The subject of ‘floating sunglasses’ is an interesting one, as there are many prominent sunglasses brands that believe this is the answer to the age-old problem of losing your sunglasses to the ocean. Although there are certainly occasions when floating sunglasses are suitable, in many cases, they are not suitable at all. It is an important question because if you add up the cost of all the sunglasses that you have lost at sea, it could be an eye-watering amount.
Some floating sunglasses float because they have air chambers inside the frames into which – you’ve guessed it – air is injected. The frames may be a little lighter and a bit bulkier owing to the air chambers. Another method of achieving floating sunglasses is by using floating materials such as neoprene tubes.
The central idea behind floating sunglasses is that if you drop them in the water, you can go back and pick them up. There are certainly times when this will be possible. For example on a calm day in quiet waters you might be able to quickly turn around and locate them. Or if you are paddling around the ocean on your SUP in nice flat conditions – and you drop your sunnies in the water, then ok – no problem – it is relatively easy to find them again.
However, if the wind is blowing and there are waves and white caps, the chances of you finding your sunnies again, let alone picking them up, is remote at best. The larger the vessel you are navigating, the more difficult and cumbersome this task becomes. And if you are in any kind of race or competition, then there simply isn’t an opportunity to go back and retrieve your sunglasses from the water.
Our two watershades, the ‘Typhoon’ and the ‘Surge’, do not float. We have designed these watershades so that they never get ejected into the ocean in the first place. Even in a big wipeout, they will stay secure and attached to you.
It is important to do your research before you buy your watersports sunglasses – not only for your eye health but also for your purse strings. If you are planning anything more than light recreational sailing or SUP, we suggest that you steer clear of floating sunglasses for the reasons outlined above. The only way to ensure that you never lose your sunglasses to the ocean is to ensure that they are ALWAYS attached to you. It is a simple answer to a simple question. Our failsafe two-stage leash system that comes as standard on all our watershades achieves exactly that.
The first stage of our leash system secures the sunglasses tightly to your head by means of a non-slip cord, as seen in the image of our Typhoon model above. In most circumstances, this will secure your sunglasses from going overboard. But there is always the possibility of a fall on deck or a wave crashing over the boat that can pull the sunglasses off your head. This is where our failsafe silicone leash comes into play. Tucked away inside your clothing, the silicone necklace attaches to the non-slip leash cord. Even with the harshest wipeouts or even capsizing, you will hold onto your precious sunglasses and save yourself another trip to the sunglasses store.
If protecting your eyes on the water is important to you, and you value the role your sunglasses play when you are out on the water, then take a look at our watershades as an alternative to the less than perfect floating sunglasses out there.
Save your sunnies from the ocean. Take the flip – to LiP!
