Polarized Sunglasses

wmd

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 30, 2019
Messages
100
Location
Brookings SD
I am having cataract surgery in 10 days and having corrective lens implanted. I will not have to wear glasses again and am in the market for a good quality pair of polarized sunglasses. I have been wearing glasses for over 40 years so I have no experience in a good pair of sunglasses so I need some suggestions. I fish a lot and hunt some, mostly upland game birds and deer hunting.
Thanks
wmd
 
Joined
Aug 17, 2015
Messages
1,962
Location
Iowa
From what I gather from reading online, Costa and Maui Jim are the two leaders in lens quality and all others are somewhat distantly behind, but I'm certainly no expert.
 

303TrophyHusband

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
269
Location
MT
I really like the Costas as well, also a lot of good offerings from Oakley and Smith, lens tint really depends on personal preference, I prefer a copperish tint for most of my fly fishing and hunting applications but like a darker lens for driving.
 

mlgc20

WKR
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
1,192
Location
DFW, TX
I used to wear Oakley and then moved to Costa. I have since gone to Maui Jim and love them. Although they are on the expensive side. I still like Costa. Wouldn't wear Oakley even for free.
 

Rich M

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Messages
5,102
Location
Orlando
I use the $15-$25 ones from Walmart. Had a $200 pair of Rayban get swiped and swore I'd not do that again.

Amber/brown for fishing contrast, darker for driving.

As for hunting - you could get a nice pair of ambermatics - yellow lenses that tint according to sunlight.
 

Wapiti1

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
3,569
Location
Indiana
Smith and Serengeti are my go to. I'm a big fan of the sedona photochromic polarized offerings from Serengeti for fishing. They lighten enough to allow use on cloudy days which is great for sightfishing.

Jeremy
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2013
Messages
325
Costa for polarized. I prefer glass 580 lenses as I believe they are more durable. FWIW, Costa has a warranty department that has always given me outstanding service. I have never had an issue with workmanship, my interactions have been replacement due to my negligence. Best I have used by far, beating Smith and various mid-tier glasses like Ray-Ban, Oakly, etc... for fishing anyways.
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
406
I've had many many pairs of high end sunglasses over the years, Ray Ban, Costa, Oakley, Smith, Revo, Maui Jim, etc etc. The only lens I've ever had that I didn't scratch all up were the Costa 580G but they are heavy. In fact so heavy that I gave them away. But I'm rough on glasses. My favorites are Oakley Flak 2.0s but the lens aren't anywhere nears as durable as the glass ones.
 

Vaultman

WKR
Joined
Mar 30, 2019
Messages
898
Location
OREGON
I have been an Oakley guy for 20 years (only two pair in that time frame). Guess I never knew better, as that was when I was a freshman in college.
I recently switched to Maui Jim. NO COMPARISON! MJ's are so much easier on the eyes. Never wore Costa's out of the store so I do not know about them, but from what I have heard Costa and MJ are the top two, and all others follow distant behind.
 
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
1,086
Location
Chico, California
Costa, smith, maui Jim, ray ban...they are all great. every rep will tell their brand is the best for different reasons. reallity is they are all very similar.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2020
Messages
32
Costa 580G. I have two pair of Fantails and they're great.

I had an issue with one pair after a few years. Put in a warranty claim online, shipped them and they took my lenses and put them in new frames. Worth the 8 bucks shipping and the upfront cost to have a nice pair of sunglasses with a lifetime warranty.
 

jt4

WKR
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
513
Maui Jim. No question. I’m on my third pair now only bc I lost a pair in the ocean. Can honestly say I’ll never own less than 2 pairs at a time or another brand. Extremely good customer service too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

CodyB

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
150
Location
Great Basin
Absolutely Costa 580p. I tried the 580g and while the clarity was great too I didn’t care for the extra weight of the glass lenses.
 
Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
674
Ive heard great things about the Costas but no personal use yet. I have used Hobie polarized glass lenses and they are epic. Ive used them for hunting, fishing etc. and because they are glass, they are much more difficult to get scratched. Ive had mine for 12 years and they literally are still perfect. Ive sat on them, stepped on them, lost them and found them and they are still great. Because they are glass they are a fuzz heavier but they are well worth it in my opinion. I use the "woody". Here's the link:

 
Joined
Aug 11, 2016
Messages
354
I have used costa for many years. While I believe they have great glass (580G) probably the best glass, I think they are built poorly and have had so many issue with them. Sent 3 pairs back this last year alone for repairs. While they have always made it good even replaced the entire glasses (on plastic frame models) you still have to pay for shipping as well as a small repair cost. Saying that I put up with the issues.


I have had great luck with Maui Jim even oakley with years of use and abuse without issue.

the flexible frames on some Maui Jim and them being ultralight is pretty cool features can’t even tell your wearing any
 
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