Your favorite polarized sunglasses?

[Bass_Akwards]

Hey all!  Would love your recommendations as to which polarized sunglasses are your favorites and why.  I really need a well built brand that allows the wearer to see as deep into the water column as the wearers eyes allow.  I have really good eyes but the pair I have now kinda sucks, especially in lower light.  Thanks!

[MickD]

I don't think that one needs to pay a fortune for good polarized glasses.  The difference between $50 glasses and $200 glasses, I just don't get.  I use no line bi-focles, polarized, about $100 from Zenni and they work fine.  The main things are to have the right prescription and to keep them clean.

[WRB]

Low light like cloudy days amber/copper colors brighten the contrast and bright sun dark gray reduces glare.

We have had recent long threads on this subject, search Sunglasses.

Tom

 

[islandbass]

I can’t recommend a pair or brand since I use the cheap ones you find at a Walmart. The ones I have work well, actually in both cutting the glare from the sky or water but there is only one downside, and it is exactly what you’re hoping to address. Low light conditions are its only weakness. 
 

I too will be looking forward to seeing the responses, especially low light recommendations. I kind am in MickD’s camp with regard to price but if a low light version can be found for a good price, who know... I just might bite like a bass, lol. But within reason. I don’t think I’d want to spend more than $40-50, and this is coming from a person who bought a pair of Briko cycling glasses for $129 in the early 90’s as a birthday present to myself, lol. ?

[Bass_Akwards]

Just now, WRB said:

Low light like cloudy days amber/copper colors brighten the contrast and bright sun dark gray reduces glare.

We have had recent long threads on this subject, search Sunglasses.

Tom

 

Thanks!  Searched "Polarized sunglasses" before making this post.  Last thing I saw was from a couple years ago.  Trying just "sunglasses" now.  Looking for a pair that is great on both cloudy and sunny days if thats possible. 

1 minute ago, islandbass said:

I can’t recommend a pair or brand since I use the cheap ones you find at a Walmart. The ones I have work well, actually in both cutting the glare from the sky or water but there is only one downside, and it is exactly what you’re hoping to address. Low light conditions are its only weakness. 
 

I too will be looking forward to seeing the responses, especially low light recommendations. I kind am in MickD’s camp with regard to price but if a low light version can be found for a good price, who know... I just might bite like a bass, lol. But within reason. I don’t think I’d want to spend more than $40-50, and this is coming from a person who bought a pair of Briko cycling glasses for $129 in the early 90’s as a birthday present to myself, lol. ?

Thanks!  I've heard both sides.  Many people have suggested that you really do get better quality, when it comes to polarized sunglasses, when you spend up.  I can't wait to see if others agree or disagree with that.

[islandbass]

3 minutes ago, Bass_Akwards said:

Thanks!  Searched "Polarized sunglasses" before making this post.  Last thing I saw was from a couple years ago.  Trying just "sunglasses" now.  Looking for a pair that is great on both cloudy and sunny days if thats possible. 

Thanks!  I've heard both sides.  Many people have suggested that you really do get better quality, when it comes to polarized sunglasses, when you spend up.  I can't wait to see if others agree or disagree with that.

Indeed. I’m having the urge to pop some ? popcorn. ?

[gim]

33 minutes ago, Bass_Akwards said:

Many people have suggested that you really do get better quality, when it comes to polarized sunglasses, when you spend up.  I can't wait to see if others agree or disagree with that.

I’ll bite on this thread. I used to buy a pair of $20 polarized shades every spring to use for the season. By October, the lenses would be peeling and the nose piece would be worn out. I did this for about 8-10 years. The sunglasses did their job and I got a full season out of every single one.

 

In December 2018, Santa dropped off a pair of Costa Del Mar Fantails with a green mirror lens for Christmas. Turned out that my wife bought them for me and she got them for about 100 bucks. I really like them after 2 full seasons. I take care of them too. I honestly wish I would have gone with these years earlier.

 

”See what’s out there.” - Costa Del Mar

[desmobob]

I think for my fishing situations, the best possible polarized glasses are very important for spotting saltwater fish when sight fishing, are important for trout fishing, and are somewhat important for bass fishing (I bass fish in southern Lake Champlain, where you usually can't see a foot into the silty water).

 

My favorites are Smith Action Optics w/Chroma-pop lenses and Maui Jim w/HCL Copper lenses.

[12poundbass]

Strike King S-11 are good. 
 

Huk sunglasses royally SUCK! 

 

I’m back to Kastking sunglasses. I had a pair a couple years ago that fit my pumpkin head quite well. They started making them again (the Iditarod). I have long eyelashes that women would kill for and these lenses are far enough away that my lashes aren’t rubbing the lenses and creating smudges. They’re light and comfortable. I wear them all day with little issue. I ended up buying two pair. At $25 you really can’t go wrong. 

[Revival]

I have 3 pairs of Costas and literally just ordered another pair.  I have Costas, Wiley X and Nines.  I’ll take the Costas all day.  Haven’t paid more than $120 for each Costa.  Are they worth it?...absolutely.

 

Costa was the first company to come out with colored polarized glasses too.

 

Sunglasses is not only about the lens...it’s about quality and comfort.

 

I consider my sunglasses as another tool/gear when I’m out fishing.  I had a cataract in my 30’s and protecting my eyes with a pair of quality sunglasses is a high priority for me.

 

From the pairs that I have, both the lens on the Nines and Wiley X had issues in the long run (film delaminated).  Both companies had excellent customer service addressing the issue.  That issue never happened to any of my Costas.

 

With all that being said, I recommend a pair of  Costas in Copper/Green Mirror lens.  Great all around lens.

 

Also I purchased my Dad a pair of Nines years ago.  I just purchased him some Costa Permits in Green Mirror for his birthday which is tomorrow. We’ll see if he notices a difference.

 

I also bought my wife a pair of Maui Jim’s years ago.  Recently bought her a pair of Costas in the green mirror and she was blown away and it was half the price of the Maui Jim’s.

[J Francho]

I have Maui Jim's. Great company to deal with and great product support. 

[NoShoes]

I love my shady rays, and so doesn’t everyone I know that tries them as well. 

[A-Jay]

 At home & abroad ~ I wear Onos Polarized Sunglasses

Fishing lenses have readers, Driving Shades do not.

https://onos.com/collections/mens

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

[gim]

10 minutes ago, NoShoes said:

I love my shady rays, and so doesn’t everyone I know that tries them as well. 

I don’t own any myself, but my wife has two pair that she loves. They have a good selection, reasonable prices, a good warranty, and free shipping. Pretty nice shades for the cost IMO.

[Glenn]

Here's how to choose good sunglasses:

 

[TcRoc]

Kastking skidaway polarized . 26 bucks on Amazon. Zero issues period for me.. on bass boats getting sprayed, on the yak, on the bank . I like’em anyways. For a few years now. 

[Deephaven]

Maui Jim's with GLASS lenses.  Bronze for overcast and gray with green mirror for sunny days.

[ATA]

Maui Jim's with GLASS lenses

 

I have 4 pairs for diffrent situation, Two pairs copper, One yellow(for night), And one normal glass.

 

[NoShoes]

13 hours ago, gimruis said:

I don’t own any myself, but my wife has two pair that she loves. They have a good selection, reasonable prices, a good warranty, and free shipping. Pretty nice shades for the cost IMO.

Too add, they absolutely back up their free replacement claims. I usually buy a pair in the spring and lose/break mid summer and they’ve always sent the replacement within a few days. 

[galyonj]

11 hours ago, TcRoc said:

Kastking skidaway polarized . 26 bucks on Amazon. Zero issues period for me.. on bass boats getting sprayed, on the yak, on the bank . I like’em anyways. For a few years now. 

 

This is what I use. I like them okay, and they're pretty tough. Lens quality/clarity is on par with Oakley (which I used for years, but had to make myself stop because it hurts a lot to keep losing $100+ pairs of sunglasses).

 

I have two pairs: One pair of the smoke grey polarized lenses, and a pair of the amber polarized lenses.

 

I've learned that I hate amber lenses for daylight hours (regardless of cloud cover or anything else), but they're pretty cash for driving through clouds of mosquitos and gnats at night. At least they keep the bugs out of my eyes and I can still see the channel markers.

[TcRoc]

1 minute ago, galyonj said:

 

This is what I use. I like them okay, and they're pretty tough. Lens quality/clarity is on par with Oakley (which I used for years, but had to make myself stop because it hurts a lot to keep losing $100+ pairs of sunglasses).

 

I have two pairs: One pair of the smoke grey polarized lenses, and a pair of the amber polarized lenses.

 

I've learned that I hate amber lenses for daylight, but they're pretty cash for driving through clouds of mosquitos and gnats at night. At least they keep the bugs out of my eyes and I can still see the channel markers.

I have 3 pair, smoke grey, amber  and copper . Use all pending lighting conditions 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

A few years ago I lost a pair of good glasses on Vacation so I had to get a new pair fast.  The only thing the closest sunglass hut had that was any good was a pair of Maui Jims, I think the frames are Stingrays which I really dont like.  The glass lenses on the other hand are the probably the best I've ever had for the 200$ ballpark price.  Glass does does have drawbacks, its heavy so the frame isnt a good fit they feel like they can slide off your face if your looking down.  

Costa and Oakleys have more comfortable frames and feel better to wear.  Costas are great because they have frames to fit anyone so you just look for your size/style and go from there.  If you want to upgrade the lenses you can.

[galyonj]

8 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Costa and Oakleys have more comfortable frames and feel better to wear.

 

My favorite Oakleys were the old Half Jackets that I could swap lenses out in -- which was handy, because I'd use them for everything, and the lenses would get scratched up pretty bad. Loved those things. They fit my massive dome like a glove.

 

Oakley's hinge pins are absolute garbage, though.

[TOXIC]

Kudos to all of you that don’t need a prescription pair of glasses.  Your options are much, much better.  If I didn’t need a prescription, I would have at least 4 pairs of glasses for different conditions.  With a prescription, the cost is tripled at least.  I was complaining about this very thing years ago on another forum and a guy I used to work shows with at Bass Pro messaged me and told me his day job was making lenses for multiple retail outlets.  He gave me a 50% off coupon and these pointers.

 

1. Poly lenses only.  All glass shatters and it is heavy.  While the optics may be a bit better, the risk to your eyes is not worth it.

2. Get frames that fit and are comfortable.  As long of days as we spend on the water, a bad fit will be torture.

3. Buy from a company that makes their own prescription.  Some send their prescription lenses orders to a generic lab and you are paying high dollar for frames and cheap lenses.

I went with Oakley prescription glasses in a wrap around style for wind protection.  Since I didn’t want to spend thousands on multiple pairs of prescription, my first pair I ordered in dark grey so that I could use them for all things like driving and fishing.  They were great for driving but were just so-so for sight fishing.  2 years later my prescription changed a little so I took the opportunity to change out the lenses out in my sunglasses as well.  Luckily Oakley still made lenses for the frames.   I went with a middle of the road bronze mirrored that I have had for the last couple of years.  Better for sight fishing and still good for driving.  Just put them to work on our st Clair trip again and they performed well wearing them all day with intense staring into the water.  No discomfort or headaches.  

[gim]

3 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Kudos to all of you that don’t need a prescription pair of glasses.  Your options are much, much better.

 

There are ways around that Toxic.  I used to wear prescription glasses for a very brief period of time when I was a kid.  I soon went to soft contacts.  Wore those for about 15 years.  Mostly because I hated wearing glasses but also because I played contact sports.  In 2006, I got corrective laser surgery.  It changed my life.  No more prescription glasses, sunglasses, or prying those tiny soft contacts into my eyes anymore.  I realize that not every person with a vision problem qualifies for this, but if you do, don't hesitate any longer.  It has come down in cost, some insurance pays for it, the technology has improved, and the risk is extremely low.  I had it done in 2006 and the only side effect I have is that I have perfect vision 100% of the time now without any corrective lenses.