Comparison Review: With and without sunglasses makes all the difference. We tried out a variety of sunglasses suitable for outdoor use

Saturday, November 3, 2018

KAENON , Oakley , sunglasses , SWANS , recommended , Mont-Bell , comparison

Written by TAC

On the previous page, we introduced the ratings and specs of each item we compared, as well as our recommended models based on that. From here, we will explain the criteria used for the ratings and why we came to those ratings

table of contents

Detailed review of each item
summary
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Detailed review of each item

Visibility

When choosing lenses, the important factors to consider are UV transmittance, visible light transmittance, and stray light blocking rate (polarization degree)

Visible light transmittance

This refers to the percentage of light that passes through. Of course, a low transmittance will block out light, and a high transmittance will allow light to pass through

Visible light transmittance varies depending on the lens color. The higher the transmittance, the lighter the lens color. Lower transmittance means the lens color is darker, which blocks out strong sunlight, but inevitably darkens the field of view. Incidentally, the visible light transmittance of all four models mentioned here is in the range of 10-30%. This is generally considered suitable for use during the day or on sunny days. In other words, it is thought to be the ideal range for mountain climbing

UV transmittance

When UV transmittance is 1.0% or less, it means that over 99% of UV rays are blocked. Incidentally, there is no relationship between UV transmittance and lens color. I'm ashamed to say that I thought that darker lens colors would block UV rays. The four models we reviewed here block over 99% of UV rays. I think that most sunglasses these days have a UV transmittance of 1% or less, but it's still one item you should always check when choosing

Light blocking rate (polarization degree)

This refers to the percentage of stray light that is cut, such as glare from the water surface or glare from asphalt. The higher the percentage, the clearer your field of vision will be. Since simply darkening the lens color is not enough to cut out stray light, a special polarized filter is placed between the lenses to cut out stray light. The inexpensive sunglasses I tried this time were not polarized, so the stray light was stressful. Also, when I looked at the water surface, light was reflected, clearly showing the difference in effectiveness compared to polarized lenses

The above three ratios are the key to creating good visibility

Since the weather can change easily while hiking, sunglasses that ensure good visibility in any weather are very helpful. As mentioned above, the visibility of the KAENON HARD KORE is overwhelming. They reduce glare and increase contrast even in dull, cloudy weather, making the boundaries of objects clearer and creating a clear view. I also felt that my Oakley Latch glasses provided a clearer view than when I was wearing my bare eyes. The experience was beyond surprising; it was truly moving

Wide field of vision

The field of view is determined by the size and curve of the lens. The KAENON HARD KORE had the widest field of view. With its large lenses and moderate lens curve, you can see everything through the lenses, so much so that you almost forget you're wearing sunglasses. Also, with models that have an under-rim, your field of view is inevitably obstructed when looking at your feet. Needless to say, the Oakley latch has a Boston-type lens shape and no lens curve, so your eyes don't feel covered and your field of view is narrower

Storage capacity

This time, Montbell was by far the best in terms of storage. It can be folded up to palm-sized, making it surprisingly compact and even fitting in a pocket, which is a big plus. When you need to take off your sunglasses while hiking, many people probably put them in the hard case provided and store them in their backpack. I used to do this too, but it can be quite a hassle and stressful. On the other hand, storing them in a backpack without the case is also a bit hesitant as it could get scratched. With that in mind, having a size that can be stored in a pocket after putting them in the case makes it much easier to move around

It would be extremely helpful if there was a sturdy hard case included

durability

As expected, a thick frame gives you a sense of security even when handling them roughly. This is an important factor in the field. I think a thicker frame is easier to handle, especially since you will likely be handling them while wearing gloves. The KAENON HARD KORE and SWANS STRIX I-0151 have thick frames and thick lenses, which gave me a sense of security. On the other hand, the mont-bell PL trekking glasses and Oakley latch have thin frames, so I had to be careful when operating them

Holding power and fit

If your sunglasses are not held firmly to your head and fit your face properly, they will slip off during exercise, allowing wind and foreign objects to get in through the gaps

This time, we tested the inflow of wind with the fan set to "high." While no model was able to completely block the inflow of wind, the KAENON HARD KORE , SWANS STRIX I-0151 (with under-rim) , and Mont-Bell PL trekking glasses all fared quite well. Oakley latches are not recommended for windy days. Models with under-rims improve the fit and prevent wind from entering from below. The KAENON HARD KORE does not have an under-rim, but its larger lenses provide a secure fit, preventing wind from entering.

Additionally, the anti-slip feature on the nose and temples is extremely important, enhancing the hold. Lightweight models, in particular, require a tight fit at the nose and temples, otherwise the sunglasses will slip off during strenuous exercise. In this respect, I liked the Mont-Bell PL Trekking Glasses . They weigh just 23g, and the nose and temples hold the head firmly, so they don't feel stressful or heavy. The SWANS STRIX I-0151 also offers excellent hold. The anti-slip feature on the nose, made of rubber, can be adjusted to fit the shape of your nose, which was a big plus.

On the other hand, the Oakey latch is light at 25g, but since there is no anti-slip material on the nose or temples, the sunglasses would move when I looked down or ran, which was stressful.

weight

Heavy sunglasses put strain on your nose and ears, causing stress. Lightweight models put less strain on your nose and ears, but as mentioned above, they may slip off if not held securely in place. The Mont-Bell PL trekking glasses , SWANS STRIX I-0151 (no under-rim) , Oakey latch did not feel heavy even when worn for long periods of time. The KAENON HARD KORE is the heaviest of the four models, weighing 42g. However, I did feel strain on my nose and ears after wearing them for long periods of time. Lightweight sunglasses are definitely a better choice.

summary

After using these sunglasses for a long time, I realized that it is not enough for sunglasses to be used for mountain climbing to simply have good lenses; it is also important that they have all the following elements in place

Lightweight and with anti-slip treatment on the nose and temples to hold the head firmly
A large lens that covers the entire eye without any gaps
UV transmittance is 1% or less
Polarized lenses
The lens must have a visible light transmittance of 30% or less, and must be able to enhance contrast and maintain good visibility on both sunny and cloudy days
The case must be a hard case

When choosing sunglasses, I usually choose based on their cool appearance and the lens color I like, but if you take these factors into consideration when making your selection, I think you'll be able to find sunglasses that are more practical and will come in handy for mountain climbing. I hope you'll use this as a reference

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

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