Kaenon

As Summer has been winding down and now has officially bid us farewell, over the last few weeks Kaenon Polarized has recounted some of the high points from our favorite season. We invited all of you to share your best memories, and while we received a host of great stories, we had to whittle it down to a chosen few. Our panel of judges had a tough time picking just one winner, so we bent the rules and decided to name two winners–

Congratulations to Adrianne and Nick! You both get to add one more memory to your summer, new sunglasses compliments of Kaenon Polarized! Check out their stories below along with all our other finalists!

Contest Winner, Nick, J. from Washington in Porter – “This summer was the start of a new passion for me—mountaineering. In an attempt to jump into this new sport, I decided to accompany my father-in-law on a trip he had wanted to do for some time. In the span of 80 hours we summited both Mt. Hood (Oregon, elevation 11,249) and Mt. Rainier (Washington, elevation 14,411). While others complained of goggle and glasses trouble, I forgot I was even wearing mine. The SR-91 lenses are comparable to none. The glaciers were in perfect contrast and I could see everything as clearly as one could hope. Now, three months later, I am back in school, doing the college thing, and those same sunglasses that proved to be the most hardcore pieces of eyewear out there on top of the world are still stuck to my face walking around campus. I am sold to this company for life. Keep cranking out those wonderful products with unsurpassable quality lenses. Until next summer… Nick”

“Tried a pair of Gauge on today in Seaweed….I am sold. Fit and Finish are Flawless, Lens quality is THE BEST…My Maui Jim’s are going, going, gone.” – Marc M.

Review submitted to info@kaenon.com Thursday, April 8, 2010

“High-performance sports stuff can really enhance everyday life: jock-friendly Gatorade helps cure hangovers, and Cowboy Collars can give you a real edge in the boardroom when everyone else is wearing those boring spread ones. For eyewear born from the rigorous demands of sport, check out Kaenon’s new drop.

From two Cali brothers whose competitive sailing days inspired them to make stylish shades that could still perform on the water, Kaenon’s spring line ranges from subtle retro jobs to pure sport numbers, all of them rigged for serious performance via high-end materials and their patented SR-91 polarized lenses, which have the impact resistance/light weight of polycarbonate, the visual acuity of glass, and’re 128% better at high-altitude spying on Russians than the SR-71 model. There’s a crop of sporty models like the Burnet, (kind of a squared-off Wayfarer with cool metal inlays on the arms), the serious sun-inhibiting Klay, with big lenses, grippy Variflex nose pads, and thick arms that don’t let any sun or glare in on the side, and the Italian-made Pino, with a ’50s retro look and color options like black and a tobacco-ish Havana, which you’ll swear are Dominican at customs. There are also some sophisticated metal frames that maintain hardcore technical values, like the Sequence, a gold or black retro aviator with techy lens options (gray for offshore water, amber for shallow water), and the Spindle S5, a semi-rimless squared-off aviator with spring-loaded hinges so they don’t fall off your face, similar lens color options, and no-slip Air Bag nose pads, which should be used in conjunction with, not as a substitute for, your Seat Belt nose pads…” read the rest of the review at Thrillist.com

“If you want to understand someone you have to walk a mile in their shoes. But what about taking a few steps wearing their sunglasses? To the point, this is my friend last week: “No wonder you’re having a great time! Wearing these sunglasses is like being in a magical wonderland!”

This was only a half-joke. My friend was wearing my Kaenon Kanvas sunglasses, and on a bright day snowshoeing last week the Kaenons knocked down the glare and made soft colors and subtle hues pop. My friend was missing all this visual detail with her non-polarized Ray Bans….” read the full review at GearJunkie.com

http://gearjunkie.com/kaenon-kanvas-sunglasses

REVIEWS
Posted in Gear.com, Gear Reviews, Sunglasses by Jason Mitchell

“I’m a sunglasses junkie and have been drawn to the performance of Kaenon sunglasses of late. Having flogged the Kaenon Kore sunglasses for over a year and subsequently wearing the Kaenon Jetty sunglasses now for about 6 months, I’m sold on the lens technology and the function of these killer optics.

From Kaenon, here’s the skinny on the Jetty:

JETTY™ is an oversize, tall and boxy performance frame with plenty of street attitude which embodies the company’s Luxury Performance™ design and engineering mantra. A unisex frame that can be worn by men and women everyday, JETTY is also built to perform for the active lifestyle.

This style features tall temples and a rectangular face shape with clean and smooth surface design; plus functional details such as recessed Variflexâ„¢ rubber nose pads for secure fit and heavy duty, non-corrosive, five-barrel stainless steel hinges for added comfort and durability. JETTY is finished with the polished Kaenon jewel icon that marks the authenticity of a Kaenon Polarized original design. JETTY comes with a protective metal case.

Kaenon Jetty Sunglasses Review

While the Kore’s are built for athletic performance (cycling, skiing, running, etc.), the Jetty’s are built with style and performance in mind. So, you do give up some of the pure performance features in favor of a little more street or beach style.

By no means do you give up anything when it comes to the lenses as the polarized SR-91 lenses offer crystal clear optics and durability not found on other non-glass lenses on the market. Another note about the polarization technology used by Kaenon… I’ve worn these side-by-side with other polarized lenses and the difference is dramatic. With some of the others I got rainbow artifacts while mountain biking–not so with these.

While I really appreciate the clarity of the optics, the Jetty does have its limits when pushed hard, but they still performed surprisingly well. I wore them on several mountain bike rides and even on a few long-distance trail runs just to see how well they’d work. Surprisingly, they stayed put and were quite comfortable–even when I was sweating buckets.

For true athletic activity, I’d prefer the Kore, but these are amazingly-versatile while still being super-stylish. I always love to share my Kaenon’s with others when at the river or the lake to show them just how effective polarization is at cutting down glare. I’m a believer.”

Model Tested: Black with G12 Lens, MSRP $208.95

The Good

* Top-notch polarization
* Scratch-free performance
* Stylish design around town and on the trail
* Feels very comfortable
* Rubber nose pads keep them in place

The Bad

* Wide frame design doesn’t sit well on top of the head (flush carefully!)
* No rubberized earpieces

MUSIC REVIEWS
Posted 9/1/09 11:06 am ET by MTV News in Behind The Scenes, Music – By Matt Elias

This past weekend at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, we got a glimpse into a world that most music fans don’t get to see. Backstage, an entire artist hospitality area was set up to make the musicians feel like, well, rock stars. Nestled between festival regular the Ice Cream Man and a fully stocked bar were a handful of vendors hooking up artists with high-profile swag all weekend.

One of the products that came in handy in the abnormally hot sun (for San Francisco, at least) were Kaenon Polarized Sunglasses. We spotted artists all weekend rocking these shades, including members of Mastodon and Cage the Elephant. Originally developed for sailing and ocean sports, the polarizing lenses translate well to the bright summer days of the festival season. Thankfully the folks at Kaenon boasted enough styles to satisfy all of the varying tastes within a band, dodging any potential breakups over the weekend. Plus, all of the sunglasses came in a nifty little carrying case with a custom Outside Lands logo.

VIDEO REVIEW

Outside’s Justin Nyberg reviews the Kaenon Hard Kore Polarized Sunglasses, best for sailors and paddlers.

FRESH PRESS
Gear to survive the summer By Terry Tomalin, St. Petersburg Times Outdoors Editor
In Print: Friday, August 7, 2009
It’s hot and muggy, and you can’t wait for summer to be over. But fall doesn’t officially arrive for another six weeks, and even then, things probably won’t start cooling down around here until late October.

But don’t let the sun keep you off the water. Just dress for the season and you will be ready for your next flats fishing trip or sea kayaking adventure.

Here is some of the latest gear to help you make it through these final dog days of summer.

Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor

Kaenon Rhino polarized sunglasses are made in Italy. The frames are stylish and durable. The SR-91 lenses offer razor-sharp clarity and are lightweight, scratch and impact resistant and prescription friendly. Cost: $189

Buff headwear blocks more than 95 percent of ultraviolet rays. The Coolmax material is quick-drying, breathable and reduces skin temperature. Cost: $22.99

The Hydro Performance shirt from Old Harbor Outfitters is made of high-performance polyester. Fast-drying, wrinkle and stain resistant, with ultraviolet protection and a UPF 50-plus rating, this shirt’s moisture-management system also has antimicrobial properties. Cost: $39.99

The super-soft microfiber fishing shorts by Pelagic are lightweight, fast-drying and stain resistant. Cost: $54.99

Shimano Evair marine fishing shoes are 100 percent waterproof, made with ultralightweight material and ergonomic arch design. The nonmarking rubber sole with water canal design will keep your feet on the deck. The one-piece molded EVA sole absorbs heel shock and reduces foot fatigue. Cost: $49.99

Source: Dogfish Tackle; 8750 Park Boulevard, Seminole; (727) 393-2102 or www.dogfishtacklecompany.com

REVIEW

Outside Magazine, The Essentials – By Justin Nyberg

Sport Sunglasses
From sea to summit, these performance shades are looking out for you.

FRESH PRESS – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE

“In the 72 years since U.S. Army pilots first wore Ray-Bans, the aviator look has hardly changed, but the technology behind it has come a long way. Just look at Kaenon’s Spindle S3 wraparounds-their polarized, shatter-resistant lenses are contoured enough for Lance, yet stylish enough for Maverick.”

REVIEW – Sport Fishing
Fishing Gear by Sport Fishing Magazine
Kaenon ARLO Sunglasses – They come in black with gray lenses; matte black with gray lenses; and tortoise with copper lenses.
Jun 22, 2009
Blending street appeal with fishing function, Kaenon introduces ARLO. ARLO features a unisex design, providing a comfortable fit for a variety of men’s and women’s faces. Its SR-91 polarized lenses offer clarity, contrast and depth perception in a lightweight package. ARLOs also have five-barrel metal hinges and no-slip nose pads. They come in black with gray lenses; matte black with gray lenses; and tortoise with copper lenses. All may be adapted for prescriptions. Cost is $199. Call 949-574-7918, or visit www.kaenon.com.

FRESH PRESS
In the June 2009 issue of Marie Claire’s Celebrity Lifestyle section, “Danica Patrick’s Essentials”

Danica Patrick: “I Can’t Get Through August Without My…” – Among Danica’s must have essentials, are Danica Patrick’s Sunglasses of choice, Kaenon Polarized Sunglasses. Featured here and worn frequently by Danica, is Burny in Tortoise C12.

Danica also wears Georgia, Calais, Eden and Kabin.

GOLF REVIEW
From the Golf Ontario/Golf Style – “In a recent study, while 79 percent of people knew that exposure to UV radiation caused skin cancer, only six percent were aware that it could also damage their eyes. Further, as a child’s eyes are not yet fully developed to adequately filter UV radiation, youngsters’ retinas may be damaged even on cloudy days. Less serious, though more common, is general eye fatigue due to the discomfort from glare, which can be caused by direct or indirect light. Glare may come directly from a light source (i.e. facing toward the sun) or be reflected via sand and water. All of which make investing in a quality pair of sunglasses, including those with lightsensitive photochromic lenses, one of your most vital equipment additions in 2009.”

“Special K” – Kaenon meshes high quality and style with its SR-91 polarized lens, combining the optical quality of the finest glass with the impact resistance and light weight of polycarbonate. Scratch resistant with exceptional glare reduction, the product is actually worn in competition by touring pros such as reigning Canadian Open champ Chez Reavie, Robert Allenby, Paul Azinger, Morgan Pressel and Carin Koch. Pictured: Hard Kore.

FRESH PRESS

Kaenon Polarized Sunglasses featured in Coastal Living as Zaza Tortoise C12 gains traction among women, this editorial for beach bag must haves says it all.

Zaza polarized sunglasses in Tortoise, $239, Kaenon.com. “These are the best for sun and style. They’re great for skiing too.”

FRESH PRESS
ARLO is featured in the next issue of Auto Week - and just when you thought all of the magazines were dying – AutoWeek just switched from monthly to publishing twice a month. Founded in 1958 and written for the passionate car enthusiast and consumer – automobiles and motorsports still resonate – also witnessed by the crowds at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

Sometimes, glossy images, creative wordsmithing and product positioning just can’t compete with the simplicity of excellent service and customer satisfaction with a great product.  We often get comments submitted to us via Facebook and Twitter, but more commonly they come straight to our inbox.  Here’s one we thought we’d share with you.  If you’d like to share your experience or tell us your story, you can reach us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and through our website.

Dear Melina, I received my glasses, ZAZA with the tortoise frame/G12 dark lenses and wanted to thank you so much for the great service.  They came a few days after our phone call even though they were special order! I love my ZAZA black frame glasses, they are attractive and comfortable,  and these tortoise frames with the G12 lenses are even more stylish (very Jackie-O!!).  Tortoise is my favorite color frame always.    I am very pleased.  Thank you for suggesting that you could put the darker lenses in them for me!!!!!  Gail P.

REVIEW

Backpacker Magazine April 2009 Editor’s Choice Awards
“Best optics – Combine the superior clarity of glass with the strength of polycarbonate, and you get SR-91, the lens material used for Kaenon’s Hard Kore glasses. Result? The crispest vision we’ve seen in sports-worthy sunglasses, plus shatterproof impact resistance. “The clarity is the difference between spotting a distant raptor and seeing it well enough to ID is as a ferruginous hawk,” raved one tester. Fits large faces best. $209; 1.5 oz; Kaenon.com.”

“I had never heard of Kaenon before, but on a recent trip, I borrowed my friend’s Kaenon’s, (I think they were Georgia Copper Lens). I was amazed at the clarity and how well they fit my face. Couldn’t ask for more in terms of style, comfort or function. I was hooked, as soon as we packed out and got home, I picked up a pair for myself.” – Posted: Mar 16, 2009 Malia (Backpacker Magazine)

EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD – Kaenon Polarized – Baton Sunglass – Awarded Best Women’s Paddling Glass

Boulder, Colorado, March 23, 2009 – In a comprehensive search for the proper women’s gear to excel in spring and summer outdoor activities, the editors of Women’s Adventure tested over 1,000 products from leading sporting and outdoor companies. The result of their testing is the first-ever Women’s Adventure Spring Editor’s Choice Awards – the best of the best of outdoor equipment and products for active women.

BACKPACKER MAGAZINE REVIEW
Kaenon’s Bolsa holds its own in the recent Backpacker Magazine Review, Field Test:Global Apparel for Women

“With the sharpest optics we’ve seen in non-glass lenses–plus polarization with no murky spots–these lightweight, full-coverage glasses may be the most technical high-style option out there.”

Letter to Kaenon Regarding Georgia Rx:

Hey, it’s been about 4 months since I received the Georgia frames with Rx lenses, and I just wanted to let you know they are AWESOME! Best fishing glasses I’ve ever had — the frames fit great and are killer comfortable. And the lenses are simply the best optics I’ve experienced, both on the water and off. In fact, I pretty much want to wear ‘em all the time.

So, thanks a ton. I am really blown away by the lightness, comfort and incredible optics. Can’t believe they’re not glass.

Anyway, that’s my report. I’ve been raving to everyone I know about how great your products are, especially in prescription form. Hope you are well.

Peace,

Dylan Tomine
Patagonia Fishing Ambassador

Review from Mountain River Journal In our uncompromising mission to deliver you some of the finest equipment to fly fish with we have added the Kaenon range of polarized sunglasses to our lineup. If you have followed Conway Bowman, on the Versus cable program “Dollar Wise Fly”, you will be familiar with the look and style of the Kaenon glasses. But their real edge is in performance…read the full review at Mountain River Journal

Review as seen on HardKoreFishing.com
I have used many different brands of polarized eyewear over the years, but none of them compare to the fit, look, and performance of Kaenon Polarized. These glasses are flat-out awesome. Aside from protecting my eyes from reflected UV rays and blue light, the proprietary SR-91 lenses allow me to see into the water better than any other lens I have tried. And since the SR-91 lens is the most optically correct, distortion-free lenses available, I actually forget that I am wearing them…read the full review at http://www.hardkorefishing.com/2008/11/gifts-for-anglers-1-kaenon-polarized.html

Kaenon Kore Polarized Sunglasses – Review from Jason Mitchell – 2008 FeedTheHabit Gear of the Year

With a few solid years under their belts, Kaenon is pumping out the best sports-specific and stylish polarized sunglasses on the market. Compared to all other polarized lenses I’ve tried, Kaenon’s simply kick their butts. You can mountain bike, fish, ski, drive and hang out with these glasses without the typical polarized drawbacks (rainbow discoloration, “too dark” feeling, etc.).  I’ve found the Kore’s to be the perfect all-around sunglass option if you’re looking for a polarized lens.  Read the full review and check out all the top gear of the year visit: http://www.feedthehabit.com/news/2008-feedthehabit-gear-of-the-year-picks/