What's your fishing glasses preference?

[Nathan Burton]

Costa Hamlin 580G Green Lens

[Dschouest42]

SaltLife Optics are my current pair. They have Zeiss lenses, crafted in Itally, and from what I have read, can be used as safety glasses. (NOTE: PLEASE VERIFY THIS CLAIM BEFORE ATTEMPTING A DANGEROUS ACTION THAT COULD HARM YOUR EYES) I have a small head, and they fit me very well. They have tons of different frame and lens combos. I would check them out, as they cost less than Costas, and perform just as good if not better.

[Preytorien]

I wear Costa and I'm very impressed. I've used budget glasses for a long time, and still do if I happen to forget mine, but there is a distinguishable difference in the optics. While I can't drop the money for the 580G's I went with the 580P's and love them.

You can find great P-series Costa's on eBay every day for ~$80 new

[Hot Rod Johnson]

I now have the Ambers, Yellows and Coppers and when I'm bed fishing I will switch back and fourth between colors. Especially while I am sight fishing at Lake Havasu Arizona. The way it happened a few years ago was because I only had the Yellow Lens and thought that maybe I had chosen the incorrect color. So I bought the Ambers and Coppers to see if things would improve. What I found out is that fishing at the same location and time with different color sun glasses gave me a difference in clarity and resolution. I said WOW! now I know to switch sun glasses during different times of the day and water conditions. You may want to check these two links out...

http://www.bradwiegmann.com/tackle/sunglasses/674-professional-angler-ish-monroe-wears-cocoons-sunglasses.html

https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/monroe-right-lens-color

 

[Skeeter Dan]

I wear Ccoons fit overs with amber lens. They work great for me.

 

[Avalonjohn44]

I know you want some more reasonably priced glasses, but consider saving up or looking on Ebay or Amazon for deals. Some folks believe (or convince themselves) that there is little difference between cheaper sunglasses and the expensive ones, but not me. I lived on walmart specials, strike kings, BPS and other rack glasses for years. I had lenses peel apart, frames snap/bend, hinges come undone, lens film scrape off when I cleaned them, poor fits, cheap materials and headaches from looking through junk lenses... One pair melted in my car. Seriously. Had them in the overhead glasses compartment, and the frames melted together.  I'm done with those.. We don't accept cheap gear for our rods/lures/boats etc, so why be cheap with what you put on your eyes? Keen eyesight is a somewhat important part of our sport.

I have both Oakleys and Costas and I'm an Oakley fanboy all the way now. I have Oakleys in Prizm Shallow Water (You can get them in a variety of sunglass styles, I have Half Jacket 2.0s). I can't tell the difference between it and my 580 glass Costas lens as far as looking through it. 

I prefer the Oakley for a number of reasons:

1 They are far lighter. They cause me zero discomfort on the bridge of my nose, ears or my scalp if I raise them up for a while.

2 They grip my head better and don't slip off, even when I lean over or make unexpectedly sudden movements unlike the costas.

3 My Oakleys don't fog up like the costas do.

4 The Oakley frames that I have make have no drag and make no sound in the wind. The costas are 'loud' when I am running my boat. It bugs the hell out of me.

 

[.ghoti.]

On 8/26/2016 at 10:12 AM, Choporoz said:

Anyone use bi-focal sunglasses?  Didn't know they existed, but sounds like a great idea.  Like these?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/coyote-eyewear-bp-7-sunglasses-polarized-bi-focal~p~2950y/

I have Costa polarized bifocal sun specs. Can't see to tie a knot without them. Paid $125 for them about ten years ago, and have never regretted it. This is the only pair of high end sunglasses I've ever had. Always went for the cheap ones, because I would always loose them. I've heard that comment a lot. It should be no surprise to find that you will be much more attentive when you have an expensive pair.

[NYWayfarer]

I am not a big fan of contacts so my sunglasses have to be prescription.

I am a big fan of the Ray Ban Wayfarer style frames so I have polarized prescription lens ground for them. I like the dark grey colored lens.

 

[WPCfishing]

On August 26, 2016 at 11:12 AM, Choporoz said:

Anyone use bi-focal sunglasses?  Didn't know they existed, but sounds like a great idea.  Like these?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/coyote-eyewear-bp-7-sunglasses-polarized-bi-focal~p~2950y/

I use Maui Jims progressive lenes.. 

[MikeWright]

Realize this......the 3$ glasses...are made.in the same factory asssssssssss....you got it right! The 200 dollar glasses...polarized is polarized...put a pair of dollar store glasses on and tell me how many fish you see!!!!

You don't pay for the lens...frame...sizing...etc. you're paying for the brand, logo and hype. Get off the gas chico!!

[Nathan Burton]

6 hours ago, MikeWright said:

Realize this......the 3$ glasses...are made.in the same factory asssssssssss....you got it right! The 200 dollar glasses...polarized is polarized...put a pair of dollar store glasses on and tell me how many fish you see!!!!

You don't pay for the lens...frame...sizing...etc. you're paying for the brand, logo and hype. Get off the gas chico!!

I have to disagree with this. I have used some $5 gas station glasses on a last minute whim and I've owned some higher end Costa's and Oakley's. I can tell a very notable difference in the higher end glasses and the "dollar store glasses" mentioned above. I do agree with you to an extent, I believe that a large portion of that $200 price tag is for the bran and the logo, but all polarized lenses are certainly not the same.

[Preytorien]

5 hours ago, Nathan Burton said:

I have to disagree with this. I have used some $5 gas station glasses on a last minute whim and I've owned some higher end Costa's and Oakley's. I can tell a very notable difference in the higher end glasses and the "dollar store glasses" mentioned above. I do agree with you to an extent, I believe that a large portion of that $200 price tag is for the bran and the logo, but all polarized lenses are certainly not the same.

Agreed. Not all brands are equal. Now I don't for a second believe it costs them $150+ to make glasses, but they are indeed better. I've gradually made the transition from "dollar store glasses" to $15 polarized Spiderwires, to $40 S11's then to Costa's....each time was a step up. 

On 9/13/2016 at 7:23 PM, Avalonjohn44 said:

I know you want some more reasonably priced glasses, but consider saving up or looking on Ebay or Amazon for deals. Some folks believe (or convince themselves) that there is little difference between cheaper sunglasses and the expensive ones, but not me. I lived on walmart specials, strike kings, BPS and other rack glasses for years. I had lenses peel apart, frames snap/bend, hinges come undone, lens film scrape off when I cleaned them, poor fits, cheap materials and headaches from looking through junk lenses... One pair melted in my car. Seriously. Had them in the overhead glasses compartment, and the frames melted together.  I'm done with those.. We don't accept cheap gear for our rods/lures/boats etc, so why be cheap with what you put on your eyes? Keen eyesight is a somewhat important part of our sport.

I have both Oakleys and Costas and I'm an Oakley fanboy all the way now. I have Oakleys in Prizm Shallow Water (You can get them in a variety of sunglass styles, I have Half Jacket 2.0s). I can't tell the difference between it and my 580 glass Costas lens as far as looking through it. 

I prefer the Oakley for a number of reasons:

1 They are far lighter. They cause me zero discomfort on the bridge of my nose, ears or my scalp if I raise them up for a while.

2 They grip my head better and don't slip off, even when I lean over or make unexpectedly sudden movements unlike the costas.

3 My Oakleys don't fog up like the costas do.

4 The Oakley frames that I have make have no drag and make no sound in the wind. The costas are 'loud' when I am running my boat. It bugs the hell out of me.

 

I've wondered how the Prizm lens stacks up against my Costa polarized lenses. For cycling I wear the Oakley M2's with the Prizm road lens and it's nice. I considered making the change, but since I don't often notice the things with Costa that bother you, I will probably stick with my good ole' C's.

[Frisbie385]

Oakley Flak Jackets with the prism shallow water lens

[KayakBasser]

Green 580g's, thats just me tho. I have used polarized Oakleys but I like glass lenses so yeah Costas are my go to. 

[KayakBasser]

On 9/16/2016 at 1:17 AM, MikeWright said:

Realize this......the 3$ glasses...are made.in the same factory asssssssssss....you got it right! The 200 dollar glasses...polarized is polarized...put a pair of dollar store glasses on and tell me how many fish you see!!!!

You don't pay for the lens...frame...sizing...etc. you're paying for the brand, logo and hype. Get off the gas chico!!

Hate do be "that guy"  but Oakleys are made in America and so are Coasta lenses,so they aren't really made in the same factories. While I can't speak for everyone I can tell a major difference between 3 dollar glasses and my Oakley or coastas just sayin

[BradGinKC]

On 8/26/2016 at 9:00 AM, Big-Bass said:

Costa 580G or Smith Chromapop or Techlite are for me!

^^ I second the Smith suggestion. I've worn Smith Optics for years. My profile pic I'm wearing the Smith Turnkey with Chromapop lenses. They were stupid expensive, but they are amazing. By far my favorite sunglasses. I also have the Parallel Max by Smith, and they came with three sets of interchangeable lenses (clear, gray, and black).

Smith's lifetime warranty is also great. I submitted a warranty claim on a pair that were almost 10 years old. I used them really hard over the years and the paint was starting to wear off around the temple areas. They immediately replaced them with the newest model of my choosing, no questions asked. I feel it's worth paying a little extra up front for that service.

But, of course, that warranty won't help if they end up at the bottom of the lake! Another hazard of the hobby. 

[scaleface]

Polarized Amber all the time .  I wear glasses anyway so I just buy the ten dollar spring loaded clip ons . 

[fishwizzard]

I have a pair of Costa Zanes in Amber that I really like, except for how easily they fog up. This happens with every pair of curved glasses that I have ever owned.  I have a big fat head and it is hard to find ones that fit and have a flat front.  I just picked up a pair of Smith Optics with the "transition" style ignightor lenses. I got them for a steal, $80 for $250 msrp glasses.  I really like them as, but they are comically too small for my face, so to the trade pile they go. 

 

[Mumbly]

I had a hard time deciding in which sunglasses to get. I thought I had settled on the Costa 580G's but after seeing the article on the MLF camera man getting hit by a 1oz tungsten weight shattering his glass lenses, I have reconsidered my options.

It was a fluke accident but I don't think I will chance it with glass lenses.

It won't allow me to link to another site so just google the story if you haven't seen or read it.

 

[zell_pop1]

I have green Costa 580gs and don't see what all the fuss is about. I also have a pair of Wileyxs and a Kaenons Arlo. Can't tell the difference between the Kaenons trivex lens and Costas glass lens on the water, and Wileys are close in clarity. 

[PourMyOwn]

On 10/19/2016 at 7:08 AM, sunglassoutlet.co@gmail.com said:

I also bought a pair of polarized sunglasses for $7 and it meets the FDA and ANSI standards and protects my eyes for fishing.Even if it breaks, the weird guilt type of feeling doesn't strike. People should understand the fact that protection from UV rays is important and not the price tag. 

If only I knew where to get glasses that fit that criteria for only $7...I wonder if you can help me.

[gulfcaptain]

Kaenon.  Have both Grey and Amber lens, and several pairs as well.  Looked into other brands, just didn't like them when I tried them on.  So have stayed with Kaenon for the last 7 years.

[Jrob78]

I've worn Oakley since high school, I've probably had 7 or 8 different pairs of polarized Oakley sunglasses.  I got a pair of Costa 580G Tuna Alleys in blue mirror last week.  I was immediately blown away by the clarity.  They fit my head really well so I guess the weight is distributed evenly, I haven't had any problems with them feeling heavy.  I really, really like them.  They do fog up like crazy though.