Maui Jim Launches New “On The Water” Sunglass Collection

Maui Jim’s new water shade: The Surf Rider

Maui Jim is launchingseven new sunglass styles that will be added throughout 2012 to the company’s On the Water Collection of high-tech sunglasses. The Collection takes a deep dive into the eye protection needs of serious water sports enthusiasts who fish, boat, stand-up paddle, sail, canoe and kayak. Debuting in July will be three of the seven new styles. By the end of the year, a total of 27 sunglasses for men and women will be offered in the Collection.

“By the time a person turns the age of 60, their unprotected eyes will be exposed to as much UV light as a nuclear blast,” said Richard Walker, director of product development at Maui Jim. “For sportspeople who spend significant time around water, the reflections and glare from the sun’s rays bouncing off the waves enhance the risk for eye damage that can result in conditions that cause vision loss. Unfortunately, not all sunglasses afford the same protections from the sun. So, each style in our Collection uses technologies that are designed to work with your face size and shape to shield your eyes when enjoying time on a lake, river, stream or ocean.”

Bigger Lenses Made from the Best Materials for Water Sports

When it comes to eye protection around water, bigger is better. All of the styles in the On the Water Collection feature larger lenses made from lens materials that offer the best optics for water sports. Large lenses, that not only completely cover the eye, but also curve around it, do a better job of blocking damaging rays. Therefore, the Collection features a series of larger lenses in varying shapes that are designed to cup around the eye.

Not all lens materials are designed for all sports. In the Collection, Maui Jim’s SuperThin Glass lenses have the crispest edge-to-edge optics and are 20 percent thinner and lighter than conventional glass lenses. SuperThin Glass is a good choice for sports with a low risk of glasses getting bumped or falling off the face. Maui Evolution® lenses are perfect for active lifestyles around water because they fuse the best properties of SuperThin Glass and polycarbonate materials into a lightweight, scratch- and impact-resistant lens with high-performance optics. Polycarbonate lenses afford sharp optics and the most durability against shattering. Most of the styles in the On the Water Collection can be made with superior MauiPassport™ prescription lenses in powers from +3.00 to -3.50.

Maui Jim’s unique waterproof and oleophobic lens coatings repel water and grease, and make smudges and fingerprints easier to wipe away – both on the front and back sides of the lenses. Clearshell® scratch-resistant technology for Maui Evolution® and Polycarbonate lenses helps them perform better for longer – which means clearer sight. Many of the styles have rubber on the temples and/or nose bridges for added stability and grip. All of the hardware is anti-corrosive; and all styles feature spring hinges for added comfort.

The 27 sunglasses in the On the Water Collection range in price from $219 to $309 US MSRP.