Wishlist

Tough Shades

Going your own way in the great outdoors sometimes requires hardier eyewear.

1 MAKO CAST 9611 M01-G2H5

Some products betray their maker’s history at first glance, so it’s no surprise to learn that Mako began over a quarter of a century ago with roots in fishing and boating. The brand’s lenses feature oleophobic (oil repellent) and hydrophobic (water repellent) coatings, effectively protecting them from the sort of stuff likely to get on your sunnies when there’s bait residue on your fingers and salt spray in the air. Mako’s Cast Glass lens shades feature a six-base frame—a measure of curvature that provides brilliant everyday sun protection—and are superbly sculpted to offer ample side-light protection. makoeyewear.com RRP: $315

2 RIP CURL GLIDE TRI-PEL

Made in Italy, the global epicentre of stylish specs, these are men’s versions, but the iconic Victorian surf brand has equally fetching—and tough—models for women. Crafted from natural bio-plastic created from castor oil, they have crystal clear polarised lenses that cut reflective glare while boosting depth perception, sharpening colour contrast and reducing eyestrain. You also get anti-slip rubber nose pads that grip your skull even as you peer into the depths with a gaff. They feature premium five-barrel stainless steel hinges and come with a two-year warranty. ripcurl.com/au RRP: $220

3 MAKO DIVER 9525 M19-P2S1

Created with long days on the water in mind, Mako’s lightweight Diver sunglasses feature the brand’s signature fog resistance in a distinctive, semi-rimless wraparound style. With polycarbonate lenses and lightweight design, they’re ideal for anyone who can grow weary of the ‘heavy’ feeling across the bridge of their nose after long hours wearing sunnies in glary conditions. Or, equally, by those who become irritated by the arms of their glasses pinching them behind the ears. Their brown lenses have a HD filter that makes colours pop and boost contrast, while also blocking UV light and stopping heat transfer. makoeyewear.com RRP: $210

4 THE MAD HUEYS OFFSHORE MIRROR

These Mad Hueys are lightweight but durable, with a green mirror lens designed to cut glare, enhance contours and reduce eye strain while fishing or boating. Founded by Gold Coast surfers a decade ago, the Mad Hueys’ unapologetically all-fun, all-the-time approach may seem flippant, but these polycarbonate-framed and optically correct smoke polarised lenses are deadly serious. Offering 100 per cent UV protection and crafted in collaboration with active lifestyle specialists Liive sunglasses, these are a great cut-price option for anyone whose lifestyle revolves around having fun in and on the water. www.bcf.com.au RRP: $59.95

5 MAKO GT IN PRESCRIPTION

Prescription sunglasses are crucial to pursuing your passions even if your eyes aren’t what they once were. It’s also handy to have a reasonably stylish pair for the days—or weeks—you’ll inevitably wear them inside when you’ve lost or broken your much less hardy reading specs. Apart from helping you impersonate Ray Charles on those occasions, Mako’s polarised GT offers the other attributes for which the brand is known (e g. hydrophobia), while also being perfectly suited to general or specific uses such as fishing, golf, bushwalking or hiking. makoeyewear.com RRP: from $490, depending on prescription