Any thoughts on what is best?
I need the bifocal to see the line when tying knots, and other things.

I don't know about "best" but for at least a decade I've worn no-line progressives all the time, everyday, for everything and once used to them I never think about the bifocal. Automatically look through the top at distance and the bottom for close work like reading or knot tying.

I have used both normal always-dark sunglasses and transition lenses which darken when outside, I actually prefer the transitions but they do not get as dark as my sunglasses however the work for most activities.

Larger, not-so-stylish lenses seem to be best for outdoor activities.

I've used Costa del Mar polarized bifocal sunglasses for years. Lots of options for frame size, frame color and lens color, you should be able to find something that works.

Costa Del Mar Bifocal Sunglasses

I don't know what's best. A few years back there was a survey of optical stores and Costco was rated as having the best results with having the glasses accurate to the prescription.
After reading that, I go to Costco for my exams and glasses, including bi-focal sunglasses. I have been pleased with the service and glasses.

Smith Optics Big selection of frame styles and lens options including a glass sandwich polarizing (my favorite for over 20 years).

I use Maui Jims

Ray- Ban Daddios w polarized no line bifocals.

Do check out zenni.com

Just an alert-those Costa del Mar's displayed on the first page of that link are SV reading only sunglasses-not bifocals. They will only work for your up close, or near vision needs as they are configured there. They will not work for distance and are not bifocals.

Zenni will be about the cheapest. The only concern is it can be tough to get the verticle placement of the bifocal correct when they don't have you there to take an accurate measurement.

I used to use OPTX 20-20 Hydrotac Stick-on Bifocal Lenses with contacts and they worked well. They didn't have bifocal contacts with astigmatism correction at the time. They look like this, the little half moons below the sunglasses:



They're soft plastic and can be trimmed to fit. Bass Pro used to have them, Amazon has them, Walmart sells them but don't know if in the stores. Never liked the bifocal sunglasses available at the time.

Those are really handy but can be hard to find. We used to sell them at Walmart but our stores quit carrying them.

I'm a Vision Center Manager for Wal-Mart and have been in the optical industry for over 30 years. Just as a head's up, through us, you can get a complete pair of polarized no line prescription bifocals with a frame starting at $209.00. Prices go up from there depending on frame, lense, and coating options.

Look around, and one might be able to find polarized bifocals with no distance RX quite a bit cheaper.

Costa del Mar, reader of whatever power you need on bottom,,,and plain lens on top...work great.