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Author	Message Text
HowardSprague	01/24/2011 02:35PM   You can often find a good deal on Bolle sunglasses, on campmor or sportsman's guide. I have the Pirajas, which are great (they have a pretty huge product line), but I spent some $$ upgrading them to prescription. Comfortable, and have taken some abuse. Definitely get polarized. Bolle Piraja - Campmor $45
whiteh20	01/24/2011 04:16PM   I wear sunglasses all the time. I had been buying Julbo glacier glasses for 20 plus years. I used to buy a set a year. This year I won some Oakleys (Radar Range)in a shooting tournament. WOW, they are great glasses and I have 3 sets of interchangeable lenses. One set is polarized and they work great. I will be buying Oakleys from now on.
rlhedlund	01/28/2011 05:57AM   Costa del Mar's 1/2 price at STP. Best sunglasses I ever owned. Wore them everywhere all year round. Boating, bass fishing, canoeing, backpacking, etc.... lasted about three years before they finally sucumbed to my abuses. I was always dropping them and sitting on them, etc. They stood up better than any others. I miss them dearly. Cheapies since then, until I find another great deal.
OBX2Kayak	01/28/2011 07:50AM   quote ducks: ... $15 pair from scheels broke taking them off the top of my head ... $20 replacements broke the next day ... $30 Cabelas brand that lasted 6 months ... " Assuming the progression holds, if you spend a million dollars the next pair will last you a liftime. :-)
andym	01/27/2011 11:35PM   I have a pair of prescription Oakley's from a year when we had extra money in our medical spending account. They have lasted 7 years and are the best glasses with the sharpest vision I have ever had. And the tight to the eyes wrap around frames work great on the water. But they are pricey and so you can't afford to lose them. They do need new lenses though as they finally did get scratched from dropping them.
snakecharmer	01/28/2011 06:05AM   Dolce & Gabanna DG2027B. You never know who you're gonna run into on the trail :)
vinnie	01/28/2011 10:54AM   I just use the ones that everyone else loses on the portages. Seems like i'm always finding sunglasses. the last pair i found was a pair of blue blockers, man they give you a whole new look at the day. vinnie
brerud	01/28/2011 11:12AM   I have a pair of Costas that are 7 years old now and I absolutely love them. I love them so much that I won't bring them with me in the BWCA because I wear them only while fishing or driving at home. I bought the cheapo Berkley polarized glasses from WM and they are good enough for me on trips in the BW. They aren't as nice as the Costas, the lenses scratch (my costas don't have a scratch on them) they aren't as comfortable, and they will break eventually but they were less than $15 so I don't care. As soon as I find a good deal, I will probably buy another pair of Costas so I won't mind using my older pair for things that I won't today for fear of not having them at home to use.
HowardSprague	01/28/2011 07:58AM   quote andym: "I have a pair of prescription Oakley's from a year when we had extra money in our medical spending account. They have lasted 7 years and are the best glasses with the sharpest vision I have ever had. And the tight to the eyes wrap around frames work great on the water. But they are pricey and so you can't afford to lose them. They do need new lenses though as they finally did get scratched from dropping them." Great point to bring up, which I'd forgotten about! If you do an FSA account for medical, a prescription pair of sunglasses qualifies. I did that - put in a little extra - when I knew I'd be wanting a new pair one year.
A1t2o	12/04/2020 12:32PM   Shamelessly bringing up an old thread just to post an advertisement. Mods, please delete this.
AndySG	01/22/2011 10:01AM   Seven years ago I bought a $90 pair of Arnette polarized sun glasses and still have them. These are my "everyday use" glasses. I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten they were on top of my ball cap and I've thrown them on the floor when removing my hat. They're still good as new. I got lucky five years back and found a pair of Costa Del Mar Harpoon seconds in mirrored blue. They were 1/2 price at $100. These sturdy glasses provide incredible clarity and eye protection. I only wear them for fishing, camping and tripping. I protect them in the hard case when not wearing them. When I wear them, I use a neck lanyard to keep them safe. My 2 cents...buy the quality glasses and take care of them. Money well spent as I have not purchased sunglasses in 5 years.
GeoFisher	01/22/2011 01:15PM   quote Ralphthewonderllama: "A few years back I bought a pair of Native sunglasses from steapandcheap. They were normally $140 and I got them for $39. They changed my views on this topic. For a year and a half I wore them, and for a year and a half I loved everything about them... then they fell in the river. I searched on line frantically for the same sweet deal, but couldn't pin one down. Finally, I bought a similar pair (same brand different model) for $60 ($130 msrp). I think I will continue to wear "spendy" shades from here on out. I probably take a little better care of them, knowing what they cost, but considering how much use I get out of them, it is worth it. " Hey......I think I got the SAME EXACT deal......140 or 150 and got them for 40......Native Eyewear/Rose colored. FANTASTIC, simply FANTASTIC glasses. I also will only get the spendy ones from here on out. The 20-30 dollar pairs from discounters are junk compared to good glasses. I do take an emergency pair of GOOD glasses, and yet another pair of junk in my daypack. Later, Geo
butthead	01/22/2011 01:55PM   I use prescription goggles at work, so I went double duty; Wiley X 2 lens set, photogrey and polarized brown. They float and are setup with bows and/or a strap. Some $ involved, tri focal prescription, but I like to see where I am. butthead
ducks	01/22/2011 09:29PM   Thanks for the input everyone. Jan, I agree.. very hard on sunglasses :) I often do what AndySG does with forgetting they are on top of my cap and.............. flying through the air they go. You should see the beating my cell phone gets :) My summer job (city parks dept.) gives me safety glasses and I've had the same pair for 4 years. Very durable but not polarized. I'll look into polarized ones and check in at steap and cheap more often and look for other good deals. I have a few months until I need them. Even with the rave reviews of the expensive ones it's painful to think of spending that kind of money on shades :)
butthead	12/04/2020 12:52PM   A1t2o: "Shamelessly bringing up an old thread just to post an advertisement. Mods, please delete this." Yup happens regularly. I've been considering a post with "naked" for the title to see who and what gets advertised. butthead
HangLoose	12/04/2020 05:27PM   A1t2o: "Shamelessly bringing up an old thread just to post an advertisement. Mods, please delete this." I agree. Mods, please remove that KennyFin post. The safety glasses post has nothing to do with the original post. The original post is 11 years old and this guy obviously came here to advertise.
gutmon	01/21/2011 07:45PM   I wear prescription sunglasses as I can't see otherwise. I have found that spending a good amount of money means that you do keep closer watch on glasses and keep them in a case when not wearing them.
kanoes	01/21/2011 07:15PM   i think youre just hard on sunglasses! :) im going on my 4th year with a pair from fleet farm. under $20.
overthehill	01/21/2011 08:27PM   I'm hard on them. I either sit on them, lose them or scratch them up. The polarized ones around $20 seem to suit me the best WHEN I FIND THE FIT. Had a pair of Hobies that I LOVED ($32 clearance) and they lasted a couple years, then when a lens popped out while cleaning, I epoxied it in and in the process the center of the lens became permanently smudged. 3 pair for $10 in 2001 at a fle market and they won't break,scratch or get lost. Go figger.
sleepnbag	01/21/2011 09:10PM   On a whim, Sleepnpad and I bought some spendy Revo sunglasses when we were on our Honeymoon in Hawaii. (Mine were $100+ dollars.) I had "Buyers Guilt" the next day, but after the first few days of wearing them, I knew I could never go back to cheepys. 5+ years later I still have yet to scratch them and I ware them all the time. (except at night of course) There is something to say about "getting what you pay for" and my sunglasses are by far the best investment I've made as far as my eyes are concerned. I do keep them in a case when not in use but this also helps me to keep track of them as well.
fadersup	12/12/2020 06:41PM   butthead: "A1t2o: "Shamelessly bringing up an old thread just to post an advertisement. Mods, please delete this." Yup happens regularly. I've been considering a post with "naked" for the title to see who and what gets advertised. butthead " See through.
ducks	01/21/2011 06:53PM   I've always bought inexpensive sunglasses because I'm really good at losing them. Well, in the last 2 years I've broken 3 pairs of said cheap sunglasses. $15 pair from scheels (1 year old) broke taking them off the top of my head to put on my face while driving up for a BWCA trip. $20 replacements I bought at Marine General in Duluth an hour later broke the next day doing the same thing while canoeing. The next pair were $30 Cabelas brand that lasted 6 months. That pair were broken by my 5 year old. At least they didn't break just taking them off my hat brim to put on my face. So, my questions are............ If I spend more money on my next pair of sunglasses will they be more durable, or will I just throw more money away when I break them? Does anyone have experience with an inexpensive brand that has some durability? Thanks
intheloonybin	01/21/2011 09:24PM   I have always bought Oakley sunglasses (from the early eye shades in about 1986). They hold up really well considering what I do to them- other than scratches from treating them poorly. Squashed in pocket? Just snap the arm back on. I have survived a rock coming off of a car tire while cycling with only a slight scratch. That sold me, as I would have sustained severe eye damage with anyting less.
SunCatcher	01/22/2011 06:07AM   I have prescription sunglasses, I have had the same frames for 8 years. Got New lenses about four years ago. I am going to get a new pair this year. I am very careful with them as they cost a lot of cashino. SunCatcher
Beaverjack	01/22/2011 06:10AM   I'm going to knock on wood here, but I've kept the same pair of Smith's ($100) glasses since 2007. I bought while on an elk hungting trip because I had left my Ray Bans at home. I've had the Ray Bans since 2004. I leave one pair in my truck at all times, in a case. The Smiths go into the bush with a Crokie and a hard case. I don't lay them down on logs out of the case. I don't take them off with one hand or clean them dry. I guess some things can be learned. Oh, I've also had the same pocket knife for 7 years. (knock, knock, knock)
Ralphthewonderllama	01/21/2011 08:45PM   A few years back I bought a pair of Native sunglasses from steapandcheap. They were normally $140 and I got them for $39. They changed my views on this topic. For a year and a half I wore them, and for a year and a half I loved everything about them... then they fell in the river. I searched on line frantically for the same sweet deal, but couldn't pin one down. Finally, I bought a similar pair (same brand different model) for $60 ($130 msrp). I think I will continue to wear "spendy" shades from here on out. I probably take a little better care of them, knowing what they cost, but considering how much use I get out of them, it is worth it.
Zulu	01/21/2011 09:31PM   Safety Sunglasses# I use an inexpensive pair of Safety Sunglasses. They do get scratched but they may get lost before that happens. I get them at the big box Home Improvement Stores. They are not like the pair in the link but I thought that floating feature would be nice because I like to swim with them on. The fact that Safety glasses fit close to the face can help protect you from freak accidents too.
drnatus	01/22/2011 10:45AM   I, too, am hard on sunglasses. What I have done is to go to the local big box hardware store...L or HD.... and buy saftey glasses that are also sunglasses. These seem to be a little more sturdy than the average pair of sunglasses and are still fairly cheap <$20 and some <$10. The polarized may be a little more. If I lose them or they get scratched...just buy a new pair. I'd love to try an expensive pair of sunglasses just to see if they really are all that, but I just can't bring myself to do that. edit: should have just quoted Zulu and typed +1!
Savage Voyageur	01/22/2011 06:23AM   I wear prescription glasses and they came with a pair of sunglasses that snap on to the frame with magnets. They work fine but they do get scratched if you don't take care of them.
AndySG	01/22/2011 02:57PM   quote kanoes: "junk? seriously?" Well, "junk" may be a little harsh. I used to buy less expensive polarized shades for fishing and driving. They were easily broken, and it seemed after a year or so the lenses were scratched, or would pop out, not to mention the frames falling apart at the hinges. After buying my Costa Del Mar shades, I was amazed at the clarity and brightness of view they provided, as well as cutting through haze for seeing great natural colors. It is like my vision is actually enhanced. I've had several friends and family members try them and they too are amazed at the difference. Yeah, they are expensive, especially the glass lense models. Keep an eye open for a deal. You won't regret it. Also, trying a pair indoors at the mall is not a good test. You need to try them outdoors on a sunny day.
Boatin	01/24/2011 02:22PM   Costa Del Mar = HD vision. After a day on the water my eyes feel completely relaxed with zero strain. Great for seeing through water glare too. If you check out fishing Pros and offshore guys down in FL, they are all using them - for good reason. There are other good manufacturers out there too but I have had excellent luck with CDM and their service.
kanoes	01/22/2011 01:57PM   junk? seriously?
ducks	01/27/2011 07:37PM   000000000hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so close. $170 Costa's on steepandcheap for $55 but I didn't like the red frames. It's a fun game checking. I've seen Oakleys on there in the past so maybe I'll get lucky. Also some great deals on Bolle, Costas and others at Campmor. Thanks for the hints and it looks like I should be able to find some expensive ones at a cheaper price.
NDCanoe	01/31/2011 01:37PM   Prescription here. I love my Serengeti drivers. Just make sure to get the original lens manufacturer. I bought my last perscription pair from Pearle, and only the frame was Serengeti, the lenses were just generic. Alternatively, I've purchased safety glasses from Wally World optical and had them put in tinted, polorized lenses. Those are indestructible. Serengeti Aviator
LoneWolf	01/22/2011 12:05PM   I'm with the folks that wear the cheap polarized ones. Cabelas had some they'd sell for $8-9 every once and while, and Walmart and Gander often has some around $10 in they're fishing area. Cabelas Cheapo Polarized Sunglasses
SunCatcher	01/29/2011 09:37AM   Got a new pair of Wiley X prescription's (Used FSA Account) I love em and now I am styling hahaahha SunCatcher
butthead	01/29/2011 11:12AM   Like this??? butthead
SunCatcher	01/29/2011 11:28AM   U are Really Styling Butthead :) SunCatcher
MGD	01/31/2011 10:15AM   This has already been said above, but I'll add my two cents: Watch steepandcheap and find a pair of Costa Del Mar's, you won't be sorry. I bought a pair for around $50 several years ago and love them. The first pair I had fell off my head at one point and the lens cracked on the sidewalk. Sent them in (they were pretty well worn at this point, in addition to the cracked lense) and they replaced them with another pair, no questions asked. They even had an expert recommend which lenses would work best for my fishing habits, and gave me a different lens than what I had.