite cheap set is made by Calcutta. I think they were 25.00. They are by far the best "cheap" polarized glasses ive ever had.

 

I will absolutely second the Calcuttas. Awesome little sunglasses for the price. I recently got a pair of Batwolf glasses as a gift... I wonder if I could send them in and get some polarized lenses put in?

[Bluebasser86]

I have 2 pairs of Costas that I wear fishing and nowhere else. I've got some of the $5 Berkley polarized glasses from Wal-Mart for everything else. I've tried my buddy's Solar Bats, they seemed really nice for 50-60 dollar glasses. 

[J Francho]

These articles say slightly different to that so might want to make sure with whatever glasses are purchased

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uv-protection/AN00832

" Polarized lenses reduce glare. Unless they're specifically treated with UV coating, polarized lenses don't offer UV protection."

 

 

http://www.aao.org/eyecare/tmp/Sunglasses.cfm

"Polarization has nothing to do with UV light absorption,"

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/15/health/15patient.html?_r=0

"But remember, polarization in itself will not block UV light."

 

Interesting, thanks for the links!

[webertime]

Check sierra trading post or campmor and see what deals you can find. Julbo, Native, Smith, etc. I got a great pair of Smith's for $50 (reg $200). Win win situation cheap and quality (and great warranties.)

[grizzly1654]

The Spiderwire polarized glasses are dang good for the price also. I think they are 15 bucks and you can get them in a few different lens and frame colors. I keep a pair in both of my vehicles and myboat because if i ever leave the boat or truck with them i will lose them for sure.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I thought I would lose "expensive" pairs of glasses too.

 

When you've got $200+ glasses on your head with some type of cable looped behind your neck, you'd have to TRY and lose them. You become very careful (unless you are Francho apparently) when that type of money is involved.

 

I can't stress Quan's point enough.....you only get ONE SINGLE SET OF EYES.

[gallowaypt]

You all make such good points that I'm torn! I'm getting them by this weekend, so I'll let you know what I went with. Again, thanks for all the knowledge and suggestions. One more quick question - can someone give me the rule concerning lens color? I'm hoping to be able to see fish in the creek at depths of 1-3 feet when the water is not so clear and lighting conditions are not perfect-can't beat pullin bass out of a creek you could jump across!

[quanjig]

Personally, I prefer some type of amber or rose lens, that's just me! Gives you great vision when it's cloudy or shady but still gives you glare protection when it's really sunny. Darker lenses won't allow penetration when the sun is behind the clouds as much!

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Amber for sure.

 

Lots of your mirrored lenses use an amber base but the mirroring cuts the light transmission.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I really don't understand how one loses a pair of glasses while wearing them. I have been wearing prescription specs since I was a child and have never had them fall off of my head that I can remember, especially not into the water. I also don't use any type of safety cord with them either. Just bend the ear pieces to fit your head and call it a day (heat helps, use a hair dryer.)

[J Francho]

I stupidly took mine off while running, and put them in my shirt pocket.  I thought I snapped the flap, but I guess not.  I leaned over, and "BLOOP!," into the drink....

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I stupidly took mine off while running, and put them in my shirt pocket.  I thought I snapped the flap, but I guess not.  I leaned over, and "BLOOP!," into the drink....

That makes sense. Notice I said "while wearing them." I absolutely need my glasses to see, so putting them in my pocket is not an option for me. It's funny that I have a hard time understanding that some people only wear them when they need them, since I always need them thus always wear them.

[quanjig]

Had a nice pair of Costas end up in the drink. Running down the Potty, buddy maneuvers around a deadhead WOT, turned around to see if we clear it and woosh, one bounce off the back deck and in! Last time without a lanyard!!

[Jig Meister]

Gander has 20 dollar, camo colored polarized glasses, the camo is the important part of the equation, all the rest is a bonus.

[BassinB]

i've got a pair of Guideline's from Cabelas with amber lenses.  Super lightweight frame and fairly high quality/durable optic.  I think they were 49.99 2 years ago.  Still using them.

 

edit: Just checked Guidelines website.  I have the Mantis model, now I see that they are MSRP for $70.  Great budget shades IMO

[jignfule]

$5 Berkleys at wally world. Love mine

Gave me head aches, I went with coyotes

[gallowaypt]

Amber it is! 2 of mine were lost to dog chewing, and the other pair was left at the baseball field.

[gallowaypt]

Camo is tempting jig meister. It would match half

mywardrobe at least.

[tnriverluver]

I have a pair of Ocean Waves that I bought at the Bass Pro in Springfield Mo many many years ago.  Not cheap buy any means, about $150 back in 1990, but they are incredible as far as what you can see under water.  They are not made anymore apparently because I would buy another pair in a heart beat if I could find them.  I normally just have on a pair of $10 dollar sunglasses that I use to drive and usually forget to grab the OW's.  The difference is staggering.