Looking into sunglasses

[Scarborough817]

OK so the sportsman show is coming to town next week and I'm looking into getting some polarized sunglasses I've read some reviews one costas and typhoons but im not sure. Can you guys help me out with deciding or am I better to try them on there and see what I like better?

[iabass8]

Always always always try sunglasses on before you buy them. They are something that will be on your face more times than not. No reason to skimp and settle.  I've tried the Strike King S11's. Lens quality was garbage after a couple months. I'm a big fan of Costa 580g. You can find them quite easily for well over 100$ off their retail making the price much easier to swallow. 

[wnspain]

Hmm, $100 off of a $189 retail price, point me to where I buy pls 

[iabass8]

17 minutes ago, wnspain said:

Hmm, $100 off of a $189 retail price, point me to where I buy pls 

The 580g retailers for 239+. You can find them for 140-150 very easily from a multitude of online vendors. 

[junyer357]

Do some research on lens colors from diffrent mfg's and decide what tint you want for your preferred fishing/life style. The diffrent colors and tints are not uust for show and appeal. Same with lens material, glass or plastic. Each has andvantages and disadvantages. Glass weigh more but are normally much better optically and more scratch resistant. Plastic weigh less and are still amazing optically on higher end companies like costa, oakley, etc..

Try on multiple pairs in person and see how they fit, cover and protect your eyes, and lastly fit your facial structure. 

If you find a style or brand you like make notes as to frame names as well as lens material. 

Also check on "keepers" such as neck bands and such. If you have a style you prefer, try glasses on with it on as well since often they affect how they feel when wearing them, espeically right behind ear. 

 

If you are good at keeping up with things like good glasses dont be afraid to spend more for a top quality pair, they will last a lifetime possibly if cared for.  If you are more laxidasical with things spend less since there is a good chance they may get lost or broken. 

[buzzed bait]

try them on....  and "splurge" on the glass lenses if you can.  quite a bit of difference in clarity over the plastic lens.

and if you get some nice ones, make a small investment into something like the Cablz strap as an "insurance policy"

[lo n slo]

yeah, i'd be darn sure to get the keepers. my last pair of natives blew off the deck of my boat while i was retying. i just laid them down for a second. i cant afford to be shelling out big bucks on sun glasses anyways, not with my luck.

[Master Bait'r]

Smith Optics don't get a ton of credit around these parts but they are some of the best quality lenses and frames I've used.  I am a very big fan.  

[Big C]

Definitely try them on first.  I think it's hard to beat Oakley, Amazon sells their replacement polarized lenses for cheap, you can get a few different colors without breaking the bank.

 

[SwampLife]

Costa 580g

green mirror 

[flyfisher]

I have worn pretty much every major manufacturer out there and i settled on Costas in the 580G, green mirror lens.  It works the best for me.  As far as plastic lenses go, Smith are really nice and limit distortion in the peripheral vision.  Oakley are overpriced overrated pieces of junk now.  they used to be decent but have been surpassed by even lower pried lenses like native.

bottom line is try on the glasses as that is probably as important as the lenses because much like a life jacket, it does you no good if you don't wear them.

[BassnChris]

Always try them on.......what I like may not be what you like.

I like the amphibia brand.....I have 2 pairs.

i like them because they float.

[XzyluM]

Oakley has started to go down. I buy them because I can get them at cost. However, they are starting to go from American to Chinese and the quality hasn't been the same. They also have made it a pain to get replacement lenses unless the dealer is a big seller. Having said that, for retail I would look at Costas or an alternative. 

[RyanFishing]

I would highly recommend Costas. I have 2 pairs of 580G and 1 pair of 580P and both are great glasses. The plastic are lighter but scratch easier than the glass. Also I would definitely get Green Mirror lense as they are the best all-around lense.

Also, definitely try on the styles to see what fits best. There's nothing worse than having glasses feel uncomfortable on your face the whole day.

[JOBU2]

I prefer Maui Jims.  I have three pair.  Their customer service is great too having replaced one pair for me after the frames broke on me.  You can sometimes find deals on Costas also.  I bought a few pair for my wife over the years and she loves them.

[wnspain]

4 hours ago, iabass8 said:

The 580g retailers for 239+. You can find them for 140-150 very easily from a multitude of online vendors. 

I was basing my retail price off of Academy 580g Zane for $189. $239 is from Costa website, and if anyone buys direct from Costa, they have more money than sense 

btw - green mirror 

[Kidflex]

Definitely try a pair of smith optics. I have Costa 580g and Maui Jim bamboo forest and my smiths are better in my opinion. 

[Scarborough817]

thanks for all the replies guys i guess there is a ton more research i have to do on lens colour before i figure out what i will be spending my money on

[zell_pop1]

1 hour ago, Kidflex said:

Definitely try a pair of smith optics. I have Costa 580g and Maui Jim bamboo forest and my smiths are better in my opinion. 

Was that their chromapops or glass lens? I have Kaenons which are trivex but I read Smith polarized their chromapops differently making them even better, which makes me interested in them.

[Kidflex]

18 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

Was that their chromapops or glass lens? I have Kaenons which are trivex but I read Smith polarized their chromapops differently making them even better, which makes me interested in them.

They are the older "shelter" model from smith. Wasn't even their "expensive" ones. Has the carbonic TLT lenses. Can't imagine how good the top tier glasses are

[Bluebasser86]

I own 3 pairs of Costa's in different lens colors and they're all great. I've had a few pairs of Oakleys and their quality has always been lacking I've felt. I also had some WileyX's that I liked. They had a pair for those of us with large domes that fit really well, unfortunately they don't float.

[RyneB]

I got my 580G Costas for $120 on the big auction site. Best $120 iv spent

[Scarborough817]

17 hours ago, SwampLife said:

Costa 580g

green mirror 

the main water i fish is slightly stained though

11 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I own 3 pairs of Costa's in different lens colors and they're all great. I've had a few pairs of Oakleys and their quality has always been lacking I've felt. I also had some WileyX's that I liked. They had a pair for those of us with large domes that fit really well, unfortunately they don't float.

what lenses do you use for slightly stained water?

[meade95]

I've been like wise looking at the 580G's.  was thinking of going blue frame but seems Green would be best all around fit. Glad I read up here.

 

Also looking at Smith Optics Frontman Polarized Sunglasses in the ChromaPop Gray Green lens.

I've never worn the glass lenses before so I'm curious if they are that much heavier.

[Bluebasser86]

22 hours ago, Scarborough817 said:

the main water i fish is slightly stained though

what lenses do you use for slightly stained water?

I like my amber or silver lenses depending on if it's sunny or cloudy/lowlight.