Native Eyewear

[NorthernBasser]

Been looking for some better sunglasses, and came across Natives at a decent price. I know many here like Costa or Oakley, but has anybody tried these?

 

If so, what models? I was looking at the Bigfork and Bolder I believe. Not sure what color lense to get. I read one review that said they ran pretty dark? 

[BrackishBassin]

I have a pair of Natives (Ward) that I bought recently. I really like how light they are in comparison to an older pair of Costas (Brine) that I also own. There’s no discernible difference in optical quality between the two. I don’t feel like the Natives I bought are exceptionally dark (They have the gray/blue mirror lenses in them at the moment.). My only gripe with them, and it’s a really small one that stems from my own OCD tendencies, is that there is some sort of weird design on the lenses. I really don’t know how to describe it. It’s extremely hard to see (can’t see it when you’re looking out through them), but if you take them off and look at the lenses outside, you can see it. I’ve emailed their customer service about it, but have yet to get any sort of response. 

 

That being said, I’d encourage you to go with sunglasses from an independently owned eyewear manufacturer and stay away from both Costa and Native. Unfortunately, they’re both Luxottica/Essilor subsidiaries. I’m looking at Wiley X for my next pair. They have the added benefit of using ANSI certified lenses in all of their stuff, so you know the sunglasses will actually protect your eyes from physical damage (having a jig smack you in the face) in addition to the UV light. 

[Big Swimbait]

This site doesn't have the styles you listed, but they do have the Ward that BrackishBassin mentioned above for $58.00. Since they are a discounter, inventory changes daily. Check them often.

 

https://www.steepandcheap.com/sunglasses?p=brand%3ANative%5C+Eyewear&nf=1

 

[Armtx77]

I have had issues with durability in the past with Natives. If I got a year out of them, than I was lucky, but they are inexpensive and were optically clear.

 

I go with Costa, because they have given me great customer service and like their styling. 

 

Steepandcheap.com typically has some smoking deals on natives,smith,oakley and costa.

 

 

[NorthernBasser]

For the Natives, would you guys recommend the gray lens, or the green mirror reflex? 

[sully420]

Iike the green mirror.

[NorthernBasser]

2 hours ago, sully420 said:

Iike the green mirror.

Thanks.

 

I got some Native Bombers (gray lens) in the mail other day. I like them. But today I was at Cabela's and I tried on some Native Sightcasters and I really liked how they fit. SO I think I may return the Bombers and order these in the green. 

[sully420]

Nice. I love the green for the natural lake in the north country. There is a company called fuse that sells lenses for native glasses at half the price if you wanna get some more lense options.

[NorthernBasser]

27 minutes ago, sully420 said:

Nice. I love the green for the natural lake in the north country. There is a company called fuse that sells lenses for native glasses at half the price if you wanna get some more lense options.

Oh, nice. Thanks. Are they actual Native lenses, or some 3rd party?

 

The guy who was working the sunglasses counter at Cabela's told me that they call Native Costa's "little brother", because he said Costa actually makes the lens for them. He said they aren't supposed to tell people that, tho. Not sure how true that is. 

[sully420]

Fuse is a 3rd party seller. Im going to order lenses from them and ill tell you how they are. I sere Costa and Native lenses are made by the same company. They are owned by the same company and that company bought costa for its lense tec.