Smith Optics: Castaway vs Guide's Choice, Review

The Guide's Choice has been my favorite frames for years, but a very similar frame, the Castaway, has some improvements. Here's how the two compare!
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[@jacksonbarrett4203]

Alan, Thanks for the great review. Do you ever find that either of the 2 styles you reviewed interfere with wearing a ball cap. I have found that if the "tail" of the frames ( the part behind your ears) has more of a curve downward, they fit me much more comfortably while wearing a ball cap. Often i will get "ear fatigue" from my hat pushing down on the frames at the ears. These both seem to have a straighter tail.

[@pdfahie]

I returned the guides choice because I didn’t like lanyard. Pain to put on and off, also the glasses slipped down a little. Looks like the lanyard on the castaways would have solved both problems. In the meantime I picked up a pair of Maui Jim southern crosses. I have never owned a pair of sunglasses more than $40 before. Loved the brown lenses on the guides choice. Might have to return the Maui Jim’s and order the castaways after I try the Maui Jim’s this weekend. Your video was very informative 👍

[@kayakangler]

glad I could help point you in the right direction....these things can get very pricey and you need all the info you can get to make the right decision for what you need. Good luck!

[@pdfahie]

@@kayakangler the fit for both smiths are pretty much the same correct? The website seems to have the castaways as a medium fit and the guides as a medium/large.

[@kayakangler]

@@pdfahie they fit me exactly the same.

[@pdfahie]

@@kayakangler appreciate it 👍

[@pdfahie]

@@kayakangler so I decided to return the Maui southern cross and ordered Costa blackfin 580G pros, figuring they’re probably best of best Costa has to offer. They seem much heavier than the smith’s were. So now I am returning the blackfins and am going to order the castaways 🤞

[@tomdavis3038]

If you don’t have a large head, the Redding is a solid medium frame. The Chromapop glass is a great lens IMHO (Techlite glass is good as well but nothing super special) Cheers

[@johndoe3485]

Which one is narrower on the nose? Because i have a insanely thin nose. And some sunglasses dont fit because the nose bridge is to wide. So, can you tell by having them side by side, can you see if one is slightly narrower then the other? And if so which one is the more narrow?

[@rmorris75252]

Will these fit larger faces? Might be a hard question to answer I know but my favorite pair was always the transfer xl if that helps any.

[@rudypou1277]

If the price is right…would you take it in the brown???

[@billpeirce7127]

Witch one has wider sides????

[@ArizonaMMJ]

which ones are best for bright ocean fishing?

[@DavidE-wp7ot]

Hi. Do you really think the blue mirror gray lens help on bright days? I usually work and drive in shiny days in the mountains. I bought the guides choice bronce mirror but I didn’t like the brown lens. Thanks

[@kayakangler]

I did another video showing the bronze lens vs the blue lens for sight fishing. I think that video really highlights the difference. For sight fishing, bronze all the way.

[@bruceheberton3375]

Alan, Smith claims the Castaway is designed for a medium to large face whereas the Guide's choice is for a large face. Did you find any difference in the fit?

[@kayakangler]

The fit feels the same to me.

[@christophersutton2030]

I noticed you are wearing prescription eye glasses. Are the sunglasses prescription also? I want to buy the Guides Choice but cant seem to find them with Chromapop and the ability to order with my prescription.... and advice?

[@kayakangler]

I wear my contacts when fishing, so these glasses are out of the box. I do have a friend that just ordered a set with bifocals. So I'd contact Smith to see what they offer. Sorry, that's the best I know.

[@camsabin5393]

You can obtain a pair of Guide's Choice with your prescription customized from SmithOptics.com!

[@freddewfishing7611]

What lens color is good for low light conditions

[@kayakangler]

I guess it depends how low light. These are good in lower light conditions, like overcast and fog. In fact, I was just out in those conditions 2 weeks ago. But in very low light conditions, I've seen people wear yellow lenses.

[@Chris-fk2xm]

Are those the guides choice XL’s?

[@kayakangler]

Just Guide's Choice. I'm not familiar with the XL's.

[@camsabin5393]

Guide's Choice XL's are available now on SmithOptics.com or a retailer near you!