Reviewed by: CAPT. MIKE SCHOONVELD
When I learned about Costa Del Mar Sunglasses’ “Schoolie” model – designed for youths or individuals with smaller heads – I knew I had to get a pair. I’ve always kept a couple pairs of good sunglasses on my boat at all times. I have the glasses I personally wear and I have loaner pair for when someone on board says something like, “Crap, I forgotten my sunglasses.” Now, I’ll be keeping another “extra” pair.
The Schoolie sunglasses will also be a loaner pair, but these will be put to use when a youthful angler forgets their sun-shades or shows up with a pair of cheap, plastic-toy-like sunglasses. Bad sunglasses or no sunglasses are almost the same thing. That’s a lesson I learned decades ago.
When out on a Great Lake on a bright, sunny day a quality pair of sunglasses is as important as wearing the right clothes or using the right sunscreen. They provide noticeably better clarity instantly and unexcelled UV protection from direct sunlight and the rays reflected up off the water’s surface. UV blockage isn’t instantly noticeable, but if you’ve ever suffered from photokeratitis (sunburned eyes) you’ll never trust your eyes to “economy” sunglasses again. Why would I want to loan out a cheapo pair to anyone?
The Schoolie model from Costa features both UVA and UVB protection, as well as wide earpieces to block light from the side. They have lightweight polycarbonate lenses in four different colors. I chose the blue mirror lenses (best for bright days offshore) and black frames.
Working features aside, few sunglasses providers offer frames other than “one size fits most.” “Most” seldom includes youths or petite women. The Schoolies are a smaller sized version of their traditionally-sized “big-boy” models. They’ll fit smaller humans better and more comfortably. The frames come with a holes at the end of the earpieces where I can attach a retainer so if the person I loan them to wants to take them off, he or she won’t put them in an unsecure location.
Check out the Costa Schoolie options and details at www.costadelmar.com. Shop there if you wish and they are available at many other online or retails stores.
