Search begins for my perfect pair of sunglasses

[DanQS13]

As the title states, I'm going to finally drop a wad of cash on some glasses now that I finally got my boat a couple weeks ago.

Obviously we already know everyone loves Costas, especially the Green Mirror ones, but I'm searching for peoples thought on some of the other companies out there as well.One brand would be Kaenon and the SR91 lenses, has anyone used these and what are your thought?  I've seen alot of reviews even where people dropped Costas and started using some of these lenses.Oakley H20 shallows at first were another option, but I've seen mixed reviews on them and I also try to avoid supporting Luxottica as much as possible  Smith could possibly be an option, but I honestly haven't done enough research on them.

As far as Costas go, I know alot of people are going to recommend them, but what I would like to know is if I'm buying just ONE pair of glasses for now would the silver mirror be a better route to go vs the Green if I want to use them for everything?  I see the recommendation for Green is more for sunny sight fishing and the silvers are supposed to be more versatile.  

I would rather have a pair of glasses that will do everything very well vs a pair that only does 1 thing great, if that makes sense.

Any input would help, so many options in the sunglasses market it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks

[Hemi6677]

I have worn WileyX's with yellow lenses and loved them. Had the chance to buy a pair of Smith Optics with a bluish lense and they are very comfortable and work good. Next glasses though I will probably go back to Wiley's as I really liked them.

[DanQS13]

Ya I'll have to check them out.  The only thing I know I'm dead set on is having a copper base lense.

[Ski]

Below is two pair of Costa's and two pair of Wiley-X.

On the left Costa's, "Jose" and "triple tail"

On the right is Wiley-X "Brick" and "Knife"

I have worn Costa's for about 30 years, They are great glasses with above average customer service. I have returned several pair over the years and they have always helped and exceeded my expectations. Just in the last two years have I purchased the Wiley -X brand. I have found them to be lighter and less

fragile "although the Costa's are darn near bullet proof"

I have no complaints about either company's product and I always find them the cheapest on E-Bay, No tax, free shipping and best price.

Find a pair that you like in the sporting goods store or eyeglass shop then shop on-line.

(You will not be disappointed)

Just my two cents.

R/ Chris

 

 

[DanQS13]

The hardest part is finding them in stores to try some on.  I have a lot of stores around that have say Costas online, but wont carry them in stores.

[Ski]

Most decent sporting goods store sell em.

Do a search for them on google for your area or look for a dealer on there website.

[papajoe222]

Fit is just as important as brand as a great pair of glasses that allows glare to reach your eyes, especially from the top or sides, will disappoint you. 

Comfort is another. Costa 580G's are great, but they are glass and if they rest on the bridge of your nose all day, you'll end up taking them off regularly.

Try them on first and then find somewhere to test out how much glare they actually eliminate on your face. 

[Silas]

I'm a sunglasses addict. Have about 20 pair of expensive ones  

I find the Maui Jim to be the best compromise of everything. (very light glass)

I like the Green lens Costa 580G best on water. ( Blue if just saltwater)

The Wileys for when you are going fast in a boat, car, motorcycle and Cop duty since they deflect debris well. 

  Persol foldable Steve Mc Queen type for "cool factor"

[desmobob]

I tried a pair if Smith Action Optics glasses this year and like them a lot.  I have the brown ChromaPop+ lenses... I prefer brown because I also use them for sight fishing to stripers over the sand (saltwater) and for trout fishing.  These lenses are excellent.  I'm looking to pick up another pair for the brightest days on open water and will likely try a pair of Costas in blue or green mirror 580s.

Tight lines,

Bob

[zell_pop1]

I use to use wileyx, they are nice for boat rides with the gasket and look cool. Then last year I bought Kaenon c-12s, they have a trivex like lens that is clearer than the wileys when it's bright out. Gave my friend my 3yr old wileys when I visited him in florida. This year I bought Costa 580gs in the Jose model green mirror. Going outside on sunny days and briefly doing some bank fishing I don't see where they are any clearer than the Kaenon. I will make my final judgement when I get my boat out and fish some clear lakes but right know I'd say the Kaenons might be best all around between clarity/toughness. 

[Knightiac]

45 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

This year I bought Costa 580gs in the Jose model green mirror. Going outside on sunny days and briefly doing some bank fishing I don't see where they are any clearer than the Kaenon. I will make my final judgement when I get my boat out and fish some clear lakes but right know I'd say the Kaenons might be best all around between clarity/toughness. 

Literally have the exact same pair and love them. Being on the bank definitely limits visibility.

To the OP, I have gone through multiple shades and while Green Mirror IS best for the situation you described, it is a d**n good all around choice. The only time I end up not using them is when the sun is covered by dark clouds in which case no pair of sunglasses really does you any good.

[RyneB]

I love my 580Gs, whatever you do, search ebay. I bought my Costa 580Gs for $134.

[Wildbillb]

I have a couple pair of stike King S11's.  For $40 they fit my face great and are comfortable.  Not to mention good for my sight fishing.

[DanQS13]

Found a place yesterday to try some pairs on... Brine is about the only ones that actually fit my face, but they will probably not be the best for keeping "ALL" the light out since it is a smaller frame.  TBH I don't think any glasses really keep it all out, some just do it better.  You pretty much would have to have a foam seal around the frames to fit it to your face to accomplish this.  But all in all, I would rather worry about a little light depending on the angle to the sun, then be uncomfortable on the water for hours at a time.  I wear a hat all the time when I fish so I really just have to worry about the sides.

All other frames were either too loose, slid off my nose, or were extremely tight.  Checked out the green and silver mirror... think I'm going to go silver.

Wife went to, think she is gonna get the Palapa metal framed glasses with the copper (no mirror) lenses.

14 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

I use to use wileyx, they are nice for boat rides with the gasket and look cool. Then last year I bought Kaenon c-12s, they have a trivex like lens that is clearer than the wileys when it's bright out. Gave my friend my 3yr old wileys when I visited him in florida. This year I bought Costa 580gs in the Jose model green mirror. Going outside on sunny days and briefly doing some bank fishing I don't see where they are any clearer than the Kaenon. I will make my final judgement when I get my boat out and fish some clear lakes but right know I'd say the Kaenons might be best all around between clarity/toughness. 

Couple months down the road I'm actually planning on buying some Kaenons.... probably some Jettys with the C28 lenses.

5 hours ago, RyneB said:

I love my 580Gs, whatever you do, search ebay. I bought my Costa 580Gs for $134.

Ya, that is definitely where I'm buying mine... Brines with silver mirror probably run me around $165

[Big Swimbait]

Make sure to check here often:

http://www.steepandcheap.com/gear-cache/big-brand-sunglasses-sale

Currently have closeouts on Costa, Native, Smith & Oakley. Not every frame - not every lens. But you save half or more if you find something you like. 

[gobig]

I really like my Maui Jims.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

My perfect pair of sunglasses would have the Costa 580G Blue mirror lens attached to Oakley Pit bull frame.

[Landis Carrier]

Another vote for  Maui Jims.  

[TxHawgs]

I've had a cpl pair of Costas, Revos, Wiley X for trap shooting and wearing Maui Jim's currently on the water. The Costas I had both had the glass lenses and as stated by one of the other members I found them too heavy and after several hrs would hurt the bridge of my nose. Revos were very comfortable and light but the polarization wasn't as good as the Costas. My Maui's are nice but glass lenses and also too heavy, u think I would have learned my lesson. So I'm going back to Costas without a full frame and plastic lenses. Been looking at the Hatch, Galveston and Rockport frames if anyone has these and wants to comment.

[Junebugman]

Hey you could be lucky like me out on a bike ride stop for a burger at one of my fav watering holes and what's staring at me? Why a pair of maui jims 239.00 I waited an hour no one claimed em walla left my info at the bat no one called great glasses!

[DanQS13]

Well I made my order.  Got a pair of BRINEs in matte black with the green mirror 580g lenses.  I wanted to go Silver but I figured if I'm going to buy a pair of Kaenon C28s at some point for low light fishing, then the 10% light transmission on the Green mirrors would be fine.

As people said glass is heavy on the nose, but the BRINEs are a smaller profiled frame so I don't think they will be as heavy as some of the others.

I bought them on EBAY from a very high rated dealer for $165 and got expedited shipping for free so I should have them by the end of the week... hopefully.

https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/sunglasses/brine-1/291

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I can't lay my hands on it right this second but I researched this a while ago for a project and found that a factory in Italy makes 90% of the sunglasses on the market. 100%uv blocking, distortion free, impact resistant, polarized glasses can be had for around $100 and that above that you pay mostly for designer branding. 

[zell_pop1]

58 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I can't lay my hands on it right this second but I researched this a while ago for a project and found that a factory in Italy makes 90% of the sunglasses on the market. 100%uv blocking, distortion free, impact resistant, polarized glasses can be had for around $100 and that above that you pay mostly for designer branding. 

I believe your talking about frames, the Kaenons I have are Italian made, and I know Smith Optics and others are too. My Wileys said Taiwan. Not sure about the Costas. Lens material can be quite a bit different though and patented even if it's from the same lab. And I don't pay retail, I buy off ebay.

[DanQS13]

6 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I can't lay my hands on it right this second but I researched this a while ago for a project and found that a factory in Italy makes 90% of the sunglasses on the market. 100%uv blocking, distortion free, impact resistant, polarized glasses can be had for around $100 and that above that you pay mostly for designer branding. 

Luxottica is the company you are talking about, they also own Ray Ban and others while manufacturing / distibuting glasses for many other brands they are contracted with

Costa isn't one of those brands... they make their lenses in house.

Mahi Jim, Smith, Kaenon... are also NOT made by Luxottica.  Oakley however IS with the Luxottica group.

Also, chances are impact resistant lenses are polycarbonate lenses or a propriotary matrial is used.. which means they are not distortion free.  This is where the difference is glass lenses are noticable. I believe Kaenon is one of the few companies with a special material, SR91, that would even come close to the clarity of glass.

Costa even acknowledges the different between their own 580Ps and their 580Gs.