The best sunglasses
 

To those of you who choose to wear sunglasses while umpiring, I've been reading about all types. Polarized lenses seem overpriced and unnecessary for what we need as umpires. I'm intrigued by a golf lens, lots of our work deals with settings similar to that on a golf course (white ball in the air, green grass and surroundings, etc)...the golf lens is also $60 less than the most expensive polarized lens. $140 vs $200 for the brand that starts w/ an "O".

Is this a case, of the most expensive, not necessarily being the best choice?

This thread is not intended to debate whether or not an umpire should wear sunglasses. Rather, those who do, what is working for you outside of the $20pair of gas station shades that I'm currently wearing? Is it worth it to spend a large amount of money on sunglasses?

Please weigh in.

My polarized glasses sure cut the glare on the water while I am fishing though. I don't golf much so I can't help you. I wear my glasses for more than just umpiring.

I like the Oakley M frame, with the black slate Iridium sweep lens that's vented at the top. They fit my face well, will fit under my mask, and won't steam up or flop around when I run. I've got another pair with the VR28 lens for twilight work.

But I'm biased, because I like the company.

Years ago, a guy I trained with had a small Oakley sponsorship, to go along with the employment he got from his bicycle racing team. After a dismal racing season, of not feeling up to par, he was diagnosed with cancer. It had spread throughout his body, and the outlook wasn't good. Treatment was possible, but his then employer bailed out on his health care (effing French). Oakley stepped up, and made him an employee. Their healthcare provider balked, but Oakley threatened to pull it's deal if this guy didn't get covered. In the end, the guy pulled through, and ended up winning seven Tour de Frances in a row. Oakley never grandstanded what they did, they just did it.

Also, what they do for the military is just outstanding. The high prices you and I pay for sunglasses subsidises what the guys on the ground get in the Middle East. They're good guys.

(end of sappy story)

Have you tried non-polarized lenses while umpiring? Certainly the polarized work very well for fishing...I think that's their main function right?...I've read that the polarized can cause issues if you have to quickly look back and forth...have you experienced any of those issues?

Thanks for your input.

It depends who you ask. I can't say that I have had any issues. I love the clarity that they provide. If you ask some of the coaches, they totally cloud my judgment. I can't see anything. Some coaches say they might as well be blinders.

isn't that the truth...unless of course they win..."Great game, great game!"

Personally I think you should go with what is comfortable for you. What helps with eye fatigue. What helps you see the best. I don't think that there is a single correct answer.

I have used both Polarized and Non-Polarized...
 

lenses on the diamond. I like both but I think the non-polarized are better. For some reason whenever I look at anything black with polarized I get a weird refraction. I cannot explain what it is but only black does it. I did not like that as a lot of teams wear black now, my college association wears black as the primary color for shirts and hats and now high school wears it a lot. Not a big deal but I noticed the difference.

I wear contacts so the sunglasses are a must on sunny days.

I sometimes wear them behind the plate when sun is going down in outfield.

I wear Oakley Half-Jacket with XLJ lenses like they give military. I bought mine. I am interested in trying a lighter lens. G-30 or VR-28. I wear Black Iridium right now.

I had M-Frames but they are too wide for my head. I had the kind that did not fold-do not recommend them as they break rather easily.

I have had other brands but none I would recommend higher than the Oakley's. The optics are fantastic in them. They really help me.

By the way, I take them off when discussing calls with coaches. I want them to see my eyes.

The G-30's are the ones that I was interested in trying. Your information about the black w/ polarized lenses is great...as well as the other stuff. Do the half jackets fold?

Do Half Jackets Fold?
 

Yes they do. Make sure you get a hard case to put them in when not wearing to protect the lenses and prevent breakage. Oakley's are tough but not indestructible and scratched lenses are worthless for baseball. I got my hardcase at Wally World for $5. Oakley hard/firm case was too expensive for what it was made of and it lets thieves know what they are stealing with all the logos.

I personally don't like the polarized lenses, but some of the guys I call with swear by them. This is another issue you will probably get a lot of different viewpoints.
I like Oakley's with the amber lenses. I've found that the glare is what bothers me, and these cut the glare for me the same as dark shades. The big advantage, especially when working the plate, is that they actually lighten the sky if a dark cloud appears or the sun starts going down.

I have called with some guys who say they don't want coaches to see their eyes. I don't have a problem with this, and I don't think it looks any different than some of the "blue" or "rainbow" lenses.

I learned to buy a good pair and take care of them instead of a cheap pair. The money I've saved on headache medicine has been worth the initial investment!

I have one pair of polarized glassed (not real expensive) and when I drive, it appears the windows on my truck have rainbow streaks running across them. I don't know if this is common, or I have just have a bad pair!

Are the Amber ones, the G-30's? I don't think they are polarized. Are they?

This link will take you to Oakley site where...
 

you will learn more than you ever wanted to know about Oakley and their lenses.

Lens Tints


Hope this helps.

No, they aren't polarized. But sorry, I don't remember the number!

I had a buddy who was interested in amber lenses. He bought a pair that had replaceable lenses in case he wanted the black look. (not sure the brand)

It's a tough choice. I always have the fear of buying a pair I don't like and have to live with!

thanks Major Dave...the site is helpful...along with the opinions on here, I'm leaning toward some version of the G-30's...either the standard or w/ the Iridium...these are all simulated images, which is helpful, but not as good as the personal accounts...

I really don't think polarized is the direction I want to go for baseball...they're more expensive and I'm not convinced that polarized is what I want on a diamond...at least based upon what I'm reading on the Oakley site and from some of the opinions shared on here.

I've worn these for 5 years. LOVE them. I'm in the polarized camp, and haven't had any distortion issues. These Native glasses (from what I was told when I bought them at Eastern Mountain Sports) were designed for bicycle racers. They have little vents on the top of the frame. Never had a problem with them fogging up, even on 100+ degree days when I'm sweating buckets.

Native Eyewear

You can't buy them off of the Native site, but they will link you to the various retailers that do sell them. I think mine are the Sprint, but I like a couple of the other options, too. There are better descriptions of the glasses on the REI site than found on the Native site, and there are good descriptions of the lenses on the Native site. Hooray for going back and forth between windows. Mine came with regular, clear and yellow lenses, but it looks like they only come with 2 now. Oh well.

I have the half jackets with three replaceable color lenses. I want to say that it was a "golf package" or something like that. My wife bought the set at sunglass hut and I don't know what it's officially called. It came with the frames, three lens selections (regular grey, fire iridium, and ruby) a couple of cleaning cloths and a nice semi-hard padded case. The set is really nice. I've tried to stay away from the fire ones because they just don't look very good in the middle of the field. The ruby and grey work real well.

Check out the Bolle Vigilantes. I have these in my bag. They are a blade type so they work well under the mask. They also have interchangeable lenses. I love them.

I wear safety glasses from Northern Tools, about $7.99 per pair, appearance similar to Oakley M Frames. I go through about 2 pair per year.

I bought my M-Frames in 2000 and wear them regularly for everything from biking (which I don't do anymore) and other sports, to lawn mowing. Since I bought a clear lens a few weeks ago, I'll wear them for even more stuff like woodworking and shooting. I think they cost ~$140, which is only $4 less than what your 2 pair per year would cost you from then through this year.

If that's what you like, then that's great, but I'm just saying that the Oakleys should last you a long time and, as you've demonstrated, have a relatively decent cost.

I've been using Easton Diamond Flares for the past 5-6 years but only when on the bases. I have both a black lens and a light blue lens pair.

They are only $19.95 so I don't worry about breaking them. I spent top dollar on my West Vest Platinum, my hexpad shorts, my plate shoes, my base shoes, my Honig pants and Honig shirts but I see no need to drop $100-150 on Oakley sunglasses.

Just my two cents.

I have 3 pr, all the same. Oakley style lenses, plastic arms, SHATTER PROOF! Not bad for $4 a piece safety glasses.

I would guess the shades are just like getting rid of cotton. once you realize how awesome it is w/o cotton, you'll never go back.

Oakley M-Frame.
I wore them as a player, I wear them as an umpire, and I also wear them as a cyclist. They are expensive, but I'm used to them and they have done me well.

I have no need to drive a Limited Edition Navigator L either. But it's nice to have that choice.

http://www.o-review.com/images/M%20F...Sweep_Grey.jpg

I've got a son that is a freshman in college at a private university so I won't be buying any $120 plus sunglasses that can easily be broken. I'm pretty happy with my '06 Toyota Camry and it's paid off next month. I'm sure Totota would like to see me trade it in for an '09 but I've got other priorities.

I could go buy a big gas guzzling SUV for $40k but it doesn't appeal to me.
Ford/Lincoln is going under because there are not enough guys like you buying big boats. To each his own. Next time buy two. :D

I like to use the Easton Ultra lite Z-blades.. they are cheaper $25 each so if they break no big deal. Tjey also come in a all black, or Orange.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../p611495dt.jpg

Re:
 

No one has mentioned Nike Optics? They are the official sunglasses of MLB Umpires. They have the best peripheral vision. (Siege Swift Model) And they are not to expensive. A good gunmetal tint for bright days, yellow for overcast and a clear tint if you ever work under bad lights or in a dome. (Don't blast me on PM, I have done it before)

Nike Vision

Seems like there are more dealers for some of the other brands (doens't make them bad)...when I go to the website, all it does is point me in the direction of dealers rather than offering me a direct purchase option. I'd be willing to try them...but they don't even post a cost on there.

Aided by the large selection from premium quality labels options to select from, you'll definitely consider the less expensive sunlight who fit in your company needs not to mention selections.

I wear these with a prescription insert. I bought them two years ago and love them. The even work under my helmet behind the plate.

Maui Jim's:cool:

I still wear Oakley Half-Jackets. Keep one pair in each car.

This was a three-year-dead thread until a spam post resurrected it. . . :(

Who cares? I mean, is it better that nothing gets discussed at all?

Best Baseball Sunglasses
 

Oakley is a big name when it comes to good sunglasses makers . I am a big fan of baseball and I am using Oakley men's Radar Ev Shield.
This is an excellent sunglasses from them that not only will shade your eyes nicely when playing baseball but will also help you look good while doing it.
The lens color on these glasses is really cool and they are very solidly built too. They are non-polarized and feature 100% UV ray protection.