Good but reasonably priced polarized glasses?

[plawren53202]

Apologies if this isn't the right section for this question, it didn't seem like it fit in the Tackle or Rods and Line sections.

 

Looking for a decent but reasonably priced pair of polarized glasses. I know lots of people love their Costas and Raybans but unfortunately I don't have spare funds in that amount right now. I grabbed a pair of the $9.99 Strike Kings at Walmart a few weeks ago just out of convenience. They're okay as far as being able to cut through the glare, but they're terrible at staying clean. They get smudged up very easily and are almost impossible to get clean, so I'm constantly looking through a haze of smudge. Also fog up really easily from sweat or my breath (like when I have a neck gaiter pulled up over my nose).

 

So I'm wondering what are some decent quality glasses that aren't going to break the bank. For instance last time I was in Academy I saw that they had some Strike King and Columbia glasses for between $30 and $50. I would be okay with spending $40 or so on a pair, IF I knew that they would be a substantial upgrade from the cheapies I have now. Just don't want to pony up $125+ for Costas or something like that. Thanks!

[galyonj]

I've been pretty happy with the Kastking glasses I picked up a while back. Got them from Amazon, of course. They do okay.

 

Speaking as a mole person that also has to wear regular eyeglasses, I think your issues with smudging and fogging are less to do with the sunglasses you're using than how you're cleaning them. Anti-fog or water-repellant sprays for eyeglasses are a pretty cheap alternative.

[Scott F]

$200 sunglasses are going to get smudged and fog up just like the cheap ones do. Don’t expect an upgrade to solve those problems.

[Manifestgtr]

7 minutes ago, Scott F said:

$200 sunglasses are going to get smudged and fog up just like the cheap ones do. Don’t expect an upgrade to solve those problems.

Agreed

 

I use $10 terminators I bought at Walmart and they work just fine. They cut down on glare and they’re comfortable...good enough for me ?‍♂️ 

[Armtx77]

42 minutes ago, plawren53202 said:

Apologies if this isn't the right section for this question, it didn't seem like it fit in the Tackle or Rods and Line sections.

 

Looking for a decent but reasonably priced pair of polarized glasses. I know lots of people love their Costas and Raybans but unfortunately I don't have spare funds in that amount right now. I grabbed a pair of the $9.99 Strike Kings at Walmart a few weeks ago just out of convenience. They're okay as far as being able to cut through the glare, but they're terrible at staying clean. They get smudged up very easily and are almost impossible to get clean, so I'm constantly looking through a haze of smudge. Also fog up really easily from sweat or my breath (like when I have a neck gaiter pulled up over my nose).

 

So I'm wondering what are some decent quality glasses that aren't going to break the bank. For instance last time I was in Academy I saw that they had some Strike King and Columbia glasses for between $30 and $50. I would be okay with spending $40 or so on a pair, IF I knew that they would be a substantial upgrade from the cheapies I have now. Just don't want to pony up $125+ for Costas or something like that. Thanks!

Magpul has some pretty good glasses on sale right now. I have used them for shooting sports events and can recommend them as being tough and stylish. 

[fishwizzard]

I have had a few pairs of the $25 SK polarized glass and for the money they were pretty nice.  The main thing that sucked about them was how easily they would scratch.  Even the slightest contact with anything harder then my hands seemed to do it, a light drag across my jacket's zipper on the way to a pocket did it once.  I found them on sale on one of the outdoor gear deal sites for like 50% off.  If you haven't looked, those same sites are great places to get higher end glasses at huge discounts.  I have a pair of Coastas and a pair of Smiths that I got that way.  Often you will have little choice in terms of frame color and style, but if you don't care about looks it's a great way to get good glasses for less. 

 

For me the fogging issue is mostly a matter of frame style, wrap around ones will fog far more easily then flat frames.  On sunny days I fish with a hoodie on so I don't need any glare protection from the sides, but flat frames can be tricky to find at the cheaper price points.  

[Armtx77]

Check out steepandcheap.com

[RichF]

I you're looking for something a little more "hip/in style" check out Humps.  They regularly run 20-40% off sales and you can get nice polarized glasses for around $25-40.  I got a pair last year and have been happy with them.  They'r not as good as my Oakley Slivers, obviously, but they're more than worth that price.

[Ratherbfishing]

I just buy strike king or Berkley.  The best way to keep them in good shape is avoid smearing them with sunscreen or bug dope.  Easier said than done, I realize -which is why I go the cheapo route.  That and if I sit on them or lose them, I won't suffer a heart attack.

[nascar2428]

Strike King S-11 is a good choice

[garroyo130]

Solarbat, hands down 

 

Ive tried the SK glasses and wasnt impressed after having worn Solarbats.

 

https://www.solarbat.com/collections/pros-and-heroes

 

I use brown for driving, mossback for fishing, and soft green for fishing overcast days.

Yeah, the styles arent the greatest but I believe these offer the best lenses at the price point.

[the reel ess]

Calcutta. I'm on my 3rd pair because I lost the first two. I still don't have as much in all 3 pairs as I would spend on 1 pair of Costas. I also bought a $60 pair of Orvis glasses with 1.5X readers. It was getting difficult for me to see to tie knots, especially in low light.

[LonnieP]

2 hours ago, the reel ess said:

Calcutta. I'm on my 3rd pair because I lost the first two. I still don't have as much in all 3 pairs as I would spend on 1 pair of Costas. I also bought a $60 pair of Orvis glasses with 1.5X readers. It was getting difficult for me to see to tie knots, especially in low light.

Calcutta's are hard to beat for the money

[plawren53202]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Lots of suggestions that look exactly like what I had in mind.

 

Next question for everyone, what lens color do you prefer for fishing? Based on past use, my main use for sunglasses fishing is bright sun, bluebird sky kinds of situations. I'm not typically going to be wearing sunglasses when it's cloudy, for instance. So based on that, what lens color would you recommend?

[Born 2 fish]

17 minutes ago, plawren53202 said:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Lots of suggestions that look exactly like what I had in mind.

 

Next question for everyone, what lens color do you prefer for fishing? Based on past use, my main use for sunglasses fishing is bright sun, bluebird sky kinds of situations. I'm not typically going to be wearing sunglasses when it's cloudy, for instance. So based on that, what lens color would you recommend?

 

green mirror elite lenses.

Edited June 8, 2020 by Born 2 fish

[garroyo130]

green mirror elite lenses.

 

^ This or whatever the manufacturers version of green, mossback, etc. is 

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, plawren53202 said:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Lots of suggestions that look exactly like what I had in mind.

 

Next question for everyone, what lens color do you prefer for fishing? Based on past use, my main use for sunglasses fishing is bright sun, bluebird sky kinds of situations. I'm not typically going to be wearing sunglasses when it's cloudy, for instance. So based on that, what lens color would you recommend?

I like amber. They just seem to let in more of the right light. Especially in lower light periods.

[Choporoz]

I got new amber (green mirror) sunglasses a few weeks ago.  I do like them at dwan and dusk.  But mid-day, I miss my gray.  I am not thrilled about it, but I may start carrying both in the yak.

[Bigassbass]

I have owned many pairs of sunglasses Costa, Oakley, RayBans, and a multitude of cheap knock offs.  The health people make sunglasses makers put UV lens in all sunglasses so you don't burn out your eyes.  To get a good pair to fish with polarized ones are necessary and make a huge difference! Next are you going to be fishing in bright light, low light are all kinds of light if so then you need medium to dark gray lenses, amber and green make everything look overexposed, you have to be almost blind to really like those I think.  So brands do matter but any good polarized sunglasses with a nice lens will work.   I prefer Costa because all of them are polarized and they are super nice to fish in.  Oakley makes glasses for the military and you can't go wrong with that, they are cheaper than Costa but of really good quality.  Get online and look up Sierra Trading and Moosejaw they sell last year models and check out sale glasses at Academy, Dicks, etc.  Buy cheap ones now save up for good ones later, ask for a pair for your birthday. 

[fishwizzard]

I try to find glasses with the lightest, most high-contrast tint I can. I have never been bothered by bright light, so I want to see as much of the bottom as possible and have the greatest chance to see movement.  Usually this ends up being an light amber or yellow.  

[jbsoonerfan]

Aside from the lens aspect, make sure they are comfortable. Try them on if you can. If you wear a cap while fishing, try them on with a cap. Nothing worse than buying a pair of glasses that end up hurting your head after a few hours. I wear my sunglasses for 8-10 hours straight so they MUST be comfortable.

[slonezp]

Polarized fishing glasses, cheap or expensive, are designed to not let the light in, which is why they smudge and fog up. Amber is good for low light and grey for bluebird skies. 

[Bird]

I buy them in bulk, 4 pair at a time. 

 

Cheapo's from Amazon so no sniffles when a pair gets broken or lost.

 

I will admit though, polarized sunglasses are a must. 

[Fin S]

I broke down and bought a pair of Costas while they were on sale for 30% off (about $135). I had been using $25 to $50 glasses over the past several years and got tired of having to shop for a new pair when the lens coating started coming off. With the new glasses, I can see much better, and my eyes aren't as bloodshot and tired when I come off the water after a long day. I haven't had them long enough to comment on lens durability.

 

[dickenscpa]

I need a new pair myself. I have to wear prescription lenses to tie on. I had a REALLY nice pair I got for a steal when Gander Mtn was going out of business. I keep my scripts on a leash around my neck and put them on to tie a new bait and set my sunglasses on top of my hat. Took my hat off to scratch my head and must have thought my hat was on fire 'cause I slung my glasses about 6' into 12' deep water and they gone.