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I'd like some tips on sunglasses. I need a pair for driving and casual wear. I don't want to be ripped off, so I suspect that Ray Bans and Oakleys are not worth the huge prices. I have had Foster Grants from the supermarket previously and been happy with them, and saw a few nice looking sets in the fuel station this evening that were only £5!
Now, I like a bargain, but £5 seems too cheap. Are they basically junk? The FG website has some more expensive options that look smart.
http://www.fostergrant.co.uk/catalogue/foster-grant-uk-sunglasses/smithhttp://www.fostergrant.co.uk/catalogue/foster-grant-uk-sunglasses/temponvy-navyI've also had a pair of Bollé safety sunglasses that were <£10 and they were decent enough. But I worried they may have been fake and therefore not really UV protecting.
So, what should I be looking for and how much should I spend as a minimum/maximum?
Comments
The last pair of sunglasses I bought cost £850- although £350 of that were the prescription varifocal lenses.
I have a drawer full of £10 cheapies that I take to the beach.
Find a style that suits your face.
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Or, are you saying that I shouldn't ask because I should be able to make my own mind up? If so, well I can make my own mind up but I'd like to understand a little more about where the extra cost will bring benefit, or not. In your case the prescription part adds cost, and then you've opted to spend £500 on the other factors. My budget would go up to £40, but if £5 will get me a perfectly usable pair then I'll do that.
You want to make sure that whatever pair you have has 100% UV protection and that is utterly unrelated to how much they cost.
The problem is some of the cheaper pairs claim to be 100% UV when they are not.
My £500 frames were a ridiculous extravagance.
I bought them because I liked them, I could afford to and they suited me- nothing more complex than that.
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For *proper* sunglasses I'd happily pay more ... for worry-free cheap beach wear anything with a kite mark (and 100% UV) will do even if they're only £5
Off the shelf sunglasses must meet minimum requirements with regards to UV protection. If properly CE marked then a £5 pair offers the same protection as a £500 pair.
If you buy from dodgy shops / online / street vendors etc then you take a chance regardless of the markings but a cheap pair from a reputable retailer should give you the correct minimum protection.
Whether they suit you / fit you is another matter! Material quality is another concern.
Do you need prescription sunglasses? Pay the money and invest in your eyesight.
You mentioned driving. I would 100% recommend polarised lenses, they reduce surface glare and make for a noticeably better experience behind the wheel. Even in the 'real' world I rate them above other sunglasses. I have several pairs of sunnies and the majority now are polarised. Oakleys and Ray Bans fit / suit my face so that's what I buy.
I can't emphasise this enough - invest in your eyesight.
Take them back, get them remade.
superb quality wouldn't hesitate spending £40-£50 to replace them.
I've about 5 or 6 pairs of Primark sunglasses. They offer 100% UV protection and at about £3 a pop I'm not worried about them breaking or getting lost.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/polarised-sunglasses-3-99-aldi-6th-april-2655494
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RPAS6O0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I've always worn Oakleys, coming from a cycling background. M-Frames for the bike and I have a more subtle pair for civilian use.
Was it a French car by any chance @Richardj ?