Costa vs. Oakley Sunglasses – Which One to Choose?
You spend all day in the boat for fishing or other purposes. So, having a pair of good-quality sunglasses is mandatory for you. It not only provides comfort and visual clarity but also works as an eyes protector. Sunglasses will protect your eyes from harmful rays.
You’ll get several brands on the market that produce sunglasses for fishing and boating. Among them, Costan and Oakley are popular and common names.
But choosing one is a bit tricky, and you may hesitate to choose one among them. Don’t worry! If you’re falling into a puzzle about which one you should choose, this article is for you.
Here, I’ll provide you with a side-by-side comparison of Costa vs Oakley sunglasses and suggest which one you should select for you.
Comparison Chart: Costa vs Oakley Sunglasses
| Costa | Oakley |
| Lenses are glass and plastic made | Lenses are polycarbonate made |
| Only produce polarized glasses | Produce both polarized and non-polarized sunglasses |
| Lenses have yellow light filters mechanism | Lenses have yellow light filters mechanism |
| Lenses don’t collect scratches | Lenses collect scratches more easily |
| Extremely lighter | Heavier compare to costa |
| Frames are titanium and nylon made | Frames are O-Matter nylon material made |
| Classic designs | More energetic and youthful vibe |
| Cheaper | Costlier |
In-depth Comparison Between Costa and Oakley Sunglasses
Costa and Oakley both offer high-quality, stylish sunglasses with advanced features. In this article, we will conduct an in-depth comparison between Costa and Oakley sunglasses to help you make an informed decision about which brand is best for you.
Lenses
When you’re planning to buy sunglasses, the number one priority you should provide is that feature. The good thing is: Both Costa and Oakley don’t compromise the lens quality in their sunglasses.
Both brands come with polarized lenses with mirror coatings and multiple tints. But, you also get non-polarized options in Oakley.
Oakley is most popular for fishing and boating due to its yellow light filters mechanism. Generally, the Oakley lens is made of polycarbonate. Also, they use digital surfacing to improve peripheral distortion.
Oakley doesn’t produce any glass lenses. Instead, they focus on polycarbonate lenses. But, those lenses collect scratches more easily.
The Prizm plutonite lenses in Oakley’s, along with mirrored reflective coating, help to enhance color and contrast when you’re on a boat. Also, that provides better visual acuity and protection. You can turn the Oakley glasses into goggles, but it appears in few models.
The costa introduces multiple layers designed to filter out harsh yellow light. In addition, they used high-quality polarized polycarbonate, which saves your eyes from direct sunlight and UV-rays when you’re spending busy time in the boat.
Costa introduced the 580P lens in 2000. Those come with digitally surfaced trivex to provide better contrast and optical clarity. In addition, Costa introduces those sunglasses for people who need impact-resistant lenses. Also, If you have sensitive eyes, then its superior light transmission is a great feature for you.
Also, you’ll get plenty of color options in Costa sunglasses for the different light environments. Also, their sunglasses are scratch-resistant.
Frames
Costa is best in this business for producing top-quality frames. They introduce side vents in many models, which allow better airflow. Also, they produce hypoallergenic frames for people who are allergic to nose pads and rubber temple tips.
In addition, Costa uses titanium and nylon to make the frames durable and lightweight.
Oakley brand also has a good reputation for their sunglasses frame. They both provide fashionable and functional frames. They use O-Matter nylon material to make the frame durable and lightweight compared to standard acetate. Those won’t easily crack due to the extreme temperature resistant feature.
Also, they do a lot of field testing to ensure that those will stand out in any condition. Many costa sunglasses models get ANSI-rated as safety eyewear.
Oakley frames are both functional and fashionable. Their proprietary O-Matter nylon material is both lighter and more durable than standard acetate. It’s also more resistant to extreme temperatures, making it less likely to crack. If you’re looking for nearly indestructible glasses, Oakley’s are as good as it gets.
They do a lot of field testing on their glasses to ensure that they can withstand use and abuse, and many of their frames are even ANSI-rated as safety eyewear.
Style
Costa provides a classic look on their sunglasses. They have both wraparound frames and general-use styles. Also, they introduce feminine styles for ladies and add oversize water woman cat eyes, which are available in various color options.
Oakley sunglasses provide a more energetic and youthful vibe. Oakley’s sunglasses were most popular in the ’90s for cool style, and that trend is still following.
Price
If you’re planning to purchase Costa’s 580 glass lens, then you need to pay more compared to Oakley.
Generally, you need to spend $150 to $200 for both brands to get a pair of polarized sunglasses with a polycarbonate lens. But, it’ll charge around $225 to $250 for a Costa 580G lens.
Costa or Oakley Sunglasses – Which One to Choose?
For fishing and boating, both Costa and Oakley are good options. Both have the ability to protect your eyes from UV-rays.
But, Costa is an unbeatable winner considering many factors. Their 580G lens provides superior and clear vision to see fish below the surface, which is hard to see when using other glasses. Also, In a boat, there is an easy chance to get scratches on the glasses. So, Costa’s scratch-free feature protects the glasses from getting scratched. But Oakley grabs the scratch easily.
However, if your priority isn’t fishing, but you want to lounge around on the boat, then both brands are well-suited for that occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Costa sunglasses good for your eyes?
Yes, Costa sunglasses are good for your eyes. They protect your eyes from UV rays. In addition, their many models have 580 and 580G technology which reduces the chance of common eye diseases, like macular degeneration and cataracts.
What does 580 mean on Costa sunglasses?
Costa is the first brand that has color-enhancing lens technology known as 580. This helps to prevent bad HEV blue light, which will cause common eye diseases. Also, their polarizing efficiency is around 99.99%.
Do Oakley sunglasses offer prescription lenses?
Yes, Oakley offers prescription lenses for many of their sunglasses styles. You can either purchase Oakley frames and take them to your optometrist to have prescription lenses added, or you can order prescription Oakley sunglasses directly from Oakley’s website. Oakley’s prescription lenses are made with their patented Prizm technology, which enhances color and contrast for improved visual clarity.
Are Costa sunglasses polarized?
Yes, Costa offers a range of polarized sunglasses. In fact, Costa is known for its polarized lenses, which are designed to reduce glare and provide better visual clarity in bright conditions.
Final Words
Sunglasses are most important when you’re planning for fishing and boating. They protect our eyes and also provide a clear view. But, All sunglasses aren’t worth those tasks. So, you need to choose a special one. Among them, Costa and Oakley are common names.
So, I made an in-depth comparison between Costa vs Oakley sunglasses in the above sections. That might help us to choose one brand among them.