Never underestimate the need for quality eyewear when deep in Mother Nature’s domain. Wiley X now offers one such set of glasses in the form of the JAKL. These new-on-the-market sunglasses offer the trifecta of protection, with ballistic, UVA, and UVB integrated specs. Additionally, comfort is at the forefront of the JAKL’s design with rubber temple points and dual-injected nose pads. With its wraparound fit secured on me, I tested them under intense Florida sun, physical use, and all-day wear.
Sleek Design
Before I dive into the features and standards of the JAKL sunglasses, I can’t ignore their sleek and sporty look. The JAKL offers a streamlined, wrap-around design that not only provides a comfortable fit (more on this later) but also elevates it from protective to everyday wear.
These sunglasses can be worn on the range, in the field, or out for a casual lunch by the beach. They’re that versatile. They completely repel the stereotypical image of large, oversized eye protection and make it part of your outdoor attire.
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My sample has black frames with grey lenses, and this combination complements most outfits in nearly every outdoor setting.
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Protective Properties
There’s much more to these sunglasses than just visually pleasing aesthetics. They provide protection from two sources, the overhead sun and nearly any material directed your way.
Although the sun shining is the start of a great day, it can be harmful to your eyes. The JAKL offers 100% UVA/UVB protection. This eliminates the worry as you spend time out in the sun. Wearing the JAKL sunglasses under the intense Florida sun was a pleasure, knowing my eyes were safeguarded from damage.
Second, they meet both high-mass/high-velocity impact and MIL-PRF-32432A Ballistic safety standards. So, using them at the range or when doing any number of challenging outdoor tasks will keep your eyes safe from unexpected projectiles.
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Comfort and Fit
The JAKL sunglasses were extremely lightweight when worn. Their wraparound design kept them in place without any wiggling or shifting, even when I was in constant motion. The rubber portions of the frame at the temples helped keep the sunglasses in place during constant activity. Additionally, the nose pads “adhered” well to my nose and were just one more factor in the JAKL’s comfort and almost sculpted fit on my face.
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Although it may sound cliché, the phrase “I didn’t realize that I had them on” is very appropriate with the JAKL. Nothing felt off when they were on, making them almost forgettable that I was wearing them, and that’s a very good thing.
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One Pair for Everything
The great thing about the JAKL sunglasses is that they are the complete package. As mentioned, these glasses can be worn for work, play, and everything in between. My version of the JAKL (matte black frames with grey and clear lenses) was nondescript enough not to scream tactical, while still giving me peace of mind that they offered two-tier protection when needed.
At $219.00, which includes a second set of lenses, a drawstring pouch, and a hardshell padded case, you can’t go wrong with the JAKL as your everyday go-to shades. A sleek style, comfortable fit, and uncompromising protection, the JAKL by Wiley X ups the game with outdoor-centric eyewear.
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The JAKL’s Amenities
| Style | Lightweight, wraparound |
| Lenses | Shatterproof, with interchangeable replacement |
| Fit | Medium to large head size |
| Sun Protection | 100% UVA/UVB |
| Ballistic Protection | MIL-PRF-32432A |
| MSRP | Starting from $150.00 |
