basn5 Review: The Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fly Fishing

My first experience with Tajima Direct started with an old pair of Costa frames. The lenses were scratched, but the frames still had life left. Tajima replaced those lenses with their Yellow Green 40 Silver Mirror lens color and built in my progressive prescription. I finally had polarized sunglasses that allowed me to tie on a fly without relying on magnifiers.

I wrote about that experience in my original Tajima Direct review. Those glasses remain my go-to pair for low-light fishing. Since then, Tajima has made me a pair of basn5 Fort Point sunglasses with Copper Rose 15 Silver Mirror lenses and my progressive prescription.

I didn’t expect to prefer the new frames so much. I now wear them almost exclusively.

Disclosure: Tajima Direct provided me with the basn5 Fort Point sunglasses featured in this review at no cost. My opinions are based on my own experience using them on the water. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means TroutStrike may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me continue creating content for TroutStrike.

The Fit Won Me Over

The lenses were what initially brought me to Tajima. With the basn5, the frames deserve just as much attention.

The Fort Point fits me better than my old Costas. It is that simple. They feel sturdy, and I prefer how they sit on my face. Fit is personal, of course, but these have quickly become my favorite glasses to wear on the water. All basn5 frames are adjustable, allowing you to tighten or loosen the fit to your preference, and their new frame technology actually molds to your head shape over time, too, adding to the overall comfort. 

For fishing, that matters. I spend plenty of time thinking about my rig, changing flies, and watching my sighter. Comfortable glasses give me one less thing to think about.

What Goes Into the BASN5 Frames?

The basn5 grew out of Tajima Direct’s experience replacing lenses in other companies’ frames. That work gave them a close look at how sunglasses hold up over time and where they fail.

One thing I immediately noticed about the Fort Point frames is how sturdy they feel without being heavy. The material has a slightly textured finish that fits comfortably and securely without relying on rubber grips. I also appreciate that there’s no rubber coating that can peel or wear away. The hinges are another noticeable difference. When you open and close the temples, the movement feels firm, giving the frames a solid, well-built feel. It’s hard to explain until you have them in your hands, but these glasses feel built to last.

Another feature I appreciate is serviceability. You can replace every component of the sunglasses: the lenses, hinges, and temples. That makes sense to me, especially after starting with Tajima by restoring an old pair.

The Fort Point’s integrated side shields make sense for fly fishing. The polarized lenses reduce glare on the water, while the shields help block stray light from entering around the edges of the frames. Together, they help anglers see beneath the surface to spot fish, identify submerged rocks, and read the water more clearly. The Davenport also looks like a good option for anglers, offering the same integrated side shields and a wide field of view.

Copper Rose 15 Silver Mirror Lenses

The Copper Rose 15 Silver Mirror lenses are a darker option for brighter conditions, but they also perform well as the light changes. This lens color works across a wide range of conditions, from full sun to overcast skies and stretches of river where you move in and out of shade. That versatility makes it a useful choice for anglers fishing through changing light throughout the day.

This high-contrast rose-copper tint is designed to enhance color. The silver mirror front reflects additional light to reduce brightness. The lens is polarized, provides 100% UV protection, and has a stated visible light transmission (VLT) of 12%. Despite the “15” in the name, this mirrored version allows only 12% of visible light to pass through, making it a darker option for brighter conditions.

Tajima puts considerable technology into its lenses, including treatments designed to resist scratches, repel water and oils, and reduce reflections. I don’t pretend to understand everything that goes into manufacturing polarized lenses. What matters to me is how well they perform when I’m fishing, and my experience with both lens colors has been excellent.

I Still Have a Place for Yellow Green 40

My preference for the basn5 frames does not change how I feel about the Yellow Green 40 Silver Mirror lenses in my old Costa frames. They are incredible in low light.

That lens color allows more light through and is designed for low, flat, and changing conditions. It enhances contrast and detail, while the silver mirror helps control reflected glare as conditions brighten.

On low-light days, I still wear those lenses. The Copper Rose pair gives me an option for brighter days, though I would love to have the Yellow Green 40 lenses in another pair of Fort Point frames.

That combination is available, too. You can buy all basn5 frames, including the Fort Point and Davenport, with Yellow Green 40 Silver Mirror lenses in prescription or non-prescription options.

Progressive Lenses Make Me More Efficient

Having a progressive prescription in my fishing sunglasses has changed how I manage my time on the water.

I change flies and adjust my rig often during a day of tightline nymphing. Being able to see what I am doing without swapping glasses makes those jobs easier. I spend less time fumbling with eyewear and more time fishing.

basn5 sunglasses are available with prescription and non-prescription lenses. Prescription options include single-vision and progressives. You do not need a prescription to get the frames and polarized Tajima lenses.

My Recommendation

My first Tajima review focused on how better lenses could improve glasses I already owned. The basn5 Fort Point has shown me how much I also value a better-fitting frame.

For me, the combination works: a sturdy frame I enjoy wearing, a tint for brighter conditions, and a progressive prescription that lets me do my close work. These have become the sunglasses I wear most often when I’m on the water.