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Costa sunglasses are high quality shades that come in a wide range of styles.  Several different lenses in both glass and polycarbonate allow you to get what you need for your environment.

Introduction

A trip to the Costa sunglasses website reveals that this company has spent the last forty years making sunglasses for those that spend their time on the water.  They’ve made their way into the golf space thanks to the support of golf’s #1 needle mover, Tiger Woods.  After our resident sunglass expert Matt Meeker gave them a thumbs up in his review [find it HERE], I wanted to test them for myself.

Style & Fit

For this review, I tested three pairs of Costa sunglasses: Spearo, Pescador, and Taxman (the frame Tiger Woods has been wearing lately).

The Spearo that I’m wearing in the photo above has the Blackout frames and Blue Mirror Polarized Polycarbonate lens.  It’s also available in a Tortoiseshell frame and there are three other lens options.  The Spearo XL has five frame colors and as many as six lens choices.

Per Costa’s sizing, the standard Spearo is in the XXL category and Regular Fitting.  Costa is at the leading edge for offering loads of sizing data for each model as well as an online tool that lets you try them on virtually.

The Pescador shown above is Net Grey with Blue Rubber and has Blue Mirror Polarized Glass lenses.  The name “Net Grey” refers to the fact that these frames are made from recycled fishing nets.  The blue rubber around the nose and ears is a cool detail, but it’s barely visible when they’re on your face.  Still, Costa offers these with Grey Rubber as well as as Grey and Light Grey frames.  There are a total of three different lens options.

Costa calls the Pescador a size Large and Wide Fitting.  I will admit to not fully understanding the sizing system, as they feel very similar to the Spearo, and Costa’s measurements show that the Spearo is actually 6mm wider than the Pescador.  Thankfully, in addition to their Frame Advisor [check it out HERE], Costa sunglasses offers a 30-day return window if your shades don’t fit.

Finally, the Taxman sunglasses are shown above in the Matte Black frame with the Green Mirror Polarized Glass lenses.  The frames are available in Matte Grey and Matte Olive, and there are six lens options with the Matte Black frame.

The Taxman is size Large and Wide Fitting.  It has the largest lenses of the three models that I tested and the sportiest look.  While they’re not as go-anywhere as the Spearo, the Taxman is still fairly traditional looking.  Unlike some of the trendiest shades out there, you’ll be able to wear these for years without looking so 2024.

Performance

In addition to testing three different frames, I tested three different Costa sunglasses lenses: Green Mirror Glass, Blue Mirror Glass, and Blue Mirror Polycarbonate.  All of Costa’s lenses are polarized, which is key for reducing glare.

Both the Blue and Green Mirror lenses are billed by Costa as being for full sun with a “cool neutral viewing experience, with natural color enhancing and glare reduction.”  I found the Blue Mirror to be a bit more versatile than the Green Mirror.  Both were excellent in full sun, but the Blue Mirror was also wearable in overcast conditions.  The Green Mirror was a bit too dark when it was cloudy.  Both lenses improved the contrast in blues and greens and did a great job allowing my eyes to relax.

I was also very interested to see if I could find a difference between the Blue Mirror lenses in glass versus polycarbonate.  Per Costa, glass offers superior optical quality, but polycarbonate is lighter and possibly more durable.  While none of the sunglasses I tested were notably heavy, the Spearo with polycarbonate lenses was over 1/3 lighter than the Pescador with glass – 28 grams versus 48 grams.  I did not notice a difference in the quality of the two lenses, but the polycarbonate was a bit brighter than the glass.

Value

Costa sunglasses range in price from $166 to $400 with most around $200 to $250.  The Pescador costs $214, and the Taxman and Spearo are $292.

Both the Costa Spearo and Costa Taxman came with the zippered hard case, shown above.  The Pescador comes with an “Untangle Our Oceans” drawstring bag.  Given that all three models are north of $200, I’d like to see the hard case as a standard inclusion.

Conclusion

While wearing the same Costa sunglasses as Tiger Woods certainly didn’t help me to play like him, I will tip my hat his way for turning the golf world on to some great shades.  Costa offers a huge array of style choices from classic to sporty.  Just as important, they have a great selection of lenses so you can pick the best option for the conditions you find yourself in most.

Visit Costa Sunglasses HERE

The post Costa Sunglasses Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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Revo 2024 sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes and enhance your vision – with style.  Wonderful new frame options, plus proven performance lens choices for golfers.

Introduction

One of the coolest displays we saw at the 2024 PGA Show [recap HERE] was at the Revo booth where CEO Cliff Robinson showed Matt and me an indecipherable video.  Then Cliff had us slip on a pair of Revo sunglasses and instantly the video became crystal clear.  What Cliff had demonstrated was polarization – a hallmark of Revo technology.  The booth also showcased a wide range of Revo products, and I’ve since tested a few of the newest styles.  From top to bottom in the photo below:

• Vertex, matte black with Blue Water lens
• Winston, grey horn with Graphite lens
• Incline, crystal with Evergreen lens

Performance

What makes Revo sunglasses stand out is their amazing technology driven lenses that enhance vision while protecting your eyes.  Rooted in NASA technology, Revo lenses are all about layers.  On the front side of a colored base lens, Revo adds the afore mentioned polarized filter, mirror layers, and an oleophobic coating that helps repel fingerprints.  On the back is an anti-reflective coating followed by a hydrophobic coating.  That’s probably more detail than you require, but my point is that it takes a lot of applied science to manage light properly.  Here’s how Revo boils it down:  “Good, helpful light is allowed in and enhanced, while all harmful light is reduced or blocked.”

All Revo lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC light and have 99% polarized lens efficiency.

The three lens colors I tested illustrated Revo’s diversity.  My favorite for golfing were the Evergreen lenses, which made natural colors pop while remaining true.  Best suited for water based activities, the Blue Water lenses were great for the golf course too.  Their ability to cut glare in blinding white bunkers was amazing.  What I found remarkable about the Graphite lenses was how they boosted the blue of the sky and made clouds look whiter.

All three lenses shared a common characteristic – crystal clear optics.  As someone who likes to explore options, I found Revo’s detailed descriptions of each lens on their website’s Technology tab super helpful.  And the “With Lens” and “Without Lens” photos very revealing.  With 7 serillum, 2 glass, and 3 photochromic lenses the choice may seem daunting, but I’ve found there’s plenty of overlap on performance attributes.

Style & Fit

Revo has frames to suit most every style, but to me the brand is sport-centric.  Curved lenses like in the Incline and Vertex exemplify an athletic look.  And Revo even says the more leisurely Winston have “a sporty square frame.”

I found the Incline and Vertex to be exceptional for golf.  The long temples of the Vertex were great at holding the sunglasses in place.  The Incline sunglasses utilize elastomeric on the nose pads and temples to provide gription.  And the lightweight semi-rimless design added to the all-day comfort factor.

The Winston sunglasses didn’t provide me with an adequate fit while golfing.  Despite the spring hinges and elastomeric temple grips, the fit was just a bit off, slipping some during the swing and when I hovered over a putt.  That said, I should note that Revo designates them as “Large/Extra Large fit”   at the top of the product page.

Conclusion

I’ve been wearing Revo sunglasses while golfing almost exclusively for several years now and with the 2024 offerings I don’t see that changing any time soon.  Both the Incline and Vertex fit so nicely, and the wrap around designs were fantastic at keeping light from my sensitive eyes.  The Evergreen lenses remain my favorite option for the golf course, but the visual acuity all the lenses provide was outstanding.  And at the end of a long day in the sun my eyes always felt comfortable, and my mind was at rest knowing Revo technology had them protected.

Visit Revo HERE

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Wiley X sunglasses protect your eyes from both UV rays and physical damage.  Captivate lenses enhance contrast in a variety of environments.  Multiple sizes to fit faces of every shape.

Introduction

In an era of ten thousand new “brands” that do nothing more than white label another company’s products, it’s great to uncover one that’s been pursuing their own mission for over three decades.  Wiley X was founded in 1987 with one goal: “Build the world’s best protective eyewear.”  If you’ve never equated protective eyewear with style or high performance, you’re not alone, but Wiley X sunglasses may change your mind.

Style & Fit

Due to their dual mission of performance and safety, Wiley X sunglasses all have larger, full coverage lenses and slightly thicker frames.  However, within that framework there’s a good bit of variation.

For this review, I tested three styles: Founder (above, top), Ovation (above, bottom), and Trek.  The Founder is the most different with the keyhole nose cutout and the angular lenses.  Across the Wiley X line, there is also a lot of variation in the stems (below).

Something I really like about Wiley X’s website is the amount of detail they provide about each frame.  They have a Fit for each – Small, Medium, Large – and Bridge Size, Lens Width, Lens Height, and Temple Length, all measured to the millimeter.  Several models also offer a Virtual Try-On so you can see what they’ll look like on your head.

I found Wiley X’s Fit recommendation to be spot on.  The “Small” Ovation wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was definitely on the small side for my larger-than-average dome.  For me, the Founder (above) and the Trek gave me a more complete field of vision and a little more comfort.

Performance

We normally jump right into clarity and contrast, but with Wiley X being all about protection, it seems right to start there.  All Wiley X sunglasses meet or exceed four industry standards for safety: ANSI Z87.1+, MIL-PRF-32432 (GL), MIL-PRF-32432A, and ASTM F803.  We don’t need to get into the specifics of each test, but the bottom line is that these are guaranteed to protect you from projectiles as fast as 90 MPH!  Whether you’re into more extreme sports or want some extra protection when working around the house, it’s nice to know that you’re protected.

On that point, all Wiley X sunglasses include the ability to add a side shield (above) for even greater protection.  These slide in and out easily, or you can opt for a permanent installation if these are primarily work glasses.  The side shields are included with every pair at no additional cost.

Moving to the lenses, Wiley X’s signature technology is called Captivate.  These are polarized lenses offered in eight different shades to enhance color, contrast, and clarity.  You can see each of the Captivate lenses HERE.  I tested the Captivate Green Mirror and Blue Mirror as well as the standard Smoke Grey.  With every lens, I was impressed with the clarity and the way they allowed my eyes to relax.  They took the sting out of the bright sun without making my vision seem muddled or dull.

In head to head testing, the difference between the standard lens and Captivate is obvious.  Both the Blue Mirror and Green Mirror boosted the contrast in the greens and browns of the environment, almost like changing from standard definition to HD.   I felt like I had better depth perception, too.  Between the Blue Mirror and Green Mirror, I felt like the Blue made things a little dark without compromising on clarity.  I’ll be gaming both, opting for the Blue Mirror on brighter days.

Value

Wiley X sunglasses range in price from $98 to $216, which is on par with most other premium sunglasses.  As you would expect, the Captivate polarized lenses carry a premium of $60-$80.  Of the three pairs I received, two came with a hardshell case, which is a nice extra for keeping your sunglasses safe.

Conclusion

I knew nothing about Wiley X sunglasses prior to this review, but I’ve become a big advocate.  Their sunglasses sacrifice nothing in terms of clarity and color, but they have the added benefit of protecting your eyes from physical harm.  Whether I’m on the course, coaching my kids, or working on my house, I’ll be wearing Wiley X this summer.

Visit Wiley X Sunglasses HERE

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Costa sunglasses provide serious eye protection while enhancing visual acuity on the golf course or during the rigors of active lifestyles.  Wonderful comfort.  Tons of styles.

Introduction

No one moves the needle in the golf space more than Tiger Woods.  Recently it was what he’s not going to wear (Nike), but back in December it was what he was wearing (Costa Sunglasses).  Social media blew up when Tiger was spotted in the Bahamas sporting groovy sunglasses and a big smile.  It didn’t take long for sleuths to determine they were Costa Diegos, which Costa confirmed – and embraced.  Knowing we all like everything Tiger, I decided to give a couple pairs of Costa Sunglasses a thorough Plugged In Golf review.

Here is a look at two Costa offerings: the sporty Tuna Alley Pro and the stylish Paunch.

Matt Saternus reviews other Costa styles HERE

Performance

The Tuna Alley Pro sunglasses I tested feature green mirror, polarized 580 glass lenses.  The copper based color lenses made nature really pop.  The shades of green in grass and plants looked more distinct.  The lenses also made aged pine straw look as vibrant as if it was fresh.  With 10% light transmission, the lenses performed well in cloudy or sunny conditions, and my eyes felt relaxed at the end of each round.

Like all Costa sunglasses, the lenses absorb 100% of UV light.  The 580 lens technology absorbs harmful High-Energy Blue Light (HEV) and filters out the harsh yellow spectrum, while enhancing blue, reds, and greens.  This makes them an ideal choice for blue sky days on the course.

Designed for a more natural contrast, the gradient gray, polarized 580 lenses of the Paunch sunglasses still performed well on the golf course.  What really jumped out was how blue the sky appeared – great for tracking a golf ball.  Glare was notably reduced, and again, I felt no eye fatigue as the day wore on.

Style & Fit

I selected these two Costa frames after utilizing the Frame Adviser on the Costa website [try it HERE].  The program gathers biometric data (face shape, size and features) and offers recommendations.  You can then select frames and try them on virtually.  I found the experience simple and rewarding – the actual sunglasses looked just as expected.

The wrap around design of the Tuna Alley Pro sunglasses provided excellent protection against sun without inhibiting my peripheral vision.  I also appreciated the secure fit that the adjustable non-slip nose pads and temple ends provided.

More of a lifestyle frame, the Paunch also held their position well.  I attribute that to three things:  proper sizing, sturdy construction, and the rubber nose pad.  The larger square shaped frames offered ample visual area.  And while “sturdy” and “larger” would normally equate to heavier, Costa polarized glass lenses are 20% thinner and 22% lighter than most in the marketplace.

Conclusion

I was thoroughly impressed with both pairs of Costa sunglasses.  For golf, my preference is the more sporty Tuna Alley Pro primarily because that the frames allowed less light to leak in from the side and covered more skin at my temples.  Both my eye doctor and dermatologist should appreciate that.  And the green mirror lenses seem the perfect choice for enhancing the colors and conditions encountered on the links.  But don’t feel bad for the Paunch; I’ve already started wearing them driving and around town.

With eight lens colors and a plethora of frame choices, Costa has sunglasses to suite everyone’s needs – even Tiger.  Ranging from around $230 to $300, Costa sunglasses aren’t inexpensive.  But for performance, style, and comfort, they are a solid investment.

Visit Costa Sunglasses HERE

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Uswing Golf Sunglassses deliver tremendous visual clarity via lenses that can be worn in any light conditions.  Extremely light, flexible frames make these some of the most comfortable sunglasses you can buy.

Introduction

Uswing may a fairly young company, but they’ve already made coverts out of two household names: Phil Mickelson and Rose Zhang.  The former #1 amateur is a brand ambassador with a signature model, and Phil has been famously sporting Uswing since a 2019 Pro-Am when a Uswing-wearing amateur read a putt better than he could.  Do these sunglasses merit a look from every serious player?  I tested them to find out.

Style & Fit

Uswing Golf Sunglasses come in a variety of styles, but there are some strong stylistic threads that connect the brand.  Most of the designs feature thinner frames, typically metal, and larger lenses.  There are also numerous variations on the aviator style, favored by Uswing ambassadors Rose Zhang and C.T. Pan as well as Uswing enthusiast Phil Mickelson.

The two styles that I tested for this review are the Birdie 005 and the Overcast 002 C (above, top).  They’re a departure from my everyday Wayfarers, but I was pleasantly surprised at how the thin frames balanced the visual impact of the large lenses.

Turning to fit, what stands out about the Uswing golf sunglasses is the flexibility of the frame.  They bend at the slightest pressure, which makes them extremely comfortable.  That said, they never feel brittle or cheap.  The earpieces rest gently without squeezing the side of your head, even if it’s larger than average like mine.

Performance

The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up a pair of Uswing golf sunglasses is the weight, or lack thereof.  At 21 grams, they’re among the lightest sunglasses you’ll find.  When I was testing them – actively thinking about my vision – I could still forget that they were on my face.  That’s how light they are.

What I picked up on next is the sharpness and clarity that the Uswing sunglasses provide.  Sunglasses often have a heavy, dulling effect on your vision.  With Uswing, I felt like the edges of objects were a bit more defined.  It’s not a night-and-day difference, but it’s noticeable and impressive.

Hand in hand with that sharpness is the fact that the Uswing golf sunglasses that I tested have a light tint to them.  Said another way, they don’t make your vision overly dark, they just take the top few percent off the brightness.  I could feel my eyes relax when I put them on, but they’re also light enough to wear on overcast days or even indoors.

One final thing to note is that Uswing golf sunglasses are not polarized.  Per Uswing, this keeps them from causing distortion when viewing digital displays.  I don’t have strong feelings about polarized vs. non-polarized; I can just report that I enjoyed the performance of these lenses in a variety of settings.

Value

Uswing golf sunglasses are among the most expensive that I’ve tested for Plugged In Golf.  The two pairs that I tried, the Birdie 005 and the Overcast 002 C, retail for $599 and $659, respectively.  USwing’s full range includes a few pairs at $349 and one as high as $958.

Obviously, there are loads of sunglasses for a fraction of these prices, many of them quite good (check out our recent Tifosi review HERE).  That said, I’ve never tested anything with this combination of light weight and clarity, so Uswing is offering something unique, albeit at a premium price.

Conclusion

Prior to this review, I’d never heard of Uswing golf sunglasses.  Now I count them among some of the best that I’ve tried.  With incredible comfort and great visual clarity, they deliver on all the most important metrics.  They come with a steep price tag, but they back it up with strong performance.

Buy Uswing Golf Sunglasses HERE

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Sundog Eyewear golf sunglasses are made for the outdoors.  Each pair combines a lightweight and universal fit with their unique TrueBlue lenses to reduce glare and improve visuals both on and off the golf course.

Use code PLUGGEDINGOLF15 to save 15% HERE

Introduction

You may have never heard of Sundog Eyewear, but they have been around since the early 80’s.  Their specialty has always been performance sunglasses for athletes, but their styles can please almost anyone.  For this review, I will focus on eyewear made for outdoor sports, specifically golf.  I tested out a variety of Sundog sunglasses to see how these perform both on and off the course.

Style & Fit

Sundog eyewear comes in a wide variety of styles.  My favorite style is a spinoff of the classic aviator called the THE CADDY TrueBlue (above, middle).  These are a mix of metal and black plastic open bottom frames.  The style gives a more casual vibe versus some of Sundog’s other options like the STACK or PRIME which provide a more athletic look that wraps around the head.  Ultimately, whatever your preference, Sundog likely has the style to match your taste.

The larger, more square designs such as THE CADDY or FANCLUB each had a comfortable fit over my nose and around my ears.  Part of that was due to them weighing less than I anticipated.  The other part was the stable hinges which held whatever position I placed them in.  I noticed this on every pair I tested, and at times I forgot I was even wearing them.

Performance

Sundog Eyewear has been in business for over 30 years, but recently released their TrueBlue premium polycarbonate lenses.  Not every pair of golf sunglasses came with the TrueBlue technology, but most did and I would highly recommend them, even if not for golf.  The TrueBlue lenses reduce the amount of yellow that shows up in any given landscape.  It helps with improving contrast which was especially important while looking across the fairway or down at a ball.  Colors are more vibrant using the TrueBlue lenses.  The sky is more blue and the grass is a bit darker green.  Everything is simply more enjoyable to look at.

Each pair I tried held to my face well, and I never worried about them falling off while looking down at a putt or tee ball.  The glare reduction also made a big impact on those especially sunny days.  Occasionally. my chrome wedges reflect the sun and having these certainly kept the brightness at bay.

The TrueBlue lenses were so impressive that I now keep them in my car while driving.  Sundog offers the TrueBlue in over a dozen different styles ranging from $69 to $149.  Without the TrueBlue lens, Sundog offers glasses as low as $49 which is quite a value for such quality sunglasses.

Conclusion

Sundog Eyewear comes in a variety of styles and looks for almost any need.  Whether you’re looking for a performance lens for the golf course or a basic lifestyle sunglass, Sundog has plenty to offer.  Using high quality materials that are also light in weight for comfort and universal fit, Sundog is the best sunglass brand you’ve never heard of.

Use code PLUGGEDINGOLF15 to save 15%

Visit Sundog Eyewear HERE

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The 2023 Tifosi sunglasses offer a huge range of sizes and styles.  Enliven Golf lenses provide tremendous clarity.  Prices that the average golfer can actually afford.

Introduction

It isn’t news to anyone who frequents this site that the cost of golf clubs is going up.  The same can be said for green fees at many courses.  With golfers’ wallets being stretched thin, we’re focusing this review on a company that can help you save a little cash without sacrificing performance: Tifosi Optics.

Style & Fit

Click on the Golf Collection on Tifosi’s website, and you’ll find 75 different pairs of sunglasses.  Among these are styles ranging from classic to modern.  The three pairs that I tested are the Crit (above), the Seek FC 2.0 (below), and the Swank (red frames, top).  I prefer a more athletic frame on the course for the light weight and larger lens.  Off the course, I’m a dedicated Wayfarer wearer, and the Swank fits that bill perfectly.  It’s also worth noting that most of Tifosi’s frames come in a variety of color combinations.  There are seven variants of the Seek, nine of the Crit, and an impressive twenty three for the Swank.

Tifosi also offers their sunglasses in different sizes to fit all golfers.  The Swank is categorized as “Small to Medium,” and it is definitely a tighter fit than the other two, though not uncomfortable.  Both the Crit and Seek 2.0 are “Medium to Large.”  They sit very easily on my head without any pinching.  For those in the “Large to Extra Large” class, Tifosi makes the Centus and Intense models.  If you want to get into the details of fit, Tifosi’s website has the exact dimensions of each model.

Performance

The focus of Tifosi’s Golf Collection in 2023 is the Enliven Golf lens.  Tifosi states that these lenses turn down the brightness while “making greens, blues, and reds pop with definition” and helping you “read terrain and track your ball against the greens and a blue sky.”  As someone who is perpetually asking, “Did you see where that went?” this was a very attractive proposition.

I was able to test the Enliven lenses in a variety of conditions over the past few weeks, and they performed as advertised.  The difference between the Enliven lens and a typical lens is immediately obvious.  With Enliven, your eyes can relax, but there’s still vivid color and contrast.  With traditional sunglasses, everything gets darker, but you lose clarity and definition.  It’s an easy choice for what I’d prefer to wear on the course.

Finally, both the Seek and Crit are comfortable enough to wear for a long day on the course.  They weigh a mere 23 and 31 grams, respectively.  Both also feature hydrophilic rubber on the ear and nose pieces.  As they get wet from sweat, they swell slightly to lock in place.

Conclusion

Priced between $30 and $50, Tifosi Sunglasses are some of the best values in eyewear.  The Enliven Golf lens is a significant upgrade over standard sunglasses with its superior contrast and clarity.  With a wide range of styles and sizes, you should have no problem finding a pair that’s perfect for you.

Visit Tifosi Sunglasses HERE

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The Revo Black sunglasses represent the stylish fusion of photochromatic lens technology and advanced frame materials.  World class optics designed to enhance the way you see the golf course while protecting your eyes.

Introduction

Reviewing the ‘Revo’ results generated by our Plugged In Golf website search feature, I couldn’t believe it’s been 5 years since my first Revo sunglasses review.  And truth be told, I’ve worn Revo sunglasses for nearly every round of golf I’ve played since.  The combination of unbeatable eye protection, course-enhancing lens colors, and sporty frames is tops in my book.  The new Revo Black collection adds photochromatic lenses plus carbon fiber and titanium frames to their already stellar lineup.  I tested three of the Revo Black collection’s frames, and both new photochromatic lenses for this review.  From top to bottom in the photo below:

• Meridian, satin gunmetal with Evergreen Photochromatic lens
• Air 1, satin black with Graphite lens
• Horizon, satin chrome with Blue Water Photochromatic lens

Performance

The three lens colors may sound familiar, but for the Revo Black collection, the Evergreen and Blue Water lenses are photochromatic – automatically lightening and darkening in different light conditions.  I found this particularly helpful during sunny conditions when I ventured into the shadows of trees looking for a golf ball.  Whereas normally the area would look even darker with my go-to standard Evergreen lenses, the photochromatic version created a seemingly naturally illuminated light condition.  The golf ball was bright and details of roots, leaves and branches were crystal clear.

Cloudy conditions and dusk were the other two situations where the photochromatic lenses really excelled.  In both settings, I often get caught between it still being too bright to not wear sunglasses, yet a bit dark with them on.  The photochromatic lenses offered the perfect sweet spot for continuous eye comfort.

You can probably guess why Evergreen lenses are my favorite for golfing – they just make natural colors pop while remaining true.  But I must point out that the Blue Water lens is also impressive on the golf course.  Designed for the bright conditions experienced on the water, their ability to cut the glare off wet grass or blindingly white bunkers is remarkable.

The Graphite lenses in the Revo Black collection aren’t photochromatic, but are still excellent for golf.  I love the boost of blue they give to the sky and how clouds look whiter.  And all while maintaining crisp details around the golf course.

For a greater understanding of how the various Revo lenses perform, check out the sliding “with” and “without” window under the Technology tab on Revo’s website (link provided at the end of this review).  Despite subtle differences between lenses, they all share one common characteristic – crystal clear optics.

What makes Revo lenses so extraordinary is their signature Light Management System technology.  This NASA rooted technology utilizes specialized coatings to precisely manage the light spectrum.  Simplified, helpful light is optimized while harmful bandwidths are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

Style & Fit

Eye protection and enhanced vision are great reasons to wear sunglasses, and with the Revo Black collection, you can do it with style.  From the minimalist design of the Air 1, to the vintage navigator style of the Horizon, the Revo Black collection has a frame to suit most every golfer’s preferences.

And like the lenses, the frames of the Revo Black collection are special, utilizing advanced materials and construction techniques to create distinctive designs.  Take the Meridian above.  It features a curved frame front that’s punched out of a single sheet of titanium, eliminating the need for welds.  With temples also made out of titanium, the Meridian sunglasses are remarkably lightweight.  The fit was snug without feeling tight, and worked with the elastomeric nose pads to keep the sunglasses in place wonderfully throughout my golf swing – even in sweaty conditions.  Although similarly constructed, the slightly larger Horizon frames didn’t stay in place quite as well for me as the Meridian.

Weighing in at less than 0.5 oz, the Air 1’s are simply phenomenal.  The frameless design and curved lenses offered uninterrupted viewing.  Although I handled the A1’s gingerly at first, I quickly realized the titanium temples and bridge were impressively sturdy.  These are sunglasses I could wear all day.

Conclusion

As I noted in the opener, I’ve been trusting Revo for my eye health for years.  Now, with the Revo Black collection, I have even more options for enjoying time on the golf course – and looking good while doing it.  With the high end materials and photo-chromatic lenses, the Revo Black sunglasses do command a steep price tag at $359.  Add in the carbon fiber elements of the Bode Miller models and the price jumps to $379.  You may find the Revo Black sunglasses difficult to justify – until you compare the price and time of use with that of your new driver.

Visit Revo HERE

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The Revo X Volition America collection brings a patriotic flair to Revo’s stellar lineup while benefiting Folds of Honor.  Outstanding eye protection and amazing optics.

Introduction

Partnering with Volition America, Revo brings a patriotic spin to several of their popular styles, and even more importantly, helps support the families of our military heroes by donating a percentage of the proceeds to Folds of Honor.  Golfers are likely familiar with Volition America through their partnership with Cobra/Puma, with Gary Woodland proudly sporting the special collection of apparel and shoes on the PGA tour.  Along with the Crawler and Descend A featured in this review, the Revo X Volition America line also includes the Descend N and Caper.

Performance

I’ll dive into the specifics of the lens colors of the Crawler and Descend A in a moment, but it’s important to note that all Revo lenses feature their signature Light Management System technology.  This NASA-rooted technology utilizes specialized coatings to precisely manage the light spectrum.

Revo breaks down the science into four focal areas:  UV, glare, blue light, and digital.  Most readers will be familiar with UV and glare, so let me jump ahead to blue light – the high energy light at the start of the visible light spectrum.  Although our eyes like some blue light, the wavelengths at the UV border are very harmful.  Fortunately, Revo knows how to manage the good and the bad wavelengths to reduce the risk of eye health problems and enhance the visual experience.   And while you won’t be aware of the effectiveness of the Revo’s three focal areas right away, you’ll instantly appreciate the fourth area, digital – the one that allows you to read your cell phone without removing your sunglasses.

The Crawler Revo X Volition America features the Graphite lens, which is designed to be a great all-around lens that “enhances the natural vibrancy of every color you encounter.”  For years a few industry “experts” had been telling me that grey lenses aren’t good for action sports where you are trying to follow a ball, but clearly those folks hadn’t tried the Revo Graphite – I found them excellent for golf.  Details of the course and surroundings were crisp, and I really liked how the lenses revealed the details of a bank of clouds.

The Descend A Revo X Volition America sunglasses feature the Blue Water lens with its mirror coating “ideal for bright conditions on the water.”  Here in Central Florida the sun can be intense, and I found the Blue Water lens kept my eyes relaxed.  Similar to the Graphite lens, colors remained true and details crisp.  On the course the Blue Water lens cut the glare off wet grass and water hazards as well as taming the blinding effect of white bunkers.

Style & Fit

While eye protection and visual performance are the key reasons to wear sunglasses, Revo lets you keep style in the equation with their variety of frames.  The Revo X Volition America Crawler and Descend A are great examples.

The rectangular Crawlers have an old-school classic vibe with a bit of athletic curvature.  The lightweight frames include fixed elastomeric gription elements at the nose and on the temple ends.  The Revo X Volition America version of the Crawler features a deep blue frame color accented with a camo print on the inside.  I’ve been golfing in Crawlers for years and can attest to their all day comfort and secure fit – even when the sweat is flowing.

On the other end of the style spectrum are the rimless Revo X Volition Descend A which extoll a “timeless aviator silhouette.”  Keeping the sunglasses securely in place without pressure points, Revo utilized its MotionFit design plus a heavy dose of elastomer at the nose and on the temple ends.  Those red temple ends along with the mirror blue lenses really make a patriotic statement.

Conclusion

Followers of Plugged In Golf know that Revo is one of our favorite and most highly recommended sunglass brands [additional reviews HERE] because of their incredible optics and frames that balance style and athletic function.  The Revo X Volition America editions are great additions not only for their patriotic style renditions but also the philanthropic reach.

Vist Revo HERE

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50 Words or Less

Sunglasses from Tifosi Optics offer style diversity catering to a variety of outdoor activities.  On the golf course, lenses with Enliven Golf technology make greens, blues, and reds pop with definition.

Learn about Tifosi’s 2023 sunglasses HERE

Introduction

Tifosi may not be familiar to the average sports and leisure sunglasses wearer but it boasts a large portfolio of styles for cycling, running, fishing, lifestyle, and golf.  The selection for golf is quite impressive and features five contemporary styles that use Enliven lenses created specifically for golf.  I tried three different pairs of Tifosi frames on the course to find out if Enliven lenses really enhance your ability to read the greens better or follow your ball easier while in flight?

Performance

I almost always wear some sort of sunglasses when I play.  My eyes are very sensitive to glare and brightness on a sunny day.  The Enliven lenses have a greenish tint to them.  Sunglasses with green lenses are suppose to provide better contrast than gray lenses and transmit color accuracy better than brown lenses.  Green lenses are ideal for both sunny and low-light environments and are also supposed to reduce glare while brightening shadows.  I was especially interested in comparing the Enliven lenses to the BRONX smoke lenses and the amber lenses in my current pair.

If you are a golfer with blue eyes, then you know all too well that you are more susceptible to eyestrain from glare and the bright sun.  Yes, your eyes can get sunburned by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.   Enliven lenses do a great job of protecting your eyes.  My eyes were comfortable all through the round.

On the course, Enliven lenses make it very easy to follow ball flight.  The added contrast from the lenses made finding the bright white ball against the green fairway a snap.

I was really hoping to put the Enliven lenses to the test on the greens.  Putting is not the strongest part of my game, and I was looking for any advantage I could get.  The Enliven lenses do make green colors pop.  You can certainly see a difference.

The Enliven lenses were definitely sharper than my favorite amber lenses.  Not as dramatic difference as the above image suggests, but certainly a big improvement.  While I was able to see contours and maybe some of the breaks a little better, I was still hoping for more.  Don’t misunderstand me, these are excellent performing lenses.  My golf buddies and I were impressed by the clarity.  For glasses in the $25-$50 range, the Tifosi line is a great performer with great value when compared to high-end Oakleys and other name brands.

 Style & Fit

Tifosi offers 15 styles of frames and 5-6 different lens types to choose from.  Of the 3 styles I tried, I preferred the CRIT.  I like the minimal frame thickness and the face-fitting lens curve.  Finding the right fit for your specific face shape can sometimes be a challenge.  The BRONX did not fit my face as I hoped, but was still comfortable and performed well.  The Tifosi website does a great job of displaying lens dimensions and frame looks from different angles.

Conclusion

Tifosi glasses are a stylish and very affordable option for the active person and weekend golfer.  An abundance of styles and lens choices make finding a pair that meets your needs a breeze.  As a more serious golfer, they may not be that “magic bullet” you hoped for, but they do enhance the colors around you making your golf experience much more enjoyable.

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