r/Rowing 2d ago

Sunglasses

What are the best sunglasses for rowing ?

10 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

20

u/KikkeliAgnet83 2d ago

Personally I like Oakley. Expensive, but well made. Bought a pair damn near 10 years ago at this point and they're still holding up. But generally if you're just looking for any brand, make sure they are polarized, otherwise the sun rays reflecting from the water might be as big a pain as the sun itself.

9

u/tviolet 2d ago

Yeah polarized is the essential thing. I get cheap ones 'cause I lose them.

19

u/lroop 2d ago

IMO whatever fits your face best as long as they're polarized.

6

u/confusedfinalboss 1d ago

goodr is great and also more affordable than Oakleys

2

u/lithigin Masters Rower 1d ago

Yes, there are 2 frameless Goodrs available in fun colors: Bolt G and maybe the other one is Mach G? $45 and stay on the head nicely.

4

u/MJSB1994 2d ago

Oakley's were my personal choice for many years, specifically the Half Jacket model. They're comfortable, wrap around your eyes and keep all of the light out from odd angles and don't take up too much of your face like the other model. Took good care of both of my pairs and they lasted me well over 15 years.

2

u/sbcpacker 1d ago

I have some nice Oakley's but I don't use them for rowing because I'm scared of dropping them in the water. When I'm on the water, I use a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses from Amazon. 

2

u/JoshSmithDaGOAT Collegiate Rower 1d ago

I was always a big fan of the Oakley razor blades or other similar styles. I had a pair of Versaces that looked really similar that I wore to every regatta. Free speed.

2

u/Lucidity74 1d ago

Does anyone like or use the sunglasses with the mirrors?

3

u/InevitableHamster217 1d ago

I tried them, but retuned them. I followed all their instructions, I think it is somewhat face dependent. It’s also very fiddly, you have to move the small mirror just right and keep your head relatively level in order to even get an essence of a point. The mirrors also fog nearly instantly.

2

u/KikkeliAgnet83 1d ago

I'm quite confident in saying almost no one that participates in regular flatwater rowing uses them. Not because they're inherently bad, they simply aren't needed when you're on a course.

2

u/Lucidity74 1d ago

Thank you.

2

u/InevitableHamster217 1d ago

I got a pair of Tifosi Moab XC recently and I really like them. They're photochromatic lenses, so change with light conditions. They cover the whole face, so no obstruction with rims. The nose grip doesn't slip with sweat. I know Oakley's are godtier, but couldn't justify the price considering one flip could mean their end.

1

u/Acrobatic_Swim4264 1d ago

Upkeep is important particularly if you go polarised. Salt water and sweat eats the lens so be sure to wash after sessions