Lenses

The main reason we wear sunglasses is to protect our eyes from the effects of UV radiation, but there are additional reasons we wear sunglasses on the water – such as impact protection and the reduction of glare (reflections). High quality specialised watersports lenses not only offer optimal protection from UV radiation, their filtering capabilities can also significantly improve the quality of our vision.

UV Blocking

UV blocking sunglasses lenses offer optimal eye protection, significantly reducing the risks from UV exposure. Like sunscreen, they should be worn as soon as you are outside, even on hazy / cloudy days as clouds do not block UV rays and surfaces like water, sand and buildings reflect it.

Impact Resistant

The FDA regulates eyewear products to ensure their safety credentials. Impact resistance is an essential criterion that is subject to standardisation and testing regimes. All our lenses comply with the FDA’s ‘drop ball test’ and comply with ANSI and other international standards authorities.

Precision decentered polycarbonate and nylon sports lenses from ZEISS. Incorporating industry leading lens coating technology for superior vision & comfort

highly crafted premium lenses

• Using the finest optical molds ensures longevity and sharp, precise vision. For maximum visibility, performance and all-day comfort •

nano & mirror coatings

• On top of the base lens, functional nano-coatings and layers are applied: Tri-Pel or Ri-Pel coatings repel water and dirt, a hard outer coating protects against abrasions, and flash and multilayer mirror coatings add a stylistic finish •

New polyamide (nylon) lenses

Precise, pure, and ultra-lightweight

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The lenses are the heart of any sunglasses and here we make no compromises, cooperating only with leading manufacturers.

All of our lenses are developed and produced under rigorous quality control and applied with a number of special performance coatings in order to enhance visibility, repel water & dirt, and increase scratch resistance and durability. A range of mirror coatings are available for a stylish finish.

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Zeiss Lenses

FOR TYPHOON & FLO

Here we provide a summary of Zeiss lenses used in our Typhoon and Flo models plus details of available mirror coatings for each lens.

SMOKE

Offering a balanced and neutral tone and featured exclusively on our Typhoon model, these polarised grey lenses are ideal for taking on strong sunny conditions and strong glare.

– details –

• Manufacturer: ZEISS

• Base Lens Colour: Grey

• Lens Material: Nylon or Polycarbonate

• Light Transmission: 11.2% (Cat 3)

• Weather Conditions: Bright / Strong Sun

• Contrast: Standard

• Driving: Suitable

MIRROR COATINGS

These nylon lenses are available with either a ‘Gun Blue’ or ‘Methane’ mirror coating.

BROWN

These ZEISS lenses offer higher contrast than grey lenses. Featured exclusively on our Typhoon, these polarised lenses have a warm tint and are ideal for variable light conditions.

– details –

• Manufacturer: ZEISS

• Lens Material: Nylon

• Base Lens Colour: Brown

• Light Transmission: 15.6% (Category 3)

• Weather Conditions: Cloudy / Variable

• Contrast: High

• Driving: Suitable

MIRROR COATINGS

These Nylon lenses are available with either a ‘Rose Gold’ or ‘Methane’ mirror coating.

VIOLET

ZEISS violet lenses offer a rich tint with the highest contrast of all our lenses. Featured on our Flo and Typhoon with a Pacific Blue mirror coating only.

– details –

• Manufacturer: ZEISS

• Lens Material: Nylon

• Base Lens Colour: Violet

• Light Transmission: 9.95% (Category 3)

• Weather Conditions: Bright / Strong sun

• Contrast: High

• Driving: Suitable

MIRROR COATING

These nylon lenses are available with Flash Pacific Blue mirror coating only.

An explanation of the terms ‘Tri-Pel’ and ‘Ri-Pel’ is given below in the section ‘Tri-Pel and Ri-Pel coatings by Zeiss’.

International Standards

All LiP sunglasses lenses comply with the following standards:

European Standard EN ISO 12312-1:2013
American National Standard ANSI Z80.3-2018
Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067.1.2016
ANSI Z87.1-2003 (High Mass Impact Test)

LiP Lenses

FOR SURGE & FLO

The Levanté Series lenses offer an an enhanced hydrophobic coating over the standard Smoke and Brown lenses.

The Vivide Series lenses are high contrast lenses which offer colour enhancement and are also the darkest tinted lenses

SMOKE

Offering a balanced and neutral tone and featured in both our Surge & FLO models, our polarised grey lenses are suited to bright sunny conditions.

– details –

• Base Lens Colour: Grey

• Lens Material: Polycarbonate

• Light Transmission: 10-17.4% (Category 3)

• Weather Conditions: Bright / Strong Sun

• Contrast: Standard

• Driving: Suitable

BROWN

Featured exclusively on our Surge model, our polarised brown lenses are suited to all lighting conditions and strong glare. Most suited to variable light conditions.

– details –

• Base Lens Colour: Brown

• Lens Material: Polycarbonate

• Light Transmission: 10-11.5% (Category 3)

• Weather Conditions: All conditions

• Contrast: High

• Driving: Suitable

ROSE / COPPER

Part of our VIVIDE range, these lenses offer great contrast and low light transmission rates – ideal for very bright environments.

– details –

• Base Lens Colour: Rose / Copper

• Lens Material: Polycarbonate

• Light Transmission: 8.35-10% (Category 3)

• Weather Conditions: Bright / Strong sun

• Contrast: High

• Driving: Suitable

FOR TYPHOON

Our ecLiPse photochromic lenses offer a versatile solution for days when the weather and lighting conditions are changeable.

There are 3 photochromic lens options. Full ecLiPse lenses are ideal for Winter and Spring conditions and Partial ecLiPse lenses are suited for Summer and Fall

• Incorporates NXT® lens technology in a polyurethane substrate

• Durability & colour precision – lens tint and function does not fade over time

• Rapid activation and deactivation speed (22-24 seconds) irrespective of temperature

• Light transmission ranges of 67% to 20% (Smoke / Silver Mirror), 79% to 25% (Brown / Red Mirror), 45% to 15% (Smoke)

• Light-sensitive molecules are directly embedded in the mass of the polymer – providing long term photochromic performance

• Hydrophobic and Oleophobic coating on inner and outer lens surface to repel water and dirt (except models with anti-fog coating)

• ORION anti-fog coating on the inner lens surface (Smoke, Silver Mirror lenses only)

• Reacts to visible light and not UV radiation (Driver Friendly)

Typhoon Matt Black frame / ecLiPse Silver Smoke lenses with ORION anti-fog coating — _{Frame Gloss Black}

_{Lenses Smoke, Silver Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating Inner lens surface}

_{Light Transmission 67% to 20%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2426

Typhoon-sku-2433 — _{Frame Transparent Grey}

_{Lenses Smoke, Silver Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating Inner lens surface}

_{Light Transmission 67% to 20%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2433

Typhoon-sku-2457 — _{Frame Gloss Black}

_{Lenses Brown Red Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating No}

_{Light Transmission 79% to 25%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2457

Typhoon-sku-2440 — _{Frame Gloss White / Red Rubber}

_{Lenses Brown Red Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating No}

_{Light Transmission 79% to 25%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2440

Typhoon-sku-2686 — _{Frame G Series - Lime}

_{Lenses Brown, Red Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating No}

_{Light Transmission 79% to 25%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2686

Typhoon-sku-2679 — _{Frame G Series - Lime}

_{Lenses Smoke, Silver Mirror, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating Inner lens surface}

_{Light Transmission 67% to 20%%}

_{Weather Conditions Cloudy / Low light}

_SKU 2679

Typhoon-sku-2754-photochromic — _{Frame Matt Black}

_{Lenses Smoke, Photochromic}

_{Lens Material Polyurethane}

_{Anti-fog coating No}

_{Light Transmission 45% to 15%}

_{Weather Conditions Medium / Bright}

_SKU 2754

High Contrast Lenses

For sports, there are many different factors that come into play which have an effect on the choice of lenses. For skiers and snowboarders, it is often difficult to see contour lines on the snow. For sailors, it can be difficult to distinguish between the blue of the horizon with the blue of the ocean. For many regions, the overwhelming amount of blue colours in the ocean makes it hard to notice subtle details on the water such as wind lines.

High contrast lenses give us control over light transmission by reducing blue light and enhancing red and yellow light. This fine tuning adds contrast and enables us to see details in or on the water or in the sky that might be missed by the naked eye. A sharpening of visual acuity allows us to see more clearly and react faster to the world changing around us. It also means less eye fatigue in bright conditions as the eye doesn’t need to strain to see details or movement clearly. This translates into better performance over longer time periods and most importantly, healthier eyes.

Surge and FLO

VIVIDE Ice Blue lenses

Typhoon and FLO

ZEISS Pacific Blue lenses

Surge & FLO

Vivide Copper Silver Mirror

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Lens Materials

Below we summarise the differences between polycarbonate and nylon material.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate has been the lens material of choice for action sports for decades for good reason. To this day, it retains the top spot for impact resistance and shatterproof qualities, so this material is highly suited to impact sports like kitesurfing and wakeboarding.

It is a lightweight lens material with a weight of 1.20g/cm³

The scratch resistance of polycarbonate material is medium.

The refractive index of polycarbonate is 1.58

The Abbe value is 30.

Each lens material has its own characteristics. We measure 5 key lens characteristics on a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being the best and 1 the poorest.

• Visual Clarity •

• Scratch Resistance •

• Weight •

• Impact resistance •

• BPA rating •

Each measure is not necessarily equal in importance. They are there as reference points to allow you to consider which of the lenses is suited to you and your needs.

Nylon

Nylon offers enhanced clarity, lighter weight and better environmental credentials than polycarbonate. The one measure on which nylon is eclipsed by polycarbonate is impact resistance, but marginally so.

Super-lightweight lens material with a weight of 1.01g/cm³

The scratch resistance of nylon material is medium.

The refractive index of nylon is 1.51

The Abbe value is 52

Polycarbonate

It is a lightweight lens material with a weight of 1.20g/cm³

The scratch resistance of polycarbonate material is medium.

The refractive index of polycarbonate is 1.58

The Abbe value is 30.

Each lens material has its own characteristics. We measure 5 key lens characteristics on a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being the best and 1 the poorest.

• Visual Clarity •

• Scratch Resistance •

• Weight •

• Impact resistance •

• BPA rating •

Each measure is not necessarily equal in importance. They are there as reference points to allow you to consider which of the lenses is suited to you and your needs.

Nylon

Super-lightweight lens material with a weight of 1.01g/cm³

The scratch resistance of nylon material is medium.

The refractive index of nylon is 1.51

The Abbe value is 52

A QUALITY WATER REPELLENT COATING IS ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING A CLEAR FOCUS

Hydrophobic Coating

All of our watersports sunglasses lenses incorporate a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating on both sides of the lenses.

A hydrophobic coating repels water whereas an oleophobic coating repels oils, sweat, dirt and dust.

The purpose of this coating is to reduce ‘water-spotting’ which will help keep your vision clear and uninhibited.

As the graphic below shows, the hydrophobic layer repels water droplets by weakening the bond of the water molecules to the lens surface.

This repellence encourages water droplets to bead together and drop away under gravity or be pushed aside by the force of the wind.

The efficiency of this coating is proportional to the cleanliness of the lens. Regularly cleaning the lenses will ensure maximum hydrophobic performance.

Tri-Pel and Ri-Pel Coatings by Zeiss

TRI-PEL: Created for watersports and used in the TYPHOON, this unique production process from Carl Zeiss Vision combines the outstanding, easy to clean, oil and water repellent features of the Ri-Pel coating, together with the technical performance of the Zeiss Tri-Flection patented mirror series. This compound surface also offers an exceptionally long-lasting anti-smudge mirror treatment.

RI-PEL: The Ri-Pel coating is the anti-smudge hydrophobic and oleophobic coating without the Tri-flection mirror coating but which can accommodate alternative mirror coatings such as Flash Pacific Blue or Multilayer Rose Gold.

Tri-Pel™ is a performance mirror that incorporates the most advanced technology of two premium coatings developed by ZEISS laboratories.

Tri-Flection Mirror

Anti-smudge and easy to clean technology: the lens is easier to clean than ordinary mirrors.
High compatibility: thanks to its light effect, the mirror can be applied on the lens without significantly altering the original lens tint and light transmission.
Stylish look: subtle mirror effect.

+

Ri-Pel Coating

Transparent hydrophobic & oleophobic coating: dirt, water, sweat, salt, oil, sunscreen and dust slip off the lens surface easily, ensuring a clear and protected vision.
Easy to clean: fingerprints and other contaminates are easily
removed.
Durable and steady performances over time.

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Tri-Pel

Polarisation

DEALING WITH GLARE

‘Glare’ or reflections of visible light from a surface like water is the loss of visual performance when too much visible light enters the eyes and the eyes are unable to adequately cope with the intensity. In a cloudless sunset, it can be extremely uncomfortable, quickly leading to irritation (redness and dryness) and eye fatigue.

We generally respond to glare by squinting or looking away. This is undesirable for fast moving watersports or if you need to maintain a strong focus. With sunglasses that do not have polarisation, it can still be blinding and this can distract you from what’s going on around you.

Handling Glare

Polarised Lenses will remove 99% of glare

POLARISATION

Our polarised lenses filter out 99% of glare. While non-polarised lenses reduce the amount of visible light reaching the eye, they will not have an impact on glare reduction. Polarised lenses strip out 99% of glare and will provide enhanced vision and unmatched clarity and comfort on the water.

What is Polarised Light?

Light is comprised of electromagnetic waves and is generally unpolarised. Unpolarised light is the combination of a large number of these waves emitted by atoms at the light source (e.g. the sun) that are orientated in multiple directions. Each atom produces its own wave orientation and the combination of all the waves results in a superposition of waves. Unpolarised light is what is emitted by the sun, and is what we see all around us every day. Light becomes polarised when if reflects off a surface like water or snow. This means that the waves which were formerly orientated in all directions become orientated in two axes – vertically and horizontally.

The visible light that reflects off the surface of the water is orientated more horizontally than vertically, and it is this horizontally orientated light that causes the uncomfortable glare we perceive. The lens depicted in the image below has a polarisation layer orientated on the Y (vertical) axis. This will strip out any horizontally orientated waves (thus erasing the glare) and allow only vertically orientated light through to the eye.

DOWNLOAD OUR WATERSPORTS EYEWEAR GUIDE

Resources

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Lenses

UV Blocking

Impact Resistant

Zeiss Lenses

SMOKE

MIRROR COATINGS

Gun Blue (Tri-Pel)

Methane (Tri-Pel)

BROWN

MIRROR COATINGS

Rose Gold (Ri-Pel)

Methane (Tri-Pel)

VIOLET

MIRROR COATING

Pacific Blue (Ri-Pel)

International Standards

LiP Lenses

SMOKE

Smoke

Levanté Multilayer Blue

Levanté Multilayer Red

BROWN

Brown

Levanté Multilayer Green

ROSE / COPPER

Vivide Ice Blue

Vivide Copper Smoke

Full ecLiPse

Partial ecLiPse

Full ecLiPse

High Contrast Lenses

Lens Materials

Below we summarise the differences between polycarbonate and nylon material.

Polycarbonate

Nylon

Polycarbonate

Nylon

A QUALITY WATER REPELLENT COATING IS ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING A CLEAR FOCUS

A QUALITY WATER REPELLENT COATING IS ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING A CLEAR FOCUS

Hydrophobic Coating

Tri-Pel and Ri-Pel Coatings by Zeiss

Tri-Flection Mirror

+

Ri-Pel Coating

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Tri-Pel

Polarisation

POLARISATION

What is Polarised Light?

Resources

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Abbe Values

Refractive Index

BPA Free