Sunglasses that float? (or don't sink!)
 

What do you all use for sunglasses/shades when paddling around here and there?
I went out yesterday in one of the local harbors and while taking a picture
(stupid me) dumped my sunglasses which sank rather quickly to the bottom
and for the life of me I couldn't find them... Needless to say they weren't
a type that floats (nor were they a type specifically for boating).

So... I'm now looking for a new pair of glasses that the following attributes
(in order of importance)

o floats one way or another (whether by the glasses or croakie like strap)
o Polarized
o Won't fog up (a "feature" that my now-sunk pair suffered from) after a while
of use.
o Won't fall off easily
o Cost $100 preferably.. My last MIA pair was $40

Any comments are appreciated..

P.S. While I did lose my sun glasses, I did bring home a boogie board and a
(rather beat up) Kayak paddle that we found while playing around in the
harbor...

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
What do you all use for sunglasses/shades when paddling around here and
there?
I went out yesterday in one of the local harbors and while taking a
picture
(stupid me) dumped my sunglasses which sank rather quickly to the bottom
and for the life of me I couldn't find them... Needless to say they
weren't
a type that floats (nor were they a type specifically for boating).

I use an eyeglass holding strap that has foam floats on the back. The
theory being that if the strap is not successfull in holding your glasses
on, at least they will float on the water so that you can retrieve them. In
my case it is a little silly for me to have them because with my vision (or
lack thereof) I would't be able to see them if the were floating next to the
boat and were the size of a harbor bouy. Sorry I can't remember the name
they were sold under but I got them at REI, if that helps.

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
What do you all use for sunglasses/shades when paddling around here and
there?

Now that the subject of eyewear has been brought up I've got a related
inquiry:

What do people, who have to wear glasses with powerful prescriptions (as in:
can't see diddly without them), do in rough water where the potential for
capsizing is high, or want to learn/practice rolls? Can prescription
swimming goggles be made? Are there other alternatives?

I've tried the face masks' with (NOT made to order) corrective lens'
embedded in the vision plate, but even the strongest aren't strong enough
for me. They're ok for snorkling, as one doesn't (and can't anyway) have to
see distances for that, but are not useable for navigating a boat on top of
the water. Besides, I really don't want to wear a full face mask while
kayaking.

On 27-Sep-2004, X-Addict wrote:

o floats one way or another (whether by the glasses or croakie like strap)

Any brand/model of sunglasses will float with the appropriate floating strap.

o Polarized

Go to your local fishing gear shop and buy inexpensive, polarized sunglasses.
They actually have some relatively decent looking ones now. I got some for
less than $20 and don't fret about losing them.

o Won't fog up after a while of use.

If you can find these, tell us. AFAIK, nothing like this exists. Claims
about various sprays, fluids etc that can be put on the lens are worth
what you pay for those opinions.

o Won't fall off easily

See response to point one. Substitute "stay on" for "float"

o Cost $100 preferably.. My last MIA pair was $40

See response to point two.

Mike

In article , Don Freeman wrote:

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
What do you all use for sunglasses/shades when paddling around here and
there?

Now that the subject of eyewear has been brought up I've got a related
inquiry:

What do people, who have to wear glasses with powerful prescriptions (as in:
can't see diddly without them), do in rough water where the potential for
capsizing is high, or want to learn/practice rolls? Can prescription
swimming goggles be made? Are there other alternatives?

My wife has prescription goggles that were made specifically for her by our
optometrist.. It took them about a month to make them, but they fit well
and look otherwise just like any other pair of goggles (except considerably
more expensive than your run-of-the-mill goggles).

-- Rick

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
In article , Don Freeman wrote:

Can prescription
swimming goggles be made? Are there other alternatives?

My wife has prescription goggles that were made specifically for her by
our
optometrist.. It took them about a month to make them, but they fit well
and look otherwise just like any other pair of goggles (except
considerably
more expensive than your run-of-the-mill goggles).

Did she have to buy the goggles first at a swimwear vendor and then bring
them into her optician to get the prescription filled, or did they actually
have the goggle frames available there?

In article , Don Freeman wrote:

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
In article , Don Freeman wrote:

Can prescription
swimming goggles be made? Are there other alternatives?

My wife has prescription goggles that were made specifically for her by
our
optometrist.. It took them about a month to make them, but they fit well
and look otherwise just like any other pair of goggles (except
considerably
more expensive than your run-of-the-mill goggles).

Did she have to buy the goggles first at a swimwear vendor and then bring
them into her optician to get the prescription filled, or did they actually
have the goggle frames available there?

No.. She had them make the entire goggles for her.. I guess they measure her
head or something to get the right length for the band, etc.. They basically
gave her a box after several weeks with the premade goggles in it. I'll see
if I can find out exactly what they measured, etc.

You may want to try Seaspecs:

http://playak.com/modules.php?name=C...cription&II=17

In article , X-Addict wrote:
In article , Don Freeman wrote:

"X-Addict" wrote in message
...
In article , Don Freeman wrote:

Can prescription
swimming goggles be made? Are there other alternatives?

My wife has prescription goggles that were made specifically for her by
our
optometrist.. It took them about a month to make them, but they fit well
and look otherwise just like any other pair of goggles (except
considerably
more expensive than your run-of-the-mill goggles).

Did she have to buy the goggles first at a swimwear vendor and then bring
them into her optician to get the prescription filled, or did they actually
have the goggle frames available there?

No.. She had them make the entire goggles for her.. I guess they measure her
head or something to get the right length for the band, etc.. They basically
gave her a box after several weeks with the premade goggles in it. I'll see
if I can find out exactly what they measured, etc.

Ok.. I checked with the wife and she said that she asked our optometrist about
getting the goggles and they said "no problem". They had to take measurements
for her face (eye size, etc) and they took care of ordering with her prescription
for the lenses and a few weeks later she had them. She thinks they cost about
$160 or so..

-- Rick

Campmor has Serengeti brand H2Optix line on sale for $40. I bought 2 Lido
versions...polarized...floating adjustable strap and come in a very usefull,
attractive looking neoprene pouch...velcro close and a clip for vest or yak
deck. It's exactly what you wanted in every category. Used em all
summer...and really like them. Dan
they weren't
a type that floats (nor were they a type specifically for boating).

o floats one way or another (whether by the glasses or croakie like strap)
o Polarized
o Won't fog up (a "feature" that my now-sunk pair suffered from) after a
while
of use.
o Won't fall off easily
o Cost $100 preferably.. My last MIA pair was $40

Any comments are appreciated..

P.S. While I did lose my sun glasses, I did bring home a boogie board and
a
(rather beat up) Kayak paddle that we found while playing around in
the
harbor...