Sunglasses for kiting?

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

$20 polarized safety glasses from Sandersons
uv protected ,poly lens ,duro and cheap
quality build and you don't have to worry about poking your eyes out Razz

once they go to davy jones locker
I grab a new pair
and spend the savings on fuel

Sashamon · Since 09 Jan 2009 2 Posts New Member

The best eyewear I have found for kiting is Kurtis USA. Light, flexible, polarized and float.

They are made in California and priced like Draggon, but they were designed for surfing and so far so good. The flexibility and soft comfortable frame are their best features.

I got my in Maui, but probably online too.

Sashamon · Since 09 Jan 2009 2 Posts New Member

The best eyewear I have found for kiting is Kurtis USA. Light, flexible, polarized and float.

They are made in California and priced like Draggon, but they were designed for surfing and so far so good. The flexibility and soft comfortable frame are their best features.

I got my in Maui, but probably online too.

:D

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

I've gone through about 1.5 pair per year. I buy and or use whatever is available. . . I have found that glass lens tend to fog up on the coast with the temp difference on the warmer summer days and the NW winds (colder water that comes from days and or weeks NW wind). And of course, glass is way more dangerous than plastic. I have not found that polorized lens mess up timing. . .

REI super sale going on right now, time to stock up.

Miner · Since 14 Sep 2008 43 Posts

well seaspecs do scratch fast. but there not that bad for sun glasses. If you get the buy 2 get 1 free deal it's not that bad of a deal.

Very Happy

MEwing5000 · Since 14 Nov 2005 34 Posts Seattle

I've been using

Zeal Optics "Swap it"

I couldn't be happier, they convert from a goggle style to regular glasses. There lenses interchange.

They are a bit of an investment but check out the first time buyer deal. Trade the glasses your using now and they give you a huge discount. Not to mention they have a crash/break replacement plan.

great leash system, lens coverage, and clean clear lenses, scratch resistant too.

[url]http://www.zealoptics.com/product-details.php?carXML=polarized-new&detail=swap%20it%20duece&m=1&s=1[/url]

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jan 09, 09 9:49 pm

I have natives and love them although they are spendy. Over $100. Last time I had a pair and lost them, I got so pissed I went in to second wind and bought another pair.

That day I hit the sand bar and launched forgetting I was wearing them. "that's ok, I'll just take it easy".

We'll there under the water at the sandbar if your interested. Figured I spent $50 an hour to rent them seeing as they last a total of 2 hours.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Nak · Sat Jan 10, 09 5:50 am

Sol-flyer · Sat Jan 10, 09 8:29 am

i lost about 5 pairs this summer just at floras lake. I found a really cool way for finding them....Body drag with a scuba mask on Laughing

not only do you find sunglasses, hook knifes, fins, and wave grenade's... but its also really cool to "fly" across bottom of the lake!

try it sometime Wink

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

maybe head shape is the reason some people can keep a pair of specs for years other people lose 'em first session Question

I've been trying to find the solution for years, the worst was the Gath helmet with the full face sliding visor absolutely useless and talk about stupid looking. The seaspec knockoffs from ebay are pretty good - 3 pairs for about $40. Really cheap glasses seem to fog worse.

Got to keep persisting though - not wearing them nearly cost me my eye a few weeks ago. Beginning of first downwinder at SPI i was getting worked in the waves and let go of the bar with my front hand as i got hit by a wave. Kite looped and i got nailed right in the eye by the bar end. Hurt like hell, and blood dripping into the water. I'm already completely blind in that eye so decided to keep going figuring if i'd lost the eye i wasn't really much worse off and would at least ride before the Docs told me i had to stay out of the water for a while. If the bar had hit the other eye i would have been completely screwed. Polycarb safety lens would at least have deflected the impact. Turned out i had cuts above and below the eye and it was severly bruised, turned completely red and socket had swelled shut. Got it checked out when i got back to Vancouver and I still have the eye for what it's worth......so wear some eye protection and what exactly is the purpose of sharp pointed bar ends?????????

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

eye scoops is what I call them

Eyeballs and bar ends
is why I wear safety glasses

MEwing5000 · Since 14 Nov 2005 34 Posts Seattle

Just thought I'd re iterate

"if you lose a pair of Zeal Optics you pay there cost to replace them for life"

it's true. That being said you probably wont lose them as much with the leash system they have integrated. Not to mention they are made for water sports and designed by water sport enthusiasts.

http://www.zealoptics.com/product-details.php?carXML=polarized-new&detail=swap%20it%20duece&m=1&s=1

I believe you can order them and if you don't like them they will take them back and refund you money.

one more thing they're made from recycled plastics and are rated for OSHA.

wylieflyote · Sat Jan 10, 09 10:32 am

Does anyone think that they're still having red eyes at days end in the Columbia River with or without dark glasses?
Two years ago I resisted wearing dark glasses because it got in the way of the pure fun, but my eyes were painful red in the evenings. Then last summer I started wearing SeaSpecs but my eyes were still painful red after an all day'er on the river.
This didn't happen for the previous decade of windsurfing without glasses.
Could there be something in the water that wasn't there in the '90's?

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

$33 dollars will yield about 33-50 days of riding--
The probability of loss grows exponentially if the glasses are more.

Red eyes indicate an allergic reaction says ziggy Alien

groundclown · Since 12 May 2007 135 Posts Hood River Stoked

www.surfshades.net great replacement warrenty. Polarized takes a little getting used to, but within a few minutes you get your depth perception back.
Jonathon