Favorite Fishing Sunglasses (For Inshore Saltwater Anglers)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Stop paying full price for your tackle and get on the water fishing tips every week. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/2XIKxsl
Get the Smith Optics Guide's Choice here: bit.ly/3oLhArO
Get the Oakley Split Shot glasses here: bit.ly/38HtqO4
Get the Oakley Holbrooks here: bit.ly/38IsrwR
Here's a question we get a lot: what are the best sunglasses for inshore fishing?
It's a complicated answer.
Just like the question, "What's the best reel for inshore fishing?", the answer depends on the situation you're using them.
I've personally bought, worn, and tested over 24 pairs of sunglasses (I know, it's a bit of an obsession), and here are my most important criteria:
- Best lens/filters
- Most face coverage (to eliminate as much light/glare coming in from the sides or bottom so I can see fish better)
- Best quality (in terms of parts, glass, filters, technology, etc)
- Best overall fit (especially after wearing a pair of glasses for 8 hours on the boat because a poor-fitting pair will not only slip off your nose every minute but it can even give you a headache)
- Best overall look (let’s face it, we all want to look good)
Check out this video to see my top 3 favorites! - Розваги
Stop paying full price for your tackle and get on the water fishing tips every week. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/2XIKxsl
Great review! You guys always offer honest info and feedback.
I've had a single pair of Smith Caymans for literally decades. The best I've ever had by a long shot and ridiculously durable. Mine are amber photochromic which makes them incredibly versatile - early morning low light through high noon through sunset.
Can't speak to saltwater fishing, but oakley split shots with the shallow water lenses are amazing for sight fishing. If you need RX they aren't offered on there website, go to an oakley store and they can special order them.
I bought a pair of the Oakley split shots last winter in FL - I thought this was going to be an under the radar secret - they are easily the best filter, weight, scratch resistance among the many brands I’ve worn over the years. My 2 cents, but for my inshore fishing I use an amber lens with light mirror, and they’ve been indispensable.
Hey Joe, great review. I'm a member and would encourage anyone who is not to join. Great education, knowledge, tips and tools and more. I know you are a young guy, but for those of us who need "reader" lenses (which is likely a large portion of your membership) to tie knots and see up close it would be awesome to see a selection of reader lens glasses on the website. It's why I went with Costa and Maui Jim. Would love to buy and try Smith and Oakley. Congrats on your and Luke's success.
Agreed. I really need the reader insert for knots and up close stuff - Costa make several models with reading lenses built it,
Great video. Side Note From MY Opinion: I am an Epileptic sufferer, and for ME, the Maui Jim Blue Polarized Lens sunglasses have been the best sunglasses I've used to help me with anti-glare issues because sun glares can bring on some hard seizures when the glints hit me unexpectedly.
Great feedback and thank you for watching!
Those of us who wear prescription are at a disadvantage as far as all the color and filter options. But my polarized gray lenses work well enough for a recreational fishing enthusiast like me and are very good for true color when I'm doing other stuff like hiking, watching ball games, etc. The frames are Dragon, which are economical, tough, plus they float. Great info on your video, though, for when (not if) I finally get my dedicated surf and inshore fishing glasses.
You can get prescription lenses now in almost any sunglasses and I can’t tell you how much of a difference maker it makes. I can probably see an extra 2-3 bass on the water a day because of it
I too use my Holbrooks for driving , but I have a pair of snowboard lense Smith that I used for fishing but they came off in the gulf this summer :/ I also had a nice Armani frame turned into amber prescription lenses that I also lost lol
I’ve used all of these brands - for a lot of different sports - fishing, fly fishing, surfing, skiing and cycling. I think they all excel in different ways for different applications.
That said, while the filters matter, the fit and lens clarity are equally important. Find what fits your face and what leaves you with the least amount of eye fatigue at the end of the day.
I have Costa and Maui Jim. Costa being my favorite👍
I noticed you did not mention RCIs..I’ve got a pair with the amber lens and quite happy up to now with them. What’s your impression between Smith “guide” and RCIs?
Last month my Smiths fell off me and I accidentally stomped on them so they were unrecognizable. Lenses popped out and the wire frame was mangled. I bent it all back and popped the lenses back in. The scratches buffed out nicely. Durability gets a 5 star from me. They are heavy though.
Super surprised you have the freespools from smith! And do you not use native?? One of the best fishing sunglasses and the frames are made from plants now!
I have had 2 pairs of Oakley flak and flak2.0. But I can’t decided between smith guides choice or Oakley split shot for my RX sunglasses
I agree completely! Costa customer service is horrible! I bought a pair of Costas a while back and put a big scratch in the lens. I emailed them and asked if I could get a replacement lense and they flat out told me no. I told them they were unusable and I just bought them. So they basically said I had to buy another pair of sunglasses and they don't replace lenses.
I like Ozark Trail from Walmart. No joke. Polarized and $5. Scratch them, lose them, break them, I reach into the bag in my dresser for another pair.
You should always have a good lense cleaner too. The lenses won't delaminate as fast and with Smith they don't sell replacement lenses so you usually have to buy aftermarket lenses on ebay for $40 or buy new sunglasses. I fish a lot and the Smith Chromapop lenses last me a little over 2 years. Great glasses just wish the lenses didn't delaminate as fast as they do.
Since I have had cateract surgery in both eyes I have lost the natural UV protection so I need the best glasses that will protect my eyes, so are you saying Oakley have the best protection? my other concern is do mirrored glasses reflect and cause more sunburn on your nose?
unexpected info great job
I own about 25 pairs myself lol. I've tried all of those. Oakleys scratch and delaminate under hard use/salt. Smith guides choice are favorite of that group but now they all sit unused and I wear RCI optics pretty much exclusively and have a pair in prob 4 styles. They're just hard to beat.
Thanks for the feedback!
hi, what's your take on Oakley model deepwater and shallow water lenses? Fishing in Patagonia (rivers and lakes).
Greetings
Which lens are you referring to when you say amber? Is that the copper or igniter lens from smith? Also have you heard of nines sunglasses? I just ordered a pair and am looking forward to them they have some interesting tech.
You mention the amber color lens for smiths. I don't see that color on the Smiths web site please help. Thanks
What are your thoughts on the ignitor lens from smiths.
At 6:25, you bring up the Oakley and preface by saying they are more expensive, but after following your links for the 3 pairs, the Smith is the most expensive. I was expecting the Oakley to be more expensive than the Smith, based on how and when you phrased it.
If you’re talking salt water, polycarbonate (all Oakley) scratch way too easily. Glass all the way. Fresh water is not as harsh and polycarbonate or plastic works ok. I’ve mostly used Costa but will not buy them anymore because they are now under the Luxotica umbrella (as is Oakley.) Luxotica ruins brands IMHO (Oakley and Revo) If I could do it over and could find a frame that fits my face I would go Maui Jim. And that’s more important than anything FIT. But then I’m always outside in snow, water, and mountains so sunglasses are important to me. Some people might balk at the price of Maui. I totally understand that viewpoint. These are just my observations after years of using many brands. Cheers
A man who actually knows the score. Especially concerning Revo - it was a shame how badly they wrecked what was once a truly great brand.
As an aside, if you haven’t, try the Maui Local Kine or Southern Cross. That is if you are looking for a larger fit wrap frame. A lot of people mention the World Cup for large head/face but they didn’t work for me at all. I always hear the Peahi mentioned as well - especially for fishing glasses, but I haven’t tried that frame personally.
Need to check out Breakline sunglasses. Best by far, way better than Costa!
Costa for the best lenses.
If you fish salt, you need glass. Poly always gets jacked in a year. If you fish salt and are on a budget, try Calcuttas. Cheap and last a long time.
My overall favorite are Maui Jim’s with reading bifocals for tying knots. The clarity is the best! And the amber lenses are well balanced for the entire days light changes. I just wish they fit my head better, they slip when sitting on top of my head.
I have Coastas right now and frankly am disappointed on many levels with them. I’ll go back to the Maui Jim’s when I loose these Coastas.
Throw them away now!!!
Buy Smith. You won't regret it.😁👍👍👍
Good evening
Would you recommend prizam lenses or stick with standard polarised glasses. I do also like to have a pair of prescription knocking about also
Cheers great video as usual
Great question! Make sure to ask this over in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time.
Very good video. How do I become an insider member?
All the guides hear in Colorado wear Smiths. I hv turned tons of people on to smiths jst by letting them look through my glasses. No other Glasses compare to Smiths!!! 😁👍👍👍👍
That's awesome!
Surprised you don’t mention RCI Optic... Given your geographic location
What are the best polarized sunglasses you can get as prescription sunglasses?
I can't wear contact lenses and need to find a pair of polarized sunglasses that I can get in my prescription.
By far the best glasses is Bajio!! They are taken over!! Also made in florida!! Ex owners of costas!! And they use the newest technology theyve pattend!! Costa did it first now bajio is doing other amazing things!!!! Trust me check them out
Alright which lens would work best for the snake river in Idaho it’s pretty dark green I’ve been looking at the green and the pink lenses please help
Those are nice but I need prescription lenses can you help me with that Thank you...
Costa del Mar can do that for you
Have you ever tried Calcutta glasses? If not, you will be impressed.
Have y’all checked our Waterland sunglasses yet? I keep seeing a lot of anglers pushing them but I don’t know if it’s just because they are sponsored
We will check them out!
Oakley by far has the best filters. Costa is not even close. I have them all and my eyes are very sensitive to UV light. Oakley blows them all away. I wear Holbrooks as well for everyday use.
For those of us who can't justify that much for glasses can you do a review on fishing glasses under 50 dollars?
Costa ftw!
What do you do if you need prescription sunglasses?
Most of those companies offer prescription lens options. I was just looking at smith’s guides choice and they have a guides choice Rx with the chromapop bronze mirror lens. I know people with prescription costas and im pretty sure you can get prescription lenses from oakley if you go to their store
you always say you get 20% yet items in your store say "up to 20% off". that is a significant deviation from saying it's all 20%. any clarification for us fence sitters?
Anybody try the Bajio glasses yet?
What color lenz would you recommend for the Oakley Split Shot
I just ordered a pair of those yesterday in the inshore lenses green and amber/copper tint hoping they work well!
У меня есть разные очки для рыбалки, Polaroid считаю лучшими. Не говорю что Смит или Рэйбан хуже.
Just dont leave them in your car on a hot day,, left mine with the chromapop lenses ,in the case on the center console on a hot day,,, the next day they were blurry/double vision, the lenses were ruined. my costas with the glass lense have been left in my car before and ive had no issue,
although i had couple pairs of costas develop a fine cracks about a 1/4 inch leading from the top of the nose bridge, ,,, two of same model with different color lenses with the same cracks , had the costas fixed at my expense and have not had the same issue.
We are sorry to hear this! Smith has great customer service if you should need them!
Being a Smith I think you are probably right
O.k. If it is a plastic lens THEY WILL NOT LAST LONG AND THEY WILL BLURR.
Nothing beats glass. That being said all sunglasses Costa and Maui frames
will not last long if you use them every day. I have tried them all and yet to find
a great pair of fishing glasses I am thrilled with. They are all made either in China or Japan.
if you are going to do a sunglass ref do show and compare them all that you had in that vid
I don’t like the wraparound glasses because you have to constantly pull the glasses away from your face if they sneak up to close that every time you blink your eyelashes rub on the glasses and where the hell do you go to have your eyelashes trimmed? I’ve always liked the old-school flat glass❤️ I used to for 30......40 years by Jimmy Houston glass polarized glasses every 45 years I buy another pair cause I’d break them. They don’t make glass lenses anymore on the Jimmy Houston website and I just broke the last pair so I’m looking for a new pair of glasses lens glasses hopefully with a lifetime guarantee frame the last pair of Jimmy Houston’s went 10 years! Oh yeah and I forgot to tell you that they cost about 12 bucks they were great glasses I’m really gonna have a hard time paying 150 bucks for plastic lens glasses that cost four dollars to make? Anyway thanks for all your advice I think I’m gonna start watching some of your fish in Joe’s
Thanks for the feedback!
When you put the Oakley's on your face for some reason the camera saturation changes... Very odd
It's not the saturation, looks like the white balance. I'm guessing the camera is on auto white and those blue mirror lenses are causing it to warm up the color. You're right though, very odd. Been doing video production for 21 years professionally and haven't come across that with sunglasses.
Been a Costa guy forever, but they are not what they used to be so I'm open to trying something new. Saddened me when Costa just about let everyone in Daytona go a couple years ago.
Buy smiths.
I hv turned 100s of Costa guys to Smith glasses. Even after they jst baught them. They turned in their Costa glasses and baught smiths. From ocean fishing, river fishing, and lake fishing. Hands down Smith are the best.
Not trying to be rude but I joined the salt squad , some things I’ve noticed…
1) you never have inventory of rods or reels , so you better be paying attention to when restocks happen
2) even with the 20% off your sunglasses are still more expensive than sayyy Amazon
3) you guys are masters of marketing , I’m constantly getting emails and texts lol
4) you better like Daiwa reels because you stopped carrying Shimano :/ but once again no inventory
5) even the baits are often out of stock besides slam shady and few others
I love my oceanwaves sunglasses check them out
Twenty some odd pairs of glasses....
Tried the Oakley slingshots and they sit so close to the face that if you have eyelashes at all they scrape the lens… makes them unbearable no matter the clarity. Smiths all the way
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
Screw Okley!!!
Screw Costa!!!!
Hands down Smith is the best.
U will not regret buying Smith. 😁👍👍👍👍
Thanks for the feedback!
:)
i haven't seen one of your videos yet that you actually know what color sunglasses you own. smh
Luke, I worked in the snow ski industry in the winter and fishing industry in the summer for over 20+ years. Oakley proved every time to be the worst glasses for you eyes. And snow glare destroys you sight. I think exotica pays off the optometrists to make false claims.
Ehh... 👎