Sunglasses buying philosophy

[Groves]

I'm getting old, and I love it, mostly.

Never been a sunglasses wearer, thus never been a sunglasses buyer.

Don't know where I'll land. I am sunglasses-agnostic.

Which are you? Why?

[Aries Walker]

I grab standard mirrored aviators whenever I see a pair on the rack on the way to the checkout line at the 7-11. I think I have three pairs floating around currently.

[qabbaan]

I am not much of an expensive sunglasses person, but there is a website Oakley runs, Oakley outlet or something like that. You can pick something up for a reasonable price if you deal with the small selection. I bought a pair with lenses that darkened in brighter light some years ago that worked well. I just wear the polarized kind now. There is snow on the ground about half the year here so a good pair is a must.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by lcarus

Some people will pay a ridiculous amount just for a brand.

I think I paid around $60 for my Nauticas, which have outlasted more than $60 worth of cheapies.

It's not like I'm the sort of person who'll spend $500 on a Bolivian calf-skin wallet from Needless Markup. All I'm looking for in a pair of sunglasses is something that's going to last and doesn't look reeruned.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by frazod

I think I paid around $60 for my Nauticas, which have outlasted more than $60 worth of cheapies.

It's not like I'm the sort of person who'll spend $500 on a Bolivian calf-skin wallet from Needless Markup. All I'm looking for in a pair of sunglasses is something that's going to last and doesn't look reeruned.

60 bucks for a good pair of sunglasses is reasonable. I've seen some sunglasses that are nearly 200 bucks, and I guess some people buy them, or else they wouldn't sell them for so much.

[Frazod]

I'm sure I'd draw the line well under $100.

[Rain Man]

Mine are expensive, but it's because they're prescription sunglasses. I don't think the frames were expensive.

[lcarus]

I mean...seriously? 250 dollars?

http://www.oakley.com/products/6948/26176

[trndobrd]

I've spent more than five years of my adult life living in desert environments and out of habit wear sunglasses any time I'm outside during the day.

Picked up a pair of Wiley-X about 8 years ago. Durable, and one of the few glasses that keep 100% of the wind out of my eyes. I use them for riding and shooting. For daily wear I go for something polarized in the $25-35 price range.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by lcarus

I mean...seriously? 250 dollars?

You can't knock 'em if you don't try 'em on.

Folks that blast expensive sunglasses just haven't used 'em much. I'm presently using a pair of Wal-Mart cheapies and they just suck. They don't shade the light well, they're uncomfortable on my nose and they're kinda heavy. I also have a big head so they pinch at my temples and give me a bit of a headache (also a result of the lousy nosepiece)

They actually look pretty sharp and there's not any good way of knowing that they aren't more expensive than they are, but they're just uncomfortable.

The money buys you comfort, not style. It's why showing pictures of expensive sunglasses and saying "Why?" just doesn't make sense. It's not the style that makes them worth the extra money.

Look at it this way - it's not unlike keeping your house at 70 in the summer when you'd be just fine at 74. Sure, 70 costs more, but by God, it's just more comfortable.

There are areas where I'll spend a few extra bucks for added comfort. Sunglasses are one of those areas.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You can't knock 'em if you don't try 'em on.

Folks that blast expensive sunglasses just haven't used 'em much. I'm presently using a pair of Wal-Mart cheapies and they just suck. They don't shade the light well, they're uncomfortable on my nose and they're kinda heavy. I also have a big head so they pinch at my temples and give me a bit of a headache (also a result of the lousy nosepiece)

They actually look pretty sharp and there's not any good way of knowing that they aren't more expensive than they are, but they're just uncomfortable.

The money buys you comfort, not style. It's why showing pictures of expensive sunglasses and saying "Why?" just doesn't make sense. It's not the style that makes them worth the extra money.

Look at it this way - it's not unlike keeping your house at 70 in the summer when you'd be just fine at 74. Sure, 70 costs more, but by God, it's just more comfortable.

There are areas where I'll spend a few extra bucks for added comfort. Sunglasses are one of those areas.

Even with perfect comfort, perfect UV blocking, perfect whatever...250 for a pair of sunglasses is outrageous.

[lcarus]

MAYBE if I was rich. Maybe.

[MahiMike]

In Florida, I have several pair. Everything from cheap to expensive. My last pair cost me $3. I put a $10 pair of stick on magnifiers to see up close. Best pair I've had in some time for $13.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by lcarus

Even with perfect comfort, perfect UV blocking, perfect whatever...250 for a pair of sunglasses is outrageous.

Keep 'em for 5 years and it becomes $50/yr.

That's less than the cost of keeping most single-family homes a degree cooler over the course of the summer.

I understand the people that still wouldn't - but they often don't consider the why involved.

Look at them like you would a pair of shoes and it makes a hell of a lot more sense. I'll easily spend another another $30-$40 on tennis shoes or even more than that on dress shoes if it means they're going to be more comfortable. And I probably go through a pair of tennis shoes every year. I don't think most people would think it's absurd to spend the extra money on tennis shoes just to be comfortable - so why is it considered ridiculous for sunglasses?

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Keep 'em for 5 years and it becomes $50/yr.

That's less than the cost of keeping most single-family homes a degree cooler over the course of the summer.

I understand the people that still wouldn't - but they often don't consider the why involved.

Look at them like you would a pair of shoes and it makes a hell of a lot more sense. I'll easily spend another another $30-$40 on tennis shoes or even more than that on dress shoes if it means they're going to be more comfortable. And I probably go through a pair of tennis shoes every year. I don't think most people would think it's absurd to spend the extra money on tennis shoes just to be comfortable - so why is it considered ridiculous for sunglasses?

because most people don't lose or break shoes after a month.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Keep 'em for 5 years and it becomes $50/yr.

That's less than the cost of keeping most single-family homes a degree cooler over the course of the summer.

I understand the people that still wouldn't - but they often don't consider the why involved.

Look at them like you would a pair of shoes and it makes a hell of a lot more sense. I'll easily spend another another $30-$40 on tennis shoes or even more than that on dress shoes if it means they're going to be more comfortable. And I probably go through a pair of tennis shoes every year. I don't think most people would think it's absurd to spend the extra money on tennis shoes just to be comfortable - so why is it considered ridiculous for sunglasses?

Well for me personally, I'd lose or break sunglasses. But that's just me. I also don't see them as a necessity. I've gone almost 30 years without sunglasses just fine. Shoes are an absolute necessity. Even if I was a driver or something where I needed sunglasses, I'm sure I could find something plenty good enough for a fifth of that price.