Hi guys-

I'd like to get a decent pair of polarized sunglasses soon, and I've started to poke around on eBay, etc trying to whittle down the decisions, different brands, etc.   How do the different brands measure up?  Are they similar, or are some brands clearly better than others?  I'm considering some from manufacturers like Costa del Mar, Wiley X, Oakley, Ray Ban, and brands such as those - just not in the $200 range.  Are the ones that are 'fishing specific' really better for fishing?

I have a cheaper pair I'm using now, but what's the best bang for the buck, say, in around the $70 - $110 range?

I like Costa Del Mar's. They usually start around $120 I think. They are all polarized. Oakley's are a little more expensive after you add polarized lenses.

x2 for the Costa Del Mar's. They are worth the money. I have a pair of fathoms I got a couple of months ago, and they are the best I have owned.  8-)

I have used several different types including Oakley, Solar Bat, ext. but I recently bought a pair of Arnette polarized glasses and they are the most comfortable pair I have worn.  I got mine at sunglass hut on clearance for $60.

Costa del Mar Fathoms with Amber lenses. Mine were $120.

Costa Del Mars!!!

You can get a 160.00 costa del mar for 120 on ebay. Maybe 110.

I got some Oakley five-O's from zappos.com last valentines day because my gf's dog ate my original pair.  They were on clearance for $110, they probably don't have them anymore.  But I'm sure they have others and they are great to deal with, free nextday shipping too.

I have some Maui Jim's that are pretty good.  Not sure if they have any in the $120 range or not.  Think I paid about 150 a couple of years ago.  The  only thing I don't like about them is they are pretty heavy.  I think the price of sunglasses is directly proportional to how fast they will sink if they fall overboard.

I have the Oakley Gas Cans, I would highly recommend those, $145 polarized, but well worth it. Besides you can go online and make a custom pair for almost the same price.

                         -gk

I bought a cheap $20 pair from BPS and they are just as good as my $80 Anarchy polarized glasses. I bought the $20 pair so I didn't have to worry about losing my Anarchy's in the water.

I bought a cheap $20 pair from BPS and they are just as good as my $80 Anarchy polarized glasses. I bought the $20 pair so I didn't have to worry about losing my Anarchy's in the water.

I second the cheap-o suggestion.  I have a $15 pair from Academy.  They have amber lenses, which I think is an absolute must if you fish early or late, which I'm sure you do.

Not to mention, remember Jeff Foxworthy's bit about sunglasses.  You will alway lose an expensive pair, but no matter what you will not be able to lose the cheap ones!

I bought a cheap $20 pair from BPS and they are just as good as my $80 Anarchy polarized glasses. I bought the $20 pair so I didn't have to worry about losing my Anarchy's in the water.

Thats funny I also have a set of Strike King sunglasses from Wal mart for that purpose.

                -gk

I recommend Smith brand "Factor" or "Factor Max" These models come with not only a set of polarized lenses but 3 other sets (amber, yellow, clear), so you only need one pair of sunglasses for all of your activities (fishing, skiing, golf, MT biking, etc. Also, you can order extra lenses in just about an color you want, polarized or not. Easily interchangeable and extremely durable a d**n fine american product. I know, I sound like a salesman!

I am extremely hard on gear and these things have lasted me well over 3 years...I have replace my polarized lenses once.

they were about 110.00 when I bought them.

Factor for pinheads and Factormax for melonheads (like me)

I bought a cheap $20 pair from BPS and they are just as good as my $80 Anarchy polarized glasses. I bought the $20 pair so I didn't have to worry about losing my Anarchy's in the water.

Thats funny I also have a set of Strike King sunglasses from Wal mart for that purpose.

-gk

Same here! I just got a new pair of Ray-Bans but I still use my $15 Strike King's from wal-mart for fishing! I just don't trust myself wearing a pair of $100+ sunglasses when I'm out on the boat.

Not a bad idea to put an eyeglass retainer rope on them so they can't fall in the water.

Not a bad idea to put an eyeglass retainer rope on them so they can't fall in the water.

That's what I do, they are only like 3 dollars and they will save your investment from sinking into the depths.

I bought a cheap $20 pair from BPS and they are just as good as my $80 Anarchy polarized glasses. I bought the $20 pair so I didn't have to worry about losing my Anarchy's in the water.

I can relate to this. I paid $120 for a pair about 6 years ago. They are now at the bottom of Patoka Lake. Since then I haven't been able to justify paying alot for sunglasses anymore. The $20 cheapies look the same unless you really start nit picking. As far as I have been able to tell they work the same also. The Anarchys were the last $100+ pair I bought. Sometimes you are just paying for a cool name. Other times you get what you pay for. I believe sunglasses are way over priced. Have you ever seen how much mark up/ profit there is on sunglasses?

I like cocoons. Got the copper colored lenses and they're great. @ $45. I have a glasses rope that attaches to the legs and has a foam floater attached to it so if they fell in the water , they float 8-). West Marine carries the floater glasses rope.     Happy fishing.

~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~boatU.S.~

I'm thinking about going right in the middle this year with a new pair of Solar Bats that run around $60.