Posts Tagged Costa del Mar
Costa del Mar Seven Mile Sunglasses Review
Costa del Mar Seven Mile Sunglasses
Hitting the beach or boat this summer? Well sunglasses are a must as they not only make it easier to see, but they protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays that over time can damage your eyesight. Many people like to pick up a cheap pair of sunglasses from a drug store or grocery store for quick use since they know eventually they will break. But, these are not often the most stylish glasses.
Costa del Mar has a full line of durable sunglasses that fit most any personality. True, the cost is a bit higher, but the trade off comes in their durability and UV protection. These are 100% polarized and UV-protected, which is important in choosing sunglasses.
Plus, you look a whole lot better strutting down the beach. I am not a sunglasses wearer myself, but know that I should take care when skiing, strolling the beach, or even just spending lots of time outside. So when looking for a nice pair of glasses, I knew I needed a solid pair that would look good and last awhile.
The Seven Mile style takes its name from the famous stretch of bridgework that links the Florida Keys west of Marathon. The large lenses are in line with some of the latest trends while spring hinges make it a durable pair perfect for athletic activities.
I particularly like the sturdy case that they come in, which makes it easy to toss into my briefcase or laptop bag when traveling. The sunglasses themselves are incredibly lightweight, which is important because in hot weather it can be uncomfortable with something bearing down on your face. Adjustable nose pads beneath the shades help the glasses to fit every face.
Costa’s glasses also heighten one’s visual acuity. For fishing, swimming or sailing, the blue mirror shade is ideal as it brings the best contrast and color while doing away with any glare in harsh sunlight.
The frame comes in three classic colors: gold, gunmetal, or a palladium hue. The shades can be mixed and matched to achieve the desired combination. Popular colors include blue, green, or a traditional tinted shade.
Costa provides a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty insuring that even if they break under normal wear they can be repaired easily. This valuable perk brings comfort to those wishing to invest in a nice pair of sunglasses.
The Seven Mile sunglasses are classically styled with an Aviator-type feel and elegant look that make them perfect for the business traveler looking to relax. They look good with a business suit, polo and shorts, or a bathing suit. Check out the boutique’s full line for your favorite style, but the Seven Mile is sure to be a popular option. The list price is around $169, but right now they’re a shade over a hundred at Department of Goods.
See all our Costa del Mar sunglasses reviews.
Posted by Ramsey in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Travel Light on June 13th, 2011
Comfy Tag Sunglasses from Costa del Mar
I have a lot of sunglasses I like and I tend to switch them out for different trips, but as I said in this review for my Costa Bomba shades, I keep coming back to the my Costa del Mar ones. They just plain make everything look better and they’re so comfortable I forget I’m wearing them sometimes.
So I was psyched to try out this new Costa Tag model released recently. It’s a little less bulky, with a smaller frame, but built with the same great technology for the lenses and fit. These are fashionable sunglasses that look good—and expensive—but are not just for show.
You can get these in three frame colors and they come with a wide variety of lenses, from everyday use ones to mirrored polarized ones for the open sea.
As for how good they look and feel, that’s something you have to experience to believe. But when you put these on (provided you don’t need a larger model for your head size), they feel just right. A rubberized part goes over your nose to keep that part from slipping and rubber parts on the ear stems make you forget they’re there after a while. They just feel well-made and fitted.
Costa is no upstart: the company started in the 198os and supplied sunglasses to America’s Cup sailing winners in 1986. Since then they’ve become the preferred sunglasses for people who spend lots of time on the water, like sailors, fishermen, and beachcombers. By now it’s safe to say they’ve got the tech part figured out. With these Tag frames, I’m feeling pretty suave looking as well.
There’s nothing cheap about these polarized sunglasses though, from the hard packing case they come in to the warranty, which “covers defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.” Don’t pick these up before backpacking through third world countries on trains and buses rife with pickpockets. Buy these for situations where cheap sunglasses will leave your eyes strained and your head aching, like when going out on a fishing trip or long boat ride. The Costa Tag sunglasses range from $149 to more than $250 depending on the lenses.
See multiple versions, including the polarized polycarbonate model, at Backcountry.com.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on May 25th, 2011
Looking Sharp: Costa Jose Sunglasses
I’ve read enough marketing hype in my time. But when Costa says its sunglasses “fit so well you’ll forget they’re on,” I’d have to agree.
I’ve been road testing Costa’s new Jose style, named after famed saltwater angler Jose Wejebe. And it’s difficult to find anything not to like. They look good, the optics are sharp and the fit and quality are excellent.
Just like with cameras, the quality of the lenses makes a huge difference in sunglasses. Costa doesn’t cut corners here with its patented 580 glass lens. The optics are sharp and offer full protection from UV rays. The lenses are optically correct and scratch resistant.
Costa has also just introduced its 580P polycarbonate lens available in the Jose and other styles. The polycarbonate lenses are lighter and impact resistant. Purists may still prefer the 580 glass for its optical qualities and resistance to scratches.
For me, Costa’s Jose sunglasses fit perfectly right out of the box—something I can’t say about other shades I’ve worn over the years. From the no-slip nose pads to the ear pads, they fit just right. The frame is made of tough nylon.
Costa sunglasses are built by hand at the company’s headquarters in Florida. A lifetime warranty covers any manufacturing defects, but not normal (or extreme) wear and tear. A protective case is also included, something I’ve found will really extend the life of a pair of sunglasses.
Of course, you won’t find the Jose or other Costa models built this well in the $5 bin at the nearby convenience store. The retail price for the Jose line ranges from $159 to $259, depending on lenses, and is available at Amazon. But I’ve seen lesser sunglasses selling for higher prices, so that doesn’t seem unreasonable.
My colleague, Tim, recently heaped praise on another Costa model he’s been wearing, the Bomba.
Costa sunglasses are a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. But the Jose model isn’t just for fishermen, and works great for travelers on the road, in the air or at the campground.
Posted by JohnG in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, General Gear on August 3rd, 2010
They’re the Bomba: Sunglasses from Costa del Mar
I just moved to a new country for a year, taking only what I could pack into a few suitcases. When it came to sunglasses, the first ones I reached for were these Bomba sunglasses from Costa del Mar. They’re the best all-around pair I’ve ever worn, simple as that.
I checked out a whole range of Costa del Mar sunglasses on the trade floor of the Outdoor Retailers Show back in January, but this model made me sit up and notice because of the extra shielding on the side. While the Julbo Bivouac sunglasses I reviewed a few weeks ago do a good job of keeping harmful rays from getting in from the sides, these take a step further by letting you still see out of the side in your peripheral vision.
All well and good, but that feature alone is just a sideshow if they don’t fit well and have high-performance lenses. Fortunately, the Bomba is the complete package, with amazingly comfortable lenses and frame design. These sunglasses stay in place better than most, thanks to the built-in grip pads in strategic places. Plus my eyes feel very rested with them on: more than once I’ve forgotten I had them on.
The company touts their lenses as “beyond polarized,” because they see that as just the starting point for quality glasses, so naturally the brand is a big hit with fishing enthusiasts and others who spend lots of time on a boat. Costa del Mar offers three levels of lenses in glass and polycarbonate, with the 580s being the top of the line.
So the type of lens can have a big impact on the price—the Bomba can run from around $140 to $240. Then there are seven lens colors to choose from, each with its own characteristics. The blue mirror ones pictured to the left, for example, are meant for open water. The company rep I met with a couple months ago matched the lenses on my model to my blue eyes, correctly judging the gray ones to offer the best mix of protection and clarity. The colors came alive riding across the Blue Ridge Mountains on my way home and these shades have opened up impressive vistas every time I’ve worn them since.
This is just one model out of more than 50 from Costa del Mar (Coast of the Sea, appropriately), so you won’t be hurting for choices, no matter what kind of frame you like best. Surfers, beach bums, yacht crews, and sport fisherman may gravitate to this brand naturally, but it’s a good choice for travelers as well. All models come with a hard shell case to protect them from the rigors of travel when the sun’s not shining.
Get the Costa Del Mar Bomba Sunglasses at Backcountry.com, where there is a great selection of other models.
See all the choices at CostadelMar.com
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on July 8th, 2010
