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...

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

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..

That's not a bad price at all, less then a pair of prescription lens in a
decent frameset. in fact, my frames alone cost more then that. Thanks, I
know now what to ask the optician for, and I think it is about time for a
new checkup, yep I'm sure of it.
-Don

X-Addict wrote:

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..

You can get all of those attibutes by adding a floating strap to a pair
of $10 polarized fishing/safety glasses, available at any of the
"marts" and home centers. While I prefer higher quality glasses for
driving and general use, the cheapies have good optical quality, durable
frames and I don't get all worked up if I damage or lose a pair. When
you're out on the water and the lenses are covered with spray and salt,
you can't tell the difference between $2 glasses and $200 glasses.

Don Freeman wrote:

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?

You don't want swimming goggles or anything else that's not ventilated.
Goggles will fog up and you'll be just as blind as without them. Sierra
Trading Post has had some Panoptix ventilated goggles that will accept
Rx inserts on sale. Perhaps that's a viable option. A friend of mine has
another brand that he bought at a local optometrist. He likes them, but
they were over $200.

Dan OConnell wrote:

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

I've got three different styles of H2Optix and there is one caveat about
them; certain models have a nasty tendency for the lenses to pop out
when the frame flexes. IIRC, the Santa Marta model is the worst in this
regard.

Also, while the floats do keep the glasses on the surface, the tiny foam
floats can be nearly impossible to see on the surface. Twice I've almost
lost these glasses because the floats were not visible enough. I've come
to the conclusion that the best float is one that sticks up out of the
water prominently, rather than laying on the surface. Color cannot be
relied on to make them visible if the float doesn't protrude well above
the surface.

Jeroen wrote:

You may want to try Seaspecs:

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

Here's a link to their home page:

http://www.seaspecs.com/

A quick Google search turned up quite a few online vendors.

In article , Brian Nystrom wrote:
Jeroen wrote:

You may want to try Seaspecs:

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

Here's a link to their home page:

http://www.seaspecs.com/

A quick Google search turned up quite a few online vendors.

Yeah.. I looked at those (and the Serengeti's) and am not too enamoured
of the look (of the seaspec's) and their non-removable strap. I'm also
not too interested in removable/interchangable lenses
I guess I'm looking for something that can be
used for water play as well as driving down the highway -- I know that if
I've got two or more pair of glasses, that I'll end up forgetting them when
it's time to go in the water anyway (unless i attach it to my paddle)

I think I'll just pick out my regular old sunglasses and get a set of the
floating thingies that were on the REI website (thanks for the URL -- whoever
posted it -- can't see who posted right now). I was over at REI the other
day and the guy said "hmm.. Yeah.. We sometimes have a floating strap, but
we've not had one in quite some time..."

Thanks again everyone..

-- Rick

Get the cheapo polarized "fishermans" sunglasses at Big 5 or the like for
under $10 on sale...I have 2 or 3 pair in the kayak bag at any time....they
get too scratched to see? Toss'em! They do allow you to see through the
water surface, and haze.....I go through 2 pair a year....I have their
locations as waypoints on my GPS.....
Kayaking San Diego
http://www.sdaccess.net/~jonhartz

"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).

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...