Posts Tagged polarized
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
Fashionable Tifosi Salvo Sunglasses with Polarized Lenses
I have a few different pairs of sunglasses lying around the house for different needs and activities. On the water though, there’s one word that can make a huge difference in what works: “polarized.” Putting on a pair of regular sunglasses on the open sea and then putting on a pair of Polarized ones is like the difference between an old small TV and a big flat-screen high-definition one. You can see eliminate most of the glare and see more of what’s happening on or under the water.
Since I was about to head off to the Galapagos Islands for a week on a ship, I jumped at the chance to try out this Salvo model from Tifosi Optics. I’ve got a pair of Tifosis that’s my go-to pair when biking or hiking—the Torrent—and I love them, especially the photochromatic lenses and the little vents that keep your eyes from tearing up at high speeds. This model is more fashionable though, which meant I could take just this one pair with me on the trip and know they would work fine for the deck of a boat and also sightseeing around Quito.
These have metal frames and the polycarbonate lenses are hard enough to make you think they’re real glass, so they feel solid and expensive. They’re extremely comfortable, to the point where I went rooting around for my sunglasses in my bag one day, not realizing I already had them on. They have some give in the frame and the ear stems have spring-loaded hinges that bend out a little without snapping. Rubber accents are placed in contact points to make them more comfortable.
One reason I can so heartily recommend Tifosis though is the price. These are not mall kiosk cheapies, but at a price of $50-$60, they’re quite reasonable. (The more classic aviator-looking Helo model is $34-$45.) That’s a half or third of what some of the more overhyped brands on the market retail for.
Tifosi has lines that are popular with cyclists, golfers, and tennis players, but they’re great for active travelers who just want a good pair of sunglasses that will last. This is especially true since every pair comes with a hard zippered case you can stuff in your bag or a daypack pocket without worry. Inside is an additional soft case that doubles as a lens cleaner. There’s a lifetime warranty against defects too.
For something that straddles the line between form and function, the Helo, which comes in four frame/lens combinations, is a great choice. This one is sized for small to medium faces though, so if you’ve got a big head, search the other options below. Check the Fade or Ridge if you like metal frames.
Browse the whole selection at TifosiOptics.com. Search online prices for Tifosi Salvo or see the dealer locator for independent bike and sports spots that carry this popular line.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on October 22nd, 2009
