Sunglasses lens tint/color for PNW fishing, what do you like?

I have always used amber and love them. Recently I picked up two pairs of Costa’s. One with green mirrored 580p and the other with grey 580g lenses. I really like both of these as well.

That said, my personal opinion is that the best overall color for the widest set of conditions is amber.
 
I've got a shitpile of polarized glasses, mostly Smith and Costa. The photochromic copper smith's used to be my fave, until they came out with the low-light ignitor. I thought the ignitor was the be-all, end-all rainforest lens until I got a set of Costas in sunrise silver mirror about 3 years ago.

Hard to imagine a better all-around lens for the coastal temperate zone
 
Josh said:
Anyone use the Smith "ignitor" or Costa "sunrise silver mirror" (both ~30% VLT) or even the Smith "low light amber" (~60% VLT)?
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I use the low light ignitors all winter (forested streams), and during select dark times/places fall, spring, and even summer. Not for sun, more that the polarization helps with low light wading, where one bad step spells trouble. Other lenses that give a strong yellow cast are great in low light, but I can’t handle the nuclear look. I don’t like yellow. The low light ignitors are a bit more subtle on the yellow. I use the regular ignitors in higher light. They’re all good, but outside of fishing (or in bright sun), Maui Jim glass rose lens is my favorite for the vibe.
 
I'll tell you what, if someone wants to pay the ~$500+ for my rx Costas in the sunrise silver, Id be happy to write up a review.... :LOL:
 
majorleaguefishing.com

Costa Sunrise Silver Mirror Lens Review - Major League Fishing

Costa Sunglasses makes a wide range of glasses and lenses targeted at about everyone – from folks who want to look cool at the beach to anglers looking for tarpon on the flats. The Sunrise Silver Mirror lens is probably the most bass-angler targeted lens yet, and I think it’s a real success...
majorleaguefishing.com majorleaguefishing.com

Hmmmm...

Sounds this may be like a deal breaker, but hopefully they will match my shorts.
  • The yellow/silver is slightly goofy looking if fashion is a concern.
 
I rock mostly cheap polarized stuff from drug stores/Fred Meyer etc. Like under $20 a pair cheap. They usually last me a season or until the salt corrodes them too much or I abuse them into an early death. Fanciest pair I’ve owned were Sunclouds which were fine but not bullet proof by any means. Always amber color but I have a backup pair of darker black for the bright east facing beaches at sunrise.

Question for the sun glass vets out there. I’ve been considering upgrading from cheap shit. What are the major benefits to the expensive brand name Costas, Smiths etc? I need a reason to justify even thinking about dropping that much loot on some shades.
 
For me the main advantage is visual clarity. I have Bi-Mart $20 “Anglers Choice” glasses to very pricey stuff (check out Sierra Trading for discounts). The pricey stuff has dramatically better visual clarity, especially if you get glass lenses. Super noticeable. The glass resists scratches, too. Build quality is higher than the $20 stuff and they last long time if coddled. I’ve had 2 different pairs (one Action Optics that became Smith Optics, one Maui Jim) of high-end sunglasses last for 15 years with zero noticeable loss of clarity or function until one was lost and the other destroyed. My current 2 pair of Action Optics are both going on 5 years and work as good as new. I am definitely a glass lens snob, though, even the high-end plastics can’t match the visual clarity of glass. I use my fishing glasses only for fishing and otherwise they live in the case. The other advantage is getting specialty lenses like the low-light stuff, which are my most used fishing lens outside of saltwater.
 
Hobie Ventana fishing shades, in amber, on Ebay, $45 close out. Great glasses. I've used them for 3 yrs now..
 
Fuzzytugger said:
….

Question for the sun glass vets out there. I’ve been considering upgrading from cheap shit. What are the major benefits to the expensive brand name Costas, Smiths etc? I need a reason to justify even thinking about dropping that much loot on some shades.
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It’s like the difference between a pair of $40 field glasses and Nikon. New fly lines are approaching or over $100, what are your eyes worth?
Here’s one of 4 pages (92 pairs) of quality shades on Costco website.
29 different Maui Jim all at $102.99, hella deal!
the store near me has different options and they are subject to change. I posted a picture on the other sunglasses thread here.
I got a pair of Costa Fisch with amber 580p lenses from them for under $100; about $263 on Costa website.
 
I have been wearing the same Smith's for 10+ years. It's the only pair of glasses I haven't lost. They are amber polarized photo chromatic glass lenses. They are a bit heavy but they make the world look better.
 
Fuzzytugger said:
I rock mostly cheap polarized stuff from drug stores/Fred Meyer etc. Like under $20 a pair cheap. They usually last me a season or until the salt corrodes them too much or I abuse them into an early death. Fanciest pair I’ve owned were Sunclouds which were fine but not bullet proof by any means. Always amber color but I have a backup pair of darker black for the bright east facing beaches at sunrise.

Question for the sun glass vets out there. I’ve been considering upgrading from cheap shit. What are the major benefits to the expensive brand name Costas, Smiths etc? I need a reason to justify even thinking about dropping that much loot on some shades.
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Make sure your cheap sunglasses provide 100% UV protection. A good eyeglass store will have a UV light meter to check that.
If your sunglasses don't provide enough UV protection, your eyes can be permanently damaged. The shading that sunglasses provide tells your eyes to let in more light, which causes your pupils to open up, letting in more of the damaging UV rays.
 
Josh said:
Glass lenses ARE really nice to look through. But for the weight savings (plus still decent optical quality), I think I like plastic.
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Plus, I think "plastic" would have a slight edge in safety, should a fly or some other object come at your eyes.
 
Josh said:
Glass lenses ARE really nice to look through. But for the weight savings (plus still decent optical quality), I think I like plastic.
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I've read the weight thing a lot and I guess I just don't get it. I own both glass and plastic lenses and have never once noticed a difference.

I wear glass lenses 12+ hours a day, 7 days a week most of the time this time of year and never once have I thought "gosh I love these lenses but the weight is killing me". I simply don't know they're there.

Honestly I don't think you could pay me to go back to plastic.
 
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