50 Words or Less
The new Kapuna sunglasses by Maui Jim combine high tech lens materials with flexible temples for outstanding performance and all day comfort in a sporty rimless style.
Introduction
On my first visit to Arizona, I learned why the locals all seemed to be wearing quality sunglasses like Maui Jims. The direct sun and glare were so much more intense than my Midwestern eyes were accustomed to. Back then, glass lenses were far superior in optic quality to polycarbonate (plastic) ones, but the weight affected long term comfort – an important factor for golfers. With advancements in lens materials, some manufacturers like Maui Jim are now able to achieve glass-like optics in polycarbonates, allowing our eyes to witness all the colors of nature more comfortably. Maui Jim states that there are 16,777,216 hues, but who’s counting.
Performance
The new Maui Brilliant lens, Maui Jim’s highest optical grade, in these Kapuna frames is as visually clear as any lens I’ve tested. There’s no noticeable distortion at any angle or distance. The HCL Bronze lens is designed for high contrast and adds what Maui Jim calls a “warm tint” to the view. I found the heightened contrast excellent for seeing the subtleties of break and grain on the green. It also helped with depth perception on long approach shots, giving me a clearer picture on pin location.
The combination of the Maui Brilliant lens being one-third the weight of glass and its rimless design make the Kapuna extremely lightweight and comfortable enough for a full day of golfing.
Style & Fit
The Maui Jim Kapuna is a rimless style that also incorporates a hingeless frame. It took me a few seconds to realize I didn’t need to (or actually couldn’t) unfold the temples when taking the sunglasses out of the provided hard case. The flexible temples, with beta titanium core, are easy to separate and slide on your face or bend and reinsert into the case. The rubber sleeves on the end of the arms and rubber nose pieces keep the sunglasses securely in place during golf maneuvers.
Initially the sunglasses sat too high on my nose, and I learned that although the nose pieces are rigid, they are still adjustable. Don’t let the non-athletic look of the Kapuna fool you, they actually wrap around the eyes nicely and don’t interfere with your peripheral vision.
Conclusion
“Color. Clarity. Detail.” That’s what current Maui Jim ads state, and those three words really capture what I discovered in the Kapuna. Like all Maui Jim lenses, the Maui Brilliant in HCL Bronze is polarized and provides 100% protection from harmful UV rays. At PIG we often talk about apparel that doesn’t scream golf and looks appropriate off the course – these Kapuna fit that distinction perfectly. I find that refreshing.
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I love the Maui Jim Kapuna Sunglasses! They are perfect for golfing because they are so light and comfortable. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a great pair of sunglasses for golfing.