I own polarized sunglasses that cost more than $300, plus a few that are in the $200-plus range, too. And they are some of my favorite sunglasses to wear on the water, especially when sight fishing along shorelines and banks. These shades are from well-known brands you’re likely familiar with.
But what if there was a sunglass company that made a premium pair of glasses at an affordable price? I’m not talking about late-night infomercials, TEMU specials, or get-rich-quick scams here. It’s definitely a hot topic of conversation. Not all anglers are willing to spend high dollars on shades. Members of online fishing communities chitchat about that next pair of fishing sunglasses to buy. And folks are always looking for recommendations.
Enter Island Optics sunglasses. I first heard about them a couple years ago when I was heavily into saltwater fishing. Well, I finally got a pair of their Breaker frames to try out fishing in the sweet water. At a price point that won’t set your wallet on fire, these sunglasses just might be that unicorn pair of shades balancing impressive quality with reasonable price. For reference, at the time of this writing, the Island Optics Breaker sunglasses with polycarbonate lens retail for $119.
On the Water Testing
There might not be a better spot to test against a blazing, relentless sun than Florida. And I happen to live in one of the hottest parts of the state, away from the seabreeze and coast, where the sun and the heat are more reliable than the mailman.
First, with any pair of glasses, I wanted to make sure they’re comfortable, functional, durable, and high quality. And the Breaker lenses checked all the boxes on my list. The frames are lightweight with polycarbonate lenses, and the one I wore was a matte tortoise frame with green flash mirror lenses. I’ve been wearing these sunglasses everywhere for the past month. They’re what I put on when fishing from the kayak, driving in my truck, on the water relaxing, at the beach or amusement park, or even when I’m doing yardwork.
I can honestly say the lenses offer a much clearer view compared to the naked eye. It’s like watching a TV in high definition with plenty of contrast. And I don’t wear glasses or contacts. That’s what people who don’t use polarized glasses learn so quickly when trying on a pair: Your vision should get better — even enhanced, I say. On the water, I was able to differentiate a bass bed, a bluegill bed, and tilapia beds starting to plague the St. Johns River. Fishing near the structural supports under a bridge overpass, I even spotted invasive armored catfish (sometimes called “plecos”) eating algae off concrete columns fairly deep in the dark-colored water.
The Breaker frames in particular come with removable side shields. And I fell in love with them because they block all the extra sun that slips in on the sides. And yet they still allowed a bit of air flow, which to me is so important during hot days. It’s all too easy to fog up your glasses from sweat, humidity, and any type of moisture in the air. And fogged-up frames are almost useless and definitely a pain; I don’t always have a microfiber cloth handy to wipe them down.
Technically Speaking
Island Optics utilize a couple different proprietary technologies that I think are worth mentioning here. Weighing just 20 grams, the large-fit Breaker frames I wore were constructed from lightweight, impact-resistant TR90 injection-molded nylon and used stainless-steel snap hinges.
Most importantly, what you’re looking through all day, really stands out. The OX2 Polarized Polycarbonate lenses block out 100% of UVA and UVB rays while keeping that necessary clarity. Plus, the lenses are treated with scratch-resistant, hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-reflective, and saltwater-resistant coatings.
Of note, the Island Optics Breaker frames have non-slip GatorGrip rubber pads that rest on your nose. They stay locked in place during heavy sweat or while running from spot to spot — and anyone who wears glasses will tell you that constantly adjusting where the glasses rest on their face gets old fast.
Island Optics offers the Breaker model in several matte finishes, paired with different lens tints. Frame options include matte black, matte tortoise, and matte translucent gray. These can be matched with high-contrast options like green or blue flash mirrors for bright open waters, gray or brown for everyday sunny conditions, or yellow low-light lenses for cloudy mornings.
A Little Backstory about Island Optics
I personally met CEO Allen Alovis and Josh, one of his sons, at ICAST this past year. Their family-owned company is based out of Boca Raton, Florida.
“We’re taking the sunglasses industry by storm as a family-owned business,” Allen joked. In all seriousness, three brothers — Adam, Matt, and Josh — are the workers behind the company. The potential was obvious with this sunglass brand that’s not yet a household name, especially after chatting with Josh.
Allen was quick to pit his Island Optics sunglasses against any of the other well-known companies also occupying booths at the international trade show. “We offer the best quality lens compared to anyone on the market; we’re just not as well-known yet,” said Allen. He can speak with confidence, as he and his sons have literal generations of sunglasses and lens knowledge among the different family members.
What the Future Holds
Besides polycarbonate, Island Optics offers glass lenses too that feature the same coatings. They’re a bit more expensive, but nothing drastic. And for anyone with day-to-day glasses, the company also specializes in affordable prescription lenses, thanks to its existing infrastructure and supply chain that leads to a quick turnaround time. You can check out our Wired2fish review of Island Optics prescription polarized sunglasses to learn more.
I think the only question remaining is how long will the glasses last? I’ve only had them a couple months, so I don’t know how many years I’ll get out of them. But so far, they show no signs of wear or tear. And if I take care of them, I bet they’ll last as long as I want them to before getting that itch to buy a fresh new pair. And judging by the luck of some of my fishing buddies, these sunglasses are more likely to fall to the bottom of the lake long before they ever start to delaminate.
