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Trying to find the perfect pair of sunglasses for your next fishing adventure? You might be asking yourself, “Maui Jim vs. Costa – which is the best fishing sunglasses?”
The answer might surprise you
Both pairs are known for being exceptionally high quality. However, whichever pair you ultimately choose, remember that a good pair of shades is critical.
Not only can they help shield your eyes from harmful UV rays, but they make it easier to see.
When it comes to fishing, not just any old pair of sunglasses will do.
You need to find the perfect pair of shades to accentuate your best features – and to make it easier for you to see what you’re doing.
If you’re trying to compare Maui Jim and Costa sunglasses, two of the major brands on the market, here’s what you need to know.
Page Contents
Features and Benefits of Maui Jim
Glare Elimination
One of the most frustrating things to deal with when you’re fishing is glare from the water. Maui Jim lenses are polarized, eliminating up to 99.9% of glare so you can see the world more clearly.
They also come with Bi-Gradient Mirrors, which are applied to both the bottom and the top of the lens.
This helps you avoid the amount of light that infiltrates into the top and lower portion of your sunglasses.
No more squint!
Lens Protection
Another nice feature of Maui Jim sunglasses is that they are treated with special lens coating treatments that are designed to shed snow and water.
Known as “oleophobic” sunglasses, these lenses repel fingerprints, smudges, and grease – and also make the lenses easier to clean.
They are scratch-resistant, too. You don’t have to worry about scratches on the inside or outside of your lenses since both sides are treated with proprietary CLEARSHELL treatments.
Eye Health
In addition to the features listed above, Maui Jim sunglasses come with features designed specifically to enhance your eye comfort and strength.
You’ll avoid eye fatigue and headaches (along with wrinkles around the eyes) with the high-energy visible radiation protection from the lenses.
They also block UV rays and can help prevent skin cancer.
Color Enhancement
When you wear Maui Jim sunglasses, you’ll not only be able to see things more clearly, but you’ll be able to view them better, too.
Maui Jim sunglasses are infused with a unique blend of three rare Earth elements so that your shades enhance blue, green, and red light waves. You’ll see colors in sharper focus.
- Click the Maui Jim link above to visit our brand store, where you can find our entire catalog of sunglasses
- All Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2 lens technology that go beyond shielding your eyes from glare and harmful UV rays by enhancing colors to reveal the true beauty of the world around you
- Enjoy ultimate UV protection combined with premuim style, incredible durability, glare-free vision, and color-boosting patented technologies
- HCL Bronze lenses feature a warm tint that provides versatility in changing light conditions
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Features and Benefits of Costa
Frame Design and Technology
One thing that people love about Costa Del Mar sunglasses is that they are designed to fit larger-sized heads with ease (but can fit a smaller circumference, too).
These frames are made out of CO-injected bio-based nylon, which is both durable and incredibly tough.
Not only that, but they’re known for being comfortable and fitting well by adjusting to the size and shape of your head.
They use corrosion-resistant alloy in many of their frames. This is a great feature to watch for if you plan on fishing in saltwater, where corrosive conditions can quickly take a toll on your favorite gear.
Some frames use titanium, a strong metal that makes these sunglasses durable enough for sports, while others include beta titanium, an alloy that is equally strong but can bend.
No more broken frames!
The nose pads and other areas of the frames that come into direct contact with your skin are made out of hypoallergenic rubber.
This not only eliminates slippage but is comfortable and won’t wear away on your skin, either.
580 Lens
All Costa sunglasses are designed with 580 lens technology. These lenses were designed by -inhouse light spectrum experts to enhance colors more than standard sunglass lenses can.
They not only help cut out blur and haze for exceptional clarity, but they offer 100% protection from UV light, too.
The 580 technology can also help to absorb HEV light, which can cause cataracts, pterygium, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases.
Lens Colors
The lens colors of Costa sunglasses are definitely worth writing home about. They reflect your need to adjust to varying, constantly changing light conditions.
There are seven lens colors available.
If you’re fishing offshore, the blue mirror lens is the way to go, but for freshwater and inshore fishing, copper and green mirror lenses work best.
There are also lenses designed specifically for everyday activities and fishing in low light at dawn or dusk.
You can choose your lenses with careful consideration of your environment and preferences.
Eco-Friendly Construction
Costa sunglasses are made with exceptional attention to the environment. They are part of a Kick Plastic Initiative that intends to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and protect the Earth’s waters.
Frames are designed with the Bio-Resin Raw Material Process, which reduces emissions and Costa’s overall carbon footprint.
Bio-Resin is used in all of the company’s plastic sunglass frames and utilizes castor oil, which produces the bio-based plastic resin you might be familiar with.
Frame and Lens Customization
With Costa sunglasses, you don’t have to worry about a pair of sunglasses not fitting your face.
You can choose from various frame styles when you shop, with options including wide, regular, and narrow fit. You can filter by fit to find the frame options that are best for you.
You can also get lenses that are customized to meet your needs – you can get your Costa frames fitted with prescription sunglass lenses if you choose.
When it comes to frames, you’ll be able to choose from co-injected nylon frames, metal frames, combination frames, and acetates. There is truly something for everyone.
- Made in the USA
- Costa's most high tech lens - 580 Glass provides superior clarity, ultra scratch-resistant, 100% UV protection and the best polarizing efficiency available.
- Copper Green Mirror Polarized cuts glare for eye comfort in a variety of situations, from driving to sight fishing.
- Costa's Acteate frame material made from tree pulp is best for when you're not being active. Naturally hypoallergenic and can be adjusted for the best fit with a warm, luxurious feel with rich color layering and unique patterns.
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Maui Jim vs. Costa – Which is the Best Fishing Sunglasses?
Warranty & Customer Service
Neither Maui Jim nor Costa sunglasses come with lifetime warranties.
You will have to pay high replacement fees for Costa Del Mar sunglasses. It could be up to $89 (not including return shipping and processing fees.
This is still much cheaper than buying a new pair of shades, but it can still be quite costly.
The returns process for Costa sunglasses is relatively straightforward, though. You will just have to fill out a basic online form.
Once you do this, you’ll be charged a processing fee but you won’t be charged for any repairs until it is determined whether the repairs are covered by a limited warranty.
You do not have to provide a credit card for the cost of repairs, although it can make the process go faster and more smoothly.
Maui Jim also offers a warranty, although it is only a two-year limited warranty as opposed to a limited lifetime warranty.
You’ll pay $75 for a lens replacement or $50 for a full-frame replacement, which is cheaper than repairs for Costa sunglasses.
You also do not have to pay if you need repairs to your nose pads or temples. You’ll have to pay a $13 return shipping and service fee.
Maui Jim clearly offers a better warranty, but it’s important to note that it is only good for two years after your original purchase date.
Lenses
Maui Jim and Costa are similar when you compare their lenses. While Maui Jim argues that the lenses in its sunglasses are infused with “rare earth elements,” (which can allegedly boost clarity and improve color perception),
Costa claims to have 580 different lenses. Costa’s lenses are made in a unique process that incorporates high-tech beam ion deposition.
This produces a multilayered film coating that is remarkably thin yet allows for good scratch resistance.
The sunglasses bounce reflected light away from your eye so you’ll not only be able to view in more vivid color, but your vision will be sharper and more focused, too.
Whether that’s legit or not is for you to decide – but according to thousands of reviewers, the company’s claims really do follow through with their promises.
Costa’s lenses offer exceptional focus and clarity while also blocking your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
This can limit eye strain and make it easier for you to keep fishing all day. They also help eliminate the glare.
Lens Colors
You might also want to consider the lens colors when you’re comparison shopping. Costa offers seven different lens colors, each of which is matched to a specific need on the water.
There are everyday use lenses along with lenses that are designed specifically for deep sea fishing (where the water is more blue than normal).
The lenses are sold in polycarbonate as well as glass.
Maui Jim doesn’t have quite as many lens colors – this company only has four different shades – but they cover most light conditions. Your options include neutral gray, rose, bronze, and HT.
As with Costa sunglasses, you’ll also get both a polycarbonate and glass lens. You also can choose the unique MauiBrilliant lenses, which feature a relatively new technology.
Most users don’t report a major difference between the two companies’ lenses, even with all the options taken into consideration.
They’re both polarized so you shouldn’t have much trouble seeing clearly with either option that you select.
Frames
It’s not all about the lenses, though – you will also want to consider the frames.
Both Costa and Maui Jim have unique technologies that they incorporate in their frame design.
The companies are identical in that they both offer prescription-ready frames. You can easily get your favorite pair of shades made with your own unique prescription.
There is a wide array of choices available when it comes to the frames, too.
Costa Del Mar uses a wide variety of materials in their frames, as I described above, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding the material that best fits your personality and preferences.
If you’re particularly accident-prone, like I am, you’ll like that Costa offers frames made out of rigid, super-tough materials.
Maui Jim frames are also strong, made out of triple-injected nylon in most cases (although there are other options, like rubber). The frames are made to withstand any amount of activity and are not only durable but also stylish.
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Maui Jim Sunglasses Have a Lifetime Warranty?
No. Unfortunately, Maui Jim sunglasses only have a two-year limited warranty. This is compared to Costa’s more generous limited lifetime warranty.
It’s important to note that neither of these warranties covers normal wear and tear – only defects on the part of the manufacturer.
When it comes to both pairs of sunglasses, that can be problematic.
When you send a pair of either sunglasses in to qualify for the warranty, only the manufacturer gets to decide whether the issue is related to normal wear and tear or poor craftsmanship.
Which Sunglasses – Maui Jim or Costa – Are Cheaper?
When comparing the pricing of the two sunglasses, you’ll find that they are pretty close – just over a $20 difference between the two.
Costa Del Mars sunglasses are, on average, about $187, although this will vary depending on the lenses and frames you buy.
Maui Jim sunglasses, on the other hand, are over $209 – again, depending on the style you select and where you buy from.
Although Maui Jim sunglasses are more expensive, it would be tough to make a selection based on price alone.
There’s not a huge price difference between the two – both are costly pairs of sunglasses.
It’s hard to say that Costa is a better buy just because of the price alone, but that is something to consider, particularly if you are a bargain-shopper.
Verdict – Which is Better?
Ask a thousand people which is better – Maui Jim vs Costa – and you’re likely to get a different answer from each one.
Search online, and you’ll get an even more muddled response. While there are some people who vehemently defend Maui Jim shades, others stand diligently behind their favorite pair of Costas.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of taste, style, and preference. Consider the factors listed above as you’re weighing the decision, but know that, regardless of the path you follow, you’ve likely made a smart choice either way.
Happy shopping!
