Gearzilla » Sunglasses

Kaenon Polarized Burny Sunglasses

nborchelt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:00:14 +0000

www.kaenon.com
The problem with the binary fashion versus function is that, in order to satisfy one side of the equation, sacrifices must be made on the other. Not so with Burny sunglasses from Kaenon, a company founded by two elite-level sailing brothers in Southern California a decade ago. The Burny provides maximum performance with real style. The frame shape is evocative of a über-popular sunglass model from the mid-1950s, but Kaenon has matched the retro look with good functional design and cutting-edge technology. The Burny improves on a classic profile by molding the super lightweight, flexible, and heat-resistant TR-90 frame to more closely follow the contours of the human face to eliminate light leak over the brow and around the sides. Peripheral vision is not compromised. The effect is like, well, not wearing glasses at all. With lenses measuring 42mm by 62mm set in a large frame (135mm arm length, 141mm frame width) the Burnys provide maximum coverage, even for this reviewer, who literally has a big head. And the lenses! The Burny, like all of Kaenon’s glasses, features impact-resistant, ultra-lightweight, and durable SR-91 polarized lenses. Incorporating Glare 86 polarized film, the lenses reduce glare and offer unparalleled clarity, a claim reinforced by unsurpassed clarity scores awarded by an independent laboratory. Available in a range of tints, I found the G12 lens, the darkest grey tint (filtering all but 12% of visible light) to be perfect in bright conditions in a variety of scenarios—sailing, driving, playing tennis, hiking, and lounging by the pool.

Just as Murphy’s Law dictates that toast lands buttered-side down, so too will sunglasses inevitably fall, lens-down, especially on rocky terrain or concrete. Amazingly, given the number of trials I have (accidentally) conducted over the past 18 months, I have managed only to inflict a single tiny scratch on one of the lenses. It is an injury I don’t have to live with forever, happily, as the super friendly and helpful folks at Kaenon will set up a lens replacement (for a reasonable fee). In an era of multinational conglomerates that churn out hundreds of indistinguishable and mediocre products under a plethora of brand names, it’s a real pleasure to encounter an independent, family-run company dedicated to innovation, integrity, quality, and aesthetics. Sunglasses, in truth, function not only to keep the sun out of our eyes. They also operate as a statement about who we think we are and what we think we stand for. For this large-headed reviewer, the Burnys are a statement—about fashion and function—I’m very comfortable wearing on my face.
-Adam Greenhalgh

Smith Optics Showdown Sunglasses

nborchelt — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:00:49 +0000

www.smithoptics.com
I love aviators. I kind of feel like Maverick from Top Gun when I rock them. Smith’s Serpico was my all time favorite pair, incorporating a wrap-around curve that added function to the timeless aviator fashion. It’s shortcoming was durability. The answer? the Showdown. They’re so light you forget you are wearing them, yet, they stands up to significant abuse. The upgrades–barrel hinges with a slight overlap at the arm junction and new way of holding the lens in place–mean that the shades forgives my occasional dropping and smashing. Coupled with Smith’s $10 Zipper Case, I am able to leave these in my cargo pocket while I ski, and in my checked luggage when I travel. I even put them in my wing suit’s leg wing on BASE jumps and skydives. It rattles around in there, but they come out unscathed.
-JT Holmes

Read our policy on gear reviews by professional athletes

Wiley X XCESS and Chelsea Sunglasses

nborchelt — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:06 +0000

www.wileyx.com
We’re serious about eye protection. The essentials are lenses that block harmful rays and won’t shatter upon impact, frames that can take a beating, a fit that’s comfortable and secure, and fashion that means the glasses will spend more time on our face than in their case. We love Wiley X because of the high-quality lenses and frames; these are glasses you’ll be wearing for the next decade, rather than the next season. The ANSI HVP lenses have one of the highest velocity impact ratings in the world, while the proprietary lenses offer 100 percent UV protection for unequaled clarity and contrast. Frames can be fitted with a variety of lenses, from pale yellow that block out blue light waves and let in 86 percent of light to rose, silver, blue, and everything in between. To add to the equation, Wiley X makes high performance eyewear for tactical, motorcycle, auto racing, and fishing, as well as first-rate eyewear for hiking, biking, climbing, and travel. The trick is determining which frame fits your face, and what lens will provide the right protection for your specific needs. The Outdoor line has both men- and women-specific frames, most prescription ready; all have secure non-slip rubberized fit and ANSI Z87 High Velocity Protection. Our current favorite is the new Chelsea for women and the XCESS with super cool Polarized Emerald Mirror lenses and a thick, glossy black frame for men. Our testers recommend both models for everything from running, skate skiing, and hiking to international travel and al fresco lunches.

Oakley Jawbone Sunglasses

nborchelt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:19 +0000

www.oakley.com
When hunting for high-quality performance sunglasses, substance should always reign over style—nothing ruins a road ride or sinewy singletrack outing worse than foggy lenses (to say nothing of the safety hazards of…ya know…not seeing where you’re going). But Oakley’s Jawbone ups the ante in almost every way. The stylish shades utilize the company’s “switchlock” technology, a tres stealthy lens-swapping feature: Flip up the nose pads, and the lower lens frames swing open on twin hinges anchored at the glasses’ lower temple. The lenses then easily slide out so that you can customize the tint for the weather conditions (the padded case also has nice slots to hold your quiver of lenses). Jawbone’s other premium feature is more noticeable: vents that line the outer third of the lenses and look slightly like dragon spikes. The result? The glasses fight off fog better than almost any other we’ve tested, in all conditions, from trail runs in the swampy August humidity of the nation’s capital to cold-weather cycling with a face mask. The rare instances of fog-up occurred at a standstill—and evaporated two pedal rotations later. Other details (a comfortable frame with a sleek overall profile and gripping stem sleeves, Oakley’s justifiably-praised lens clarity and resolution, impact resistances, and near-full peripheral vision) round out the details. Some may find the overall aesthetic a touch cyborg, but most of us also feel like human meeting machine when running, cycling, or skiing—so it fits.

Revo Waterway Titanium Sunglasses

nborchelt — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:32 +0000

www.revo.com
While expressing our love for the outdoors, we often have to deal with such optical hurdles as the blinding sun, humid conditions that steam up our vision, and the impenetrable glare off rivers, lakes, and oceans. That’s why the Waterway shades from Revo are such a find. The lenses boast high-contrast polarization for absolute clarity and serious glare reduction that slices through the glossy water surfaces more confidently than Michael Phelps swimming toward his next world record. They’ve also been treated with an anti-reflective coating that eliminates light that otherwise bounces off the inside of the lens. And they’re coated with a proprietary technology that sheds rain, water, and sweat to keep your vision clear and your lenses clean for a long time. The titanium frames feel lightweight, yet retain amazing strength, and details like spring hinges, comfortable stem pads, and adjustable nose pads provide 24/7 comfort. The price is a bit dear when compared to your drugstore equivalent, but these are designed to last a decade—not a day.
Available with graphite, bronze, and waterway lenses, and comes prescription ready.

Native Chonga Sunglasses

nborchelt — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:00:30 +0000

www.nativeyewear.com
Glare makes me cranky, so I have high expectations for my sunglasses. Thankfully, the Native Chonga shades cut the sun with surgeon-like precision, and are so comfortable that I forget I’m wearing them. On a recent kayaking trip, the Chonga’s polarized lenses did a great job blocking the glare that bounced off the water (even during the sunniest of days), and the large lenses allow for unobstructed peripheral vision. Despite the constant bobbing and bopping of boat travel, the frames were didn’t rub or slip. I was a little concerned about the frame’s durability—at first they seemed too flimsy to handle the abuse equipment gets while paddling. But they held up well against the bashing that sunglasses typically get during a kayaking trip. The frame is fashion-forward, but the silhouette doesn’t allow for side ventilation; they fog during high-intensity workouts. The pair I tested—faux wood with the silver Reflex lenses—were perfectly dark for my needs, but those for looking sun specs to wear while hiking on a cloudy day or under a dense tree canopy might want to opt for the white/copper color combo, or collect a quiver of different tints to take advantage of the Chonga’s interchangeable lens system.
Available in wood/silver reflex, white/copper, and iron/gray
–Josephine Parr

Real Kids Shades

nprichard — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:02 +0000

www.realkidshades.com
When it comes to their kids, parents can’t help but worry about…everything, really. Real Kids Shades give parents one less thing to worry about: sun damage to precious little eyes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children’s eyes are at increased risk for permanent damage from sunlight until they are at least ten years old, which is why Gearzilla collected ten kids, ages two to ten, and floated them on rafts and in kayaks (and on a paddleboard) for three sunny September days down the San Juan River in Utah with their parents. We fitted each kid with a pair of Real Kids Shades, six models in all, and watched the kids be kids, some wearing their first pair of sunglasses. And, kids being kids, durable shades are important. All Real Kids Shades are made with shatterproof, impact-resistant polycarbonate frames and lenses that are boast 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Getting the kids to wear the shades was the first expected obstacle, but all but one child put on and kept on the shades. The sunglasses good looks were important to the older kids, while the pink color won over a four year old. More importantly, however? The good fit. Real Kids Shades with their patented Stay-Put-Power stay on, are soft and adjustable, with wrap-around frames that minimize exposure to peripheral light. Older kids did let their shades slip to foreheads and around necks, on occasion, but no pairs were lost on this trip, which was also an expected obstacle; instead, the kids took pride in having their very own sunglasses. That, and the adjustable neoprene straps that keep overboard shades on the surface helped keep the sunglasses in place, on eyes, foreheads, and around necks. One parent did say that the neoprene strap could be a bit longer to help tighten the shades to her three-year-old. But both kids and parents gave overall high scores.
–Jan Nesset
Pictured: Xtreme Sport Black with Blue

Oakley Hijinx Sunglasses

nborchelt — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:47 +0000

www.oakley.com
All gear-geek stats aside, the first thing anyone notices about sunglasses is whether or not they look cool. And at a mere glance, the Oakley Hijinx passes that litmus test. They just look good. Put ‘em on, and the world becomes cool, too. That’s Oakley high-def optics at work, which keeps eye-chaffing UV light out, with side contours for wide-screen clarity and polarization that blocks out the glare from water and pavement. Three-point fit provides full-day comfort, the slim profile fits snugly under a bike or climbing helmet without interference, and a slightly large overall frame gives you a fashion-forward edge without looking like a raccoon. One climbing/backpacking guide in Yosemite professed that they’d be the only sunglasses he’d ever wear. And after wearing ‘em, we agree.
Comes in matte and gloss black with black polarized lenses, as well as polished brown with bronze polarized lenses

Kaenon Hard Kore Sunglasses

nborchelt — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:45:55 +0000

www.kaenon.com
As with all gear, sunglasses are becoming increasingly more sport-specific. But we like ones that adapt to a variety of activities. The Hard Kore fits that bill. The highly functional shades boast ergonomic rubber temples and nose pad, and its lightweight, durable frame appeals to our sporty nature, but doesn’t scream “Olympic wanna be.” The polarized lenses are “8 Base Curve,” which (in lens-lingo) means that they maintain their optics, despite a wrapped shape. The lenses are dark enough for bright sun, but have sufficient light transmission so that you’ll not stumble in dark conditions–and please, don’t wear the things at night. Only blues musicians are that cool.

Hard Kore is Rx adaptable utilizing SR-91 Rx lenses.