Born on the beach with the free spirit in mind, Maui Jim sunglasses hold a special place in every adventurous heart. Those who’ve experienced the vibrant colours of the world through the high-end Maui Jim lens, rarely think about buying shades from another brand. Still, since these sunnies are on the pricier side, many people wonder if Maui Jim sunglasses are good quality.
Maui Jim sunglasses incorporate three rare earth elements into their lenses. Neodymium, Erbium and Praseodymium work together to give you the best possible amount and quality of RGB thus a broad array of vivid colours. All shades are equipped with Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2® technology which provides maximum protection and clarity. You can choose from several different lens materials including SuperThin Glass, Maui Brilliant, Maui Pure, Maui Evolution and Maui Pure LT all of which are formed for function.
So the answer is yes, Maui Jim sunnies are definitely good quality, but they’re certainly not indestructible. If you own a pair of these amazing shades, have a look at the things you should do to prolong their life.
Handle with Care
Even the toughest sunglasses are no match for sharp objects, extreme temperatures, people’s bottoms heights and misuse so you should handle your Maui shades with care.
Sharp objects like keys, coins and other every day carry items can break through the coatings and cause visible marks so make sure you always keep your shades in a sturdy, protective case when you’re not using them. Another reason why you should never carry your sunglasses in your pocket unprotected because you may forget where they are and accidentally crush them while you’re patting down your coat.
Don’t leave your sunnies in the car during extreme temperatures because they can deteriorate your lenses or misshape your frames. Usually, people think that they should only care about extreme heat, but the excessive cold can cause the same damage. This is especially important if you own plastic frames because plastic expands with heat and contracts with cold.
Furthermore, you should never leave your sunglasses on your bed, sofa or chair because one lazy slump is all it takes to shatter your beloved shades.
If you’re an active individual who loves to explore the great outdoors, you may want to consider buying retainer cords to keep them secure and avoid dropping them from great heights on surfaces that may scratch your lenses.
Finally, you should be aware that wearing your sunglasses on top of your head may slacken the frames, loosen the screws and damage the nose pads. Moreover, some hair products contain methylene which can damage the coatings.
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning can significantly prolong the life of your Maui Jim shades; however, you should do it with caution.
Don’t use harsh chemicals which can damage the frames and react negatively with the metal oxides used on the coatings. Instead, rinse them in warm water (not too warm though because it can also loosen the frames) and use mild liquid dish soap if necessary.
Don’t clean smudges with household cloths, old t-shirts, paper tissues or wet wipes because they will leave deposit, film and lint on the lens. You should only polish your sunnies with a clean, absorbent microfiber cloth and make sure you wash it regularly as well.
Maui Jim Replacement Lenses
Maui Jim sunglasses are warranted for two years, but it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, scratching, accidental breakage or damage caused by improper use. Unfortunately, these things can happen to everyone and the feeling can be quite unpleasant. If this is your case, you’re left with three options:
- Wear the scratched sunglasses and risk your eye health.
- Spend time and money to buy a fresh pair of shades.
- Restore your beloved sunnies with Maui Jim replacement lenses for the fraction of the cost and save valuable time and money.
As you can see, the third option allows you to preserve your old sunglasses, save time on searching for a new pair and even save money for a second pair of shades. However, finding Maui Jim glass lenses that match the unprecedented manufacturer’s quality is easier said than done. Here are few simple guidelines which can help you choose genuine Maui Jim replacement lenses.
First, Maui Jim takes great pride in its pioneering polarization technology. The patented PolarizedPlus2 technology provides maximum protection against glare and harmful UV rays while at the same time it offers a wide array of colours and hues in great detail. That being said, you should look for nothing less than perfection when choosing replacement lenses for Maui Jim sunglasses if you want an authentic feel.
A strong polycarbonate lens with hydrophobic external coating and Japanese polarization film will provide you with 99.9% efficacy regarding glare and UV rays, but it will also give you crystal clear vision that matches the clarity and precision of Maui Jim’s technology.
Maui Jim glass lenses are famous for their crisp optics, shatter and scratch resistance, but specially engineered optical polyamide like the one used in SFx Ultimate Lenses can even exceed glass lens performance. Optical polyamide is much more impact resistant than any other lens material and it will provide you with the clarity of glass and the weight and strength of plastic.
When it comes to the colour of the lens, you can go with the original tint or switch things up if you need higher contrast or transmission. Darker tones such as black and brown will provide you with higher contrast and glare protection which makes them suitable for prolonged outdoor use or water sports. Reddish and rose tints also provide high contrast and they’re suitable for fast-moving sports. Green and blue tints provide good colour visibility and preserve colour balance which makes them perfect for exploring nature. In this case, your choice is limited only by your needs and personal preference.
Buyer Beware
Many retailers claim that their lenses provide ultimate clarity or 100% protection, but in reality, they can’t come close to the authentic Maui Jim lens. This can be extremely dangerous for vision and eye health, so you should always buy Maui Jim replacement lenses from an authorized retailer.
