The year was 2000. I stood in the bright sterility of the over-irradiated mall sunglass store, trying on pair after pair of shades. I had just seen Mission Impossible 2. Growing out my hair like Tom Cruise would take time. But purchasing some sleek, streamlined sunglasses like he wore in the action flick was something I could do now. Those tight, trim (albeit flashy) frames set a precedent for all the eyewear I wore for two decades. I aimed for the smallest coverage I could get away with. They had to be lighter. And they had to look better.
Over twenty years later, I’ve come to realize that the most important thing in a pair of sunglasses is that they work better. For me, that meant getting frames that were bigger.
In the last few years I’ve added a few more pairs to my collection. Larger aviator lenses provide excellent coverage. Wider, thicker arms block out some of that irritating peripheral light. On the water and on the road, they both worked better than my minimalist frames. If I can be so bold, they both look pretty good on me too.
With Costa Del Mar’s new Reefton PRO, I’ve been wearing sunglasses that combine large lenses with maximum coverage from direct light.
The Reefton PROs are listed as “x-large” frames for a “wide” fit. While I don’t have an exceptionally large head or a particularly wide face, these sunglasses fit. They fit, and they fit pretty well. Taking into account some of the PRO features (outlined below), the larger frames are comfortable and don’t move as I cast, paddle, or jog. And, of course, they work.
Larger frames like this do a few things remarkably well. An obvious benefit is coverage. Wherever I look, I have lens in front of my eye. With the exception of the pads that run adjacent to the bridge of my nose, I have an unobstructed view. This translates into seeing more. With high quality polarized lenses, this means seeing more better. Light gets into my field of vision, but it is the right kind of light.
Something else that I appreciate is that the larger frames don’t move. While they sit set off from my face a little bit more than my smaller sunglasses, their shape and size doesn’t allow that ambient light to penetrate. Plus, when I move my cheeks or raise my eyebrows, my face doesn’t make contact with and shift the frames at all. It might sound like minutiae, but when it isn’t happening you really appreciate it.
I’m not getting rid of my streamlined frames. They have a purpose (windy open water, longer runs). But I’ve gotten to a place where I like the look of something that works better. And for my fishing, hunting, and general use? That just so happens to also be frames that are bigger.
With the PRO series, Costa has sought to update some of their most popular frame models. On the Reefton PRO, the frames themselves extend slightly over the lenses and on the arms to limit exposure to glare and light sources. The nose pads are adjustable, there are channels in the arms to keep sweat from pooling, and there is more rubber on the arms. The ends of the arms also feature holes, allowing for either clip-on or slide-over retainer options.
As I’ve said numerous times before, I maintain that Costa 580G glass lenses are the best. I’ve worn all the major brands, and nothing compares to the clarity and durability of Costa’s glass.
Check out the Reefton PRO, along with all the other PRO series frames, on Costa Del Mar’s website.