Justin C.
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2025
Costa Los Alijos: Great Lenses, But Pricey FramesSo, I've been trying out the Costa Del Mar Los Alijos sunglasses with the 580P lenses. Overall, these are some nice sunglasses, no doubt about it. The clarity of the 580P (polycarbonate) lenses is definitely a highlight. They are polarized, and I’ve found them to be very nice for driving, especially when the sun is out, as they really cut down on glare that can blind you. You get that crisp vision and good color definition Costas are known for.However, let's talk about the price. These are a bit pricey. The regular price seems to hover around $189, though I did see them on sale for about $160 around the time I was looking. So, my first piece of advice would be to definitely keep an eye out for sales if you're considering a pair.Even with a sale, I still find myself questioning the high price tag a bit, and a lot of that comes down to the frames. They are made of plastic. Now, after looking into it a bit more, it seems the Los Alijos model uses something called "Radel material," which is described as an ultra-thin and strong type of thermoplastic. So, it's not just any cheap plastic; it's designed to be lightweight and durable, giving these glasses a very slim and clean look.But still, when you're paying close to $200, or even $160, the "plastic" feel, even if it's a high-tech one, can be a little underwhelming. The lenses are polycarbonate (that's the "P" in 580P), which makes them lighter and more impact-resistant than glass, and they do have that excellent Costa 580 polarization and color filtering. But for the investment, you're getting these advanced plastic lenses in an advanced plastic frame.Ultimately, the Costa Los Alijos are good sunglasses with excellent optical quality that really does make a difference, especially for activities where glare is an issue. The frames are designed to be minimalistic and lightweight using a specialized material. Whether they're worth the premium price really depends on how much you value that top-tier lens technology and the specific frame design, balanced against the fact that they are, at the end of the day, non-metal frames. They perform well, but I'd be happier if the price point felt a bit more justified by the frame materials.
Lex
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
These are exquisite. I love wearing men's clothing, and sunglasses aren't an exception. These are definitely massive (oversized even for a man), but they don't look ridiculous. They're clearly incredible quality and substantial without being so heavy that they hurt or slide around. Lovely cradling on the nose for comfort and stability. Polarization is the best I've ever experienced; I noticed it in ways I'd never noticed it before--my phone screen especially. Light filtration is phenomenal and boosted by how oversized they are since they block more angles. They hinges and material have enough give that they feel like they could easily take a drop or a hit. Zero complaints and well worth the price in my opinion.
The Hoggatt Project
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2025
The last chance I took on an expensive pair of sunglasses I was underwhelmed by their fit and performance. This coming from a guy who is happy to wear a $10 pair of glasses if they fit and provide good sun protection. I also prefer a slightly warmer look over blue for overcast days (improves your mood). I've seen many pairs meet my criteria within the $10 range, so that's perhaps why I tend to grade something nearly 20x the cost a little harshly.Even though I hadn't recognized the name Costa Del Mar, I was excited to see that they are geared for super bright outdoor events such as fishing. I do a lot of camping under the sun and so these could be a match made in heaven. I feel I put them through their paces and have listed the things I've discovered (pros and cons) below.Pros: You get a unique dark blue cast which is polarized. This creates deep blue skies and limits reflections off metallic surfaces, windshields, water and more. If the sun is bright, these are a good choice! The lenses are also nice and large which provides a lot of coverage. For added comfort, they also give you adjustable silicon nose pieces (left and right) that can adapt to different sized nose bridges. Nice! I also absolutely love the case that these come in. it's rugged, waterproof, and has a one-zip design to access the glasses as well as a large microfiber cloth.Cons: The frames that these glasses are on don't fit the best. If you look at the pictures, I have better luck at keeping these on my face by either; a) wearing a hat or b) angling them slightly downwards or c) attaching a floating band to them. If I am driving, then there is no issue. They are comfortable and don't require any of the above fixes. However, if I am being active, then the weight of the lenses shifts around and need to be adjusted frequently. I don't think this is due to them being ill fitting, just when looking downwards. My solution for the company would be to change the plastic frames to have some grip on the inside (silicone or rubber).All in all, I have been wearing these glasses as much as possible lately. They are best for bright sunny days when no clouds are in sight. The strong blue cast is pleasant to look at for long periods of time and the lenses provide excellent polarization to help mitigate reflective surfaces. When you remove them, everything looks very warm as your eyes readjust. This is a very pleasant experience as well! My only complaint is that the lenses are the frames not being able to keep them on your face when looking in downward position.
miguel
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2025
I have had several kinds of sunglasses and can say that these would for sure be in the top 3 category of lightweight glasses I've tried. They look and feel great and do not give any irritation or attach to strongly. Very good experience all around. They look timeless to me and do a great job at blocking the glare. They seem to also be fragile due to their lightweight design. Entirely would recommend them as they feel like high class looking glasses to me. I've been wearing them every day in the car while driving and have been enjoying them so far.