Sunglasses

[rolltide]

Should I buy XPS Fisherman's Eyewear Limit Polarized Glasses, or expensive Costas, Oakleys, Wiley X etc.? Does the price point make a difference in vision, or is it all about the brand name?

[Grey Wolf]

If you are intelligent , you will buy a quality pair of sun glasses.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Wiley X ya wont be sorry

[burleytog]

Price point makes a huge difference.  Most people will wear safety glasses when working with items that might damage their eyes.  So why do they think they can skimp on an item that will shield their eyes from UV radiation?

Over the last two years, I've been in constant eyewear shopping mode.  I purchased a pair of RayBans when I started bass fishing after spending years using the cheapest polarized glasses I could find at WalMart.  The difference between the moderately priced RB's and the cheapo glasses was amazing.  My eyes weren't strained after a day on the water due to the inferior lenses.

Over the last month, I shopped Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar, Wiley X, Solar Bat and Native glasses.  I wanted to take the next step.  In the end, Costa Del Mar won out.  The optical quality of both Maui Jim and CDM blew the others away.  

So, to really answer your question, shop various quality brands and see what you like.  IMO, sunglasses are one item on which you should not skimp.  You only have one set of eyes.

There are two items on which I refuse to cut corners.  Eyewear and PFD's.

[Chris W]

You know back in the 80's there was a helmet add that went something like if you have a $20 head buy are $20 helmet if not buy ours that was like $200, sunglasses are the same way if you have $20 eyes buy cheap glasses but I don't whatever brand you buy is a vast improvement over cheap polarized glasses personally I use Solar Bat they are very good and they have great customer service.  

[CODbasser]

i have a pair of wiley x and a pair of oakleys...the oakleys are way better in my opinion...wiley x are not comfortable at all and the oakleys seem to have better lenses.. like the guys above said try a bunch of different ones before you buy...dont skimp

[fishfordollars]

I would hate to know that I damaged my vision just to save a few bucks.

[Tim Ford]

Buy Oakleys if you can afford them.  I bought a pair last weekend for $200 and they were one of the best investments I've ever made.  Here's some good advice; if you can't afford them, don't even try them on, that way you won't know what you're missing.  There is really no comparison between cheap sunglasses and Oakleys.  I bought the Oakley "Ice Picks" with polarized amber lenses.  They are AMAZING!

[wags]

IMO Costa Del Mars with Green or Blue Mirrored lenses are the absolute best lenses for fishing.  I own Maui Jims as well.  They have great lenses too, but they don't compare to the mirrored 580 lenses from Costa Del Mar.  I was shocked at the things I could see under the water the first time I put them on.