Gill Floating Sunglasses: New Styles with Polarized Lenses and Water-Repellent Coatings

Gill’s latest collection of floating sunglasses brings updated styling together with performance features designed for boating and water sports. These sunglasses combine polarized lenses that reduce glare and provide protection against UV radiation with coatings that resist water, salt and oily residues. For anyone who spends time on the water, the combination of polarization, hydrophobic and oleophobic technologies, and buoyant frames makes this collection a practical choice.

Polarized Lenses for Clearer Vision

The lenses in this range are polarized to cut glare from flat, reflective surfaces like the water’s surface, improving visual comfort and clarity. Polarization is particularly useful when spotting hazards, reading gauges, or tracking fish and buoys. In addition to glare reduction, the lenses are designed to protect wearers from UV radiation, a crucial consideration for prolonged exposure to sun and reflected light on open water.

Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Coatings

The sunglasses feature a hydrophobic outer lens coating that repels water and minimizes salt residue buildup, helping droplets bead and run off the lens rather than smearing vision. On the interior surfaces, an oleophobic treatment helps resist fingerprints, sunscreen, and skin oils, so you spend less time cleaning lenses and more time enjoying your activities. These complementary coatings are aimed at maintaining clearer optics in marine environments and extending the effective, real-world usability of the lenses between cleanings.

Light, Tough, and Buoyant Frames

Frames in the collection are described as padded, wraparound designs that balance comfort with secure fit. The padding increases all-day comfort and helps keep the frames stable during movement, while the wraparound shape improves peripheral protection from sun and wind. Uniquely, the frames are engineered to float, so if a pair falls into the water they remain on the surface and are easier to recover—an important feature for boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other watercraft.

Practical Use and Care Tips

To get the most from these sunglasses, rinse them with fresh water after exposure to salt spray, and dry with a soft microfiber cloth to avoid scratches. Store them in a protective case when not in use to prevent damage from impacts and abrasive materials. Avoid using strong household cleaners on lens coatings; mild soap and water or manufacturer-recommended cleaners preserve hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments best.

Pricing and Availability

Suggested retail prices for the new Gill floating sunglasses range from $70 to $90, offering options across a mid-market price bracket for fishermen, sailors and recreational water enthusiasts. For purchase or further information, Gill North America maintains customer service and distribution through its Buford, Georgia office.

Manufacturer contact: Gill North America, Buford, Ga., (678) 730-5580.

This new collection, highlighted in the November 2012 issue, is aimed at consumers seeking functional sunglasses tailored to marine and watersport environments. The combination of polarization, water-repellent outer coatings, interior oleophobic protection, and buoyant frames addresses common pain points for eyewear used on and around water: glare, salt and oil residues, comfort, and the risk of losing sunglasses overboard. Choosing lenses and frames with these attributes can help improve visibility and convenience during long days outdoors and on the water.