Are Expensive Polarized Glasses Worth It? 2024
tcbass reply :
I lost my cheap $18 Ugly Stick polarized sunglasses today fishing. I use the cheap ones so if I lose them I don't feel bad about it. However, I have been contemplating the merits of more expensive glasses and have read a lot of good things about Costas. I checked them out and there designs seem to be ugly as sin. I'm not Kim Kardashian. Either way, I was wondering if the quality and better polarization would be worth getting more expensive glasses.
What's the consensus?
Jrob78 reply :
If you're the type of person who constantly loses glasses and generally doesn't take care of them, it probably isn't worth it for you. If you can keep a pair for several years and keep them relatively scratch free, it probably is worth it. Sunglasses aren't something I will ever skimp on but they last me years before I replace them.
Catch and Grease reply :
I absouletly hate wearing sunglasses, so I have a pair of cheap 15$ glasses I throw on when the sun is bright enough I can't see or if I have a newbie in the boat with wild cast lol
Montanaro reply :
I don't know how I did without them.
smalljaw67 reply :
Yes, good quality lenses are well worth it and you can really tell the difference between a good lens versus and a cheap one. I lost a pair of Maui Jims and after that I was bummed and I tried less expensive ones and some were ok while others were just bad but I found a compromise that work very well for me. I use Eye Surrender ESM sunglasses, they use the TR-90 I-Flexx frames with awesome lenses, they cost $60 with a lifetime replacement warranty. I'm not going to lie, the optical quality on the Costa Del Mar is better but not by a whole lot, and that is what impressed me most with the Eye Surrender, the optical quality is fantastic and the frames are strong and light, in fact they feel so good on I often forget to take them off in the house and I'm not affiliated with them, I'm just impressed with them as I never had a pair of sunglasses with that kind of optical quality under $100.
WRB reply :
Check out Solar Bats in moss green or dark grey for general fishing use.
Ask yourself how much is your eye sight worth. Just make sure the sunglasses fit properly and wear them.
Tom
tcbass reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 7:06 AM, Jrob78 said:If you're the type of person who constantly loses glasses and generally doesn't take care of them, it probably isn't worth it for you. If you can keep a pair for several years and keep them relatively scratch free, it probably is worth it. Sunglasses aren't something I will ever skimp on but they last me years before I replace them.
I can take care of them. Just forgot this time. lol. First time that's ever happened.
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 7:54 AM, tcbass said:I can take care of them. Just forgot this time. lol. First time that's ever happened.
In that case, I would seriously think about upgrading your glasses. I wear polarized Oakley's, they are one of the most important pieces of fishing equipment I use. You should be able to get a good pair of glasses for under $100.
tcbass reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 7:58 AM, Jrob78 said:In that case, I would seriously think about upgrading your glasses. I wear polarized Oakley's, they are one of the most important pieces of fishing equipment I use. You should be able to get a good pair of glasses for under $100.
Why are they so important?
Basspro87 reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 8:21 AM, tcbass said:Why are they so important?
They help you see the structures that other anglers miss
flyfisher reply :
Totally worth the money to get a good pair for a few reasons. One the optics are better and even more so if you are bumping up to a glass lens. Then there is the protection from flying projectiles which is even more important than optics. You never know when you'll set the hook and have it pop free and come back at you.
TNBassin' reply :
I have two pair of Oakleys that are polarized, and love them. Well worth the money. My Flak Jackets I use when it's hot out since they are a smaller frame, and use my Batwolf glasses when it's cooler or windy since they shield more of my face and eyes.
BassinLou reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 8:21 AM, tcbass said:Why are they so important?
Just like someone mentioned polarized glasses are important for several reasons. Eye protection, from the sun's rays and projectiles. Also, they help you see through the water significantly better than regular sunglasses or without. A bass can be feet away from you and, you will never see it.
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 8:21 AM, tcbass said:Why are they so important?
For the reasons already mentioned. Your eyes are too important not to protect them from UV rays and flying projectiles. Plus, good polarized glasses allow you to see into the water better.
papajoe222 reply :
Quality sunglasses can be had for a lot less than $100. I got my Oakley Half Jackets polarized lenzes for $40 and the WileyX pair I wear mostly for driving for just under that. I had to do a little searching, but the search and the glasses are well worth it just for the eye protection. If you ever have a bullet weight or jig come flying back at you, you'll be thankful you went with quality eyeware. The polarization is a plus and when you consider you can have both in a quality pair your outlook (pun intended) on eyewear becomes focused. (sorry, I couldn't help it) 
Jeff H reply :
No cheapies for me. Quit wearing the cheapies 20 yrs ago. I have Costa, Smith, and Hobie. The clarity of high quality shades is truly amazing.
tcbass reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 1:53 PM, Jeff H said:No cheapies for me. Quit wearing the cheapies 20 yrs ago. I have Costa, Smith, and Hobie. The clarity of high quality shades is truly amazing.
What do you think are the best out of those and what are the most bang for the buck?
Josh Smith reply :
I use Berkely, Spiderwire, and the like.
My vision isn't good enough to take advantage of better lenses.
Josh
BassinLou reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 2:45 PM, tcbass said:What do you think are the best out of those and what are the most bang for the buck?
Can't speak for Hobie, or Smith, but I can tell you that Coasta's are pretty darn good. Buying the right frame and lense is critical. The way these glasses encapsulate your eyes and with the lense clarity is unbelievable. Another feature I really like and have taken advantage of twice is their warranty program. I wear my glasses 365 days a year. When ever a problem has come up, I mail it to Costa's and I get back a beautiful repaired set of glasses back. They mean it when they say lifetime warranty.
1201vilbig reply :
I have 2 pairs of the Strike King S11's - 1 amber & one grey. I like them so much that I use them for everyday use. Got them for less than $40 each.
SirSnookalot reply :
Polarizing lenses is a fairly simply process, basically it's a film or sheet pressed or injected into the lens. Cheaper glasses just use a coating and are not as effective in reducing glare. Most upscale eyewear is made or owned by 3 companies, 2 Italian and 1 French, including the most popular sunglasses already mentioned. A big market controlled by a few using similar technologies. For example Ray Ban and Oakley are made by the same company (Luxottica), good chance it's the same lens in both brands.
The important factor is fit of the frame, as the top polarized lenses have about the same effectiveness. A $100 pair can be just as good $200 ones, except the latter may have a more expensive frame to make, a least they tell you that, lol. That said eyewear is fairly cheap to make, the mark up is huge.
Bank4Bass reply :
Bought a pair of costas over 2 years ago and haven't worn my spy's, Von zippers, oakley since..
Raul reply :
Are "expensive" polarized glasses worth it ?
How much is worth your eyesight ? 
Flywatersmallie reply :
Yes. They're worth it. I've gone through cheap ones, Ray Ban, Oakley Solar Bat and others. Nothing compares to Costas. I now have 2 pairs of them and the rest sit on the shelf
SirSnookalot reply :
Just so you know Costa is not made in the United States any more, it is assembly here. It's owned by the same company that owns Ray Ban
TNBassin' reply :
Costas have some cheesy looking frames IMO. They may not be cheap but they sure look cheap.
tcbass reply :
On 7/6/2014 at 12:23 AM, TNBassin said:Costas have some cheesy looking frames IMO. They may not be cheap but they sure look cheap.
That's what I was thinking! Crappy frames. Why don't they have anything cool looking like Oakley Flak Jackets?
So, if Ray Ban and Costas are owned by the same company is it safe to assume that they have the same lenses?
SirSnookalot reply :
Can't assume anything, just saying it would not surprise me, but I did make a mistake. Ray Ban and Oakley are owned by the same company but Costa is not, they are owned by a French company called Essilor. So many companies I got confused, lol.
I know a little bit about this stuff because I have a friend that had 100 optical offices, sold them to Luxottica. I keep tabs on him every now and then to see what he is up to, well one link takes to another and so on. I've done some reading on the subject.
PAGreg reply :
This is a seeing is believing situation. Just one day on thr water with quality glasses will answer your question.
Btw, I have Costas with the glass lenses and they are amazing.
IAY reply :
I am always scared of losing my expensive Maui Jims so I got a pair of 20 dollar strike king specifically for fishing. Of course, it is not nearly as good/comfortable as my expensive ones, but it certainly does the job and I'm not scared to lose it.
paleus reply :
I just bought a pair of Native Eyewear sunglasses on sale from Sierra Trading Post. they are really nice. Looks like they are still on sale: Native Eyewear Sprint @ Sierra Trading Post They've got several other styles that are also marked down.
senile1 reply :
I am very far-sighted and can see things at a great distance but tying knots without prescription lenses is almost impossible for me. So I buy prescription sunglasses from my eye doctor pretty much out of necessity. They sell a couple of brands but I buy Maui Jims. They are awesome, and with the price of the lense prescription, their price is somewhat higher than what everyone is quoting. The lense is progressive with a narrow section at the bottom for tying knots and then it progresses to normal in the rest of the lense for looking at everything else that isn't up close.
My insurance covers one new pair of lenses/frames every year. Every other year I update either my sunglasses or my regular glasses so quite a bit of the cost is covered.
ColdSVT reply :
On 7/5/2014 at 8:29 AM, Basspro87 said:They help you see the structures that other anglers miss
And they protect your eyes from UV and stray flying objects!
Scott F reply :
Does anyone have a problem with the curved lenses that are common on the high end sunglasses? I have good distance vision but the curved lenses for me distort distant objects. My eye doctor told me this is a common problem, he has he same issues. I need something like aviator styles but I never see them where sunglasses are sold.
Felix77 reply :
I have been personally torn about this since I learned about the difference. I carry 2 pairs with different tints and as a co-angler I tend to neglect my sunglasses and lost a few as a result. With that said I find that the new Strike King S11's are a decent compromise. Inexpensive and give me a "good enough" polarization to get the job done. I went as far as to swap glasses with a friend who swears by his Maui Jims. Now I will say they did do a better job but not good enough for me to invest in them.
For less than 1/3rd the price I got two glasses which I am very happy with.
dam0007 reply :
I didnt read all the comments...
Yes, good sunglasses in general are a great investment just on protecting your vision in the long term! I own Costas, are they worth the $1xx.xx, idk. But they do the job. Kinda set it and forget it approach for me. Buy a pair, they work, ok, move on. lol I will say if you get a pair strictly for fishing I prefer Amber or Copper lenses.
Shockwave reply :
Where are you guys going to find decent polarized Oakleys for under $100??
Edit: I don't wanna tick anyone off so if naming a store that's not a sponsor of the site is a no-no, then disregard the question.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 7/8/2014 at 4:17 AM, Shockwave said:Where are you guys going to find decent polarized Oakleys for under $100??
Edit: I don't wanna tick anyone off so if naming a store that's not a sponsor of the site is a no-no, then disregard the question.
Used, on the auction sites, or when a certain model goes on clearance.
I was not a fan of the Oakleys, but I have a XXL size head and I don't enjoy having the circulation cut off by my sunglasses. The finish did not last very well on the frames either.
I prefer Costa Del Mar sunglasses. I've had lots of expensive pairs of glasses and only every lost 1 (last month at Grand Lake, brand new pair of Costas). I already have terrible eyes, I can't afford for them to get worse or I'll need a seeing eye dog that can thumb my baitcaster for me.
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