FISHING SUNGLASSES: Plastic or Glass? Which Is Better?

Hey saltwater anglers! If you want up to 20% off all the sunglasses (plus everything else) in our store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3mmF2ev
Click here to learn more about Smith Optics Guide's Choice sunglasses: bit.ly/31eSzy9
Let's talk fishing sunglasses!
If you've seen our previous videos about fishing sunglasses, you might know that I have a little bit of an addiction.
I've got well over 20 pairs of sunglasses from different brands in all styles and materials (from Costa to Maui to Smith to RCI to Oakley to Salt Life and more).
And in this video, we're talking about polarized sunglass lens materials.
Specifically, glass vs. plastic lenses for fishing sunglasses.
Glass used to own this one by a landslide, but thanks to new technology, plastic (polycarbon) lenses are much better now and make this a close race.
So in this video, we're comparing these two lenses on:
- Weight
- Visibility
- Crack and scratch resistance
- Price
Plus, we're sharing which type of frames to never get based on our own on the water experience...
What are your favorite fishing sunglasses?
Have any questions about glass vs. plastic lenses?
Let me know down in the comments!
And you can get our favorite sunglasses, Smith Optics Guide's Choice, here: bit.ly/3mdQZ64

[@Saltstrong]

Hey saltwater anglers! If you want up to 20% off all the sunglasses (plus everything else) in our store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3mmF2ev

[@littlegoobie]

glass has better clarity, they don't get distorted from being installed (squeezed) in the frames. A coworker was arguing this a while ago and what i said to him was when they make top tier microscopes, binoculars, cameras, and telescopes using all plastic optics, that's when plastic lenses are as good as glass. It won't happen.

[@tomdavis3038]

That’s true but I’ll tell ya what, Trivex or NXT is pretty darn close. Way better than CR 39 or (the worst) polycarbonate.

[@sledzep01]

Remember to tell everyone that polarization is the most important thing to have on the water

[@stevencooper5283]

Great program. How should they be stored when not in use? How well do they hold up to heat (hot car)?

[@dougharlow6037]

So I just looked on Smiths website and they don't sell the Guide Choice with the glass lens with blue tint with prescription.

[@Gio-nl7eg]

I know you guys have a lot of content on this that I’ve seen but remind me again if you could only pick one color lense what it would be? I think it was copper, green, amber? For inshore, jetty, beach, bass fishing

[@potadro2210]

Green

[@jasonziter]

Now with the chromapop + you get Trivex which is just a bit worse, optically, than glass, but quite a bit better than plain poly. I picked up the matte black with bronze / amber mirror and tint in the chromapop + (Trivex.) Looks like the perfect compromise between glass and poly.

[@tomdavis3038]

Chromapop glass for the win

[@s10me]

I would choose the “plastic” over glass for protection from flying lures or weights, over the possibility of having broken glass in my eyes while out fishing also

[@gdsfishinginnovationsllc6937]

Can you get the glasses made with prescription lenses

[@TheBigghunter01]

Yes, smith, costas, etc have prescription lenses available

[@fldiverjc4496]

How do you feel about either kaenon or revo??

[@rdotrusty]

trash

[@OMOLMentoringinc]

Are there anyone that produces these glasses for those who have prescription eye stigmas.

[@Saltstrong]

Yes. Smith (and most of the higher-end sunglasses) have these available in prescription. You just need to visit an optics center to get them as most of these manufacturers don't get involved in the prescriptions.

[@bradwadefishtx]

I have prescription Oakley Holbrook's. Pricey, but I went with Holbrook because it's a good all-round style for on and off the water.

[@snipergene]

I bought some Smith Guides Choice. While they are nice, it slides down my face. The nose pad that fits on the bridge is very small.

[@littlegoobie]

On most glasses, particularly for all plastic non-adjustable frames, sliding down the face is from improper temple length adjustment.

[@snipergene]

@@littlegoobie Can you adjust the length of the temple? Aren't they fixed?

[@littlegoobie]

Yes, they can be adjusted on most glasses other than the kind with big fat plastic frames like some oakley's. Another reason to dislike that brand. Optometrists have a noisy bender machine that'll place that back ear angle anywhere you need it. My best fitting glasses were done that way by a Sears optometrist. That guy was amazing at getting a good fit.

[@goferizer]

I need a giant sunglass. What's the biggest one Smith makes? I wear Costa Permits now but even they are a little tight.

[@littlegoobie]

any good brand of glasses will tell you all the measurements of all their models on their websites. Your other mistake might also be buying mostly lower end glasses which lack the comfort features. Besides looking for wide glasses, also look into titanium frames and models with proper spring hinges. Neither of these features will be on low end models.

[@rdotrusty]

guides choice xl

[@sinepari9160]

People don't think about weight... it's a big deal. If they pinch etc. Spring hinges are a big deal as well. less pinching. It's really after a glass for HOURS on end you notice this. just so you know, RCI makes the best glasses puhyeah!

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome! 💪 Thanks for watching the video! We appreciate the support!

[@pinkdoor6788]

You know you have a great point. Not that my opinion matters at all but I’ve worn glasses since I was 4 and I’m 22 now lol. The weight really isn’t a factor for myself. Just find something that feels nice on the nose and rests how you want it and I think you will be okay. You can always off set it a little with a band in the back and take some weight off the nose just a hair and it makes a huge difference too.

[@tomdavis3038]

If the frames fit your face properly it’s not a big deal

[@YankeeBigBird]

Salfo or Luxottica? Just because the CEO of Luxottica is such a D-Bag, I'll try out Smith again. I was issued Smith eye pro along with Oakley eye pro in the Military. Other than style, they were both ok. That being said, is there a "independent" Eyewear manufacturer that is not either Salfo or Luxottica or a Chi-Com company?

[@RH-nc8uu]

Used to be stuff made with Zeiss, Nikon, Bausch , or brands like Maui Jim, Serengeti & Revo has exceptional Polarized lenses. I loved my old Costa from maybe 20yrs ago or close to it (they seem to be farmed out & poorly made now?) My glass Costa cracked lens just by my flexing them to put on my face one time after just over a year never tried to do anything with warranty I was soo disgusted and I didn't buy another. My favorite for clarity for a little while were old Nike Flexon from a particular year in yellow polarized lens - in shallow water there wasn't much of anything close to visibility of fish. Have some high quality Zeiss and Nikon from several years back that have exceptional underwater visibility and sharpness but they are all regular type glassed - not the the conformed to your face type and have massive light bleed from all directions so for fishing in anything but very overcast are useless. Lately apart from dry eyes I'm having allergic reactions to my contacts so I haven't done much comparisons on testing in last few years. I do have some Smith which seem nice but I wouldn't say they are even in top 10 for seeing underwater or when driving in rain/snow/ just cutting glare on windshields.

[@mainemonty]

most everything is luxottica...like debeers in diamonds....a monopoly so they can charge prices that are outrageous...

[@littlegoobie]

They don't really have a monopoly, but they do corner the market somewhat. They are so big with so many brands, it's profitable to have store locations in every mall and shopping district making their products available everywhere you go. I don't think prices are crazy as long as buyers stay away from designer brands which carry a price component just for the name. (Prada, Coach, Burberry, etc). There's a difference between higher price for higher quality, vs higher price for a luxury brand. $250 for sunglasses with all the right features is no different from nice $1500 steiner binoculars with all the good features. Vs all plastic Tom Ford or Chanel sunglasses for $500 where you're getting $90 glasses with a $400 added on for the luxury branding. i.e. $50 sunglasses are definitely not the same quality as $250 sunglasses.

[@flogrown941]

RCI Optics. Family owned company in FL handmade in Italy.

[@amateurstanding]

Bajio

[@simodahed]

Moroccan pilot here and sunglasses’ freak, I’ve tried anything ever, Serengeti’s mineral glass is top notch, even their Trivex lenses are super clear, but glass is glass, my prescription are glass too, I would wear heavy glass on my nose over shitty plastic, second brand I would put Maui Jim

[@santosojoshua3207]

I kinda agree with you. I have five pairs serengeties. But for fishing you don't want to use the expensive one.

[@simodahed]

@@santosojoshua3207 For sports’ activities, I use Serengeti Bormio with the Sedona lens.

[@luishoustontx09]

What is the weight difference on the glass vs plastic? I’m thinking of getting plastic lenses due to the lighter weight

[@puma51921]

I have both. Glass is about 8 percent clearer if I had to guess a number. Glass is much more and the wet kills your nose. Plastic is almost as good but will scratch much easier.

[@puma51921]

Glass is much heavier and will kill your nose.

[@mainemonty]

most sunglasses are made by the same company Luxottica...the cheap ones and the expensive ones...expensive sunglasses have huge...huge markup...buy the cheap ones...u can afford a few pairs that way..and not feel like you have been scammed.

[@TheBigghunter01]

They still have specific filters that are brand specific. Yes they have a huge markup but they are better glasses and typically better customer service

[@EMD_Ski]

Although they don't own Smith, Costa, Maui Jim etc, and when it comes to fishing glasses, you do get what you pay for.

[@chan-zv4ud]

@@EMD_Ski they own Costa now. Smith and Maui are safe for now to my knowledge

[@richardvillanueva8786]

😂

[@mainemonty]

@@EMD_Ski baloney...250 dollar pair of fishing sunglasses is not 50 times better than my 5 dollar walmart ones...not even close...so getting what you pay for is wrong...very wrong

[@tomdavis3038]

Saltwater = glass. Plastic (with the exception of Trivex) will just scratch right up. Freshwater you can probably get away with plastic. But polycarbonate has terrible optical qualities. Barely optical grade

[@gregthompson8062]

Glass is king. No question. This is coming from owning 10 different high end brands. Persol, maui Jim, ray ban.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@eddypetch]

Ty. Warning: Oakley blue tint fishing sun glasses. Salt water scratched and removed whatever coating is on the lens. Happened 4 years ago.

[@blueridgeocean]

I'm a glass guy

[@thehunt3652]

Glass is to heavy

[@doctorkayak]

You guys are beating a dead horse here. We get it, we know the difference. No one seems to talk about polarized glasses with reader lenses. I want full 125 lenses. NO BI-FOCALS! This is a total no brainer. Make them and we will come!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the comment, we are working on offering glasses when we open our brick and mortar tackle shop in early 2023!