polarized sunglasses?

[DonkeyKongMan]

i have recently decided to invest in a pair of Oakleys and was wondering how necessary it is to a rower to have polarized sunglasses? is is worth the extra $100 to buy polarized verses the non polarized version?
thanks

[jamesg]

Polaroids cost about 30€.
Light off insulating surfaces (including water) is polarised, and Polaroids are polarised in the other direction, hence cutting glare. Essential if you scull with the sun low on the horizon.

[Uncle Bobby]

For on-water rowing, I do have a pair of good sunglasses. They help me to relax by not having to squint too much. They are particularly good during mid-summer, mid-morning rowing. However I also keep a second, lighter (and often cheaper) pair handy for early mornings/late evenings/overcast days.

For rowing sunglasses, purchasing a good pair is a little bit tricky. You want frames (or frameless lenses) that hug your eyebrows, peripherals and cheeks so as not to allow too much glare to trouble you from around the peripheries of the frame. However you do want some ventilation, otherwise you will find that they fog up with the sweat and humidity coming off your face, particularly when the wind is coming over your stern.

As a long distance rower, I also find I have to be careful about getting glasses whose arms pinch too much behind my ears. Whatever benefit I get from not squinting can be quickly annulled by that dull pressing on the corners of my scull.

Finally, I am not a fan of high-priced sunglasses. I can usually find cheaper ($30-$60 range) at my local boating supplies store rather than going to a high-end sporting supply store. The boating supply stores have good on-water glasses which often provide a wide lense providing good periphreal vision. A friend of mine used to also recommend the sunglasses used by roofers, so long as you can find a pair that ventilate well.

[mshaffer]

I just got a pair from REI for $30. Don't have to worry about scratching them, dropping them in the water, etc.

[OarConsequences]

It's worth getting polarized but it doesn't have to cost $100, much less an extra $100. Shop around.

[speedy]

i have recently decided to invest in a pair of Oakleys and was wondering how necessary it is to a rower to have polarized sunglasses? is is worth the extra $100 to buy polarized verses the non polarized version?
thanks

They are worth it. However, I bought $3.00 polarized sunglasses from Walmart and they worked just as good as any of my Oakley's and Ray Bans

[Quatroux]

They are worth it. However, I bought $3.00 polarized sunglasses from Walmart and they worked just as good as any of my Oakley's and Ray Bans

I've been buying the most expensive sunglasses that my local drug store sells. They cost $20-$30, are polarized, and get replaced often. In my opinion, buying a more expensive pair won't mean they last longer or work better. I was previously partial to Bolle until I lost my 2nd pair.

[speedy]

The only time(s) I got more expensive glasses is because I really liked how they look.

[Bob S.]

From the local Ace hardware - wrap around, all plastic, dark, safety glasses, about $9. Probably not polarized, but quite effective.

Bob S.