Bajio Sunglasses

[BoilerBowHunter]

I’ve been a Costa guy for years. No complaints really, but I’ve been reading up on Bajio. Sounds like one of the OG Costa guys doing his own thing now.

Who’s worn a pair? What’s your take on the quality and clarity of the glass lenses compared to something like Costa?

 

[R_Mac]

Bump. I’m also interested to hear. I’ve been lurking on their website for at least a year, haven’t decided to buy yet tho.

 

[BoilerBowHunter]

Anyone?

 

[jonpall]

I have worn both bajio and costa and enjoyed them both. Granted, I did not sit down with a fine tooth comb and try to pick apart the differences, but I would take either one right now and be equally happy.

 

[Cdnance]

Bajio are great. They may actually be a little better than Costa, but not as may options with size and style.
I personally have moved on to Maui Jim’s. They got great lenses and they are super thin glass. So you get the clarity of glass but not the heavy weight of Bajio and Costa.
At the end of the day all three of these are really nice.

 

[Mow1954]

Can’t say enough good things about Bajio.
I’ve fished them on the coast several times and prefer them over Costa. They have the quality that Costa used to have before they sold.

 

[nbubolz]

I actually started wearing Ombraz for my hunts and really like them.

 

[Cactus kid]

Check out Suncloud optics, they are owned by Smith and are great for a $40 pair of sunnies. The costas i own are SLIGHTLY better, but I am impressed.

Will be checking out Bajio, didnt know the costa guy started a different brand.

 

[Loper]

Bajios are great. I’ve got a pair and love them and fish in them all the time. No regreets. I’ve never had a pair of Costas to compare though.

 

[Crews]

Wanted to bump this because I wasn't aware of Bajio but took a chance based on this thread. Have been a Costa customer for many years.

I prefer glass lenses because they're a bit more scratch resistant.

I got a pair of Toads with glass lenses for $250. REALLY enjoyed the image quality and performance of the lenses. Unfortunately, the lenses completely shattered the first time I dropped them on the concrete. The warranty dept said it wasn't covered under warranty. They offered to fix them for $90, or offer me a 50% off coupon on a new pair. So, I used the coupon to buy the same frames with plastic lenses. It was another $20 out of pocket but I figured I wouldn't have to risk shattering another pair.

I haven't had these plastic lenses a few months and there's already a scratch so bad I can't use the sunglasses anymore. I know this is a real conundrum for warranty stuff, because no one really knows how good or bad a consumer treats their stuff. All I can say is that they have been taken care of the same way I always have with Costas, and I have NEVER seen a Costa lens get scratched this bad.

Currently waiting on a call back from customer service, but I'm not getting my hopes up. YMMV but in my experience, these glasses don't hold up like a decade's worth of Costas have. And they're definitely not cheaper.

 

[Mow1954]

Expecting a company to warranty a pair of glass shades that you dropped on concrete and broke is asking a lot…. I don’t baby my Bajios by any means, and have never had any problems with breakage or scratches.

 

[Crews]

Expecting a company to warranty a pair of glass shades that you dropped on concrete and broke is asking a lot…. I don’t baby my Bajios by any means, and have never had any problems with breakage or scratches.

Which is why I replaced them with plastic.

Like I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I have been very disappointed by the durability. And I can't seem to get anyone on the phone to discuss either. All they want to do is email me back and ask for pictures.

 

[WoolyBugger]

Wasn't impressed with the bajio's i've tried, same for smith guides choice. I do really enjoy my costas.. I've had one pair of costas for 8 years and they replaced them when the frame broke, 2 years now on the replacement pair. I've had another pair for approx 3 years when the nose piece broke and they sent me a replacement pair i've had the replacement for another 3 years now. Both breakages were what I would consider normal wear and tear and I did not expect replacements. I really wish I could see what their margins are on these glasses

 

[BoilerBowHunter]

I recently submitted a claim to Bajio after a temple hinge stretched out leading to some fit issues. Bajio responded within a day and offered a 100% coupon to order a new pair of glasses. I have to return the old ones to them once I receive the new ones. They asked no additional follow up questions or for proof of purchase. I actually bought these from a third-party retailer, so I was a bit concerned if the warranty would still work. So my experience with them so far has been incredible. I've also called them in the past just to ask some questions. Easily got a hold of someone, and they told me to stop by if I'm ever down in Florida by them.

In terms of quality of glass - they're crystal clear. I can't say they are any better or worse than Costa. For me the distinction has always been glass vs poly. Glass is just so much more clear. But I either don't have the eye or haven't worn enough different brands to say that one companies' glass lenses are superior to another's.

Bajio still seems to be more of a "small business" compared to Costa which was purchased by Luxottica. They still allow you to mix and match frame and lens combinations in whatever manner you want. I have noticed Costa has really limited this. The fact that you can't order standard grey glass lenses on every model seems ridiculous, but that's the case on many Costa models right now.