Driving sunglasses?

[GC8]

shirt said:

GC8 said:

I have to wear sunglasses a lot more than most people

why?

Eye injury when I was a child.

[rs990]

Oakley Flak Jackets, with VR28 Black Iridium lenses in the winter and Black Iridium in the summer. I also have some Ice Iridium Polarized lenses, but I am not a big fan of driving with polarized lenses.

The VR28 Black Iridium lenses are the best lenses I have ever used as they can be worn in a huge variety of light conditions.

[hairyben]

ukbabz said:

Personally go for my Gatorz which have a polarised lense. Makes driving in loads of conditions a doddle - works really well in fog / spray as well.

They were about £100 a pair when I got them a few years ago but bloody tough, rarely go in the case and the lenses are still unscratched.

what are the polarised like in the dark?

I'm thinking I need something better than dewalt mirrored safety specs and it needs to be fairly robust, driving home last night feeling tired after two long days the headlights were getting to me, never mind the pillocks on full beam/tts on bikes with strobes. I think I'm significantly more photosensitive than average at the best of times.

[Balmoral]

Yet another recommendation for Serengeti Drivers. It's like switching from SD to HD or having a cataract removed. Not just for the sun either, they are great in the dull dark grey dankness of winter and brilliant in the rain or fog, I can see several vehicles further ahead with them on when the weather and conditions are really appalling. People say that any comparable polarised lens will do the same, well I've had loads of polarised stuff in the past, and they've not come close.

Unfortunately a large number of the drivers range with many of the best styles aren't available in the UK or Europe. I ordered my last two pairs on-line from a California retailer and ended up paying stupid money for them what with carriage and duty. But worth it.

[shirt]

GC8 said:

shirt said:

GC8 said:

I have to wear sunglasses a lot more than most people

why?

Eye injury when I was a child.

ah ok. thought it was job related.

i wear sunnies almost daily for driving [not in uk] but am great at leaving them in other people's cars. some good sales on at the mo so may have to get a pair of polarised to see how they compare.

[skip_1]

I picked up a pair of aviator style polarised, mirrored UVA UVB Foster Grant sunglasses from Halford a couple of years back for approx £20. They have lasted well and been used for holidays in the sun too.

[rich85uk]

Frik said:

MissChief said:

Thanks everyone. I think a pair of the Bollé ones look a good bet. Not extortionately priced but still look like good quality.

The optician I bought my Serengetis from recommended Bollé; they have the same parent company apparently. I couldn't find any that suited though, unfortunately. They're certainly more reasonable and very good, though I'd suggest lacking the ultimate quality of their stablemates.

Thats interesting, mine certainly feel extremely well made (better than any Ray Bans i have handled)and a day like today the lenses were perfect for driving

Will treat myself to some Maui Jim or Serengetis aviators though

[rambo19]

Cheap ones for me to, I got fed up with good ones getting broke/nicked.

[.blue]

It's all about the Ken Block range by Spy.

[GC8]

shirt said:

GC8 said:

shirt said:

GC8 said:

I have to wear sunglasses a lot more than most people

why?

Eye injury when I was a child.

ah ok. thought it was job related.

i wear sunnies almost daily for driving [not in uk] but am great at leaving them in other people's cars. some good sales on at the mo so may have to get a pair of polarised to see how they compare.

Well; I used to be a rep and theyre as important as a shirt hung on the hook...

I preferred Oakley for style, but proper B&L lenses RayBans are definitely the best driving glasses in my experience.

[MrBig]

hairyben said:

what are the polarised like in the dark?

I'm thinking I need something better than dewalt mirrored safety specs and it needs to be fairly robust, driving home last night feeling tired after two long days the headlights were getting to me, never mind the pillocks on full beam/tts on bikes with strobes. I think I'm significantly more photosensitive than average at the best of times.

In all seriousness, when did you last have an eye test? That can be a sign that your eyes are straining. Probably worth checking out.

Back to sunnies. I wouldn't be without my Oakleys now. They are a total revelation after years of cheap sunglasses.

[Stugots]

DMN said:

I keep the expensive glasses for strutting round town looking a tt.

Nice one. Was gunna buy some white framed Bloc sunnies 15 quids in matalan or where ever the fk I was, but thought I'd also look a tt !!

Edited by Stugots on Saturday 29th March 22:11

[Andy616]

Decided to treat myself to a polarised pair of these:

http://www.ray-ban.com/uk/products/sun/RB3362?var=...

By far the best fitting and most comfortable glasses I've ever had.

[rgw2012]

Had Bolles in the past and they were great. Went to buy some Serengetis to replace them and ended up getting Maui Jims - they were just spot on and really light frames. Am definitely a Maui Jim convert now

[skip_1]

Bolle and Serengeti are made by the same company.

The company Luxottica make most of the other famous brands including Ray-ban and Oakleys.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Another vote for Serengeti. I love my 10 year old Lamone drivers polarised even if some of the black satin is wearing off.

Considering a pair of Velocity Titaniums to replace them.

I am a bit of a tart when it comes to sunglasses. Got a few pairs of Persol & Ray Ban.

[Dan_1981]

Bump.


Looking for something decent, aviator style, sub £70?

Doable?

[liner33]

Zod said:

Maui Jim are the best.

I have two pairs of Maui Jims, a pari of Serengetis, a pair of Silhouetters, a pair of Oakleys and a pair of Ray Bans.

The Maui Jims are the best by a large margin, with the Serengetis in second place. The Oakleys are rubbish, with the polarisation creating a shimmer effect on some surfaces.

I have to wear the Silhouettes or the Ray Bans to see the HUD in the X5 though. Polarisation makes it invisible.

Just try a pair of Maui Jims. They are a revelation.

I love my Maui Jims I have had one pair for 20 years , broke an arm and sent them off for repair and them came back with unmarked lenses and looking like new , including a new case it was £50 , fab service

They reduce glare without making everything dark so you can wear them even through tunnels

Also own Raybans and Oakleys but as you say Maui Jim lenses are awesome , only downside is they can be a bit heavy

[GC8]

Ray-Ban used to have the best lenses by far, but that was when they were made by a lens making specialist. They have since been sold off to a fashion brand company...

[GC8]

skip_1 said:

Bolle and Serengeti are made by the same company.

The company Luxottica make most of the other famous brands including Ray-ban and Oakleys.

More accurate to say that they're the parent company of Oakley, I think. They bought out a successful business which continues to operate.

Fair to say it about Ray-Ban though, as the brand struggled with Oakley's dominance and was sold by Bausch & Lomb at the turn of the millennium. Ray-Ban's strength, beyond its name, was the quality of Bausch & Lomb's lenses and that has certainly been lost and they're a shadow of their former selves. Far dearer than they used to be, of course...