Comments on: Weekly Roundup: Designer Sunglasses Worth It?

By: SHADES

SHADES — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:29:44 +0000

While i get that Pradas may be more than most of people want to spend there are plenty or brands, Oakley, Revo, and my favorite Maui Jims that are well worth the money. When you buy the cheap shades all the coatings are sprayed onto the lenses so once they are scratched you lose alot of protection while Oakley and Revo being made by the same company use injection molding when making the lenses which means if they are polarized it will be part of the lens so not only is the clarity better because you are not looking through layers but if you scratch the lens all the protection is still there. Also for sports its hard to beat Oakleys they are tested by dropping a 1/4 inch spike into the lens and it has to withstand the pressure (they use a patented lens material) while cheap shades use low quality materials that barely meet industry standards. Then there are Maui Jims if you look at the inside of every maui jim they will all have a pat pending number on the inside and i believe its some of the coatings they use……There is always reasoning behind prices for everything and its important to do research before any purchase….but when it comes to your eyes it makes much more sense to spend the 200 now on expensive sunglasses than thousands later on in life because you got cataracts and need surgery or prescription glasses which are at least twice the price!!! I put alot of research into this and ended up with a pair of Maui Jims that i love!!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:26:09 +0000

I have to admit, I have a pricier pair of sunglasses than I used to. One day, I decided it was time to “be a grown-up” and purchase a quality pair of sunglasses and a quality watch. I did replace my sunglasses when they got lost & then broken on my wedding weekend (when I’d had them just over a year), but I’ve had the new pair for two years now (purchased on a layover on our way to our honeymoon) and they’re still going strong. I actually carry a case with me wherever I go, and use it now. I have extreme sensitivity to light, so I wear them almost every day, even in rainy Washington. It’s annoying when I have to take them off because they’re full of raindrops, but it’s still too bright for me not to wear them…

By: Belmont Thornton

Belmont Thornton — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:09:51 +0000

Well, I feel designer sunglasses are good if they protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. If not, I think it is a waste of money.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:28:46 +0000

There’s nothing as disheartening as putting on a cheap pair of sunglasses. Mine look like plastic. I intend to get some from Randolph Engineering as soon as possible.

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:30:55 +0000

I’m somewhere between- I don’t spend more than 50 or 60 on a pair, but I can’t go with the cheapos. My issue with them besides protection is that the frames never have any give in them and end up putting a lot of pressure on my temples. Since SoCal driving requires sunglasses to see straight, that’s just not an option. Right now I’m wearing a pair of Fossils that not only have give but even bend outward a little- I paid $45 for them and the comfort is worth every cent.

By: Janette

Janette — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:35:46 +0000

Great to know Emily. My helicopter pilot son loses sunglasses like they are water! It seems to be the present for birthdays and Christmas.
Thanks for the tip- and thank you for your service!

By: Daddy Eco

Daddy Eco — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:10:44 +0000

Here in Australia we have the ‘Cancer Council’ which runs a chain of stores selling sun protection items such as sunscreen, sun shirts, hats and sunnies. Some of them look okay and they are mostly polarised. As they are a good price and that i tend to destroy good pairs, i find these are the better option for me. Price wise they aren’t market-level but they definately aren’t designer.

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:51:58 +0000

If you like nice sunglasses, check out the web. I saw a pair of Esprit sunglasses I liked when I took my daughter in for an eye appointment. They were over $150. I found them on Endless.com (affiliated with Amazon) for around $30.

For glasses in general, I’ve heard a lot of people like Zenni Optical. You have to do a little legwork to figure out your fit, but it might be worth checking out.

http://www.zennioptical.com/home.php?cat=26

By: Matthew Beaty

Matthew Beaty — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:02:52 +0000

I used to have very expensive Oakley sunglasses until my daughter ripped them off my face and broke them. I now only go with Gas Station or Drug Store sunglasses as I usually end up sitting on them or having them fall out of my shirt pocket. If you have kids go with the cheap eye wear. If you’re single go with the more expensive…

By: Avrille

Avrille — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:26:03 +0000

I still wear my 1993 Ray Bans daily, especially for driving. And they still add a great deal of quality to my life. I suppose that if you go the designer route, the trick is to choose a classic style, and then to wait a month before actually purchasing them!