sunglasses

I lost a nice pair as they sunglass strap popped over my head when I flipped. I have not worn any since. I know REI makes some that actually float but I dont know the lense quality. In a mid price I go with oakley polarized

#1 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 11:17am

use polarized. they stop glare and UV. i know some guys that drill a hole in the earpiece and make their own strap for em.

i used a brand of polarized goggles when i used to paddleboard called Specs. they look super duper cheesy and gay. but they work amazingly well, cost 40 bucks, and float. also replacement lenses are only about 20 bucks. they are almost like goggles, but they breathe really well so they never get fogged up. they used to carry them at go bananas on kapahulu. not sure any more though.

once again, you will get laughed at for wearing these. but you will not get those crazy eyeball tumors or have dry eyes after a race ever again. worth it i say.

or try these they are about 100% cooler looking than the ones i have.

#3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 11:55am

eyecatchers were awesome polarized sunglasses... they closed down last year, but i think he still has product laying around that he might sell for a reasonable price

#5 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 12:22pm

The sea specs are also available as prescription glasses.
With polarized lenses it's a little harder to read the gps, but most important is to look for 100% UV protection with whatever you buy.

#7 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 1:26pm

Optic Nerve, Banshee model... vented so they don't fog up, reasonably priced, three different interchangeable lenses for different light conditions, full UV protection, and they look good (at least on me). They're like $52/pair, and they don't float.

#9 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:39pm

You could also try fuglies http://www.fuglies.com.au/

Polerised and comfortable

#11 Fri, 05/30/2008 - 12:55am

Hobie sunglasses are the best on the water-no comparison

#13 Fri, 05/30/2008 - 6:45am

Konapaddler ... I thought so too for three sets of glass Hobies 'Till I went to Maui Jim ... da bes IMHO.

Its the coatings on the INSIDE ( eye side ) that make them that much better IMO. Really, you can tell.

Cheaper but still top 3 is the Ray Ban G-15 glass lenses.

Jc9 0 and other Specs users ... Iv'e had my eye on those but not on my eyes yet .... The look perfect for body surfing and such too ...

Q: When you are exerting yourself pretty hard out of the water, do they fog up from the inside ? Does enough air circulate ? Just wondering .. thanks,
pog

#15 Fri, 05/30/2008 - 4:52pm

"I was wearing oakley’s but found that the salt from the water ate the mirrored finish so I would stay away from those with a mirror coating"

Was it just the saltwater, or were you wiping the salt crystals off the lens?

#17 Tue, 06/03/2008 - 12:31pm

A devastatingly handsome dork, might I add.

#19 Tue, 06/03/2008 - 2:44pm

I think Maui Jims and Hobies are the best, only used those two exclusively for the last 6 years.

Onnopaddle-
Absolutely right. No question Hobie's Polarized are great, but I too have had trouble with the inner coating deteriorating, especially how hard I use them. I think Hobies are made in China now, so a great product, just a little less long-term durability than before. China Pegasus's, on the other hand, are ridiculously reliable. Maui Jim's are made in Europe (Spain and Italy I believe) so you can expect a little better quality.

Maui Jims are a cut above, no doubt, the Maui Jims i've used have been the best shades i've ever had. The drawback? $$$$$. Expect to spend between $160-$300+

Depending on where you live or work, Maui Jims give's discounts to alot of different industry professionals. I know here on Maui we (firefighters) get a 50% discount along with police and hospitality (hotel and resort) industry employees.

Polarized is automatic, you have to get polarized, no way around it. Another useful topic to explore if you're looking for feedback might be to ask guys what kind of tint they prefer ie. Amber, Dark, Rose, Indoor/Outdoor, etc. Shades come with tints usually from around 10-12% (really dark, probably soothing for your eyes, but lose a little detail) to around 16-20%( great detail, but a much lighter tint).

Another problem is I have a huge, bulbous head, and other brands i've tried (serengeti, arnet, oakley, bolle) don't really make shades for really large faces. Along with MJ's and Hobie, Vuarnets and Ray-Bans do somewhat, and i've also had good experiences with both of those.

I'd like to hear if anybody has feedback on Kaenon's also. They look cool as hell, but bulky and heavy. Can anyone provide some feedback.

#21 Thu, 06/26/2008 - 6:45am

In regards to the tint, I prefer amber/brown lens more over the grey/smoke or rose ones. A bit more clearer like driving glasses when I'm out on the water in the later afternoon to before sunset timeframe.

#23 Thu, 06/26/2008 - 8:43pm

does that water getting on the lenses during a session bother anyone else?

#25 Sat, 06/28/2008 - 9:24pm

Im talking more about just the beads of water being in your line of sight. Maybe something that helps the water just run off?? Im sure im being too particular but it makes me take them off sometimes it gets so bad. Like after i huli, I know, I just shouldnt huli!

#27 Sat, 06/28/2008 - 11:06pm

Right on, let me know how that works for you. Ive got some cheapies I could try also. I dont know diddly about sunglasses but I wonder if polarized would react any different than cheapies. That could be a slightly more expensive experiment!

#29 Sun, 06/29/2008 - 12:47am

I got the sea specs about a month after reading this thread and I think they are great for the price. Very light weight and well designed. The lenses are surprisingly good (I got the grey lenses) The intigrated strap is really easy to adjust and the glasses are shaped in such a way that they will NOT come off unless you are plowed by some heavy water in which case they might take some eyebrow with them. They have ridges around the orbits of the eye socket so they cant be pulled over and off your face without a lot of force (if the strap is snug.) They float as well, just in case. Pretty cool. 3 for 110, find a friend who need them and keep the extra pair for yourself!

As to not fogging up, sorry but they do, because they are lifted a bit off the face and due to the shape, they vent better than other glasses so they are a bit better but harder to take off if you need to clean the lense for any reason.

The styling is pretty bad, but I with my hat pulled down you dont really notice and I dont care but that shape is what keeps em on your head.

Caution, if you have a big bulbous head like me, the strap at max length just barely allows me to pull the glasses on so try before you buy if possible.

Shawn

#31 Wed, 07/09/2008 - 9:01pm

Get whatever you can paddle in, if there comfortable then thats good enough, if there expensive then make sure you don't loose them.

#33 Fri, 07/11/2008 - 9:04am

I have a pair of Columbia sunglasses that have yet to prove me wrong. They sit on my face nice without any pressure points and they stay on my face even when I jump into the water or perchance huli. I like them a lot. I might try to use that Rain-X idea, although I haven't had any problems with fogging or water clouding my vision.

#35 Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:23am