A lot of people only have one name in mind when it comes to performance eyeware.
You see them wearing the shades, the hat, the shirt—it’s like a uniform for people who want to make sure other people know they fish once in a while.
You know the brand already, don’t you?
If performance is your thing though, you’re open to something new. If you have to be able to peer into the water, endure long fishing days, and get fish to hand, you want something that works.
Enter Native Eyeware.
All Day, Everyday
Was…
On long days, the Costa del Mar glasses I wore would pinch the back of my head, and after a few hours, I’d be fishing with that Sunday-after-the-wedding-reception-hangover headache. I hated that feeling, and it was completely predictable in the onset.
The folks at Native sent me a pair of their Eldo frames, and I’ve been testing them for a few months now.
Nine hours on the river was unthinkable without a break to take my glasses off; now it’s a non-issue. These frames are wearable all day.
They are so comfortable in fact, that they are not just my fishing glasses. When it’s time for a long run or other outdoor workout, these are the shades I grab. If you’re an active person off the water, these frames will acquit themselves nicely.
If constant unwanted attacks from paparazzi are one of your daily hazards, they look pretty damn cool too.
The Devil In The Details
When you put your glasses on and hit the water, you probably expect them to shield you from glare.
But what if the frames themselves are actually causing some of that glare?
I never considered this. A lot of eyeware manufacturers use a gloss finish on the frames themselves, which will cause a glare in the one place you never want it—right next to your eyeball.
Native solves this with a simple and elegant change. Instead of high-gloss, these frames have a matte finish. The finish itself absorbs light instead of throwing back into your retina like a bounce pass from Kobe Bryant (wait, did he ever pass the ball?).
The shape of the frame creates a nice little pocket for the eyes, so you are protected from light entering in multiple angles.
When you put these on, you’ve essentially swaddled your peepers in glare reducing goodness, giving you much more clarity when peering into the water.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Native also differentiates by offering a wide variety of frame colors, frame styles, and lens colors.
As I mentioned before, I’ve been using the Eldo. If you want to be almost as cool as I am, this is the way to go.
When it comes to choosing lens color, you need to match it up to the activity. Typically, you want to block as much blue light as possible when you’re on the water. Amber lenses are blue light assassins. When it’s time to get out and fish, go with this option.
When I’m running however, I like a cooler option, so I go with the Blue Reflex lenses.
Native made transitioning from color to color extremely easy. You don’t need multiple frames, you can just pop one set out, snap another set in, and off you go.
Bulletproof
Well, not quite.
These are the most durable glasses I’ve found thus far though, and have held up to my less than graceful movement through space.
I’ve sat on them, dropped them, and watched in horror as my daughter ran off with them at the pool. The amount of damage that kid can do in 60 seconds is pretty epic.
Still, no scratches, no breaks.
And since there is no such thing in this world as indestructible, Native offers a lifetime warranty. Rain, snow, tidal wave, or water buffalo stampede—you’re covered.
The Verdict
Let’s keep this simple.
I switched to Native Eyeware. I didn’t have to, they don’t pay me; they make a better product that fits more of my lifestyle. They don’t give me a migraine. They help me spot fish. They look cool.
Open your mind, try a pair—you won’t be disappointed.
| Native Eyeware | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |  |
| Wear them all day, and look like a rockstar | |