Infi Polarized Fishing Sunglasses: A Fly Fisherman’s Honest Review

I’ve been holding off on this review for a while. The Infi Sunglasses are so highly rated on Amazon, I honestly didn’t want to go against the stream and say what I felt. I kept thinking about something my Mom said to me.

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

With +35 years of wandering around in rivers looking for trout, and having “tested” more than 20 fishing sunglasses, I’ve got a pretty clear view of what works and what doesn’t. Let’s look a little deeper at the Infi Polarized Fishing Sunglasses.

First Impressions: Unboxing the Infi

When I first laid eyes on the Infi sunglasses, they seemed pretty standard—no frills, no thrills. They lacked the padding on the ears or nose that I’ve come to appreciate in other models, and the side shielding was minimal. But hey, they came with a few extras like a lanyard, box, and bag, which is always a nice touch.

My Commentary

At first glance, you can tell these are on the inexpensive side of the spectrum. The lens color is in the bronze range I prefer, which is a point in their favor. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; good fishing sunglasses are more than just a pretty tint.

How Well Did the Infi’s Work on the Water?

With a lot of luck and a miracle for timing, but I got a full on sunny day right after some trout were stocked in a local river. I laid +21 pairs of sunglasses out and snapped pictures of fish through all those lenses.

The result, I got to compare head to head all these sunglasses and really “SEE” how well they spot fish.

Performance on the Water

Many of the features below rare part of a term I call “Fishy Factors” basically if a pair of sunglasses could have all the features in a single pair of sunglasses. Like everything in life their are trade-off. Example – low cost sunglasses will not have glass lenses.

Polarization: More Like Polariza-notion

With a polarization rating of 3 out of 10, the Infi sunglasses showed inconsistency between the right and left lenses. This isn’t just a red flag; it’s a mayday signal for quality control. When you’re out on the water, inconsistent polarization isn’t just annoying—it can mean missing the big catch.

UV Protection: Halfway There

Scoring a 5 out of 10, the Infi sunglasses let some UV light sneak through. They’re not the UV fortress I’d hoped for, and when it comes to protecting my eyes, I’m not willing to compromise.

Comfort: Middle of the Stream

They fit okay—nothing to write home about, with a comfort rating of 5 out of 10. The lack of padding is a miss, especially for those long days casting lines under the sun.

Durability: Sturdy Enough?

Also scoring a 5 for durability, these sunglasses have plastic lenses and lack spring hinges. They might not withstand the test of time or an accidental sit-down.

The ‘Fishy Factor’

Here’s where we talk about the real deal—the ‘fishy factor’. Unfortunately, the Infi sunglasses score a mere 3 out of 10. They have a couple of the features I look for, but they’re missing the full tackle box of traits that make for the ultimate fishing sunglasses.

Value for Money

At $36, they’re not going to break the bank, and they’ve managed to snag a 4.5-star rating from other users. But remember, price isn’t the only measure of value.

Infi Sunglasses Style

Both my daughter and I posed for pics wearing the Infi’s. I am not a model and wear a size L hat. My daughter is a petite thing and wears a small.

The Extras

What’s in the Box?

You get the basics: a storage box, cleaning cloth, bag, and lanyard. It’s a standard offering, nothing that sets the world on fire.

Noteworthy Features: Searching for a Silver Lining

No standout features here, folks. The inconsistent polarization is a notable negative, overshadowing any potential positives.

Lining Up the Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Affordable price at $36	Inconsistent polarization between lenses
Lightweight design at 20 grams	Minimal UV protection, allowing some UV light to pass through
Comes with a storage box, cleaning cloth, bag, and lanyard	Lack of padding on ears and nose for comfort
Bronze lens color in the preferred range	Plastic lenses and no spring hinges, questioning durability
VLT of 15% falls within the preferred range	Small side shields, less effective in blocking side glare
4.5-star user rating	Flat curvature does not hug the face, allowing more glare
Imported TAC lenses from Germany claiming high wear-resistance and definition	Only a 30-day warranty provided
	Low ‘fishy factor’ score, indicating a lack of optimal fishing features

Technical Specs: The Nitty-Gritty

Lens and Frame Materials: Plastic Fantastic?

The lenses are plastic, imported TAC from Germany, which promises high wear-resistance and definition. The frame is all plastic with some styling accents, but without the flexibility and features of higher-end models.

Side Shields and Style: Glare Beware?

Small side shields and a base curve that’s more flat than fit mean these sunglasses don’t hug the face as well as others, allowing more glare to sneak in.

Light as a Feather

Weighing in at a mere 20 grams, these are some of the lightest sunglasses I’ve tested. But remember, light doesn’t always mean right.

VLT: In the Preferred Range

My VLT testing puts these at 15%, which is right in my preferred range. This is one area where the Infi sunglasses meet my expectations.

Warranty: Short and Not So Sweet

A 30-day warranty is pretty standard, but it doesn’t inspire confidence for long-term use.

The Verdict: To Wear or Not to Wear?

In conclusion, the Infi Fishing Polarized Sunglasses are a mixed bag. They’re light on the wallet and on the scales, but they also fall short in key areas like polarization quality, UV protection, and the all-important ‘fishy factor’. They might be suitable for a casual angler, but for those serious about their fly fishing, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

Do I recommend the Infi’s? For the price-conscious angler who’s dipping a toe in the water, they could be a starting point. But for the seasoned fly fisherman, it’s worth investing a few more dollars for a pair that’ll really help you see the fish and protect your eyes. Keep casting, and tight lines!