Late in 2024, the R.L. Winston Rod Firm introduced the discharge of their Pure 2 rod collection. However that wasn’t the one new product to hit the cabinets bearing Winston logos. The Twin Bridges, Montana-based rod firm additionally launched a brand new line of polarized sun shades.
I’ll be fully trustworthy—when the oldsters at Winston talked about they have been launching sun shades, I used to be skeptical. How properly might a fly rod firm do at constructing eyewear? Particularly the type of sun shades fly anglers want—ones with exceptionally clear lenses, unbelievable distinction, and sturdiness.
Nicely, when my assessment fashions of the Pure 2 confirmed up, Winston additionally despatched alongside just a few pairs of their new sun shades. I took a pair with me to check out the rods that afternoon, and I didn’t anticipate a lot. I believed they’d be overpriced, middle-of-the-road sun shades that wouldn’t maintain a candle to my favourite Smith lenses.
Winston proved me fully incorrect.
Of those Winston despatched me, the Montana frames with grey lenses are my favourite.
This stuff are light-weight, and most significantly, snug. I’ve received a fats face (I all the time consider this John Pinette clip at any time when this comes up) however the Montana frames match completely, and I can put on all of them day with out getting sore. I usually choose bigger frames with extra protection, however I used to be stunned at simply how properly these smaller sun shades labored for me. As a bonus, my spouse has commented on two separate events how a lot she likes these frames on me. So, thanks for the help, Winston.
Of paramount significance listed below are the lenses. You may have the perfect frames on this planet, however should you stick subpar lenses in them, it gained’t matter.
These lenses are all polarized nylon, so that they’re light-weight and shatter-resistant. When fishing in varied gentle circumstances, and on varied totally different rivers, these grey lenses labored properly at slicing the glare and serving to me spot fish within the water. The amber lenses are in all probability higher for all-around fishing, however I discovered I most popular the grey lenses. They appeared to present me the perfect stability of glare-reduction with out including an excessive amount of brightness.
Winston additionally added an oleophobic coating to cut back smudging, and an anti-reflective coating to help in gentle transmission.
These lenses haven’t scratched but, and I’m infamous for beating up sun shades. They experience round in my truck and nonetheless look as nice as they did they day I received them.
Talking of wanting nice, Winston sends these sun shades in a pleasant case, with an included carry pouch and microfiber fabric. The packaging is top-notch and makes the sun shades really feel costlier than they’re.
At $225 for the Montana and LVF frames, and $175 for the basic, these are a premium-level product, however that’s a bit decrease of a value than you’ll discover in top-of-the-line sun shades from different producers.
I’m impressed with the product Winston put collectively right here, and I really feel silly for doubting them. In any case, Winston hasn’t let me down earlier than. When you’re out there for a brand new pair of sun shades, I’d extremely advocate making an attempt out a pair.
