Sunglasses

There are lots of choices for durable sunglasses under $100. I use a cheap pair with interchangeable lenses from performance bike that cost under $20 at most. So far they have held up to about a decade of biking and hiking. If you dont need a perscription then you should be able to get away with something well under a hundred.

These are my favorite sunglasses. They're not too pricey and they fit me perfectly.

http://www.sunbeltoptic.com/sunglasses/hemingway.html

In 3 season hiking I use Maui Jim Ho'okipa Readers Polarized Sunglasses, which are bifocals with maginfied readers on the bottom. This way I do not need to bring my regular glasses for reading.

In the winter, I bring my reading glasses because the days are very short and the sunglasses do not work well for a lot of close up tasks.

Use Julbo Glacier glasses for a number of reasons. My top three:

1-I was shot in the eye with a BB gun when I was 5 (I know the jokes). My right eye now takes in more light and it can be very discomforting and causes headaches. Blocks out tons of light. Amazing.

2-Durable as hell. Lost mine in a shelter on the AT. Spent 20 mins looking for them and found them under my boot. No scratches and the frame bent right back in place. 4 yrs old and still going.

3- I look darn good in them.

Here is the link to Campmor. But they are $60 in the store.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___81762

Nathan, I would never buy a pair of $100 glasses, I wouldn't go above $40, but I didn't want folks to not suggest something just becuase it was expensive… most things go on sale eventually.

Tommy, thanks I'll look at those.

my old glasses were $12 at JC penny's =) which were fine, if a little fragile… but I'm willing to spend up to 30 whole dollars now for lenses that are unlikely to shatter and frames that are lighter wieght.

Russ,

one of the best places to get high quality sun glasses on the cheap is Sierra Trading Post. They are constantly blowing out sunglasses, and they carry good reliable brands that will take care of your eyeballs! Check them out and make sure to always check out the "Bargain Barn"

you can find tons of them on ebay. i got Native hardtops new with an extra 2 sets of lenses. Here in Canada, that's almost $250) I got them for $80 shipped.

if you want to save on watches and glasses, ebay is the way.

I have a big head, not big-ish, BIG. I wear Ray Ban Wafarers most of the time and I have added "Optx 20/20" stick-on bifocal lenses so I can read maps and do other close work without the need to change glasses. I carry micro-readers for backup and tent-bound reading.

I also use Bolle PC sunglasses, which are also a good fit for big heads. They are light and hard to damage— I bend metal frames all too often.

tented safety glasses i got from work when canyoneering or otherwise threat of loss/damage: http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/checsafglas.html
any other time oakley M frame Hybrid. take care of them like you would a cuben tarp, and nobody gets hurt: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EL310E

http://www.nativeyewear.com/style/view/10

Native Eyewear Dash XP

wait for a good sale

Very light, very durable

One of the best gear investments I've made

The Suncloud line @ REI (some of them are in the outlet as well) are nice for the price. There is a 20% off coupon now and some of them are already half off.

For those who wear prescription eyeglasses, Zenni Optical provides accessory clip-ons for their various frames at a very reasonable price. I found their eyeglasses and frames to be of much higher quality than the other 3 more expensive on-line vendors I tried, the only problem being Zenni's bifocals are available in only one style that I could not get used to (come up to high on the lens).

Mine are from Zenni Optical.
$20 shipped to my door, prescription is perfect.

If you know you face measurements the site helps one narrow down the frames that will fit.

Thanks yall, I have been looking at REI outlet and Sierra trading post… I'll probably order from REI since I can return them, but those saftey glasses look pretty cool te-wa, almost want to buy 5 pairs for the price of one pair of sport glasses =)

Check the managers specials. I bought multiple pairs of Nike and Bolle sunglasses for $5 each. All of them are under one ounce too. I put several pairs in my car and one on my desk for wearing when I'm not in my car, and a pair for camping. Use a small zip-lock bag and you've got shades for cheap. And they probably have a bit better protection than no names. Also, lots of great ideas above.

…

i get name brand sunglasses for 5-10$ at Ross…the selection is sporadic…so when they have them in stock,double up…i guess you could find them at all the other clearance places too,like tj maxx etc…but ross works for me.

http://www.wileyx.com/EcommSuite/ProductDetail.aspx?ActivityCode=MOTORCYCLE&SeriesCode=CLIMATE_CONTROL&ProductLine=731,BLINK&ItemCode=556

I use these Wiley X motorcycle classes, mainly because my eye doctor could put prescription no line bifocals in them.
They block out wind, dust and other annoying things.

If you go to Lowes or Home Depot, you can buy polarized safety glasses for about $40. The pair I have are from 3M.

Costco sells Kirkland branded Wayfarers for about $40. While I don't have them, I prefer Wayfarers for backpacking as they fold down flat which is great for when they're in the front pocket of my pack.