I am a sunglass snob; I only wear the best. My fishing success depends on it. Whether I’m sight casting cobia or chasing reds on the flats, spotting a fish swimming under the water takes the eyes of an osprey. The difference between the best design and components, and second best is the difference between fishing and catching. That’s where Hobie’s Hydro sunglasses really shine.
Hobie’s Hydros are Making Waves
As a sunglass snob, a new pair of shades can last less than one trip. If I’m not seeing fish, the shades will see the bottom of my tackle bag. So, the pair of Hydros that Hobie sent had to earn a space on my face.
Hobie based the Hydro collection on their already proven polarized polycarbonate lens. I’ve tested previous generations of Hobie lenses and was impressed at the quality of the polarization and clarity of the lens. The polycarbonate lenses are lightweight, making them more comfortable for everyday use than heavy glass. And plastic lenses won’t shatter or crack like glass, making them more impact resistant.
The lens gets four layers in front (five on the mirror version) and two in back. The coatings include Hobie’s proprietary 100-percent polarized injected polycarbonate that cuts glare without affecting clarity. It also includes a scratch resistant hard coat front and back that allows me to throw them in the dry bag or stuff in a pocket without the case.
I’ve rocked several pairs of Hobie Polarized shades over the years; they are a welcome addition to my quiver of sunglasses. I have a pair of Segundas with rose lenses that are a favorite in low-light or dirty water. The scratch-resistant coating has proven its meddle, surviving countless crashes in the bottom of the kayak.
See to Infinity and Beyond with Hydroclean Plus
The Hydro Infinity line adds Hobie’s popular Hydroclean Plus coating to the front and the back of the lens. That means the lenses shed water, grease and dirt on the inside and the outside.
Kayak anglers don’t always have a free hand to wipe away sweat and spray. And nothing is harder in a kayak than finding a dry piece of cloth to clean the lenses of suntan lotion or fish slime. The Hydroclean plus coating makes it easy. Water beads up and runs off the lens without leaving a trail of salt. And goo and gunk wipes away with the inside of a t-shirt.
Since I wear performance shirts on the water, I always carry a small piece of old t-shirt in my PFD pocket to keep my shades clear. The Hydroclean lenses had me grabbing the lens cloth less. They say the best technology is one you hardly notice, and Hydroclean worked to keep my lenses clear so I could concentrate on fishing. And what’s the point of expensive shades if they are crusted with crud? The Hydroclean coating allowed the high-quality Hobie Polarized lenses do their work and that allowed me to do work on the fish.
Hobie set their new crown jewel lenses in sharp-looking and innovative frames. Using twist and crush resistant polycarbonate, they added a rubber gasket across the brow to keep the shades from slipping and add cushion where the sunglasses touch the face. The brow pad is vented so the sunglasses won’t fog up when the heat is on.
Stainless steel hinges will suffer a thousand cycles without giving up a screw or corroding. My favorite addition to the frames is a cut-out at the end of the arm that accepts an adjustable retainer. Extend the monofilament retainer and the glasses hang low, or tighten the retainer to keep the shades on your face.
I chose the Cruz-R model with satin black frames with grey lenses and blue mirror for ultimate clarity and protection in blue water. I was missing a light pair of shades to use while fishing the open ocean in the middle of summer. The grey lens and blue mirror combine to provide the best glare reduction in clear water and bright sun. Other models feature copper lenses for green water and a yellow-tint for low-light sight fishing. The frames also come in a wood-grain finish. Unfortunately, you can’t mix and match lenses with frames, but the black on blue looks badass and wood-grain frames seem appropriate for copper lenses to stalk the backwater.
Cut the Glare with Hobie Hydro sunglasses
Hobie managed to pack all of these features in a serious polarized sunglass with a price tag under a hundred bucks. Just one more reason to add a Hobie Polarized Hydro style to your quiver of shades.
Hobie Polarized’s Hydro collection features lenses that resist UV, dirt and water. | Feature photo: Courtesy of Hobie
