Costa Del Mar

So here's the thing about Costa Del Mar - they're not just another sunglasses company slapping polarized lenses on frames and calling it a day. Founded in 1983 by Ray Ferguson in Daytona Beach, this brand basically grew up on the water, and you can tell. These aren't the sunglasses you grab at a gas station on your way to the beach.

What makes Costa different? Well, for starters, they offer high-quality polarized sunglasses for special activities as fishing, boating or for an everyday outdoor lifestyle. But it's their 580® lens technology that really sets them apart - it's designed to cut through glare like nobody's business and enhance colors in ways that make spotting fish beneath the surface actually possible. Ask any serious angler and they'll probably tell you about their Costas.

The company's got this whole water-obsessed identity thing going on. Born on the water in 1983, Costa sunglasses are made for those who need water to breathe, built with 580® color-enhancing polarized lenses. And they're not just talking the talk - Costa Del Mar is an Earth-friendly brand with initiatives to protect oceans and coasts: OneCoast, the Untangled collection, sustainable packaging & more. Their Untangled Collection? Made from 97% or 100% recycled fishing nets in partnership with Bureo. Pretty cool when a company actually puts money where its marketing is.

Now, Costa's been through some changes. The company was acquired by Essilor in 2013, which itself merged with Luxottica to form EssilorLuxottica in 2018. Some longtime fans weren't thrilled about the corporate takeover, but the product quality seems to have held up. They've expanded beyond just fishing sunglasses too - you'll find lifestyle frames, prescription options, and even Costa shirts and hats designed with performance in mind, providing superior comfort and durability for your adventurous lifestyle.

The price point? Yeah, they're not cheap. You're looking at $200-$300+ for most frames. But talk to people who've owned them for years and they'll tell you about Costa's warranty service and how these things hold up to serious abuse. Salt spray, drops, constant sun exposure - they're built for it.

One thing that's kind of interesting: you can find authorized dealers near you for Costa polarized sunglasses and performance gear, and they've partnered with Sunglass Hut for retail presence. So you can actually try them on before dropping that kind of cash, which is smart.

Bottom line? If you're serious about time on the water - whether that's fishing, boating, or just living that coastal lifestyle - Costa's probably worth checking out. They're not for everyone (that price tag, for one), but for people who need their eyewear to actually perform, not just look good, they've built a pretty solid reputation over 40+ years.