Maui Jim vs Costa Del Mar Sunglasses

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I think you are getting confused between which brand sunglasses to buy – Maui Jim or Costa Del Mar. Both brands are premium and are known for their high quality sunglasses, making the choice between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Our Top Picks –

Best Sports Maui Jim Sunglasses: Maui Jim Ho’okipa Sports Sunglasses
Best Maui Jim Unisex Sunglasses: Unisex Peahi Polarized Wrap Sunglasses
Best Costa Del Mar Men’s Sunglasses: Men’s Fantail Rectangular Sunglasses
Best Costa Del Mar Women’s Sunglasses: Women’s Loreto Aviator Sunglasses

If you are looking for a wider frame style varieties which has both casual and sporty sunglasses, then you shoukd definitely go for Maui jim Sunglasses. However, if you are looking for sporty and functional frames that are scratch resistant, specially designed for water activities or fishing sunglasses then you should buy from Costa Del Mar.

However, I will give you my opnion first as i have personally used both of the brands’ sunglasses. Personally, my favorites are Maui Jim Red Sands Lifestyle Sunglasses and Costa Del Mar Brine Oval Sunglasses, visit these links and check the reviews and the discounted price on amazon.

I have both of the brands sunglasses and personally I like the fitting and comfort in Maui Jim’s sunglasses better. So i would recommend Maui Jim’s Sunglasses over Costa Del Mar Sunglasses.

Costa Del Mar vs Maui Jim

Summary

Costa and Maui Jim sunglasses are both exceptional quality sunglasses that are in high demand in the market! You do not doubt this, because you know the craze for both these sunglasses. Imagine, a brand being so good and reliable that people do not even care about the price tags before buying the product! Only Maui Jim and Costa can relate.

Maui Jim is indeed a pricey brand because it is meant to be luxurious and exquisite. It is available only to those who can afford them. The same goes for Costa Del Mar. When you are getting all premium plus points in sunglasses, it is natural that they cost you a fortune!
If we talk about popularity, the lens technologies, comfort, and the warranty offered by the brands (which is quite generous), etc. everywhere Costa and Maui Jim are in a neck-to-neck competition. There is not one place where one beats the other.

But apart from housing all its wonderful features, Costa has a feature that is particularly looked forward to by the fishermen. Its amazing polarizing quality of the lens is the reason why fishermen are so attracted to it. Like, why they would not be!? They have all the reasons to!

So, if you are ready to delve a little bit more than this, then read ahead!

About Maui Jim      

The name most of us are aware of. But even if someone does not know about Maui Jim, they would still associate it with expensiveness. Honestly, the name itself sounds quite exquisite. Rightfully justifying the nature of the brand. 

Maui Jim is an eyewear brand known for its high-quality sunglasses. The company’s founding goes back 40+ years, in 1980 by a man named Jim Richards. The brand’s origins can be traced to Lahaina, a town on the Hawaiian island of Maui, which is where the name “Maui Jim” comes from. Currently, Maui Jim is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, USA.

Maui Jim initially started its business by focusing on creating sunglasses specifically designed to address the unique needs of people living in or visiting the sunny and coastal environments of Hawaii accounting for the A-plus UV & polarization technology offered by the brand. Over the years, Maui Jim expanded its product line to include a variety of styles that cater to different occasions. 

Maui Jim sunglasses are crafted using high-quality materials, advanced lens technology, attention to detail, design, and craftsmanship, attributing to its reputation in the luxury eyewear industry. Maui Jim is also a premium brand because of its luxury pricing.

About Costa

Costa Del Mar, often simply referred to as Costa, is an American manufacturer of premium sunglasses renowned for their exceptional performance on and around the water. Founded in 1983 by a group of passionate fishermen in Daytona Beach, Florida, the company emerged from a genuine need for superior eye protection and visual clarity in the harsh glare of the marine environment.

Driven by a deep connection to the water and a commitment to innovation, Costa quickly established itself as a leader in the sports sunglasses market. Their dedication to using high-quality materials, cutting-edge lens technology, and meticulous design resulted in sunglasses that not only shielded wearers from harmful UV rays and glare, but also enhanced their ability to see underwater details crucial for successful fishing and other water activities.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler, an avid boater, or simply enjoy spending time near the water, Costa Del Mar sunglasses offer a combination of performance, style, and environmental consciousness that elevates your experience while protecting your vision.

check COSTA DEL MAR SUNGLASSES

Maui Jim vs Costa Sunglasses

While both Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim offer high-quality sunglasses, there are several differences between the two brands that set them apart.

Brand Popularity

Costa Del Mar instagram

The competition is quite neck-to-neck in terms of popularity. Even though you cannot measure popularity by just the social media followers, they are important to calculate the global presence, and here as we can see, both brands are popular in the USA and have a global presence. On the place from where most of the purchases are made, Instagram, Costa Del Mar has approximately 570k followers, while Maui Jim has over 180k followers. On Facebook Maui Jim has gained more than 500k likes on its page, while Costa has over 940k likes and 970k + followers.

Maui Jim Instagram

Polarization Technology 

Costa Del Mar has been using polarized lenses in its sunglasses for over 30 years, and they continue to innovate and improve its technology. Their polarized lenses are designed to enhance colors and contrast, block harsh glare, and provide 100% UV protection.

On the other hand, Maui Jim uses their patented PolarizedPlus2 technology in their sunglasses, which enhances color, reduces glare, and provides 100% UV protection. They claim that their technology goes beyond standard polarized lenses and provides a clearer and more vivid view.

Lens Materials

Maui Jim: Uses patented “MauiBrilliant” technology with rare earth elements, claiming to enhance color, clarity, and depth perception. Offers various lens tints for different activities and lighting conditions.
Costa Del Mar: Employs a 580 lens technology, incorporating a multilayered film coating for excellent scratch resistance and enhanced color contrast. Provides a vast selection of lenses specifically designed for water activities.

Frame Materials

maui jim sunglasses
Maui Jim sunglasses

Both brands offer a range of frame designs, from classic to modern styles, and use high-quality materials such as acetate and nylon for durability and comfort. 

Costa Del Mar uses a range of frame materials in their sunglasses, including acetate, bio-based resin, and metal. Their metal frames are made from titanium or Monel, which is a corrosion-resistant alloy.

Maui Jim offers sunglasses with frames made from acetate, nylon, and metal materials. They also use a proprietary material called MauiFlex, which is a flexible and lightweight material that can withstand extreme temperatures.

UV Protection

UV Protection has taken a deep root in the eyewear and almost every other brand incorporate protection from harmful rays. But which one offers the best protection, you might ask. Well the high-end & popular brands always keep upping their lens and protection schemes, just like Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim. Both brands offer sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection, making them safe for outdoor activities. However, Costa Del Mar’s lenses are known for their superior protection against harmful blue light, which can cause eye strain and fatigue.

Fit and Comfort

Both brands offer a range of sizes and shapes to fit different face shapes and sizes. However, Maui Jim’s sunglasses are known for their comfortable fit, thanks to their lightweight and flexible frames.

Costa Del Mar’s sunglasses are also comfortable to wear, all credits to their padded nose and earpieces that provide a secure fit and prevent slipping. For example look at Costa Del Mar’s Ballast Rectangular Sunglasses.

The Price Point

why are costa sunglasses expensive?
Costa Del Mar is expensive but not as expensive as Maui Jim

Both the sunglasses brands are taken into luxurious sunglasses criteria. Costa Del Mar sunglasses are a bit less expensive than Maui Jim sunglasses, but it does not mean they are cheap in any way. However, both brands offer a range of products at different price points, so it’s essential to determine your budget before making a purchase.

Warranty & Replacement

Maui Jim offer limited warranty that cover manufacturer defects. It also offers a “Lost & Found” replacement program that allows customers to replace their lost or damaged sunglasses for a discounted price. On the other hand, Costa being the big heart gentleman it is, offers warrant against manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the product. Amazing, right? The perks of a luxury brand!

Their Walk-In Stores

Both Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim have physical stores located throughout the USA, as well as online stores. However, it seems that Maui Jim has a larger number of physical stores.

what sunglasses are better than Costa del Mar or maui jim

Ultimately, the decision between Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim comes down to personal preferences. If you are looking for affordable and high-performance fishing sunglasses, Costa Del Mar may be the better choice for you. However, if you are looking for polarized sunglasses with exceptional clarity and color enhancement, Maui Jim may be the better option. It is also important to consider factors such as product variety, cost, and warranty & replacement policies when making your decision. 

FAQ  on costa sunglasses vs maui jim

1. Which brand offers more comfortable sunglasses?

Both brands offer comfortable sunglasses, but Maui Jim’s sunglasses are known for their lightweight and flexible design, making them ideal for long-term wear. Costa Del Mar’s sunglasses are also comfortable to wear, thanks to their padded nose and earpieces that provide a secure fit and prevent slipping.

2. Which brand offers better UV protection?

Both brands offer sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection, making them safe for outdoor activities. However, Costa Del Mar’s lenses are known for their superior protection against harmful blue light, which can cause eye strain and fatigue.

Why Costa Sunglasses are Better for Fishing & Water Activities?

costa del mar fishing sunglasses
A person wearing Costa sunglasses

As I already told you, fishermen look out for products with properties that support their fishing activities. And luckily, they found it in Costa. Ever since they have not looked back. Let us look at the vast array of features that Costa possesses that make it the most compatible company while fishing.

Starting off with polarized lenses, which is a specialty of Costa. The advanced polarized lenses of Costa help reduce glare from the water’s surface, making it easier to see beneath it. It allows you to spot fish below the water. Polarized lenses also enhance contrast and provide sharper vision. You see why good-quality polarized lenses are required for fishing.

One more excellent feature offered by the Costa Del Mar sunglasses is the hydrophobic coating. Yes, a hydrophobic coating! Everyone knows how handy it is to have a hydrophobic coating when you are engrossed in any water activities. On top of that, Costa sunglasses have non-slip nose pads. They have taken care of any anxious thought you will ever go through. So, you can sit back and relax when fishing, while Costa sunglasses and your fishing rod do all the work for you!

Thus, what are you waiting for? Go grab your Costa sunglasses for those water adventures you’ve been planning!

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim are excellent choices for high-quality sunglasses. By considering the factors outlined in this article, you can determine which brand is the best fit for your needs and preferences. Maui Jim is a great choice if you want to flaunt those smokey hot sunglasses in a party. Have a look at their collection once, I guarantee that you would not be able to come back empty handed. I speak so confidently because of experience. You will at least save one for later!

Whether you are a serious angler or just looking for a stylish pair of sunglasses for everyday wear, both of these brands offer exceptional quality and performance.

Photo of author

Author

Tessa Reynolds
Meet Tessa Reynolds, who lives in Denver, Colorado. She likes to write about sunglasses, and eye makeup so that she can share her knowledge, and help all the people who need something for their eyes. When she is not writing, you can find her skiing in the mountains of Colorado.