Sunglasses Recommendations?

[DennyR]

I've reached the point in my evolution where prescription sunglasses are more a necessity than a option, and it's time for new ones. I want to get the optimum kind for surf fishing on east coast. Polarized seems a given, but they come in all sorts of colors with a bunch of options. Where do I start? :confused: What have you all tried that you found worked best? Any sorts you'd recommend I avoid? Thanks!

[Entropy]

I've reached the point in my evolution where prescription sunglasses are more a necessity than a option, and it's time for new ones. I want to get the optimum kind for surf fishing on east coast. Polarized seems a given, but they come in all sorts of colors with a bunch of options. Where do I start? :confused: What have you all tried that you found worked best? Any sorts you'd recommend I avoid? Thanks!
polarized of course (as you mentioned). i saw a short bit on sun glasses on a fishing show on OLN this weekend. it recomended two pairs actually. one with a dark tint or mirrored finish for those BRIGHT blue bird days and a second more ambered color to highten colors yet still give glare resistence (dawn and dusk type scenarios).

i prefer my hovens and electrics. got to look good when your fishin. lol. but you dont have to break the bank obviously. (hovens run $60, affordable yet quality. worth it for me at least)

[seajay]

Ocean Wave's the best out there. They can do Rx. also. For inshore go with an Amber Lens, for Blue Water a Blue Lens. As Entropy said the Amber also make Great Driving Glasses. :beer::fishing:

[cj42]

Hey guy's Kinda new to the board ive been a lurker for a liong time, the best sunglasses I have found and that you can get a prescription lens is Costa Del Mar. My personal favorite are the blue mirrored lenses and the green mirrored. I have been wearing the same pair for 5 years and have not had any problems with them.

[Danman]

Polarized sunglasses are good for fishing and sometimes driving. Like you it was a necessity for me too but...they are too dang dark to use inside..like stores and even hard for me to read the odometer etc.. I didn't get the wrap around kind of glasses so when I'm fishing the light coming through the sides and top of my glasses are annoying.

I suggest you get a pair of regular prescription glasses..(make sure you get the smallest lense ) then just go the the sports dept and get polarized over the glasses sunglasses..I wasted 200 dollars for nothing on my polarized pair of prescription glasses.:fishing:

[seajay]

Do not waste your money on a cheap pair. Go to a store and look thru a pair of Quality glasses and you can tell the difference. Also you will help save your Eyes. Plus when you are on the Water you will see the difference. Costa also makes a Good pair look at there 560 I think that is what they call the lens.

[rocket]

I have a pair of Smith and a pair of Wiley-X, both polarized. The Smiths feel better on my face but the Wiley-X are better on the eyes. Not sure if either of them make prescription lenses though.

Edit: A quick google search turned up prescription glasses for both brands. I know Smith goggles are used a lot by olympic skiers and such. Wiley X actually makes glasses for military and police... both are pretty cool.

[outfishin28]

Ray Band or Costa Del Mar, or Maui Jim's, I will wear nothing else

[Peixaria]

Maui Jims are a good start. They cost big bucks but sometimes on their website they are available 50% off. Any of the varieties that feature the HCL lenses,particularly the HCL Bronze. Get a pair that has some sort of wrap around effect so no light can penetrate from your peripheral vision, Typhoons or Navigators are a good choice. They have the uncanny ability to allow you to see under the water when throwing the net for finger mullet. They are also awesome when offshore hunting under a weedline. I have tried Costas and think they don't hold up, the rubber over your ear begins to deteriorate and any of the models with plastic lenses pale in comparison to the Jims. I have several pair of the wire frame Costas with real glass lenses and they are a definite step up from your plastic ones but the frames are heavy and uncomfortable on your noseno good for allday fishing. Do yourself a favor and check out the Jims. One other note, Since I have been wearing the Costas,{plastic Fathoms with a blue mirror} I swear my eyesight has eroded. Macular degeneration from bright sun at the beach and second rate shades, or maybe its this damn computer.

[blakester]

I have a major problem with my costa 580s. They are nearly impossible to keep clean. Going back to my Calcutas much easier to keep clean + they are only 20$ and if you loose them or they break you have not lost 250$$$$ and there polarized.....JMHO

[basstardo]

I've got some cheapo Foster Grant polarized glasses from Walgreens. 19.99, they fit my head right, and they're CHEAP. They work great too. They usually last me about 6-9 months before I either lose them or break them.

[Ryan Y]

A few things that I reccomend...

1st, shop around and get to knwo what is out there. There are many different brands and they all have something a little different to offer. Size shape and fit are some things to consider. Get a set that will cover not only your eyes but also cover the cheek bone right underneath your eyes to cut down on glare from that angle. The glare can still cause problems with your eyes if not covered.

2nd, look for a pair that has the polarization built into the lense and not a covering on the lense. Glasses with the polarization on the lense will rub off over time and quicker in the marine environement, negating any polarization effect. Many glasses sold at the store counter such as Calcuttas have the film on the lense. (not saying these are bad glasses; you get what you pay for).
Costa's, MJ's, Hobie (What I wear), are a few with the polarization built in to the lense.
3rd, make sure they block uv rays; uva and uvb.

UVA wavelengths(320-400 nm) are only slightly affected by ozone levels. Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth's surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppresion.

UVB wavelengths(280-320 nm) are strongly affected by ozone levels. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth's surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.

UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small.

Hope this helps.

[seajay]

A few things that I reccomend...

1st, shop around and get to knwo what is out there. There are many different brands and they all have something a little different to offer. Size shape and fit are some things to consider. Get a set that will cover not only your eyes but also cover the cheek bone right underneath your eyes to cut down on glare from that angle. The glare can still cause problems with your eyes if not covered.

2nd, look for a pair that has the polarization built into the lense and not a covering on the lense. Glasses with the polarization on the lense will rub off over time and quicker in the marine environement, negating any polarization effect. Many glasses sold at the store counter such as Calcuttas have the film on the lense. (not saying these are bad glasses; you get what you pay for).
Costa's, MJ's, Hobie (What I wear), are a few with the polarization built in to the lense.
3rd, make sure they block uv rays; uva and uvb.

UVA wavelengths(320-400 nm) are only slightly affected by ozone levels. Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth's surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppresion.

UVB wavelengths(280-320 nm) are strongly affected by ozone levels. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth's surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.

UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small.

Hope this helps.
Thanks Firespyder I was looking for that info to post. I spend everyday in the Fla sun and believe me a Good Pair of Glasses does make a difference. For the non believers go fishing on the water and try some you will notice the difference. Even at my age at night I can wear mine and the glare from headlights is reduced dramatically.

[Ryan Y]

Yep. I used to Ski the Back Country allot too. I have been through my share of shades.

I like the Hobie El Capitan's. They are light, polarized, and under $100 bones. I have a larger framed face and they fit good and keep the glare off of my cheek bones.