Advice on Buying Sunglasses?????

[Max]

I'm finally having my eyes worked on and will, after 40 years of wearing glasses, finally need to buy some shades for fishing. Any recommendations as to brands and lens? I know, I know - I've seen similar posts before but honestly, had no reason to read them. Now I need to protect my investment and would like to be able to see the toads I can't catch. Thanks!!!!!

[Skeeterman]

Solar Bats or Nativeeye wear.

[MrSkeeter]

It depends on how much you want to spend. For the more expensive brands, Maui Jim, Hobie, etc ... they can be found in limited selections at Costco for about 1/2 of retail!!

Solar Bats can be found at Walmart for $15, but they only have brown or Gray lense and only two frame styles.

Personally, I wear either that Walmart Solar Bats brand or the Walmart specials brand ... forget the name, but it's something like Rebel or something that starts w/ an 'R' ... it's also $15, but it wraps around my face real well and lightweight w/ a decent polarizing lense.

[kopper_bass]

Max,
There are some great companies offering glasses out there. I think you know, just like a PFD or rainsuit, you get what you pay for. And just like all three, you shouldn't base your choices on the lowest cost - because we're talking your eyesight here! Stay away from the $15 dollar pair; I even recommend staying above $70 bucks to ensure you're likely getting something worthwile. For me, I look for durability of the materials, the quality of the optics, and the overall look and feel.

Spend the money, get a good pair, and take care of them. Treat them like a fine piece of equipment; not something you just throw around in the glove box or on the dash of your car. If you do this, I am sure you won't be dissapointed in your purchase.

As a recommendation, take a look at Costa Del Mar sunglasses. They offer some of the best optics and a wide variety of of styles to choose from. They have both plastic and glass lenses. (i prefer the glass only because the plastics are soo light, that i tend to forget they're on my head or hat).

I have 3 pair; 1 for that early morning run. I recommend you take a look at the "sunrise" lens. it really lights up those dark morning starts and allows me to see when the light is low. I then have my everyday 2nd pair that i wear almost 90% of the day. i prefer the "vermillion" lenses, which are yellow/brown, so that i get the same enhanced lighting without the darkness of a gray or green lens. (personally, this works for me, but other people like the darker colors to lessen the light). Lastly, i have my shallow water sight fishing 3rd pair, and i went with the "green mirror" lens.

The frame designs are endless, so try on as many as you can and then you can order any style you want with any lens you want. I chose the Fathom and Harpoon styles.

Lastly, you can find these glasses at Coyote Tackle, Walton's Pond, West Marine or many other locations. Check out the website below.
http://www.costadelmar.com/

Good Luck,

Kopper_Bass

[Gator]

Max -

I finally got tired of spending lots of money on two different sets of sunglasses. One for fishing and the other for every day. I finally bought a pair of polarized Oakley's and I love them. Lightweight, full wrap and they work on or off the water. Check them out if you get a chance.

[Wolfeman]

Franklin's Corollary states:
"The length of the ownership of a pair of sunglasses is inversersly proportional to the cost of the glasses."
- Wolfeman

[Jason C.]

Go with what gator said. Get some Oakley's. Although they are a little pricey, they work wonders. They look cool, they're light weight, and you can wear them any where. I personally have the half jackets model. Which means you can switch out the lenses. My frames were 115$ with the stock lenses. Then I bought a pair of polarized lenses which were 85$ to a grand total of 210$ includeing tax. A small price to pay for the great quality of the sunglasses. Hope this helps.

[Jigman]

Before you purchase a pair of glasses you should take a look at the Wiley X glasses, I have 2 pairs of them and in my opinion they are the best for me. Most glasses I've had in the past have been blury and the Wiley X glasses have been crystal clear. I also see alot more fish than I did with my costa's or maui jims.
Just my .02

Tim Hendricks
http://www.basscat.com

[Phil]

COCOONS HERE AT JIGS FOR $ 39.95
OOPS SORRY IT LOOKS LIKE A ADD AGAIN ON THE FORUM

[raverfusion]

http://www.kaenon.com/

these rock but a bit pricey..but not too bad compared to your other fishing gear

[Corn]

I bought 2 pairs of prescription Solar Bats. Mossback green for most use, and the yellow pair for low light. Clear, lightweight and no complains. Cost me about $450 for both, out of Tracy oasis.

[Dewayne]

Max,
As Tim stated above give Wiley-X a good look. While they are not well known, they have been building eye protection for military and law enforcement for about 20 years. They make frames that fit close to the face and are very comfortable to wear. Their lenses are double the thickness of most of the other fishing glass manufacturers and the optical clarity awesome for a polycarbonate lens. Take a look and I am sure you will be as impressed as the rest of us have been.

The JP-2P and Romer II glasses are both great choices.

Dewayne Bonham
Wiley-X Pro Staff.

[DONKEYHEAD]

MAX

I have two pairs of Maui Jims. They are very good polarized sunglasses. I paid over $200 for each pair and they have a lifetime warranty, but with the glass lenses, they are too heavy and slide down my face when I sweat. I have had them adjusted several times, still uncomfortable. The pair I prefer is a pair of polarized polycarbonate Bolle sunglasses. They are lightweight and super comfortable; you can barely tell you have them on. When sight fishing, the bass almost look fluorescent. I also have a pair of Spy Optic poly sunglasses that I like a lot, the Bolle are more comfortable. I purchased both the Bolle and the Spy’s at Big Five. Watch their ad’s, they run them on sale all the time. I paid less than $30 for the Spy’s and less than $40 for a $170 pair of Bolle’s. Actually I have purchased the Bolle’s twice now, I misplaced the first pair. Imagine how you would feel if that happened to a high dollar pair? Read carefully and make sure you purchase only polarized type you won’t be sorry

[CORAL 96]

Can't go wrong with Oakley!! Especially the Half Jacket model. This allows you to change lens color or shade. I have the VR-28 lens polarized and the black iridium not. I'd like to get the Ice Blue Polarized lenses. I like them!! Also, I've had the Native polarized glasses before, and they worked well. The Native's had a venting system at the top of the glasses that prevented fogging. That's the only gripe I have with the Oakley's. They can fog, but I'll warm em up a little with the hot car vent, and no more fog!!

[TomAtkeson]

I'd tend to agree with every one that suggests Costa Del Mar, the Fathoms are awesome and come in all the good colors. As far as an all around lense Id say amber would be your best bet. I got a pair of grey and a pair of yellow hi vis Kaenons in the UPD model, Yeah Kaenon is an awesome set of specs too!

Tom