Sunglasses?

[peejman]

I'd like your suggestions for brands/types of sunglasses. I'm one of those lucky people with light-sensitive eyes. I'm nearly helpless w/o sunglasses in the summer, hence I wear them a lot. Lately I've been using the wal-mart cheapies, and clearly have been getting what I'm paying for.

I prefer polarized, scratch resistant, polycarbonate lenses with reasonable side coverage. I don't know that I can justify $200 Oakleys, much as I'd like to have a pair. I'd like to keep them in the $100 or less range. Suggestions?

[TGO David]

Revision Eyewear

Regular price $99. On sale for $79.

[dralarms]

Serengeti's. You can catch them at wal mart for around 99 on sale. Just don't buy the "framless" ones, you will be forever tightening screws. I used to use the el cheapos also, I love my Serengeti's even if I have to tighten the screws all the time (now you know how I know).

[Guest spoolie]

I had PRK laser surgery on my eyes last year....I'm super light sensitive, you can't find a pair that will help for around 100.00. I ordered special Oakley lenses for my frames and that ran me around 180.00. Waste your money on several different 100 dollar pairs, then spend 250.00 once and be happy.

[R1100R]

+1 on the Revision. They are what is issued to all the Army recruits. You can even have optical inserts made. The ones i have have bi-focal inserts made for shooting. They are the SAWFLY model.

[Guest Fuel]

I have a pair of Oakleys and a pair of Tifosi's. The Tifosi's are a great deal. For $60-$80 you get the glasses with interchangeable lenses and a carry case. I've had several pair and been very pleased. Their customer service is excellent as well.

[Warbird]

I am very light sensitive. Bright light gives me intense migraines. I find that the cost of the glasses is not so important as having decent quality lenses and color of lenses. Polarized lenses work better for me than non-polarized. I have two pair of glasses I got at Sam's that have worked well for me. They are their name brand glasses. They weren't more than $50. The color of those is an amber tint.

For very bright days I have a pair of dark Bolle`. They have worked well. I have had just about everything you can think of and it is hit and miss for me. I just have to give them a try and see if they work. The older Ray Bans with dark lenses worked well. Serengetis are good. I just don't find you have to spend a ton. What you do have to have is quality lenses with the right tint and that fit you well. You will notice an immediate improvement with better quality lenses.

Edited November 11, 2010 by Warbird

[dunndw]

Wiley X. I liked them so much I shelled out for a prescription pair

[peejman]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into all these.

I had PRK laser surgery on my eyes last year....I'm super light sensitive, you can't find a pair that will help for around 100.00. I ordered special Oakley lenses for my frames and that ran me around 180.00. Waste your money on several different 100 dollar pairs, then spend 250.00 once and be happy.

The $20 walmart glasses function just fine, their durability is the problem. They scratch very easily and I've broken 2 pairs recently. I've found that the polarized lenses cut glare significantly and let me get away with less tint in the lens. Saves lots of time searching for "super dark" tinted glasses.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I like the polycarbonate "Ray Charles" big wraparound sunglasses that fit over glasses. They substitute for safety glasses and typically come in gray, yellow, and clear. They don't cost much and last a pretty long time if you don't let em get scratched up.

A slightly more expensive polarized set I really like, was maybe $20 or $30 at Sams, brand name "Polar-Eyes" wraparound over-glasses type. I haven't managed to break them yet, and the polarization is pretty good. They have a deep black-plastic ridge on the top edge that reaches over the eyeglasses and almost touches the forehead. That deep frame at the top keeps almost all direct sun out of the eyes from the edge of the glasses. I usually wear a hat and adjust the brim to keep direct glare from leaking at the sides of the sunglasses, especially when driving. But the Polar-Eyes thick frame makes the hat almost unnecessary.

[Guest spoolie]

Exactly, I spent the cash on the lens....not the glasses frames, I had the Oakley frames already. 180.00 for the lens that are poly carb non scratch non break polarized in amber with a special tint coating. Frames aren't ****, it's the lens.

[duckhunteresq]

I have had a pair of VZ Papa G's for 3 years and love them.....Glass lenses, polarized and the wrap around fit blocks out the light through the sides. They are great on a trout stream with fly rod in hand....IMHO.

Von Zipper Papa G Polarized Glass Black Gloss/Grey Polarized Glass Lens - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways

[Jasongar8]

Save your money and get some Costa Del Mars. I wore Oakleys for years and still wear them when I am shooting because they have poly lenses. But if you want the best polarized glasses out there get some Costas with the 580 glass lenses. I was a big Oakley guy until I bought my first pair of Costas and now I wouldn't go back to Oakley for everyday wear. These are the ones I have. Most of the 580 glasses can be found for around $170 on the internet.

Blackfin - CostaDelMar

[Guest mustangdave]

Maui Jim....Big Kahuna model, but mine are prescription...and holy cow they ain't cheap...bought em ONCE now i will just change out lens when needed

[McAllyn]

I have multiple pairs of Oakleys, but I pretty much only wear my Rudy Project Rydons now. I got my Rudy's from their website for $179 with 3 sets of lenses, 3 Rudy hats, a Rudy T-shirt, and a Rudy duffel bag.

The lenses I chose were Photo-Black, Laser Red, and Shooting Yellow.

Mac

[gregintenn]

I work outside everyday, and I swear by Maui Jim's. I wear them all day every day. They are worth the money.

[JAB]

My eyes are pretty sensitive to bright sunlight - as in I can often see better just before dusk than at high noon. I also tend to lose sunglasses so I don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on them. My suggestion is to go to Walmart but walk right past the glasses section then walk on past the section where most of their sunglasses are. Instead, head on back to sporting goods and check out the sunglasses in their fishing section. There are different styles. Most all of the fishing sunglasses are polarized (this helps a fisherman see past the reflective surface of the water better.) The ones I have and have had are pretty scratch resistant and many of them are light weight with very comfortable frames. I think I mostly have bought the Strike King brand but they have a couple of different brands at different price points, iirc. I don't think any of them are more than $15 or maybe $20 a pair, though.

[Guest mustangdave]

I work outside everyday, and I swear by Maui Jim's. I wear them all day every day. They are worth the money.

I'm right there with you...love the Maui Jim's...have amber lenses in mine...best "driving" specs ever...and not bad for shooting either

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

Wiley X. I liked them so much I shelled out for a prescription pair

Those are what the Army gave us to go to Iraq back in 04. I like them quite a lot and while I dont need a prescription I have bought several pairs of them from other soldiers who did not like them. IIRC they can be had in the 60-70 dollar range.

[Mr. Brooks]

For those of you who prefer polarized lenses, be aware that they can have an adverse effect when using a holographic sight.

At the last shooting school I attended the instructor recommended not getting them for that reason.

[JReedEsq]

I have a pair of Oakleys and a pair of Tifosi's. The Tifosi's are a great deal. For $60-$80 you get the glasses with interchangeable lenses and a carry case. I've had several pair and been very pleased. Their customer service is excellent as well.

+1 for Tifosis; I've had high-end glasses from Smith, Spy, and Oakley and while the optics are a smidge better, they aren't worth the price premium over Tifosi. I've got at least three pair of them.

[peejman]

Next time I'm near a Sunglasses Hut or similar place, I'll have plenty in mind to try out. I have to try on sunglasses.

For those of you who prefer polarized lenses, be aware that they can have an adverse effect when using a holographic sight.

At the last shooting school I attended the instructor recommended not getting them for that reason.

Same with some LCD screens.

[Derek]

I wouldnt buy a pair of oakleys for $5. Ive been wearing Persols for years. A little expensive, but great sunglasses.

Edited November 11, 2010 by Derek
spellin'

[Guest buttonhook]

I had the lasik surgury and I've worn the Maui Jim "big Kahuna" witht he amber lens now for years. I LOVE them. glass lens and I see better with them on than with out!!

[Kegger]

I bit the bullet a while back and just paid for the Oakley Flakjackets with polarized smoked lenses.

Best $120 I ever spent. Have had 'em for 3 years now and still don't need to change the lenses, and I'm very hard on eye wear.