How Hobie’s recycled kayaks help anglers look good on the water

One of the world’s best known kayak suppliers is recycling scrap plastic from its craft and turning it into sunglass frames.

To celebrate Global Recycling Day earlier this month, the Californian-based brand, Hobie. released its new style Hull Float, which is made of 100% upcycled Hobie scrap plastic. Each frame is made of repurposed kayak hatch cut-outs that are transformed through a grinding and injection moulding process.

The glasses are equipped with bio-based nylon lenses made from castor oil, reducing carbon emissions by over 50% compared to traditional lenses. The ultralight floating frame allows for easy retrieval if dropped while the HydroClean 360 coating repels oil, water and dust.

A portion of all Hobie Hull Float sales supports the FishAmerica Foundation, which funds projects focused on improving fish populations, restoring habitats and enhancing water quality.

“In a sport where our natural resources are everything, it’s crucial that we act as responsible stewards of the water and practice conservation so future generations can experience fishing the way we do,” said Kristine Fischer, renowned kayak angler and conservation advocate. “That’s why Hobie Eyewear’s initiative to upcycle old Hobie kayak plastic into high-performance eyewear is so important. Turning waste into something we can use daily on the water isn’t just smart—it’s a game-changing step toward sustainability.”