I lost a good set of Maui Jims. I've had one pair. I've had a couple of pair of Costa. I haven't tried Smiths. What are thoughts on those that know about all 3? The only issue I had with my Maui Jims was that it wasn't tight enough to put on the bill of my cap or on my neck and it stayed. It would always slip off and fall to the ground. A little thing I know. Thoughts?

Smith Riptide for the win imo. They are my favorite over numerous pairs of Maui and Costas.

I like Smith and Maui. I have a pair of Smith Guide Choice with polarchromic lenses. They are hard to beat.

Not sure if they will stay on your head better, but i havent had many issues. They are flexi in the hinge.

I've never owned any maui jim because I cant find a frame I like. I also prefer glass to poly and it seems MJ doesn't make as near as many options with glass lenses. With that said, I've had the poly options in both Costa and Smith and both seem about equal to me as far as clarity goes. If anything I'd say the Smith are a little more scratch resistant than the Costa in the poly lenses. However, I prefer the Costa glass to everything.

Costa has been bought and sold (or re-organized) a couple of times in the last 20 years. Not sure if that has had an impact on quality because my Triple-tails are circa 2010 ish (best model ever by the way). TT are discontinued so I am not sure what I will do when I have to lay them to rest. I just can't find a newer model that fits like they do and I have tried.

I can say that the customer service/warranty department is not what it used to be. I believe alot of these brands are now owned by the same corporate monster (or simialr beasts). Ill have to look this thread up when my TT's bite the dust!

Bajio
Smith
Redtail Republic

I had a costa warranty claim a year or so ago and they replaced my Ocearch Tuna Alleys with same model (but not Ocearch as those were limited editions), but a previous claim was for a model they no longer made and the ones offered were crappy imo. I'll probably keep trying to exchange my costas if there are issues but doubt I'll buy another pair outright.

Have two pairs of smith and they are really quality sunglasses. Not sure I'll need to buy anymore smiths either.

I'd definitely give bajio a shot if buying brand new.

Costa was bought out by a French-Italian holding company around 2021. I had always used Costa and liked them a lot…knew their factory rep in our area etc. Bought a new pair about a year ago and the lenses kept falling out. Their customer service was horrible when I called about my problem and the lady acted like she could care less about my issue. Nothing like before. Found out their frames come from China, Taiwan etc…..maybe they always did.
They just seem to not be that good company in Florida like they used to be.
Got nothing more to add.

After 15 years of wearing Costa, I've been wearing Smith for last 5. I think I have 4 pairs between Rx and not.

Their customer service has been great. The only thing that bothers me a little bit is they won't just make a new set of Rx lenses for you. You have to buy new frames. I'm sure that's SOP for the industry, but it's annoying to me.

Allow me to add, Fuse replacement lenses are really good. If you scratch up your expensive glasses, order some Fuses and they fit right into your old frames and the quality is great. Less than $50 for basically a new pair of glasses.

If I am not mistaken all the original Costa crew went and started Bajio once they sold out

Gigemags05 said:

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This topic comes up frequently and I'm always shocked at people's experiences with costa.

I've had at least 4 pairs replaced with no questions asked (i broke two on my own, one was 20 yrs old, other one was a pair that someone gave me that was broken).

Customer service has always been incredible, up to as recently as 6 months ago.

Costas are far more comfortable than Maui Jim in my opinion. Lens quality is equal.

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Same. never an issue with them and still great quality. I am looking at Bajio though. They were founded by former Costa guys.

Bunk Moreland said:

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Gigemags05 said:

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This topic comes up frequently and I'm always shocked at people's experiences with costa.

I've had at least 4 pairs replaced with no questions asked (i broke two on my own, one was 20 yrs old, other one was a pair that someone gave me that was broken).

Customer service has always been incredible, up to as recently as 6 months ago.

Costas are far more comfortable than Maui Jim in my opinion. Lens quality is equal.

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Same. never an issue with them and still great quality. I am looking at Bajio though. They were founded by former Costa guys.

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Another same experience here. I have had multiple pairs of Costas replaced over the years with no issues.

I also have a pair of Bajio glasses, and agree they're the same lenses as Costa, but I'm not as big of fan of the frames. I like the Fantail Costa frames more than anything from other manufacturers, that's why I keep going back.

I take mine to our eye doctor who also sells glasses. They make the Rx glass and install them in the frames. They did this on two Costa pair for me as Costa would no longer do the Rx lenses.

I've switched to Bajio. If not an option I like Smiths. But get the glass lenses, their plastic lens delaminates after a year or two.

Costa's warranty was great until about 4 months ago. I had several where the rubber peeled. One was a prior warranty replacement and the other was a new purchase. They denied both because they said for one they only warranty a replacement once and the other because I didn't keep my original receipt.

TLDR: Costa ain't what it used to be, even from a few months back.

I have used MJ and Costa for a great number of years, which should indicate how much I like them. However, I recently got my first pair of Smith sunglasses, which have the ChromaPop lenses. I have to say that the ChromaPop is the best lens I have ever used. Their clarity and especially their color rendition just blow away my MJ Big Waves (of which I have two). Now, I only see myself buying Smith in the foreseeable future, as long as they make a model or two that will fit my big noggin.

C

I second this, very fast turnaround time

I bounce around but I have 2 pair of Maui Jim's now- 1 pair of Costas when fishing the flats

Smith guy here, glass if possible.

Sorry for my ignorance on this topic, but do any/all of these companies offer prescription sunglasses with progressive lenses?

Or is it a case of having to buy regular sunglasses (or just the frames) and have to get the lenses from your eye doctor?

I've used oakley, smith and Costas, and my favorite so far are my Smith Guides Choice. Very solid lenses and big enough not to let air around when you are boating at high speed. Also very comfortable and grip a cap well.

I also really like oakley split shot for ease of swapping lenses for different kinds of fishing and their metal sunglasses strap which clips into the frame is my favorite design I've seen so far.

I just got a pair if Bajio Vega Rx sunglasses. I also have a pair of Smith Lowdown 2 Rx and 2 pairs of regular Smith Guides Choice in brown and copper.

TheRatt87 said:

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Sorry for my ignorance on this topic, but do any/all of these companies offer prescription sunglasses with progressive lenses?

Or is it a case of having to buy regular sunglasses (or just the frames) and have to get the lenses from your eye doctor?

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Bajio does.

I like their rose and violet lenses colors to let more light thru. My old sunglasses seem darker and darker as I get older and older .

I've had similar positive experiences with Costa customer service over the years for 3-4 pairs. Most recently a year ago.

Find something on slickdeals.net and be happy for however long it takes you to break them or lose them. Costa had been the goto and have had replacements but it takes a while... so you're just still buying and accumulating new sunglasses

Thank you!

I have a pair of Smith sunglasses with the bronze lens. The style is Barra. They are the best pair of sunglasses that I've ever owned. Not too dark so I can use in low light but plenty of sun protection during the day.

Gunny456 said:

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I take mine to our eye doctor who also sells glasses. They make the Rx glass and install them in the frames. They did this on two Costa pair for me as Costa would no longer do the Rx lenses.

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That's good to know, may have to try that.

I just bought a pair of Smith Riptides…will see if they are worth $255!! Most expensive sunglasses I've bought, but my Maui Jim's are near end of life and I liked the idea of ultra vivid color with those fancy lenses

Gunny456 said:

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I take mine to our eye doctor who also sells glasses. They make the Rx glass and install them in the frames. They did this on two Costa pair for me as Costa would no longer do the Rx lenses.

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I have bad eyes - -5.25 in one eye and every time I find a lframe that anny of their websites say will work, I get a call saying they can't make them work. I'm resigned to o just won't be able to get a set of good RX sunglasses for fishing

SGrem said:

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TheRatt87 said:

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Sorry for my ignorance on this topic, but do any/all of these companies offer prescription sunglasses with progressive lenses?

Or is it a case of having to buy regular sunglasses (or just the frames) and have to get the lenses from your eye doctor?

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Bajio does.

I like their rose and violet lenses colors to let more light thru. My old sunglasses seem darker and darker as I get older and older .

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Another vote for Bajio rose lenses. Clarity is exceptional. I think they are better than smith and costa. I'm color blind and the rose lenses help me see redfish on the flats when sight fishing. I wear the rose lenses in full sun.

But by far the best lens for seeing fish in the flats is the Smith low level ignitor. It's next level good. They are supposed to be low light lenses, but I wear them 90% of the time I'm on the bow looking for fish.

Fwiw..... Bajio was founded by some outdoor enthusiasts from FL that used to work for Costa.

SGrem said:

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TheRatt87 said:

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Sorry for my ignorance on this topic, but do any/all of these companies offer prescription sunglasses with progressive lenses?

Or is it a case of having to buy regular sunglasses (or just the frames) and have to get the lenses from your eye doctor?

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Bajio does.

I like their rose and violet lenses colors to let more light thru. My old sunglasses seem darker and darker as I get older and older .

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So does Smith but not with their wraparound styles. I had progressive lenses put in my Smith Lowdown2 glasses. The Bajio Vega is similar in appearance to the Smith Guides Choice and I got a pair recently with progressives.

My Bajio Vega Rx glasses



My Smith Lowdown 2s