Overview:
I've been a Costa customer for a number of years, dating way back to my first pair of Caballitos, and I've always been impressed with their products, particularly their polarized lenses. As the first manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lenses, Costa has been known for their superior technology and unparalleled fit and durability since 1983.
When it came time for a new pair of eyewear this season I began looking at their recently introduced PRO series, which debuted in 2021. While the Corbina PRO is marketed towards bass anglers, they seemed to be the perfect match for my fishing needs on the river, lake, and even saltwater.
The Corbina PROs start at $284 and boast an updated style and added features meant to help anglers better manage sweat, reduce fogging, and keep their frames in place, even when the water gets rough.
These new features include eyewire drains and sweat management channels to move sweat away from your eyes, improved Hydrolite™ grip on the nose and earpiece to keep the frames locked in place, a fully-adjustable and ventilated nose pad for a custom fit and to reduce fogging, hooding and side shields to maximize coverage and metal keeper slots to keep your frames from going overboard (note, these work perfectly with their loop retainers).
I ordered mine with matte black bio resin frames and green mirror 580G (glass) polarized lenses, and had the chance to put them to the test on several Michigan rivers chasing trout, and a recent trip to Canada fishing rivers for brookies and smallmouth, and big water chasing northern pike.
What I like:
Weight/Comfort: The one thing I noticed right away about the new Corbina Pros was how light they were compared to any of my previous Costas. I assume this is due to the lightweight bio resin frames, but the glass lenses also seemed to feel lighter than any of my previous pairs. In fact, the glasses are so light that I often forget I am even wearing them.
The light weight combined with improved Hydrolite™ grips, fully adjustable nose pads, and added bend over the ears, which allowed me to keep my cap low while scanning the water, all added to the comfort factor. And for the skeptics out there, I'll admit that I thought the adjustable nose piece sounded like a bit of a gimmick too – it isn't, and actually made a substantial difference in fit and comfort.
Lenses: Though lighter, the Corbina Pros still feature the polarized 580G (glass) color-enhancing lenses that Costa has become famous for. Mine have worked great in all light conditions and water types, and they provide 100% UV protection, offering the best in light management and eye protection. Plus the specialized C-Wall coating provides extra scratch-resistance and a barrier that repels water, oil, and sweat for easy cleaning.
Sweat Management/Anti fog: For fishing I prefer glasses with a lot of coverage. The typical downside to this for me is glasses that fog up due to sweat/moisture. While I have yet to fish the new Corbinas in the heat of summer, I've fished them on some pretty warm, humid, and even rainy days and have yet to fog them.
Warranty: Costa offers a limited two-year warranty on their sunglasses.
Focus on Sustainability and Conservation: Another thing I appreciate about Costa is how hard they work to protect the waters they call home. From the use of sustainable and water-friendly materials to their Kick Plastic initiative, IndiFly Foundation, and meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, Costa puts their money where their mouth is when it comes to conservation.
What I don't like:
Lightweight: Okay, I already mentioned how lightweight these glasses are, which adds to the comfort but, the downside (at least for me) is that the new Corbina PROs feel somehow less substantial than any of my previous Costas. While I never once encountered an issue with durability in my outings (and I certainly didn't baby them), the new model just somehow feels slightly more fragile and, for lack of a better word, "cheap," compared to any of my previous pairs.
Full Coverage: While I prefer full coverage in my fishing glasses, some may not. If you are looking for a style that is a little less "blocky" but still provides incredible lenses, I would consider the Jose, or Spearo models.
Perfect For: While Costa markets these glasses towards Bass anglers (and they certainly can be) I have found them a perfect all-around combo for lake fishing or chasing trout on rivers, and I'm sure they'd hold their own in salt. They provide excellent coverage, Costa's renowned polarized glass lenses, they are super lightweight, loaded with new features, and offer a two-year warranty.
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Learn more about the Cobina Pros here.