What sunglasses, if any, do you bring on your BW trips? I tend to bring less expensive, Walgreens polarized sunglasses with amber tint. I think these also help in my fishing and with glare off the water. Prior to cataract surgery, I used to bring my prescription sunglasses.

My main problem is with misplacing them. That is why I have avoided the more expensive brand names. Your thoughts?

To me, sunglasses are as mandatory as rain gear. Being on the water so much, dealing with the sun AND the reflection off the water can be brutal on one's eyes.

I usually will bring polarized sunglasses that cost $20, max.

I remember one trip where we were at the put-in spot. We had our gear at the water's edge and were getting ready to get into our canoes and start paddling when my sunglasses fell off my head. As I turned around to see where they landed, my foot stepped squarely on them, breaking them. No sunglasses for the entire trip. No fun.

That’s why I always use one of those adjustable straps that attach to each end of the bows. Very cheap and you can just drop them down around your neck if not needed. Some of them are also designed to float, should you take them off entirely and accidentally drop them in the water. I take expensive ones as they work well for me. I’ve had them for over 20 years, so they do last compared to the cheap sunglasses I’ve tried, and seem to provide better vision into the water when fishing.

I have always said the amount of time you own a pair of sunglasses is inversely related to how expensive they are. I am at the same place Jackfish is, cheapo pair of polarized glasses from the bait shop does the job just fine. Buy an expensive pair be lost or broken in a week.

I wear Smith glasses usually but take polarized Igoggs to the BW. I always wear them with a cord so they are harder to loose.

I bring my normal pair - purple tint Oakleys.

I normally wear contacts in civilization,but in the bush they become too much hassle.So I just wear my standard eyeglasses with the transitions lenses.Not polarized but I find that at such low sight angles out of a canoe polarized doesn’t really help much.

I wear polarized sunglasses anytime I'm on the water. I agree that the low angle of sitting in a canoe makes the polarization less effective, but it still helps reduce glare. I don't even know what brand my current ones are, but I think taking expensive sunglasses into the woods is dumb. Mine were less than 20 bucks, and I appreciated that the last time I lost a pair lol.

I wear prescription glasses and instead of using prescription sunglasses I wear Cocoons over my regular glasses. They are about $60 and a perfect solution for me.

And yes, I always wear the tether to them around my neck.

Cocoons

Well, I appreciate the responses and agree 100 percent that the less expensive ones work the best for these kind of trips. I usually bring 2 pair in case I misplace one. I would say the same logic works also for such things as pocket knives, small tools, etc.

I wear Peppers Cutthroat. Polarized, floating, durable. They run about $50 but I got them on sale for less so not the cheapest but won’t break the bank. Work very well for fishing.

Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen.

Presription Oakley Actuator

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

The glare off the water especially on sunny days can’t be good for our eyes. It’s uncomfortable too. I think if a person was on land with a visor on a hat it would be fine but not on the water.

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

I almost always wear a hat. I am pretty much bald. Without a hat I become a red head in a few hours. And that is not fun

Blatz: "Presription Oakley Actuator"

I brought prescription sunglasses for maybe 10 years. The problem is it was more work for me. On travel days I like my regular glasses on the trail and sunglasses on the water. So I’d be switching them at the landings. Also tying knots in the line - easier without sunglasses so I’d have to switch.

Then I discovered quality sunglasses designed to fit over your specific lens size. It’s so much more convenient to just drop down the sunglasses when I don’t want them on.

I use cocoons and at about $60 I can afford to have something happen to them a lot easier than bringing my $300 prescription pair.

Prescription sunglasses that, like it or not, are the most expensive piece of gear I have on a trip other than the boat and iPhone. I'd never see a portage landing or campsite at a distance without them. Always on a lanyard or in a good case and I never set them down.

I feel good sunglasses are very important when paddling. I have polarized Maui Jim's and wear them with a sunglass floaters around my neck.

I’m in the inexpensive polarzized camp.

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Well for one thing, humans don't have large amounts of body hair to protect them from the harmful effects of too much sunlight, unlike other animals. Why do you recommend wearing a hat if you think sunlight is so beneficial?

What’s weird is I used to bring cheap polarized sunglasses but I lost or broke them every year. Then started brining my prescription polarized sunglasses…weird it’s been 12 years and I never seem to replace them now. It’s so nice be able to see better, probably reminds when I don’t have them.

T

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

I only started bringing sunglasses in the last few years. Prior to that I always left them home as I didn't want to damage them. Today...whatever, if they break i'll buy a new pair.

I never had issues with the sun in my eyes. I just wore a ball cap and was good.

I mostly don't do the sunscreen thing either. I'll occasionally apply to my nose if it's an especially sunny day. I agree - all marketing ploy.

NEIowapaddler: "

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Well for one thing, humans don't have large amounts of body hair to protect them from the harmful effects of too much sunlight, unlike other animals. Why do you recommend wearing a hat if you think sunlight is so beneficial?"

Because it's not about direct sunlight hitting your eyes. It's about your eyes being exposed to the full spectrum of natural light. Indirect exposure while shielding your eyes using a hat from direct sunlight is fine and sufficient.

There are significant health tradeoffs that are understated. An ophthalmologist may tell you to wear them as they can help avoid cataracts but that particular medical field has no understanding of the adverse hormonal impacts to your overall health when deprived of natural light. I won't go into the weeds on this. The info is at your fingertips if you're inclined to follow up.

Sunglasses are a modern phenomenon in human history. They may be necessary in ultrabright conditions like a bright snow-covered day when the brightness is intolerable. Glare off a glassy lake may also be one of those occasions. I am not suggesting they don't have their place. Only that they should be avoided unless you're under rare, intolerably bright circumstances. Most people don't make that distinction - particularly those that are simply making a fashion statement. Although that extreme doesn't apply in this discussion, there are moderate points in-between where the default decision to wear them is an unhealthy choice.

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Sunscreen - you may feel differently after you've had 15-18 skin cancers removed, some basal cell, some squamous, some removed by freezing (not bad), some by "burn and scrape" (unpleasant, more problematic, and longer healing), some "excised" by scalpel and stitched (not good either). I consider sunscreen one of those things Mom was right about again.

Sunglasses have been around for a while. Some evidence dates them back to the 12th century in China, and the Inuits have made/used sunglasses or snow goggles for about as long (that we know of).
My first time winter camping in the BW I naively/stupidly did not bring sunglasses. Lots of skiing over snow covered lakes resulted in me having significant vision problems upon my return. It was pretty awful. Lesson learned. Your hat brim helps somewhat from light from above. It doesn't do diddly for light reflected off water or snow.
My last purchase (always polarized) was Cocoons fit overs (not too jazzy) - as I now where trifocals and need them. They are "ok". What's not great is all the paraphernalia behind my ears (I also wear hearing aids). I always have croakies on my glasses, so I don't lose them off of my face. Hearing aids in wind suck, and I live in fear of them dislodging. They are worth more than my boat. So usually I have them stored away, to use once on terra firma. Cocoons Sunglasses

boonie: "

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Sunscreen - you may feel differently after you've had 15-18 skin cancers removed, some basal cell, some squamous, some removed by freezing (not bad), some by "burn and scrape" (unpleasant, more problematic, and longer healing), some "excised" by scalpel and stitched (not good either). I consider sunscreen one of those things Mom was right about again. "

I'm sorry to hear that. And without being familiar with your circumstances it's hard to comment on your condition. We know that heavy smokers can live well into their nineties. Probably not most, but some. The point been that poisons and toxins may have a significant affect on a greater population but there will always be exceptions. That's the point I'm making about sunglasses. They may, in specific cases, prevent one from developing cataracts or some other unhealthy outcome to the eye. But a lifetime of natural light deprivation could be a health curse in a variety of other more serious forms - fatal or otherwise.

Modern society is plagued by a variety of chronic diseases that were either extremely rare or unknown over 100 years ago. Coincidentally, modern society has been beset by a variety of doses in many forms and factors, whether they be medicinal, dietary, or even seemingly mundane habits like wearing sunglasses or the chronic application of sunscreen. The western medical system is superb at dealing with emergencies from a range of problems such maladies, trauma, disease and such. But its shortcoming is identifying the root causes of many of these problems in order to prevent them in the first place.

The emerging field of functional medicine focusses on prevention. I have been following the developments there for some time and have been surprised myself at how often the concept of the importance of exposure to natural light - particularly on our eyes - is raised as a crucial ingredient in human health and longevity. Or put another way, what role has the very recent evolution of the unnatural-light lifestyle (sun avoidance been one part of that) of our species played in contributing to some or many of these current plagues? And no, I'm not advocating laying out on the Florida beach all day in your bathing suit. And I'm sorry I brought up the topic of sunscreen because although it's a related issue in one sense, it also has to do with the exposure to toxins. The sun reaching our skin is obviously important - think the extremely important absorption of vitamin D. But of course the poison is in the dose. A sufficient amount is good. Overexposure can be harmful, hence your problems with skin cancer. And everyone is different. An African and an Irishman are going to have very different tolerances. But the individual can manage that with their personal desire for sun exposure and governing it further with applicable clothing. Thus, we need the knowledge in order to make those informed decisions. Based on the evidence I have seen, the default reaching for the sunscreen bottle should not be taken lightly in my view. Nor should the use of sunglasses when other shielding mechanisms will suffice. Just my opinion based on some involved reading.

Sincere best wishes to you and your health. I hope you avoid or prevail over any further setbacks. I know it's not fun. My red-haired freckled mother emigrated from Ireland in her early twenties and worshipped the Canadian summer sun but paid for it in her later innings much the way you describe.

Argo: "

boonie: "

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Sunscreen - you may feel differently after you've had 15-18 skin cancers removed, some basal cell, some squamous, some removed by freezing (not bad), some by "burn and scrape" (unpleasant, more problematic, and longer healing), some "excised" by scalpel and stitched (not good either). I consider sunscreen one of those things Mom was right about again. "

I'm sorry to hear that. And without being familiar with your circumstances it's hard to comment on your condition. We know that heavy smokers can live well into their nineties. Probably not most, but some. The point been that poisons and toxins may have a significant affect on a greater population but there will always be exceptions. That's the point I'm making about sunglasses. They may, in specific cases, prevent one from developing cataracts or some other unhealthy outcome to the eye. But a lifetime of natural light deprivation could be a health curse in a variety of other more serious forms - fatal or otherwise.


Modern society is plagued by a variety of chronic diseases that were either extremely rare or unknown over 100 years ago. Coincidentally, modern society has been beset by a variety of doses in many forms and factors, whether they be medicinal, dietary, or even seemingly mundane habits like wearing sunglasses or the chronic application of sunscreen. The western medical system is superb at dealing with emergencies from a range of problems such maladies, trauma, disease and such. But its shortcoming is identifying the root causes of many of these problems in order to prevent them in the first place.


The emerging field of functional medicine focusses on prevention. I have been following the developments there for some time and have been surprised myself at how often the concept of the importance of exposure to natural light - particularly on our eyes - is raised as a crucial ingredient in human health and longevity. Or put another way, what role has the very recent evolution of the unnatural-light lifestyle (sun avoidance been one part of that) of our species played in contributing to some or many of these current plagues? And no, I'm not advocating laying out on the Florida beach all day in your bathing suit. And I'm sorry I brought up the topic of sunscreen because although it's a related issue in one sense, it also has to do with the exposure to toxins. The sun reaching our skin is obviously important - think the extremely important absorption of vitamin D. But of course the poison is in the dose. A sufficient amount is good. Overexposure can be harmful, hence your problems with skin cancer. And everyone is different. An African and an Irishman are going to have very different tolerances. But the individual can manage that with their personal desire for sun exposure and governing it further with applicable clothing. Thus, we need the knowledge in order to make those informed decisions. Based on the evidence I have seen, the default reaching for the sunscreen bottle should not be taken lightly in my view. Nor should the use of sunglasses when other shielding mechanisms will suffice. Just my opinion based on some involved reading.

Sincere best wishes to you and your health. I hope you avoid or prevail over any further setbacks. I know it's not fun. My red-haired freckled mother emigrated from Ireland in her early twenties and worshipped the Canadian summer sun but paid for it in her later innings much the way you describe."

I'm not saying it's the only reason for the increase of many chronic illnesses in recent decades, but one contributing factor is the fact that modern medicine has prolonged lifespans. You're not likely to develop skin cancer at 60 if you die from tuberculosis at 45...

Dysentery used to take alot people out. I have no actual knowledge of that, just basing it anecdotally on my In-game Oregon Trail experience.

scat: " I am at the same place Jackfish is, cheapo pair of polarized glasses from the bait shop does the job just fine. Buy an expensive pair be lost or broken in a week."

Ask your eye doctor if he/she agrees with that. Any wise person knows that good UV blocking glasses are essential.

And I do not agree that expensive glasses get lost or broken, on the contrary. The cheap ones do.

We take care of things that are dear to us personally and financially.

Do you keep your dress shoes in a box?
Do you have your fine suits dry-cleaned?
Does the silverware stay stored in the box in which it was purchased?
If you own a good fishing rig, you don’t toss it on the bottom of the boat or throw it on shore.

My seven year old prescription sunglasses are still with me and kept in their case.
Tom

tumblehome: "

scat: " I am at the same place Jackfish is, cheapo pair of polarized glasses from the bait shop does the job just fine. Buy an expensive pair be lost or broken in a week."

We take care of things that are dear to us personally and financially.


Do you keep your dress shoes in a box?
Do you have your fine suits dry-cleaned?

"

If I ever see a guy walking down the portage in dress shoes and suit, I'll know who i'm talking to and say hi.

KawnipiKid: "Prescription sunglasses that, like it or not, are the most expensive piece of gear I have on a trip other than the boat and iPhone. I'd never see a portage landing or campsite at a distance without them. Always on a lanyard or in a good case and I never set them down. "

Similar here. I get wraparound, polarized, polycarbonate prescription sunglasses and wear them whenever fishing or paddling. Always put away in a good quality case.
If I didn't care much for the ones available at my optometrist, I have purchased some nice Bolles and had the optometrist swap out the lenses for me. I don't skimp in this department and have never lost a pair.

I have prescription polarized progressive lens Oakleys. Well worth the investment. They never leave me. I wear them far more on a trip than my regular glasses. They go in their own padded case, and the case gets put in the same place (my thwart bag) every time. My glasses then live in my thwart bag. The only time my glasses are not in my thwart bag is when I'm in the tent, then they go in the gear pocket.

Mike

Speckled: "

tumblehome: "

scat: " I am at the same place Jackfish is, cheapo pair of polarized glasses from the bait shop does the job just fine. Buy an expensive pair be lost or broken in a week."

We take care of things that are dear to us personally and financially.



Do you keep your dress shoes in a box?
Do you have your fine suits dry-cleaned?


"

If I ever see a guy walking down the portage in dress shoes and suit, I'll know who i'm talking to and say hi."

And a hug? :)

Most cheap sunglasses will block UV fine. However, the optics in some, like i-gogs, can be pretty poor. They are also more likely to be uncomfortable when wearing all day. I have found Tifosi to be a pretty good compromise between price and quality.

I only go to Walmart for one thing: polarized sunglasses in the fishing section. $ 4.99 YUM brand and one other.

NEIowapaddler: "

Argo: "

boonie: "

Argo: "."

. "

e."

I'm not saying it's the only reason for the increase of many chronic illnesses in recent decades, but one contributing factor is the fact that modern medicine has prolonged lifespans. You're not likely to develop skin cancer at 60 if you die from tuberculosis at 45..."

That’s a good point. 100 years ago the average lifespan for a male was 57 years old. That’s when a lot of chronic accumulative health conditions start to manifest in the late 50-60’s. Kinda hard to have a lot of those conditions when dying before reaching that age. Watch old movies some of those guys looked like old grandpas in their 40’s :)

T

timatkn: "

NEIowapaddler: "

Argo: "

boonie: "

Argo: "."

. "

e."

I'm not saying it's the only reason for the increase of many chronic illnesses in recent decades, but one contributing factor is the fact that modern medicine has prolonged lifespans. You're not likely to develop skin cancer at 60 if you die from tuberculosis at 45..."

That’s a good point. 100 years ago the average lifespan for a male was 57 years old. That’s when a lot of chronic accumulative health conditions start to manifest in the late 50-60’s. Kinda hard to have a lot of those conditions when dying before reaching that age. Watch old movies some of those guys looked like old grandpas in their 40’s :)


T"

It is a good point. There are a variety of factors involved with that. Some of which are:
- Modern medicine including antibiotics and vaccines and the eradication of infectious diseases
- Workplace health and safety requirements
- The marked decline in smoking
- Clean drinking water

However, many of the the chronic health conditions which were once the domain of the elderly are now manifesting in our youth.

There is much research in this area now and some of the reasons are pretty obvious - modern diet being the primary culprit. Yet there are lists of additional reasons that are becoming increasingly understood.

This sunglasses thread as it pertains to the substitution of natural light (as well as the modern embracement of artificial sources) and its rhythmic and hormonal effects on the human body is interesting to me. Whether diurnal or nocturnal, every species' daily rhythms revolve around the sun. Now the exception are humans. If you believe this research is a fools errand, you have to at least consider if this rapid and marked departure from the norms of millennia of human existence is a healthy one. In my opinion there's a degree of hubris in dismissing this concept. I know we are not going to turn back the clock and revert to a bygone existence. But heeding some of the recommendations in this field of research, like avoiding sunglasses whenever possible, seems like a good practice to me.

For the record, when I wear my prescription glasses, I never require sunglasses. When I wear my contacts, I have a much lower tolerance to bright days and do keep sunglasses handy. Good ones. Rhinestone shades. Like many have stated, I would be more prone to losing cheap sunglasses. Da-da da da da-da da da.

boonie: "

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Sunscreen - you may feel differently after you've had 15-18 skin cancers removed, some basal cell, some squamous, some removed by freezing (not bad), some by "burn and scrape" (unpleasant, more problematic, and longer healing), some "excised" by scalpel and stitched (not good either). I consider sunscreen one of those things Mom was right about again. "

I am a pale skinned redhead and while I haven't had to have any skin cancers removed yet, I know that day is coming.

Sunscreen is an absolutely essential piece of gear for many of us. I would be in agony after one day on the water without sunscreen and literally would end up in a hospital burn unit if I spent a week in the backcountry without sunscreen. I don't know your experience Boonie, but I also find there are only a small number of sunscreens that truly work for me (although admittedly, I am as high risk as it gets for sunburn short of being albino).

I have extensive medical training, I have participated in and published medical research, and understand evidence based medicine. The benefits of sunscreen DEFINITIVELY outweigh the risks!

The BW is about the only place I wear sunglasses. The sun off the water is just too much.
I have never been one for sunscreen though. I prefer to just cover up as much as possible, long pants, long sleeves, and wide brimmed hat. I would rather go that route than smear lotion on .

Sunburn: "

boonie: "

Argo: "Or try going without them. Sunlight is extremely important for our eyes and skin. Just wear a hat. Controversial I know. But why are humans the only animals that do this? Is it truly necessary or another marketing ploy that's detrimental to our health - like sunscreen."

Sunscreen - you may feel differently after you've had 15-18 skin cancers removed, some basal cell, some squamous, some removed by freezing (not bad), some by "burn and scrape" (unpleasant, more problematic, and longer healing), some "excised" by scalpel and stitched (not good either). I consider sunscreen one of those things Mom was right about again. "

I am a pale skinned redhead and while I haven't had to have any skin cancers removed yet, I know that day is coming.


Sunscreen is an absolutely essential piece of gear for many of us. I would be in agony after one day on the water without sunscreen and literally would end up in a hospital burn unit if I spent a week in the backcountry without sunscreen. I don't know your experience Boonie, but I also find there are only a small number of sunscreens that truly work for me (although admittedly, I am as high risk as it gets for sunburn short of being albino).


I have extensive medical training, I have participated in and published medical research, and understand evidence based medicine. The benefits of sunscreen DEFINITIVELY outweigh the risks! "

Apart from the idea that the human animal was generally acclimatized to their environment up until a short time ago in terms of human evolution. And likely never had these challenges until mass migration took over where fair-skinned people suddenly existed in environments not suited to their pigmentation, why isn't a solution to your problem what Unas10 recently posted?

Before a certain period in time - perhaps around the agricultural revolution - humans received their sun exposure gradually. Today we are exposed to extremes. Think winter vacations. Thrusting yourself from one extreme, being indoors in the winter under artificial light and yet taking a winter vacation sun-worshiping in the Caribbean and abruptly frying our bodies for seven days straight. That seems like a stress for which we were never conditioned.

It's a new reality that's virtually unavoidable. I get that. But why not just cover up with suitable clothing? I don't get it. Why do you deem it a necessary solution to rub a chemical all over the largest organ in your body? I am not trying to guilt you. I sincerely would like to know. Especially since you've done research. To me that's like saying I have researched a drug that can help my irritable bowel without considering what you can do to change your diet first.

Geez - paraphrasing ZZ Top

When you wake up in the mornin
And the light hurts your head
First thing you do
When you get up outta bed
Is hit that lake a paddlin
And try to beat the masses
Put on your sunscreen
And some cheap sunglasses
Oh yeah, oh yeah

I’ve had skin cancer surgery twice on my face. My dad’s theory was you get one good sunburn then you’re good to go all summer. And we were outside all the time. I have 2 scars on my cute baby face, like 2” long, and the experience was none too pleasant I can assure you. The 1st time they did it with local anesthesia and basically the process was a Vietnamese doc Nguyen with a nasty bedside manor gouged out my face with what felt like a dull X-acto lnife meant to inflict pain on an unsuspecting victim while yeiling at me the whole time to relax, and I never whimpered a peep. The smell of burning flesh while this maniac was cauterizing the ends of exposed blood vessels just sealed the deal. Then I was told I had to wait for an hour in the waiting room while they made sure they got it all. Nope I had to go thru the excruciating process all over again, even worse cuz it was like the half assed local anesthesia didn’t catch the 2nd time. Then they cut your face in an eye like shape so they can sew it back together leaving a 2” zipper and you can feel every tug when the refugee doc takes out his vengeance on me. That sucked. I almost died of lymphoma cancer, was in the hospital for 23 days, had chemo all that happy shtit, and I would do all that over again before I ever go thru that process again once. 2nd time they put me under, didn’t feel a thing, woke up with a new scar on my face but man I’ll never understand why they put me thru all that the first time, insurance or something. I will never let a doc named Nguyen come near my body again, I’ll kill him first. Just thought I’d share haha. Ya I wear my sunscreen don’t need all that again - Ever!

And every girl’s crazy bout a sharp dressed man…