Your favorite polarized sunglasses?

[Bassin' Brad]

Just wondering what your favorite brand of polarized sunglasses is for the money and quality.  And what's their price range and your favorite lense color? 

[jimf]

Favorite color = amber.   I own two pair of Maui Jim's (one is $170 and the other $300 retail), and while I can attest to the comfort and durability of the frames and the top notch customer service you will receive, I can't honestly tell the difference in the lenses between your garden variety $20 pair at a drug store - or at least I can't tell enough to justify the cost.  I've tried on Costa's as well, same comments.  Comfort is better, but I can't really tell you that the optical quality is noticeably better.   I'm just not going to spend 10x the money any longer for theoretical differences.   Besides, my glasses tend to get smudged up so quickly anyway that any slight difference in top quality lenses are gone within minutes of putting them on.

 

My eyes have now drifted enough from my LASIK procedure years back that I am again wearing glasses, and have gone with the Cocoons fit overs.   $50, and they work fine.

 

 

[TOXIC]

I was always able to get by without a perscription in my sunglasses but I felt that it was finally getting to the point where I needed it, so I started checking around.  We sight fish a lot on St Clair in Michigan.  They are very expensive.  I have a guy that I work shows with who's day job is making prescription lenses in a lab.  Here's what he told me:

 

Poly-carbonate ONLY...No glass lenses.

Find a manufacturer who makes there RX in-house.

Try on all frames before you buy.

Check warranty.  Some are better.

 

I ended up with Oakley prescription in Smoke with a blue chrome tint.  As my Rx changes, I can upgrade lenses.  $500+-

[fishballer06]

I jumped up to Costa's last year and there's no looking back. I've now got 3 pairs. Each one has it's own special purpose. 

 

580G Green Mirror lens - great for super sunny days and general daily use. Gives great color contrast. 

580G Silver Mirror lens - great for overcast days where it's not full sun, but it's still bright out. Has an amber base which is probably the best all around lens color for fishing.

580P Sunrise Silver Mirror lens - these were just released and they're only available in plastic right now, but man are they great for super low light situations. They've got a yellow base and a mirrored finish on the front. I wear them at first light or dusk and they cut down that low sun glare but still allow me to see in the water. You can literally wear these clear until dark. Wearing them on a cloudy/rainy day makes everything bright like it's a sunny day. They've still got enough power to cut down the sun that if I were to forget another pair of glasses on a day that got sunny, they'd still work. 

[Bassin' Brad]

My buddy has a couple pairs of Costas that he swears by. May have to look at getting me a pair sometime. 

[Falkus]

Got the 580G Green Mirror lens - It has done wonders for my eyes. Its like seeing 3D

 

I have Oakley Ten polarized and WilleyRx Rout polarized.

They all do the job but for tournament, my COSTA is going with me to kidnap some bass  

[runt4561]

I have been a costa fan for over 10 years now. favorite lense is the amber with green mirror. I believe they were in the $200 range. biggest factor with any sunglasses is don't order online without going somewhere first to try them on. you need frames that fit your head properly. it can be the difference in having an instant headache and being able to forget that you have them on. in the summer time in florida when I don't have a need for sight fishing, I have used cheaper strike kings. they are pretty decent for the price. I just do this so I get more life out of my costas. even though they have a great warranty, I hate having to send stuff off for warranty work.

[fishingram24]

Have wear prescription Costa's with gray lens and they were not cheap,500+, but well worth the investment for me. Also have a pair of Costa C-Mates which have the 1.75 bifocal in them that I got dirt cheap and wear them for yard work. The difference between the 20-30 dollar glasses which I wore for many years and the high end, 150+ dollars ones is noticeable to me but may not be worth it to everyone. I will say this, I do take much better care of my glasses now that I have a sizable investment in them.

[jakebrake]

Oakley bottle rockets.  I am fiercely loyal to Oakley. (I have eyesight in my right eye because of oakleys...I will swear that to my grave.)

[chadmack282]

Where r the blue collared guys, I need there opinions.

$300-500 for polarized glasses I wouldn't have fuel $ for my truck to tow boat or gas $ for the boat!

[papajoe222]

Hands down, Costa's 580G in green mirror.  The color is great for me as I'm partially color blind, but the glass is what puts them above the others.  Unless you're concerned with breakage, i.e. shattering when your glasses get hit by a flying tungsten weight, in which case I opt for my WileyX.

Please don't skimp on cost when it comes to your eyes. A $100-$200 pair of glasses may sound like a lot, but you won't be replacing them and you sure won't be leaving them on the counter at MickeyD's.  If they last five years, your investment is only $20-$40 a year.  Your eyes will thank you 20yrs. from now.

[Bassin' Brad]

I'm hearing a lot about Costas, but I just hate to shell that kinda dough for some shades! But I hear they are super comfortable, and have a great warranty so....

[chadmack282]

11 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Hands down, Costa's 580G in green mirror.  The color is great for me as I'm partially color blind, but the glass is what puts them above the others.  Unless you're concerned with breakage, i.e. shattering when your glasses get hit by a flying tungsten weight, in which case I opt for my WileyX.

Please don't skimp on cost when it comes to your eyes. A $100-$200 pair of glasses may sound like a lot, but you won't be replacing them and you sure won't be leaving them on the counter at MickeyD's.  If they last five years, your investment is only $20-$40 a year.  Your eyes will thank you 20yrs. from now.

 

Do u wear that same shade on overcast & sunny days?

[12poundbass]

If you're looking cheap try the Strike King Monsta shades. Super comfortable and get the job done.

[NCbassraider]

9 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

I jumped up to Costa's last year and there's no looking back. I've now got 3 pairs. Each one has it's own special purpose. 

 

580G Green Mirror lens - great for super sunny days and general daily use. Gives great color contrast. 

580G Silver Mirror lens - great for overcast days where it's not full sun, but it's still bright out. Has an amber base which is probably the best all around lens color for fishing.

580P Sunrise Silver Mirror lens - these were just released and they're only available in plastic right now, but man are they great for super low light situations. They've got a yellow base and a mirrored finish on the front. I wear them at first light or dusk and they cut down that low sun glare but still allow me to see in the water. You can literally wear these clear until dark. Wearing them on a cloudy/rainy day makes everything bright like it's a sunny day. They've still got enough power to cut down the sun that if I were to forget another pair of glasses on a day that got sunny, they'd still work. 

 

Love the 580G Green mirror.  Nothing else at any price point has compared for inshore fishing.

[Falkus]

For Costas, You can order it on Amazon which is cheaper than retail stores.

Just make sure that you read the reviews on the seller before purchasing it. 

 

I have the Costa Fantail 580G which I got it for 120 bucks.

I waited for the right time to get it, cant image spending $240 bucks. 

[dmainor]

My favorite are WILEY X Jakes in Emerald Mirror/Amber.  I like them so  much i have 4 pair, just in case. They run around 100 bucks and here are the specs on them.

 

• Fits head sizes: M-L
• Frame size: 64 / 15 / 125
• Seamless hinge for added durability
• Top down ventilation for fog free environment
• Exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003+ High Velocity Safety Standart
• Multi-layer foam meets FR requirements
• Includes removable facial cavity seal, small black zippered case, leash cord and cleaning cloth
• Polarized Emerald Mirror/Amber Tint Lens
• Gloss Black Frame

[Hillbilly Bennett]

I love my Costa sunglasses with mirrored green lenses. I always went with oakleys but since I picked up a pair of the Costa Cayans I haven't looked back. They are light weight and don't have the plastic frame that hugs your face. (I can't stand that!)  Customer service is exceptional and they flat out work for sight fishing. 

[ib_of_the_damned]

I don't have dedicated polarized fishing sunglasses. I just have a few pairs of Electrics, Von Zippers, and Spy sunglasses with polarized lenses that I wear on a daily basis. They work well enough for me. 

[MTBassin]

I am a Costa fan also. I've been wearing them exclusively for the last 15 years. My first pair had plastic lenses and I didn't treat them very well. The inside of the lenses were scratched up bad just from my eye lashes and then the rubber on the ear pieces and nose got gooey. I've had my 2nd pair for the last 10 years.They are 580G amber with green mirror. I have worn them almost daily and have only sent them back once to have new ear pieces put on. Sun screen and bug spray will eat up the rubber. Their customer service was great. It didn't cost me much to have them repaired and they were back within a week or so if I remember right. 

[BrackishBassin]

The difference between cheap polarized sunglasses and glasses from a reputable brand isn't about the ability to see, for me anyways. It's more about protecting my eyes from the sun. Think about the damage the sun causes to skin (relatively durable organ) and then compare that with your eyes (way less durable). For me, it's about making sure I can still see 40 years down the road. 

[Big Swimbait]

I've posted this site before, but if you know a frame that fits, you can save a LOT of money. They are a discounter, so you have to check often. Here's a good example today for $90.00.

 

https://www.steepandcheap.com/costa-cat-cay-polarized-sunglasses-costa-580-glass-lens?skid=CDM3144-MATCRYMIRB-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIFJ1bGUgQmFzZWQ6U3VuZ2xhc3NlcyBPbiBTYWxlOjE6Mjo=

 

This one is $100.00

https://www.steepandcheap.com/costa-hammerhead-polarized-sunglasses-costa-400-glass-lens?skid=CDM0054-WOFASIMIS580G-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIFJ1bGUgQmFzZWQ6U3VuZ2xhc3NlcyBPbiBTYWxlOjE6MTI6

 

This one is $92.00

https://www.steepandcheap.com/costa-hamlin-polarized-sunglasses-costa-580-glass-lens?skid=CDM002U-CRYBROMIR-ONESIZ&ti=UExQIFJ1bGUgQmFzZWQ6U3VuZ2xhc3NlcyBPbiBTYWxlOjI6MTY6

 

If you want a pretty good pair but you need to save a little more, the Strike King S11's are around $45.00 or less.

 

 

[gim]

Costas, Wiley X, and Oakley all make really nice shades but they have really high price tags and you don't get a replacement when you lose them in the lake or river.  I did that once so I started using $25 body glove floating shades.  Now I can simply grab them when they fall into the lake because they float.

[FryDog62]

Priced out prescription Costas today $750 (their Trivex lenses), with insurance $550.  Oakley Rx came out to $350 with insurance.  Was all set to make the switch to Costa, but that's ridiculous.  

[UPSmallie]

I've bought cheap $20 polarized before and they work great, up until the point where they become too scratched up to see out of.  Bought the Costa 580G Green Lenses last Christmas and haven't looked back.  It's really clear polarization and you get a great in-depth view of the water with tremendous clarity.  When not wearing them, I keep them in their lens case.  While wearing them, I don't have to worry about them falling off because they have a great grip on my head.  I would definitely recommend saving up for them.