What are your recomendations for polarized and blocking sun glare from the sides or bottom? I would say affordable or low cost but that means something different to everyone so just tell me what you think are the best. Thank you

Action Optics Photochromic Copper

they werent when i bought mine ya tool...:)

Another vote for Smiths...I have a pair that actually has "locks" on the arms, I can twist them, which opens up the front and the lenses come out...and then you can put in either a different color polarized lens (there are three or four), or put in replacements if you scratch 'em.

I have another pair of Smiths that I love, but the lens got a scratch in it right in the middle, and that's it for them...no replacing 'em.

Fish on...

Todd

I tried on a pair of Maui Jim's last time out on the Columbia...

The optics were WAY better than on any pair of Smiths I've ever owned, and I've owned more than 10 pair.


...still rockin' the Smiths. The MJ's make the Smiths look like cheap sunglasses (price tag wise too).



I'm planning on winning the lottery, so we'll see...

Checked out the websites of all mentioned. Sorry KK some of the Kaenons are too Paris Hilton for me, functionaly they are probably the best, but I have to be seen wearing them. The Maui Jims win in the looks department but looks like they will let a little glare in the bottom or sides. Smiths are a little cheaper than the others and have a great warranty. But in all cases there too fuc%ing many to choose from. Lens color, style, make , model........................fu%k me. I have to find somewhere to try them out, sure cant choose from the website.

KK, it'll take more than a pair of glasses to make you look like Paris Hilton...maybe a total eclipse of the sun and a pair of really dark Ray-Bans...

Fish on...

Todd

Those arent too bad looking but WTF is Guy Piere? Is he a master of the art of angling ?

action optics has been owned by smith for years.

later....

ryan

Another vote for Smith.

smiths fo sho

cheap ones from walgreens. i either toss my gear on top of them or lose them eventually, so i'm not doing myself any favors by paying more than 20 bucks.

A year ago I found some sliders at Costco for about $30. 4 sets of lenses- dark polaroids, light polaroids, yellow, and clear. I abuse glasses, too, but these have held up very well.

love my Maui Jim Offshore glasses.
Have both amber and grey lense models. Pricey but the best fishing sunglass I have used. Excellent spotfishing in low, clear flows.

I have had Maui Jims for about 6 years. I am on my 3rd pair and love them. After I broke my first pair I looked at a lot of others because of the price but could not find any that fit and blocked glare like the MJ's. I think I returned about 5 different other brands before I just forked out the money for another pair.

Mj's for me.... I'm on my 3rd pair. The best at blocking the water glare...

Keith

I vote "No" on Smith.

The reason is I took an ABC Marine fire extinguisher to the face after jumping a cargo ship wake and the lens popped right out and went overboard. The plastic frames did save me from a nice shiner though.



Boating with me gets pretty interesting.

I am also a big MJ fan. I have 3 pair, two dark, and one rose. They are hands down the best glasses I have fished with. I own smiths, and action optics (also smiths) and will choose the MJ's every time, and allow buddies who forgot their galsses to borrow the others.

I just got two pair back from MJ. Their customer service is awsome, and I had my new glasses back in no time. Now I have 2 new pair wooo hooo.

Fish Gillz, super light weight and they float.

I've been using Maui Jim's for 11 years or so, and on my second pair. Great customer service. Broke a pair when a sturgeon slapped my face. I sent them a letter and a picture along with the sunglasses. They sent me a new pair! Unsurpassed polarized technology. Not cheap but if you take care of them they will last for many years.
How I got hooked on them was when I guy in my boat kept spotting fish in the water. I thought he was full of crap until I tried his MJ's with the gold lenses. I could see into the water with almost no surface glare. Oh and there were plenty of fish to see!

I bought some Mad Marlins on Ebay, 3 pairs for 60 bucks. A month later I see them in Yachting Magazine for $225 a pair. Go figure, but they were nice, good color, head hugging with a wide wrap around lense. Good style to have if you cast steelhead flies in the wind...safety first now!

I love my Natives...
they cover my eyes very well..dont get glare from the water...very important to me...

the return policy is totally awesome...i had to send mine in..they called me
the day that they got them in the morning, told me that they didnt make that style anymore, i was sad, but told her i would look at which ones that
they gave me the choice of at the store on lunch and see what fit...i explained that they were the first real sunglasses that fit perfect...she listened to me...she went out in the wherehouse and called me back and was afraid that i went to the store already...i didnt...she said she found a coulple pairs of the old model i love so much...

she didnt just send me a new pair...she sent me two new pairs...
i would recomend these anytime...i love mine...cost about 120 bucks...but i drive for a living, and fish all the time...i have them on my head constantly...they make quite a few with many other lenses that pop out...
love em....c

http://www.nativeyewear.com/home.php

Bolle polarirized "Filp's" for me. $40 on sale. Have 3 pairs.

anyone know if MJ makes an interchangeable lens model?

I have an older pair of Smith I used to like, but they're glass lenses and heavy to wear for long days. Also have some newer Action Optics that are optically great, but are still relatively heavy and let light and glare in around the sides. Got my first pair of Maui Jims 4 years ago. They fit closer, so little to no glare gets in around the edges. And they are hands down the lightest most comfortable glasses I've every worn. I'm on pair number two since pair number one took up residence this winter under a large boulder now known as Maui Jim Rock on the Bogachiel River (don't ask). I wore pair number two all day every day for eight days in blinding sunlight in southern Utah last week, and they are so comfortable that I often forget I have them on. Pricey, but I'm sold on them.

Salmo, do you know which specific model of MJ's you have? I'm going to buy another pair to go along with my MJ and AO glasses I have.

Exceleent suggestion. Shopped around and tried a few out. Got our stimulus check and went and got a pair of the Maui Jim Offshore (gray lens). Awsome, stopped by the river to check on the springer attack. I could see twice as deep into the MUDDY water as I could before.

Only MJ's for me. Copper lens.

Usually wear Smiths.
Another couple to check out are Haber and Guideline.
Guideline's with the built in bifocals are nice. Sure helps this blind dude who can't tie on a size 18 dry fly for his life. They come in + 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 power.

Wntrrn,

I have the MJ Kanaha. It's a plastic tortise colored frame and copper lenses I think. Saved $30 getting them off Ebay.

Sg

Vuarnet's

So, what do all the numbers mean on the MJ's?
551-23
16-23
165-23
302, 306, 139, 409 etc.

Costa's all the way! Polcarbonate lenses suck, they scratch at the blink
of an eye. The costa lightweight 580 glass is the mutts nuts!
Chrome

I've got a pair of Action/interchangeable lenses, which are great for the wide variety of conditions, and some Maui Jim sportframes, which I use for everyday wear. But most days on the river, I stick with the Costa Del Mar Deep Blues/gray lenses that I've had for 5-6 years. Comfortable, and very effective.

Here's my tip for ANYONE considering premium sunglasses.... REGARDLESS OF BRAND.

Invest in some sort of lanyard to keep your high dollar glasses safe from getting crushed or falling into the water.

You can buy neoprene Croakies... or WalMart sells cheap lanyards marketed with the Shimano brand for $2.99.

Put them on your glasses and you will NEVER have to worry about lost/crushed/drowned shades. My SMITH ActionOptics are either on my face or suspended out of the way on the nape of my neck wherever I go. The same pair is going on its fifth season without a mishap.

Cheap and functional insurance. I guarantee it!

Good advice, FnP. I learned that lesson the hard way. ALWAYS use lanyards with my sunglasses on the water. I prefer to put glasses on the bill of my cap when I'm not wearing them, and do it with the lanyards attached.

boatersworld.com has MJ offshore for 125.00 a copy with free shipping.

GBL,

When I was looking to replace my MJs, I think the numbers refer to the model, frame, and lens color. You should be able to figure it out from the MJ website.

Sg

Salmo-
You are right, the MJ web site gives all the info. Thanks

Maui Jim's are the best. Natives are great considering the replaceable lenses and warranty and much lower price.

My vote is for Natives... I've had a pair w/black lenses and they've been great... I just bought a "open water" pair w/blue lenses... they are awsome.... Like $20 more then the other polorized lenses but way worth it.....

I just wear the ones from the dollar store.

My last pair of cheap sunglasses I bought started making me dizzy, and were giving me a splitting headache.

So I took them off and help them up and sure enough the lenses were so warped and almost lumpy, that it was like wearing someone else's trifocals.

Those were $30 Calcuttas from Sportsman's.

I was told to watch out for "cheap" sunglasses... Doc you could help me out but I have very sensitive eyes and a doctor told me never to buy cheap sunglasses because they make your eyes relax and then w/the glasses not being totally UV protective they will let the UV rays burn your eyes... Does this make sense doc?