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#1
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Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
I just read through the Tumi thread, in which asofel talks about splurging on a product that seems overpriced, but turns out to be a great value.
There was some discussion of sunglasses in the thread, but I think it's a topic that warrants further discussion. Also, I'm thinking about buying an "expensive" pair for the first time ever, and I'm wondering if it will be worth it. Background: Apparently my head and face are (or were) relatively skinny, as most sunglasses look too "wide" on me. Because of that, and also because I am a cheapskate, I've either gone without or had a super cheap pair for years. A couple years ago I figured out that REI carries a brand of cheap sunglasses made for kids (don't laugh) that fit me pretty well. I have gone through about 3 or 4 pairs of these in the past 5 years, although I've owned the latest pair for over 2 years without losing or breaking them. I was pretty happy with the glasses, until a friend left his Smith Toasters over at my house and I started wearing them. Wow, they're a lot better! The fit is nicer, and they actually look normal on my face (unlike a lot of glasses I had tried throughout the years). Plus the light outside just looks better through them, and I don't get a weird rainbow effect when I have the visor down on my motorcycle helmet. Figuring that the Toasters would cost $60-$70, I went to REI last night to buy a pair. Oops, they're $110. For non-polarized. A pair with polarized lenses costs $130. Of course, it's not the absolute amount of money that concerns me... it's the fact that it's $130 for a couple pieces of freaking plastic that aren't THAT different than the ones that cost $10. Also remember that I am a huge cheapskate. It was enough to give me pause. What I'm looking for in the thread: 1) Testimonial: Expensive sunglasses are totally worth it and here's why. 2) Testimonial: Stick with the cheap ones and here's why. 3) Recommendations and reviews on sunglasses in general. For reference: Smith Toasters - $109 non-polarized Native "Attack" Sunglasses (another pair I tried on that I really liked) $140 |
#2
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
I've owned the same pair of Revo sunglasses for ten years. I take excruciatingly good care of them and will never voluntarily buy another pair. Comfortable, good vision, but pricey. If you're not likely to lose 'em, I'd go high-end.
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#3
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
I sat on a pair of about $90 sunglasses a few months and have been getting by with crappy knock off lenses since then. The knock offs suck, I just haven't gotten around to buying a new pair of decent glasses. If you are unlikely to do something stupid, like sit on them, I would get something nice.
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#4
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
I got sick of losing or breaking expensive ones so now I just get the $10 ones at Long's or Walgreen's. I really liked the Ray Ban and Serengiti ones I had to.
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#5
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
SC,
Same thing as DrNo for me. I've had a couple of $100+ ones and liked them a lot, but I ended up losing/breaking them. Now I just buy a bunch of pairs ranging from $10 to $40 and lose/break them throughout the year. Macy's often has sales where you can pick up semi-decent Fossil and similar sunglasses for $15-20. Maui Jim is one expensive brand that everyone I know who has bought them loves. |
#6
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
Ah, Fossil is a good idea. I like the look of a lot of their stuff. These look kinda cool - and they're $38.
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#7
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
[ QUOTE ]
Maui Jim is one expensive brand that everyone I know who has bought them loves. [/ QUOTE ] Indeed. If you have a wide head like me there is no substitute for not getting a sunglasses tan. |
#8
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
[ QUOTE ]
Maui Jim is one expensive brand that everyone I know who has bought them loves. [/ QUOTE ] Yes! I'm on my first pair of Maui's and I don't begrudge a penny I spent on them ($160) - very light, very comfortable, ballistic non-scratch lenses (supposedly, time will tell) and some kind of resin frame that you can bend and twist into a pretzel and it just snaps back into form. If/when I lose these I know it'll be heartbreaking and will have nothing to do with how much they cost. Kirk |
#9
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
I like good sunglasses, but wear them rarely, mostly because I don't take care of them and I dislike wearing contacts. I recently bought a nice pair of Raybans with prescription lenses that set me back $300 or so.
I wore them for a week before my vacation and loved them. The first day of vacation, after being in the ocean for 10 minutes with my 6 yr old, they were washed from my face as a wave capsized us. bad beat I guess |
#10
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Re: Let\'s elaborate on Sunglasses
i also have a pretty thin face, but have found that there are several oakley styles that fit very well. currently i have the fives 3.0, which i really like.
i think you can find them for about $70 w/out polarized lenses. also, the oakley mag four S sunglasses are built for a thin face, but i don't think they look as good as the fives. secondly, if you're going to buy some shades and want to save some dough, i recommend checking out the sunglass section of backcountry outlet . they don't always have the widest range of color choices, but you can usually save about 50%. |
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