Eyewear

Recent Eyewear Reviews

Costa Waterwoman 2

The Waterwoman 2 sunglasses are Costa's widest, largest coverage sport option specifically for women. I've used my pair for more than a year and find them well-made, durable, and comfortable in a range of outdoor settings. As the name states, the Waterwoman 2's are designed for being on the water—fishing, paddling, boating—but don't get hung up on the name. With multiple lens and frame options, plus prescription, I consider them an excellent, versatile outdoor option both on and off the water. Full review

Costa Slack Tide

A little bit of fashion meets a little bit of adventure. The Slack Tides have some limited flexibility but they make up for it in generous padding and lightweight design. The Green Mirror lens offers unprecedented contrast. Testing:  During the spring, summer and early autumn, I tested three different styles of Costa sunglasses (Rincondo, Slack Tide, and Rincon). Each featured a different lens and frame, allowing me to test multiple variables when considering Costa sunglasses. This test is for… Full review

Costa Rincondo

Highly useful pair of sunglasses that can be used in lots of situations by providing the needed features in the backcountry and the style for a day in the city. A close cousin of the larger Rincon and Rinconcito models, but offers a medium fit as opposed to the larger models and a more rounded appearance. Testing:  During the spring, summer and early autumn, I tested three different styles of Costa sunglasses (Rincondo, Slack Tide, and Rincon). Each featured a different lens and frame, allowing… Full review

Costa Rincon

The Costa Rincon is a sunglass frame for those with a larger-than-average head size, but it doesn't look excessively large and bulky. The West Coast style has a lot of lens coverage and ample rubber padding that ensure the large frames don't slip. A close cousin of the Rincondo and Rinconcito models, but it offers the largest frame of the bunch. Testing:  During the spring, summer, and autumn, I tested three different styles of Costa sunglasses (Rincondo, Slack Tide, and Rincon). Each featured… Full review

Ombraz Leggero

These are not just another unique design, they are an evolution of sport and fashion sunglasses as we know them. I recently tried out some new sunglasses from Ombraz. They were incredibly great. But let me get something right out there before I continue. Though I am a full-time wearer of corrective lenses and have been since one faithful day in third grade, I still want to be cool. I arrived at Mrs. Gardner’s class with my adult-size, aviator, wire-frame, bifocals weighing down on my little boy… Full review

Glade Challenger Goggles

The Challenger is Glade's best-selling, flagship goggle. It's offered in a range of lens options to cover conditions from bright sunny days to flat, low light. It features anti-fog coatings that work well, and is a comfortable and surprisingly affordable goggle at under $100. Glade is a small, independent company, so they don't offer as many style options in frame sizes or colors as the big behemoth brands, but their offerings are increasing and are well made, good-looking, and very affordable. Full review

Glade Pulsar Magnetic Goggles

The Pulsar Magnetic Goggles from Glade Optics provide an excellent, wide field of vision in a comfortable, surprisingly affordable goggle. The four available Pulsar lenses can be switched out very easily due to magnets, work in a range of light levels, and are polarized to reduce glare. They come with anti-fog coatings that really work. Glade is a small, independent company, so they don't offer as many style options in frame sizes or colors as the big behemoth brands, but their offerings are increasing… Full review

Ombraz Classics

The Ombraz armless sunglasses are—without competition—the best pair of shades I’ve worn. And I have owned a lot of shades, because an active lifestyle tends to destroy sunglasses. Sunglasses can be frustrating, because my active lifestyle tends to destroy sunglasses. They’ve fallen off my face on runs and hikes; I’ve lost countless pairs in lakes and rivers (even while wearing Croakies). I’ve never dared to take a pair of sunglasses climbing for fear of watching them plummet to their… Full review

Nooz Optics Rectangular Reading Glasses

Nooz Optics reading glasses aren't designed for backpackers, but they hit all the right notes: lightweight, comfortable, incredibly easy one-handed use, versatile, and virtually indestructible. If you're old like me, you might have started carrying reading glasses with you everywhere you go, and the backpacking trail is no exception. Adjusting camera settings, reading maps, or courting sleep with a few chapters of pulp fiction all demand that mighty presbyopia chaser, the reading glasses. For some… Full review