sunglasses…any opinion on best?

[todd woodcroft]

hi all,
i have the ability to pick a christmas gift, and i think i need new shades..any opinions on polarized sunglasses? i don’t think money will be an issue…
i have heard Wiley X are great..as are Costa Del Mar…personally, i have used some Panoptix that have been stellar..and i have a nice pair of Maui Jim’s (but i reserve them for driving)!
i mostly fish smaller streams and creeks, not very often salt water or big water..

thanks, as always.

todd

[Colin M.]

I’m a Costa del mar guy.

[Rob Snowhite]

Costas.

I feel bad for those around me on sunny days like today. They don’t get to see everything as vivid as I do. Colors are so much more vibrant, its an experience. Walking outside with them for the first time was like walking out of my house for the first time. It was all different. I put them on clients so they can test them and its always a profanity laced statement of awe.

I have two pairs. One of them broke and I could not wear what I thought were top of the line glasses from another company as I waited for my Costas to be repaired. I ended up ordering another pair to wear during the repair process.

The company even called me to go over the repair costs and details before I was charged, fixed, and shipped.

I was out today on an overpass looking down at carp, koi, and goldfish near the Potomac. It was cloudy and the water a little stained yet I could still make out all of the fish.

I prefer the green mirror amber lens over the plain amber lens. And get a good strap to keep them on.

I absolutely recommend them.

[Neal Osborn]

I vote for Costas!

[brian dunigan]

I just lost a pair of Kaenons that had spectacular clarity. They were a little bad to fog up though. I think it was a function of the frame and how tightly they fit to my face. I’d definitely buy another pair, but probably with a different style frame.

Smith Action Optics makes a really nice pair of sunglasses too.

bd

[Chris Ray]

I have and had several costa’s. If I were to buy anything else, it would be Smiths/Action Optic glass. The old ao glass are some of the best glasses made. Fished with a guide in Miami and there was no contest between his glass ao and my costas. The new smith glass is pretty dang good to. Not sure how there customer service is but costas is spotty and best.
capt. chris.

[Bob Riggins]

I hate to be redundant but Costa del Mars would be my first choice.

[anonymous]

I have Smith in plastic and glass.

[Zach Matthews]

If you go Costa, spring for the glass 580 lenses.

[todd woodcroft]

as usual, you guys are the best…i have a choice to make now!

much appreciated fellas, thanks for the time…

[Eric DeWitt]

Another vote for 580 Costas, in the green mirror lens if your doing river or flats fishing.

[David L. Darnell]

are the Costa 580 available in prescription yet ? weren’t last time I checked.

[Mike Anderson]

I went through some BS with Costa over some lenses that kept delaminating. Their CS at that time was pretty poor IMO. I finally got rid of that model.

That said I’ve been wearing the green mirror eliminator glasses for several years now in 400 and 580’s. The 580’s are hands down, the best sunglasses I’ve ever worn. In the fall when the leaves peak these glasses will blow you away. Always wished they would make a 77mm filter in green mirror.

Only negative is the weight of glass lenses. They are heavier but worth it. The crown of your nose might get sore but you’ll get used to it quickly.

[todd woodcroft]

and for small creek/stream fishing, you guys think the silver mirrored or the greens are best? i do most fishing in midwest….

thanks in advance and as always!

[Colin M.]

Todd, time of day is important…

[Adam McDowell]

and for small creek/stream fishing, you guys think the silver mirrored or the greens are best? i do most fishing in midwest….

thanks in advance and as always!

Todd, also look at smiths photocromatic copper glass lens, they adjust from light to dark and seem to do well in low light situations. I have had a pair of guides choice in this lens for nearly 6 years and i love them.

They would not be the best choice for bright saltwater applications though i will say

[brian dunigan]

Photochromic copper is about my favorite too.

[wraysinclair]

smith action optics, Why buy two pairs of high end glasses for sunlight, and low light, when you can buy the smith interchangeables. I ruined one pair of lenses in a jetski this summer and its easy to get replacements, and you don’t have to wait for the factory to do it, plus you have the second set of lenses you can always use. Then you could also get a tint for saltwater if you do any of that, I am about to purchase a clear lens for mountain biking. so now i would have 3 differnet lens choices, all while having high quality optics, and one frame to worry about!

[todd woodcroft]

dumb question: is the photcromatic also polarized?

also: i see polar chromatic,

[Tim Angeli]

I’ve been very pleased with Smith Action Optics.

[Author]

Posts