WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN GOOD FISHING SUNGLASSES

KDEAM Polarized Sunglasses are the epitome of a personal style statement. Anglers may be less conscious of that than your average Los Angeles resident, but most everyone ultimately wants a pair of shades that look good on their face. With that basic consideration aside, here’s how we pick glasses that help us catch fish as well as glances.

1. Fit
2. Shape
3. Lens color
4. Durability

We all know that one angler who refuses to spend more than $20 on a pair of sunglasses. Use them, abuse them, lose them, then pick up another pair at the gas station. There may be some strange wisdom to that practice for those who tend to misplace or break shades frequently, but many of us see value in quality construction that will hold out for as long as we hold on to the pair—which can be many years if you’re diligent. Real glass or high-end composite lenses won’t scratch, smudge, or fog up as quickly as cheap plastic. Well-built metal or composite frames, temples, and hinges likewise may be less likely to shatter, bend, or otherwise fail under hard use.

 KDEAM Sunglasses Price

KDEAM Sunglasses are meant to be an accessory of convenience—shielding our eyes from the harmful rays of the sun and allowing us to see better—but when the cost of shades is super high, it kind of defeats the purpose. After all, sunglasses randomly go missing, they fall off your head and get stepped on, sat on, you name it. If they're going to be that disposable, they might as well not cost an arm and a leg.

Then again, finding cheap sunglasses like KDEAM Sunglasses that are actually worth buying is easier said than done. You want a reasonable price, but don't want a worthless piece of plastic, either. Ideally, sunglasses should last for longer than just one season, be no more than $100 max, and still be aesthetically pleasing.

Does that sound like too much to ask? We promise: Cheap sunglasses that aren't cheaply made really do exist.

• KDEAM JUMPERS $25.00
• KDEAM WAVES $29.95
• KDEAM WIDEJACKETS $26.00
• KDEAM TONYS $26.00
• KDEAM LEGENDS $28.00
• KDEAM TRENTS $25.00

KDEAM Sunglasses Review

I don’t remove my sunglasses very often through the course of a serious day on the water. I usually put them on at dawn and pull them off at dusk, which allows my eyes to fully adjust to the shading and really get a polarized view of the world. That doesn’t happen as well when you’re getting natural light in the periphery. It’s incredibly difficult to see a steelhead holding in river current even with the best lenses, so I want to give my eyes the best possible chance of spotting that fish.

I really like a flat-faced, wayfarer-style frame for wearing around town and even passive fishing, but I find that the light and wind coming in the sides really messes with my visual acuity when I’m trying hard to see fish. You only get so many hours on the bow of a flats skiff. These KDEAM Sunglasses aren’t the most expensive shades I own, but they’re the ones I’ve reached for most consistently the last few years. I even make a point to put them straight in the microfiber bag and into the case when I’m not fishing in order to keep the lenses in the best possible condition.

“I tend to get stuck on fishing shades,” Rick Smallwood said. “I might have 20 pairs kicking around, but when I find a model I really like, I rarely rotate until I lose them, accidentally crush them, or happen to find some I like even better. Good shades become part of you like a well broke-in hat, and for the last year or so, my shade of choice has been the KDEAM Sunglasses.”

Rick said that he’s actually a little surprised he likes these frames so much because they’re a bit of a departure from what you think of as a traditional pair of fishing sunglasses. Whereas many KDEAM polarized sunglasses wrap around your face to block as much light as possible, the KDEAM feature little side protection.

“They're what I'd call a cross between fishing glasses and classic ‘Risky Business’ shades, though they play to functionality far more than pure style,” he said. “The thin arms make them incredibly light and comfy, but the lenses are extra wide, providing plenty of coverage to help you see into the water. Most importantly for me, the arms have a slightly aggressive curve that keeps them planted on my dome with the help of rubber grips. If a pair of glasses is constantly falling off my face when I sweat or just move my head at a normal speed, I have no use for them. The KDEAM Sunglasses have already proven they can hang on for a few wild rides in a range of conditions.”

“KDEAM Polarized sunglasses were always an indispensable part of my gear when I was paying the bills by guiding fly fishing clients and I still depend on them today for everything from sight fishing to spotting rocks that might otherwise ruin a prop blade," Brody Henderson said. “I seem to lose sunglasses like it’s my job, so I’ve worn all kinds of different shades on the water, from cheap convenience store throwaways to prescription glass lenses that set me back a few hundred bucks.”

He emphasizes the importance of finding shades that work for you over any particular brand. That said, he has developed an affinity for KDEAM Sunglasses: “All I can say is that brand doesn’t matter as much as getting something light and durable with a good fit and lens quality. Currently, my favorite pair are the KDEAM Polarized Shades. For an all-purpose fishing lens color that will handle various light and water conditions.

Let's face it, men's sunglasses are an absolute essential in summer. No outfit is complete without them, and let's not forget, a decent pair of shades will protect your eyes from UV rays, which in turn will protect you from serious conditions such as photokeratitis and cataracts.

Choosing new sunglasses for everyday wear isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are a few things to consider before investing in your next pair. First, decide on the functional elements you need — like polarized lenses, tints or coatings that combat reflections, water, oil or fog — then pick out a frame shape that complements your face shape. The goal is to accentuate your best features, and the most surefire way to do that is to wear frames that contrast your own unique structure.

Not sure what your face shape is? Look at yourself in the mirror and decide if your face is round, square, oblong, heart, diamond or triangular. (It may also be helpful to use a picture to help you better visualize the shape). Below, we break down the more technical definition of each popular face shape (i.e. dimensions, what to look for, what one looks like), and offer recommendations that will highlight your best qualities.

Round Faces

What It Looks Like

A round face shape implies your dimensions are roughly equal up and down and across. Plus, your jawline is soft, and your are cheekbones wide.

What to Wear

Stay away from circles, unless you want to over accentuate the round shape of your face. Aim high with aviators or stick to square, angular frames.

Oval Faces

What It Looks Like

The oval face shape is characterized by dimensions that are longer than they are wide — but not drastically so. You're an oval if your face is longer than it is wide and your forehead is wider than your jawline.

What to Wear

It’s hard to go wrong an oval face — most sunglasses will look great on you. Just make sure the frames aren’t wider than your face.

Square Faces

What It Looks Like

The square face shape, like the round, is defined by nearly identical measurements all around — with one exception: your jawline is sharper and your sides straighter.

What to Wear

Rounded corners are key to success if you’ve got a square jaw. Look for frames sized to match you in width, but with soft lines. Too many hard angles won’t do you any favors.

Everything You Need to Know About Polarized Sunglasses

When buying new sunglasses, people commonly ask the same question: Do I really need polarized lenses? As they should. After all, polarization is far from a small investment. For example, a classic pair of Wayfarers with polarized lenses ($203) lists over 30 percent more than the non-polarized version ($153). “The lenses look the same when you see them, but there are physical layers, not just coating layers, in these lenses that take a lot more time to make,” said Dave Barton, the founder of premium eyewear brand David Kind.

Polarized lenses have an immediate effect on vision, reducing glare off of flat surfaces. The quality of material and method of manufacturing greatly affects both the price point and the optics. “A polarized lens in a $10 pair of glasses is going to have some of the properties of a polarized lens in a $500 pair of glasses,” Barton said. “But, you’re getting 30 percent more effectiveness and quality, and maybe 50 to 80 percent more durability when you start going up.”

There are many manufacturers making medium and low-end polarized lenses, but the highest quality glass comes from just a few factories across the world, including Barberini in Italy and Nakanishi in Japan. “When you’re sourcing your lenses, it makes a difference to a point what you’re picking,” Barton said.

To better understand how polarized lenses work, the range of available options and who benefits the most from polarization, we talked to few independent eyewear experts.

The Experts

Dave Barton, David Kind: Before starting David Kind, Barton ran product, first at Spy Optic, and then at Oliver Peoples, spending much of his time traveling between factories in Italy, Japan and Germany. Barton’s tenure at Oliver Peoples started just after the brand was acquired by Oakley.

Aaron Behle, SALT.: Before starting SALT. in 2013, Behle worked as the International Brand Manager for Oakley from ’96 to ’99 and as the Vice President and International Brand Manager for Reef from 2001 to 2005. From 2006 to 2010 he was the COO of Dragon Alliance. For the following three years, he was the Vice President of Skullcandy.