Maui Jim Breakwall Sunglasses Review
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When you’re out participating in an activity for a long duration such as biking, hiking, running, etc., having a nice pair of lightweight sunglasses can really make things more enjoyable. And while having a pair of shades that are lightweight is great, it’s also nice to have a pair of sunglasses that have a good quality lens. I’ve had that opportunity to test out the Maui Jim Breakwall sunglasses over the past few months in a number of activities to see how they perform in the weight and lens category. Some of the activities I tested these sunglasses out include long distance running, trail running, hiking, kayaking, and boating.
The first thing that I noticed when I put these sunglasses on was the weight. The Breakwall’s are the lightest sunglasses I have ever owned or tested. One of the ways in which Maui Jim cuts weight in the Breakwall’s is by reducing the frame size. The frame of the Breakwall is very minimal. Compared to other lightweight sunglasses in its category, I would say the frame is half as big as the other competitors out there. The arms of the Breakwall sunglass are made of a lightweight high grade nylon which allows for a lot of flexibility. When I first put them on, I was scared that I was going to break them because the arms on the sunglasses are so small. Much to my surprise, the arms of the Breakwall sunglasses are super flexible and durable. One downside to having an arm that is so flexible is that if you are using one hand to put the sunglasses on, the arms can get caught in your hair and you often have to re-adjust them. In a non-flexible arm, you would normally just push them back on your head and they would sit on your ears without having to re-adjust.
To help keep the Breakwall’s secure on your head, the arms angle back to wrap around your head. There is also a rubber grip on each arm that helps grip your head or a hat. To help keep the sunglasses secure on your nose, the nose pads are made of a soft rubber, which is great for activities where your head is constantly moving and shaking. The hinge on the Maui Jim breakwall is put in place by a non-corrosive screw that has stayed in place for the 2 months I have tested them.
In the majority of high end sunglasses, you will find a quality lens. Maui Jim has a long history in the sunglass making business and one of the items that sets them apart is their lens. When looking through a Maui Jim lens, you get a very crisp and clear view. The lens that come with the Breakwall are polarized and blocks out 99.9% of glare. For me, I switched to using polarized lens a long time ago and I will never switch back.
I am very hard on my sunglasses as I often drop my glasses for some reason. Usually after a month of use, I always have a small scratch or two on a new pair of sunglasses. After careful examination, I found the lens on the Breakwall to be free of any scratches, big and small.
Overall, I have been very happy with the performance of the Maui Jim Breakwall sunglasses for both activities and casual wear. If you’re in the market for a pair of sunglasses that are super lightweight with a quality lens, head to you local retailer and try on a pair. For more information on the Breakwall and other Maui Jim eyewear, please visit www.mauijim.com or www.amazon.com/mauijim.
