Thread: need new sunglasses... suggestions?

Originally Posted by moving-target

just bought me a pair of 4$ sunglasses that look like oakleys with that shiny coating work great i'll never understand how people buy 80$ shades

The standard argument here is that UV (and maybe IR) light is damaging to your eye, but that the iris adjusts in response to visible light. That means that sunglasses which are dark, but do not filter the damaging frequencies, can actually be worse for you than no sunglasses - they cause your pupil to open but do nothing to filter the damaging light.

If that argument makes sense to you, then lenses which filter across the entire spectrum (not just part of the visible spectrum) are what you'd want. Or, if you want a sunburned retina, then $4 BlueBlockers are the way to go. Chinese-knockoffs may satisfy your Champagne taste and beer budget, but I wouldn't trust the lenses to do anything but ruin my eyes.

Apart from simple fashion (which is as important as you want it to be), there are other reasons that well-designed sunglasses can help. The shape of the lens, and the distance the lens sits from your eye, affect how neutral it is in terms of distorting (or not distorting) images on your periphery. The colour of the lens can be important - different colours work better or worse in different environments. In some environments (snow or ice, water, or sharp horizons) polarization is a huge benefit, and it's nice in most other situations.

I used to be able to get sunglasses on a pro-form (industry discount), and was able to indulge my sunglasses fetish for less money than it costs me today. Over time, I've been happy with Bolle, Vaurnet, Native, Smith, Hobie and Revo. I bought the gf a pair of Zeals that she liked.

I've liked Ray-Ban lenses, but their frames usually don't suit me. The best pair of aviators I ever bought were from Hobie (they were also for the gf). I have friends who like Oakley, but I tend to like other ones better. I also developed a slight preference against glass lenses. Polycarbonate is more prone to scratch, but it's much lighter and I like that trade-off. That said, some of the glass lenses I have are really great - I just don't like to wear them all day, or when I ski.

You don't have to look too hard to find a decent pair for $30 (online) that have good UV protection. I'm picky, but can often find good stuff online and on sale for $40-$80 (it helps to already know what temple widths you're comfortable with). I'm likely to buy 8 pair, keep or give away 3, and return the rest. Not everything can be found cheap online. Vuarnet or Revo are expensive, even on sale. I've spent as much as Nuckle, and though they were great I never thought the cost was justified. I can see spending that much (or more) on a prescription pair, but I don't need that.

Nuckle: Campmor has some Costa Del Mar 580s starting at $159. Maybe not the frames you like, but maybe worth a look.

Costa Del Mar at Campmor.com

Cheers,


AetheLove