Gear Review: Island Optics Crane RX Prescription Sunglasses
Quality prescription sunglasses that don’t break the bank are a much needed addition to the angling world.
On a recent episode of the Waypoints podcast, Jim Klug, Tom Bie, and Paul Puckett shared their collective wisdom on destination angling travel. One piece of advice that stuck with me was carrying multiple lens colors for different light conditions. Conditions on the water can change quickly, and having the ability to see fish in the brightest sun or the darkest shadows, can save a destination trip, or an afternoon on your home water.
For those of us who need prescription lenses, though, that advice gets expensive fast. A quiver of polarized RX sunglasses can easily cost more than the trip itself. Premium optics are worth every penny for clarity and protection, but it’s hard to justify doubling or tripling that investment. This is why high quality, affordable sunglasses are so valuable.
That’s where Island Optics enters the conversation. A family-run company that’s been grinding lenses since 1922, long before polarized fishing eyewear existed, Island Optics combines a century of optical experience with Florida saltwater roots. They’ve built a line of fishing-ready prescription sunglasses that deliver premium performance at a price that makes owning multiple pairs realistic. (Check out our review of Island Optics’ non-prescription sunglasses here.)
For sight-fishing on the sunny carp flats of the Denver South Platte, the Crane Rx glasses performed admirably.
On the Water
I’ve spent the past couple of months fishing and guiding with Island Optics’ Crane RX—in matte tortoise with the green mirror lenses over a brown base—and they’ve been a strong all-around performer. Starting at only $169 for a single-vision prescription, the lenses have handled everything from high-country mornings to bright afternoons on still water with consistent clarity and glare control. Only in very low light did I find myself wishing for a lighter tint, and at that price, it is not out of reach. Clarity was good and visually crisp, and more than adequate for sight-fishing.
The fit and finish were impressive. The Crane frame feels premium and noticeably lightweight, with no corners cut in build quality. The no-slip Gator Grip pads did their job, keeping the glasses firmly in place even when things got sweaty. For my average-size face, the shape felt secure without pressure points.
Island Optics sunglasses come with an impressive array of extras to keep your glasses in working order for a long time.
Island Optics also nailed the presentation. The Crane RX arrived in sharp, thoughtful packaging that included a molded hard case with a handy carabiner, a soft microfiber sleeve, a pair of retainers, and even a lens-cleaning cloth. Those extras make a good first impression, but they also speak to how the company values function and longevity. Especially compelling for a value-priced pair of sunglasses, all Island Optics’ lens technologies—OX2 polarization, anti-scratch coatings, and anti-reflective inner surfaces—are available in prescription.
That affordability is where the brand really wins. You can order a second pair in a different tint for variable conditions or keep a backup pair in your travel bag without straining your budget. Island Optics is building high-quality prescription polarized sunglasses for anglers who simply can’t justify spending over $300 for the top-tier options. The Crane RX has shown that great optics don’t have to come with premium pricing. For those who wear prescription lenses, it’s a blend of performance, practicality, and value that makes having a reliable pair of fishing sunglasses, maybe even a few different tints, entirely possible.
Check out Island Optics’ Line of Prescription Sunglasses
