Field and test information
During the two months discussed in this Field Report, the daytime temperatures ranged from 90 F (32 C), down to around 35 F (2 C). Despite a prodigious hurricane season and the resulting periods of heavy rain as the storms swept northwards, there were long dry stretches and much bright autumnal sun. The Costa Del Mar sunglasses saw heavy use, both day-to-day and on the trail. Elevations were from 500 ft (152 m) to 3700 ft (1127 m), sometimes in heavily wooded settings.
Product use and Performance
Self-portrait in Fathom sunglasses
I remain, as I was in the
Initial Review, extremely impressed with the sense of heightened visual acuity created by these glasses. This was especially noticeable when hiking in the autumn. The intensified colors of the leaves were so glorious that it was tempting to wear them even when it wasn't sunny! I've not been enthusiastic about sunglasses in the past. I suffer from a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder and those I've previously tried have generally left the world dim and rather dispiriting, so the Costa Del Mar glasses are something of a revelation. I don't, with these lenses, have any sense of diminished acuity; rather, it's as if the true colors of things are revealed. It's a startling effect.
I've worn the glasses under low light conditions, almost to twilight, and I have found that my ability to view my surroundings (and my footing) is only minimally affected. On a more practical note (after all, I usually take off sunglasses towards evening), I can pass into deep shade, for example in a forested region, without having to remove the glasses. This is handy, as is the fact that they protect my eyes from protruding branches to some extent when off-trail (though this is not, of course, their purpose).
The lenses remain unscratched and the frames unscathed. I have been careful with them, and although I generally eschew the heavy hard-shell case for a simple cloth draw-bag designed for snow goggles, I've not had any problems with wear and tear to date. I may buy a more suitable case shortly.
These sunglasses are wonderful around water. I'd hoped to take them with me in my kayak, but that hasn't happened yet, as I've been doing more backpacking than boating. I still hope to get a final trip or two in, before mothballing the boat for the winter. By streams and lakes these glasses cut through the surface glare nicely, providing a fine view beneath the surface. I took a couple of recent backpacks in Harriman Park, in New York State, an area with many bodies of water of all sizes, and I could look down from the rocks and see fish in the water below, despite a significant level of glare.
The fit of the frames is excellent and over the test period to date I've noticed no loosening in their tight (but not uncomfortable) grip to my head and face. I have had no problems, even when engaged in really vigorous activity such as scrambling, with the glasses slipping or falling off. Still, I'm sure this could happen, and I need to buy Croakies or a similar retaining strap (in the boat, this would be essential). Despite the comparatively narrow lens, I am rarely bothered by light infiltrating from above or below the lens (in part because the glasses do fit so well).
I've had virtually no problems with fogging; the only time this has been an issue is when the glasses have been moved from a cold environment to a warm one, and under these conditions this is perhaps inevitable. Map-reading, GPS use etc. all seem to be unaffected when wearing them, and in fact the contrast on maps seems to be slightly enhanced (as the lenses "push" reddish-brown and green, the predominant colors on most maps).
My only concern remains how to clean them, and this did raise something of an issue. I have a variety of optical cleaners, ranging from standard eyeglass spray of the kind found at most opticians to Pancro, a terrific (and expensive) lens cleaner a cinematographer friend turned me on to. I called Costa Del Mar (not identifying myself as a tester) and spoke with Customer Service, explaining which of their brands I was using. I was told that they recommend using dish detergent (Ivory White, I seem to recall, was specifically mentioned), in conjunction with a silicone lens cloth.
What disturbed me a little is that I was also informed that other cleaners might affect the lens adversely over time, causing delamination to the polarizing component after about a year. I was rather startled by this, as Costa Del Mar specifically state in their literature that the polarizing dye is cast into the lens itself, so I would have expected it to be pretty much impermeable to solvents. Assuming that the information I was given was correct (and I have no reason to doubt it), this does make it especially unfortunate that no cleaning instructions or cleaning materials were provided with the glasses. As damage can apparently result from the use of the wrong cleaner, I would have expected this to be something that would be strongly emphasized.
Summary
I will continue to wear the Costa Del Mar glasses for the rest of the test (and doubtless, for the foreseeable future). They not only eliminate glare, but they actually enhance the outdoor experience in a manner that I had not anticipated before the test. They are a pleasure to wear.
Future testing Strategy
In the remaining two months of testing, I will use the sunglasses on backpacks and day-hikes. I'm usually out walking at least two days a week. The winter sun tends to be bright and glaring, especially on snow. I very much hope to give them a thorough workout on winter hikes. Most of what I undertake in this season doesn't require goggles or other specialized eyewear. I will continue to observe performance in the manner indicated in the testing plan in my original report.
I thank BackpackGearTest and Costa Del Mar, Inc. for permitting me to participate in this very interesting test.
