Quality of Sunglasses??

[millertime150]

I love wearing sunglasses. I tend to go more for practicality/function/quality versus designer/flashy/trendy glasses. I do enjoy a quality sunglass so I tend to stay away from cheap glasses because most of them do not black UVA, UVB, UVC and are not clear.

I currently own 2 pairs of Oakleys, 1 Maui Jim, and 1 Killer Loop.

I believe that Oakley, Maui Jim, and Revo are probably top of the line (not most expensive).

My question is who does the quality of these compare with the expensive designer glasses such as Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford, David Yurman, Prada, and Barton Perreira?

I have a feeling that these expensive brands you are just paying for the design and name.

Are they higher quality than the Oakley, Maui Jim, and Revo?

Do sunglass companies manufacture the designer brands? If so who manufactures who?

 

[Fnord5]

I would put the optical and build quality of Oakleys above nearly all others.

Zeiss and Leica make prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, and I am sure their optical quality are second to none.

The rest, designer brands, are made en masse in China, and likely reflect the quality you would expect from there.

 

[danek]

(in a sheepish tone) "Hi, my name is Dane and I'm a sunglass addict, too."

I've tried to be more chic and tried out a couple of designer shades. They were HORRIBLE. Cheap, plastic lenses that altered colors and didn't even block enough harsh rays to keep me from squinting behind the glasses. My opinion is that "designer" labels put all of their efforts into developing trendy frame shapes/colors/styles and the lenses are an afterthought. The opposite of what's important to me.

I don't even look at other brands anymore. When I walk into a shop, I go straight for the Maui Jim and Revo section; usually they are right next to each other - away from the "designer" labels. That's gotta be for a reason. I own several pairs each of MJ and Revo; they're not the most trendy, but they are classic styles that won't go out of fashion and IMO, they have the best lenses you can get.

 

[Austin]

I have been using Persol sunglasses for over 15 years. I recently bought a pair of Smith Optics and they are great.

 

[millertime150]

I think Ray Ban, Sergenti, Smiths, and Native make great glasses also but Oakley, Revo, and Maui Jim are in a different league.

 

[senorsignor]

Being a fisherman, good, polarizing shades are important to me. My favorites so far are the Coasta del Mar brand. Lifetime warranty--i've sent the earpieces in twice for replacement (for free) without hassel. I've had them for about 10 yrs and they are still my primary shades.

 

[DGS]

I have been wearing Maui Jims for years and think they are the best out there. You only have one pair of eyes; protect them the best you can! BTW, Maui Jim's service is second to none. My first pair finally broke a temple after about 6 years. I called them about a repair, and the model had been discontinued, but they still had the part. I sent the sunglasses to them, and they not only repaired them free of charge, they shipped them back to me for free, and included a free brand new clamshell case. That's real service, if you ask me.

 

[millertime150]

I have been wearing Maui Jims for years and think they are the best out there. You only have one pair of eyes; protect them the best you can! BTW, Maui Jim's service is second to none. My first pair finally broke a temple after about 6 years. I called them about a repair, and the model had been discontinued, but they still had the part. I sent the sunglasses to them, and they not only repaired them free of charge, they shipped them back to me for free, and included a free brand new clamshell case. That's real service, if you ask me.

+1 on that. My Maui Jims looked like a layer on the inside was coming off (I don't know what it actually was but this is what it looked like). I sent it to them and they gave me a new pair with another case. Also they have sent me 2 more cased because their cases don't last too long for me.

Despite what the Oakley Sales rep says I believe my Maui Jims Polarization surpasses Oakleys.

I have heard good things about Costa Del Mar also.


So back to my original question about designer glasses. They are usually quite a bit more money even than Maui Jims but as far as the quality they are higher, lower, or on par with Oakleys, Revo, or Maui Jims?

 

[Kratos]

I think most designer glasses are just trash. Stick with the companies who actually put some research into their product, other than what shoes are going to be worn with it. Wal-Mart glasses likely offer better protection than a lot of the rip-off designer face windshields.

 

[millertime150]

Also I never get why celebrities always where those huge odd looking sunglasses (faceshields ). Are they trying to start a new fad? I certainly hope they don't think they look good because they don't and that is not my opinion. That is a fact.

 

[DGS]

I think most designer glasses are just trash. Stick with the companies who actually put some research into their product, other than what shoes are going to be worn with it. Wal-Mart glasses likely offer better protection than a lot of the rip-off designer face windshields.

+1 As for price, it used to be you couldn't find Maui Jims anywhere at a discount. However, I bought a second pair last year at Costco for about 50% off retail.

 

[millertime150]

+1 As for price, it used to be you couldn't find Maui Jims anywhere at a discount. However, I bought a second pair last year at Costco for about 50% off retail.

+1 on Costco. If you like the styles they have it is a Bargain. I think I have seen Maui Jim's there anywhere from $80-$110

 

[danek]

+1 on Costco. If you like the styles they have it is a Bargain. I think I have seen Maui Jim's there anywhere from $80-$110

Now that just ticks me off. Two days ago I paid $260 for a new pair....

 

[millertime150]

Now that just ticks me off. Two days ago I paid $260 for a new pair....

They don't have a huge selection. I never purchased from them since I didn't care for the ones they have.

 

[garyg]

Do any of these Uber Shades have adjustable temples - or if that isn't the right term, adjustments on the sides so that they don't slide down your nose?

 

[Fnord5]

Some Oakley glasses have nosepads made of "unobtanium" that absolutely does not slip when it gets sweaty, and often they have several size options for the pads.

That along with the unobtanium earpieces ensure that they will not fall off easily.

 

[danek]

Do any of these Uber Shades have adjustable temples - or if that isn't the right term, adjustments on the sides so that they don't slide down your nose?

The metal frames of both MJ and Revo are, of course, totally adjustable and where I buy my glasses, are fitted to my face by the salesman before I leave the store.

 

[Luc]

I had Bollé aviator sunglasses for the past 10 years. Loved them. I recently changed for Fish polarized (made in Australia) and they are good but I am unsure if I shouldn't go back to my Bollé or an aviator design. I like it when the glasses block the sun where the bridge is and on the outside (extreme left/right) as sometimes the glasses are so small that you have a big white light coming from everywhere!

 

[mmack66]

There are reports that inexpensive sunglasses perform just as well as expensive sunglasses. The inexpensive ones are probably a little less stylish.

I wear BluBlocker sunglasses. Then again, I am a cheap son-of-a-b.

 

[kwk285]

I feel I notice a difference in quality from my Bolles compared to lower qulaity brands. I feel there are functional brands like Oakley, Bolles, and RayBans and then there are the designer brands. I feel with designer brands you are paying for the name.