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?

[JOhn]

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?

Which is fine if you can keep a pair that long.
In my job I tend to lose or break a pair every week or 2.

And for $10-15 I can get pairs that are pretty damn good for my needs.

Now I do have a pair for $60, that I keep in my car for trips.

[JOhn]

Originally Posted by lcarus

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.

This is what I do...

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by JOhn

Which is fine if you can keep a pair that long.
In my job I tend to lose or break a pair every week or 2.

And for $10-15 I can get pairs that are pretty damn good for my needs.

Now I do have a pair for $60, that I keep in my car for trips.

I wonder if more expensive pairs are less likely to break. I don't know since I'm not a heavy user. I've only had one pair of sunglasses in my life, and since they're prescription I treat them pretty carefully. But I haven't broken a pair of regular glasses in about three decades and I figure almost any prescription glass frames will be in the mid- to upper prices for sunglasses.

[JOhn]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I wonder if more expensive pairs are less likely to break. I don't know since I'm not a heavy user. I've only had one pair of sunglasses in my life, and since they're prescription I treat them pretty carefully. But I haven't broken a pair of regular glasses in about three decades and I figure almost any prescription glass frames will be in the mid- to upper prices for sunglasses.

With me, probably. Which is why I wear contacts.

I tend to have to take them off & on a lot, and that always leads to dropping/misplacing and such.
But with driving I have to have a good pair, especially in the winter. As the open country around here can be brutal with the glare off the snow.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by lcarus

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

The last pair of Oakleys I had lasted a decade, and I lost them traveling or else I might still be wearing them. The pair I have now are actually similar to what you posted... the titanium frames that will last forever, and after ~6 years the lenses still look new. I've bought cheap pairs before, and I agree with DJ that comfort is a big deal... I'd get headaches from poor fitting pairs.

I'm sure some people keep cheaper pairs for just as long or longer, but once a decade goes by it's a matter of $10-$20 per year for the extra comfort and visibility.

[Groves]

Originally Posted by trndobrd

For daily wear I go for something polarized in the $25-35 price range.

Anywhere in particular, or are they all basically the same?

[Okie_Apparition]

Force your pupils to grow a set
sunglasses is the wussifacation

[scho63]

I bought three pairs of sunglasses from the Burlington Coat Factory for a grand total of $16 and I get nothing but compliments on two of the three pairs.

When I asked them to guess how much I paid for them, the number is always a minimum of $50 or more.

I always wind up bending them and having them get scratched, mostly in my car.

MY best friend's wife thinks nothing of spending $200 or more for a pair. That's crazy IMHO and they ain't millionaires

[kcchiefsus]

Ray Ban Wayfearers( spelling?)

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Shag

How do you like those golf-specific lenses? I've heard them mentioned before, but never looked into it...

I'm very happy with them. I use the G30. Perfect for everything but the absolute brightest of days, much easier to follow the ball in flight, and excellent for reading greens.

Defintely take a look at a pair if you get the chance.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Okie_Apparition

Force your pupils to grow a set
sunglasses is the wussifacation

A good pair of sunglasses is like ball powder for your eyes.

[007]

Originally Posted by lcarus

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

Got my Maui Jims for $79. they are normally a $200 pair.

[LVNHACK]

Originally Posted by Frosty

What do those that need prescription glasses do? Can you get the higher end sunglasses fitted with prescription lenses?

When I got my last set of glasses, they had a BOGO deal and I just picked out a second set of frames and had it tinted. However, I don't wear sunglasses very often (and don't even pretend to be cool).

Oakley has prescription glasses...Check their site

[LVNHACK]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Here in Arizona you wear shades most of your life. There is no such thing as "too good" a pair of sunglasses.

I've heard it said Arizona is the civilized Iraq...I'm honored by your sig...

[trndobrd]

Originally Posted by Groves

Anywhere in particular, or are they all basically the same?

The last couple pair I got were from the Jax Sporting goods store in Colorado. I don't remember the brand, but the have an 'M' on the side.