Costa Broadbill Review: The Most Versatile Fishing Sunglasses

The Costa Broadbill is the Swiss Army knife of Costa's fishing lineup. Where the Blackfin Pro is purpose-built for offshore performance and the Reefton is specialized for inshore comfort, the Broadbill does everything reasonably well — and it does it in seven different lens configurations.

That versatility makes it the best choice for anglers who fish multiple environments or want a single pair that works on the boat and off it.

580G vs. 580P: The Broadbill's Biggest Decision

Unlike the Blackfin Pro (580G only), the Broadbill is available in both Costa lens materials. This is actually its strongest selling point, because the right choice depends entirely on how you fish.

580G Glass

Choose 580G if clarity matters most. The glass lens delivers the sharpest, most color-accurate view of any fishing lens material. It's scratch-proof (not scratch-resistant — scratch-proof), which means sand, salt crystals, and careless storage won't degrade the lens over time.

The trade-offs: 580G is heavier than 580P and less impact-resistant. If you fly fish with heavy streamers or handle heavy terminal tackle near your face, glass is riskier.

Best for: Anglers who fish from boats, wade without heavy flies, and prioritize long-term optical quality.

580P Polycarbonate

Choose 580P if weight, impact resistance, or budget matter. The polycarbonate lens is lighter, virtually unbreakable, and costs about $50 less. Costa's C-Wall molecular bond coating provides solid scratch resistance (not scratch-proof like glass, but much better than untreated polycarbonate).

The trade-off: 580P clarity is excellent by industry standards but noticeably below 580G glass in side-by-side comparison. The difference is subtle in most conditions but apparent in flat-calm water where maximum clarity matters for spotting fish.

Best for: Fly fishers, active anglers, budget-conscious buyers, and anyone who's hard on gear.

For a deeper dive into this decision, see our glass vs. polycarbonate fishing lens guide.

Seven Lens Colors

The Broadbill's seven available lens tints let you configure it for any fishing environment:

If you're buying one pair: Green Mirror is the most versatile fishing tint. It provides excellent contrast for sight fishing on flats and freshwater while handling bright conditions well. Copper is the second-best all-rounder for anglers who fish in genuinely varied conditions.

For detailed lens color recommendations by water type, see our fishing lens color guide.

Frame and Fit

The Broadbill uses Costa's eco-friendly bio-resin frame material — the same base material as the Blackfin Pro. Bio-resin resists saltwater corrosion, maintains structural integrity in heat, and is lighter than traditional nylon while being more environmentally sustainable.

The full-wrap 8-base curve provides complete coverage that blocks peripheral light from entering around the lens edges. The wrap isn't as aggressive as the Blackfin Pro's dedicated side shields, but the 8-base curve provides meaningfully better coverage than a standard 6-base frame.

Micro side shields along the temple area add additional light blocking. They're less prominent than the Blackfin Pro's shields — subtle enough that the Broadbill doesn't look like a dedicated fishing frame. This matters if you plan to wear these off the water too.

The fit is medium to large, covering a wider range of face shapes than the Blackfin Pro's large-only sizing. Temple arms are slim enough to sit comfortably under a hat brim without creating pressure points.

Comfort Features

Benton Nose Pads

The Broadbill uses Benton-style nose pads — a vented design that helps control airflow across the inner lens surface. On humid mornings or when you're transitioning between an air-conditioned cabin and the deck, this airflow reduces fogging. It's not a full anti-fog system, but it makes a noticeable difference compared to standard nose pads.

The pads are Hydrolite rubber (the same wet-activated grip compound across Costa's fishing line), so they grip tighter as you sweat.

Sweat Channels

Molded channels in the nose pad direct sweat down the sides of your nose rather than into your eyes. This is a comfort feature that pays off during long sessions in direct sun. It's the same concept as the Blackfin Pro, though the Broadbill's channels are less pronounced.

Loop Retainer

A rear-facing loop on each temple tip accepts aftermarket retainer straps. It's not an integrated leash like the Oakley Split Shot, but it's a clean attachment point that works with any standard retainer system.

On the Water

The Broadbill performs well across the board without excelling in any single scenario the way the Blackfin Pro excels offshore or the Split Shot excels at sight fishing.

In bright offshore conditions with the Blue Mirror 580G lens, the Broadbill cuts glare effectively and provides a clear view of the water. The full-wrap curve blocks enough peripheral light to maintain strong polarization. It's not quite at the Blackfin Pro's level due to less aggressive side shielding, but the difference is marginal in most real-world conditions.

For inshore and freshwater with the Green Mirror lens, the Broadbill is genuinely excellent. The green mirror tint enhances underwater contrast without the heavy color shift of copper, and the 580G glass delivers sharp detail for spotting fish and structure in shallow water.

Where the Broadbill really shines is transitioning between environments. If you fish inshore in the morning and run offshore in the afternoon — or if you fish one day and drive to a different spot the next — having one pair that handles everything well is more practical than owning two specialized pairs.

How the Broadbill Compares

vs. Costa Blackfin Pro ($212–280): The Blackfin Pro is the better offshore-specific frame with more aggressive shielding, eyewire drains, and enhanced Hydrolite grip. The Broadbill is more versatile, available in 580P (lighter, cheaper, more impact-resistant), and works better as a dual fishing/daily-wear frame. If fishing is your only use, the Blackfin Pro wins. If you want one pair for everything, the Broadbill wins.

vs. Costa Reefton ($170–250): The Reefton offers titanium construction with spring hinges for a self-adjusting fit. It's excellent for inshore comfort but lacks the Broadbill's full-wrap coverage and side shielding. The Broadbill provides better glare protection; the Reefton provides a more comfortable, lightweight fit for long days.

vs. Oakley Split Shot ($170–230): The Split Shot's PRIZM Water lens offers better contrast enhancement for sight fishing specifically. The Broadbill offers better lens material options (580G glass), more lens color choices (seven vs. two), and a more versatile frame design. The Split Shot is the sight fishing specialist; the Broadbill is the all-rounder.

Who Should Buy the Broadbill

Buy it if: You fish multiple environments and don't want to own three pairs of sunglasses. The Broadbill's seven lens options and both 580G/580P availability mean you can configure it for anything from offshore bluewater to freshwater bass to daily driving. It's also the best Costa option if you want 580P polycarbonate at a lower price point.

Skip it if: You fish primarily offshore and want maximum shielding (the Costa Blackfin Pro is better), you need the best sight-fishing contrast (the Oakley Split Shot with PRIZM Water is better), or you're on a tight budget (the best fishing sunglasses under $100 will save you $100+).

Final Verdict

The Costa Broadbill is the most versatile fishing sunglasses Costa makes. It won't beat the Blackfin Pro offshore or the Split Shot on flats, but it handles both and everything in between. The ability to choose between 580G glass and 580P polycarbonate in seven lens colors gives you more configuration options than any other fishing frame.

At $180–250, it's priced between the budget tier and Costa's flagship. For anglers who want one pair that works everywhere — and looks good enough to wear off the water — the Broadbill is the smart choice. For our full comparison of the best fishing sunglasses, see our complete fishing sunglasses guide.