I just broke my longtime pair of favorite sailing sunglasses. Unfortunately, they aren't stocked any more, so I'm in the market for new ones. I was surprised to find that there was NOTHING in the HOW forum archives about sunglasses, so I'm throwing this one out for your suggestions/recommendations. To give you some idea, UV and glare protection, light weight and durability are important to me. I also don't want to spend more than $60. Thanks in advance. Peter H23 "Raven"
What kind of sunglasses do you wear when sailing?
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Eyes are a terrible thing to waste. Spending $60 for a pair of sunglasses is really not very much. I have two pair of Hobie sunglasses that I paid $70-90 for over 10 years ago. They have been worn year round and have held up very well. Most of the better quality lenses are Polarized and they make looking at some types of instruments somewhat difficult depending on the sun, angles etc. Even though this is problem I wouldn't have anything else. Check out the reviews from Practical Sailor for the last 4-5 years. They seem to test different brands from one year to the next. What brand did you break?
Eyes are a terrible thing to waste. Spending $60 for a pair of sunglasses is really not very much. I have two pair of Hobie sunglasses that I paid $70-90 for over 10 years ago. They have been worn year round and have held up very well. Most of the better quality lenses are Polarized and they make looking at some types of instruments somewhat difficult depending on the sun, angles etc. Even though this is problem I wouldn't have anything else. Check out the reviews from Practical Sailor for the last 4-5 years. They seem to test different brands from one year to the next. What brand did you break?
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Tom Ehmke
Sunglasses
I read the article in Practical Sailor and was shocked at the price of the sunglasses reviewed there. I have prescription sunglasses that are polarized, wrap around, and have a built-in lanyard which cost less than the outrageous prices of some of the sunglasses reviewed in that article. Get some good sunglasses with polarized lenses and forget the hype, or better yet, if you have prescription lenses, get some from an optometrist. Tom
I read the article in Practical Sailor and was shocked at the price of the sunglasses reviewed there. I have prescription sunglasses that are polarized, wrap around, and have a built-in lanyard which cost less than the outrageous prices of some of the sunglasses reviewed in that article. Get some good sunglasses with polarized lenses and forget the hype, or better yet, if you have prescription lenses, get some from an optometrist. Tom
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Steve Growcock
cheap is good
A friend of mine showed up at my boat with a pair of $150 Oakleys. I made him put them back in his car and gave him one of my spare $10 specials I get from Target that I keep aboard. Cheap, they wrap around (a must when sailing) and I don't mind if they end up in the drink. Steve!
A friend of mine showed up at my boat with a pair of $150 Oakleys. I made him put them back in his car and gave him one of my spare $10 specials I get from Target that I keep aboard. Cheap, they wrap around (a must when sailing) and I don't mind if they end up in the drink. Steve!
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rp
Cheap is not good
What are your eyes worth?? I don't think anyone can put a price on that. Protecting your eyes from UVA and UVB damage is important. Spending $100 on a good, optically correct pair of sunglasses is a small price to pay.
What are your eyes worth?? I don't think anyone can put a price on that. Protecting your eyes from UVA and UVB damage is important. Spending $100 on a good, optically correct pair of sunglasses is a small price to pay.
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Diane Harmer
BluBlockers
I have both a pair of polarized prescription glasses and a pair of $15 BluBlockers. I much prefer the BluBlockers and find that I see better and squint less with the BluBlockers (plus they are much lighter to wear). They also have a lifelong breakage guarantee. I have replaced mine twice (no questions asked)for a $5 shipping charge. If you need presciption, they do make clip-ons. I also wear contacts, so I can go either way. Just my 2cents worth! Orion - Hunter 28 NCYC - Lake Erie
I have both a pair of polarized prescription glasses and a pair of $15 BluBlockers. I much prefer the BluBlockers and find that I see better and squint less with the BluBlockers (plus they are much lighter to wear). They also have a lifelong breakage guarantee. I have replaced mine twice (no questions asked)for a $5 shipping charge. If you need presciption, they do make clip-ons. I also wear contacts, so I can go either way. Just my 2cents worth! Orion - Hunter 28 NCYC - Lake Erie
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Believe or not, the cheapest sunglasses
provide the same amount of UV protection as the most expensive ones. It's other things that make the difference--optical glass vs plastic, which eliminates distortion and hazing due to scratches, polarization, sturdier frames etc...and a certain amount for brand name. Not saying that expensive sunglasses aren't worth the price, only that UV protection isn't a factor.
provide the same amount of UV protection as the most expensive ones. It's other things that make the difference--optical glass vs plastic, which eliminates distortion and hazing due to scratches, polarization, sturdier frames etc...and a certain amount for brand name. Not saying that expensive sunglasses aren't worth the price, only that UV protection isn't a factor.
More on (moron?) sunglasses
The ones I broke were made by Bolle, which is an excellent brand. They had a lightweight wraparound black plastic frame and VERY dark green, polarized polycarbonate lenses. They also blocked 100% UVA and UVB. I paid $35 for them in Costco. In a regular retail outlet they would have cost twice as much. For the record, I have done a lot of homework on sunglasses in the past. I am on my fifth pair of Serengeti Drivers, which I use for driving (natch), flying and back when when I used to fly RC aircraft. They are great sunglasses, and the copper-colored lenses make them very effective in low light, rain and fog. I don't like them for sailing because of the weight (glass lenses) and they don't offer much in the way of glare protection. I also learned that that cheap sunglasses can cause eye strain (image distortion through poor quality optics) and retina burn (dark lenses force the pupil to open wider, admitting more infrared and UV than without the lenses). I don't skimp on sunglasses, but I also know that the price of any pair can vary tremedously, depending on where you buy them. I suspect that the prices in the marine publications and catalogs are either "marinized" or very close to MSRP. My $60 upper limit should get me a pair of $100 to $150 sunglasses if I shop carefully. Thanks again. Peter H23 "Raven"
The ones I broke were made by Bolle, which is an excellent brand. They had a lightweight wraparound black plastic frame and VERY dark green, polarized polycarbonate lenses. They also blocked 100% UVA and UVB. I paid $35 for them in Costco. In a regular retail outlet they would have cost twice as much. For the record, I have done a lot of homework on sunglasses in the past. I am on my fifth pair of Serengeti Drivers, which I use for driving (natch), flying and back when when I used to fly RC aircraft. They are great sunglasses, and the copper-colored lenses make them very effective in low light, rain and fog. I don't like them for sailing because of the weight (glass lenses) and they don't offer much in the way of glare protection. I also learned that that cheap sunglasses can cause eye strain (image distortion through poor quality optics) and retina burn (dark lenses force the pupil to open wider, admitting more infrared and UV than without the lenses). I don't skimp on sunglasses, but I also know that the price of any pair can vary tremedously, depending on where you buy them. I suspect that the prices in the marine publications and catalogs are either "marinized" or very close to MSRP. My $60 upper limit should get me a pair of $100 to $150 sunglasses if I shop carefully. Thanks again. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Gary Jensen
Revo Glasses
I had a pair of Revos for the last eight years... Actually two pairs....WOW!! They are absolutely fantastic. They are very costly though. At $235 per pair, I have switched to Bolle. They are pretty good, but I probably will go back to Revos (if I find frames like the ones I had)....I hate to skimp on something so important to me..
I had a pair of Revos for the last eight years... Actually two pairs....WOW!! They are absolutely fantastic. They are very costly though. At $235 per pair, I have switched to Bolle. They are pretty good, but I probably will go back to Revos (if I find frames like the ones I had)....I hate to skimp on something so important to me..
Not all sunglasses are created equal.
Here is an article about sunglasses. http://www.howstuffworks.com/sunglass.htm?printable=1 I personally would NEVER consider cheap sunglasses. You do not know what you are getting. Most "cheap" sunglass lens are made from plain old plastic. There is no way to gauge what you think you are getting. You do not have to pay $150-200 for quality. But I doubt that you are going to get very much for $20 either. Check out the site and decide for yourself.
Here is an article about sunglasses. http://www.howstuffworks.com/sunglass.htm?printable=1 I personally would NEVER consider cheap sunglasses. You do not know what you are getting. Most "cheap" sunglass lens are made from plain old plastic. There is no way to gauge what you think you are getting. You do not have to pay $150-200 for quality. But I doubt that you are going to get very much for $20 either. Check out the site and decide for yourself.
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Miles
Polarized Revos...
Very nice and also very expensive. I'm on my second pair and now I wear one of those strap thingys around them while sailing...
Very nice and also very expensive. I'm on my second pair and now I wear one of those strap thingys around them while sailing...
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Larry
Sunglasses
Here's my ten cents; I like tinted industrial safety glasses. They're wrap-around, absorb UV, hook over the ears well so no croaky is needed, lightweight, and the price is right, about six bucks in any hardware store.
Here's my ten cents; I like tinted industrial safety glasses. They're wrap-around, absorb UV, hook over the ears well so no croaky is needed, lightweight, and the price is right, about six bucks in any hardware store.
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Bryan C.
El Cheapo here.
I buy sunglasses at Wal-mart. Panama Jack's or whatever they carry. I always make sure they are 100% UVA/B protected. I only buy polarized sunglasses, every thing else is just a tint whereas polarized lenses decrease glare, especially on the water. I never pay more than $15. Yes, they are plastic lenses, when they get scratched after several months (if I can keep them that long) I throw them away. Usually they don't last that long as I am always losing, droping, or sitting on my sunglasses. When I do I don't fret it. I think spending more for "brand names" is silly. But most folks probably think I'm silly. I sure most think I'm silly that I never spend more than $20 for a pair of tennis shoes or a pair of jeans also. But then I'm not a "brand name" kind of guy, or I probably would not have bought a Hunter.
I buy sunglasses at Wal-mart. Panama Jack's or whatever they carry. I always make sure they are 100% UVA/B protected. I only buy polarized sunglasses, every thing else is just a tint whereas polarized lenses decrease glare, especially on the water. I never pay more than $15. Yes, they are plastic lenses, when they get scratched after several months (if I can keep them that long) I throw them away. Usually they don't last that long as I am always losing, droping, or sitting on my sunglasses. When I do I don't fret it. I think spending more for "brand names" is silly. But most folks probably think I'm silly. I sure most think I'm silly that I never spend more than $20 for a pair of tennis shoes or a pair of jeans also. But then I'm not a "brand name" kind of guy, or I probably would not have bought a Hunter.
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Tom
Zurich's
Peter, If you flew R/C aircraft at one time, then you might want to know that Zurich sunglasses are now the most popular brand amongst many pilots (link below). Available for a lot less than $100, and a few places on the web offer reduced prices on a second pair. They have different tints available for the varying outside conditions that you may encounter out on the water.
Peter, If you flew R/C aircraft at one time, then you might want to know that Zurich sunglasses are now the most popular brand amongst many pilots (link below). Available for a lot less than $100, and a few places on the web offer reduced prices on a second pair. They have different tints available for the varying outside conditions that you may encounter out on the water.
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Debra Blatnik
Lost my Maui Jim's -- but they were best
Expensive? You bet, but practical sailor rated them best this year. Right now I am using my Gargoyles Legends. Am debating ordering a set of polarized lenses, or going for another set of Maui Jims....
Expensive? You bet, but practical sailor rated them best this year. Right now I am using my Gargoyles Legends. Am debating ordering a set of polarized lenses, or going for another set of Maui Jims....
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Paul Akers
LLBean
I've been using a pair I bought thru LLBean catalog sales. They have all the protections and were around $30. Had them 3 days after I ordered them online. I've also tried Landscaper's/Construction glasses from Home Depot. They weren't the prettiest, but dis wrap-around and had all the protections. About $12. But the problem with them was distortion fromthe wrap-around. I didn't like that on the boat, so now they've become my backups on the boat.
I've been using a pair I bought thru LLBean catalog sales. They have all the protections and were around $30. Had them 3 days after I ordered them online. I've also tried Landscaper's/Construction glasses from Home Depot. They weren't the prettiest, but dis wrap-around and had all the protections. About $12. But the problem with them was distortion fromthe wrap-around. I didn't like that on the boat, so now they've become my backups on the boat.
Some more on sunglasses
I found a place that sells the Bolles I broke. The style is "Zuma". Now all I have to do is shop around to see if I can find them at a better price. The link to the website where I found them is posted below. They also carry REVOs. BTW, has any one ever heard of "Dirty Dog" sunglasses? They are from NZ and are rumored to be the best sailing sunglasses on the market. Peter H23 "Raven"
I found a place that sells the Bolles I broke. The style is "Zuma". Now all I have to do is shop around to see if I can find them at a better price. The link to the website where I found them is posted below. They also carry REVOs. BTW, has any one ever heard of "Dirty Dog" sunglasses? They are from NZ and are rumored to be the best sailing sunglasses on the market. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Pete Staehling
Cheap vs Expensive
I agree that good glasses are a must. The problem is that paying more doesn't always mean a better product. If it weren't for brand recognition, status, and perceived "coolness" the very best wouldn't cost more than $30 (I seriously doubt that any cost more than $10 to make). There are cheapies that provide the same protection as the $200 dollar ones. Some of my favs were house brands from a reputable company like Bike Nashbar, Performance Bike, LL Bean, or REI. Personally I think the best values are in the $20-30 dollar range. Some of the $10 ones are probably fine but I just don't trust them unless they are sold and endorsed by a reputable company like one of the ones listed above. Just my opinion, Pete
I agree that good glasses are a must. The problem is that paying more doesn't always mean a better product. If it weren't for brand recognition, status, and perceived "coolness" the very best wouldn't cost more than $30 (I seriously doubt that any cost more than $10 to make). There are cheapies that provide the same protection as the $200 dollar ones. Some of my favs were house brands from a reputable company like Bike Nashbar, Performance Bike, LL Bean, or REI. Personally I think the best values are in the $20-30 dollar range. Some of the $10 ones are probably fine but I just don't trust them unless they are sold and endorsed by a reputable company like one of the ones listed above. Just my opinion, Pete
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Jack
Cheap?
The mark up on optical is unbelieveable so the expensive glasses are usually way over priced for what you get. I would not buy my Oaklys from a vendor on Avenue of the Americas. I would look at the fishing catalogues and you can get a good paair for $50 or less.
The mark up on optical is unbelieveable so the expensive glasses are usually way over priced for what you get. I would not buy my Oaklys from a vendor on Avenue of the Americas. I would look at the fishing catalogues and you can get a good paair for $50 or less.
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