Costa 580P vs 580G: Is Glass Worth the Extra Money?

What does "580" mean on Costa sunglasses?

Costa's 580 name comes from filtering a band of yellow light at 580 nanometers. In Costa's words: "Blocking harsh yellow light at 580 nm on the visible light spectrum boosts the amounts of red, greens and blues naturally, enhancing colors and contrast." Costa also says 580 lenses cut haze and blur and absorb HEV (high-energy visible) light.

For anglers, better color separation and contrast is what helps you pick out weed edges, drop-offs and fish against the bottom. The P or G after 580 tells you what the lens is made of.

580P vs 580G at a glance

Costa quotes and prices from costadelmar.com (the 580 lens technology page and product pages), checked September 16, 2026. Prices change and sales vary, so check the current listing.

Weight: 580P is the lighter lens

Polycarbonate is the lighter material. Costa describes 580P as lightweight and lists polycarbonate among its lightest lens options. Over a dawn-to-dusk day, less weight on your nose and ears is easy to appreciate.

Costa has worked on the glass side too. It says its 580G glass is "20% thinner and 22% lighter than average polarized glass." It's still glass, though, so the same frame will be lighter in 580P.

Clarity: 580G is the sharper lens

Costa says it plainly: "Glass provides the best clarity in material." If you spend long days sight fishing and want the crispest look at bottom and fish, that's the case for 580G.

Costa doesn't call 580P blurry, either. Its lens guide says plastic lenses are "more cost effective while being more durable for more demanding applications without sacrificing clarity." Whether you'll notice the difference depends on your eyes and how you fish. If you can, try both on the water before you buy.

Scratches and impacts

• Scratches: glass wins. Costa calls 580G scratch-resistant and says its mirrors, sealed between layers of glass, are "scratch-proof." 580P has Costa's C-WALL coating, which Costa also calls scratch-resistant, but a polycarbonate surface is still softer than glass.
• Impacts: polycarbonate wins. Costa describes 580P as impact-resistant and lists polycarbonate among its most durable lens options. Glass can chip or crack if it takes a hard hit on the deck.

Don't count on the warranty for either one. Costa changed its warranty from limited lifetime to a two-year limited warranty in November 2022. It covers manufacturing defects and excludes scratched lenses and accidental damage, which go through Costa's paid Repair and Replacement Program.

How much more does 580G cost?

On Costa's site on September 16, 2026, the same frame cost more in glass:

So on these frames, 580G runs about $60 to $85 more than 580P. The Pro Series frames we checked (like the Reefton Pro and Tuna Alley Pro) were only in stock in 580G, at $284 to $309. At the other end, some newer Costa frames list 580P from $136. Sales move these numbers around, so check the current price before you buy.

Which should you buy?

• Buy 580P if you fish from a kayak or run a boat hard, tend to drop or sit on your sunglasses, want the lightest pair, or want to spend less.
• Buy 580G if clarity is your top priority, you sight fish long days, you take care of your gear, and scratch resistance matters more to you than weight and price.
• Either way, get the lens color right. Costa's lens guide recommends green mirror and copper for freshwater and inshore, and sunrise silver mirror for low light at dawn and dusk. More on color in our lens color guide.

Want the same glass vs poly choice for less?

The trade-off doesn't change with the logo. Polycarbonate is lighter and tougher, glass is sharper and harder to scratch. If you like picking your material but not the Costa price, our two frames come both ways: $70 polycarbonate (amber or smoked) and $120 glass (amber). Full disclosure: we make them. The polycarbonate lenses are injection-molded polarized, and in our factory's ANSI Z80.3 drop-ball testing of The Spawn, 9,642 polycarbonate pairs and 185 glass pairs had 0 failures. For the brand-neutral version of this decision, read glass vs polycarbonate fishing sunglasses.

FAQ

Are Costa 580 lenses glass?

Only 580G. The G stands for glass. 580P lenses are polycarbonate. Both carry Costa's 580 lens technology, which filters harsh yellow light at 580 nm for color and contrast.

Is Costa 580G worth the extra money?

It is if clarity and scratch resistance matter most to you. On core Costa frames like the Fantail and Reefton, 580G listed at $296 versus $212 to $233 for 580P on September 16, 2026, about $60 to $85 more. If you're hard on sunglasses or want the lightest pair, 580P is the better buy.

Which is lighter, 580P or 580G?

580P. Costa lists polycarbonate among its lightest lens options, and while it says its 580G glass is 22% lighter than average polarized glass, glass is still heavier than polycarbonate.

Does 580P scratch easily?

580P has Costa's C-WALL coating, which Costa describes as scratch-resistant. Polycarbonate is still softer than glass, so 580G holds up better against scratches. Clean either one with a lens cloth, not your shirt.

Does Costa's warranty cover scratched lenses?

No. Costa's two-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship and excludes scratched lenses and accidental damage. Costa offers a paid Repair and Replacement Program for those.

Is there a cheaper way to choose between glass and polycarbonate?

Yes. Wavy Label sells its two frames in $70 polycarbonate or $120 glass. Lifetime warranty: with proof of purchase, pay a flat $30 replacement fee and we'll send you a new pair.

Compare: Glass vs polycarbonate fishing sunglasses · Costa Del Mar alternatives · Bajío vs Costa for freshwater

Part of our complete Freshwater Fishing Sunglasses Guide.