Kaenon Clarke

Field Notes: The Kaenon Clarke is where higher fashion meets extreme functionality, and as part of a color refresh on the market now, the Clarke is coming out in the new “Italy Cola” Abalone colorway. Inspiration for the Abalone comes from “watching the rich, translucent caramel colored fizz wane to crystal clear in a signature blue tint glass bottle,” according to the brand. Each pair is hand painted in a process that takes 20 minutes. So while this might make them more expensive, their attention to detail and sport-focused build will have your eyes thanking you. 

As with all Kaenon West Coast casual-inspired designs, Clarkes come with proprietary SR-91 polarized, scratch-resistant and shatter-proof glass lenses, said to enhance visual acuity and durability, both of which we found to be true. The pleasantly lightweight frames are made of plant-based Swiss TR-90 cellulose acetate, similar bio resin to what Zeal and Smith use. With design that is typically a good fit for a broad range of head and face shapes, this retro style is imbued with a flat-style unisex frame. Variflex nose pads offer additional comfort and staying power for any outdoor application we could dream up. 

Available in optional polarized and prescription, Kaenon sunglasses offer broad spectrum UV coverage, impact-protection and high-end clarity, things you won’t find from gas station brands. When choosing a pair of Clarkes, you have a few different options: Abalone or Black Label, both with black mirror lenses that work well in most outdoor conditions, though not the best choice for snowy weather; Gold Coast, named for its gold mirror lenses, preferred for low light and hazy or foggy conditions; and Black or Tortoise with polarized B12 lenses the company recommends for water activities like sailing or fishing.

Pros: High quality polarized glass lenses and hand painted frames.

Cons: Not the cheapest of the bunch, and certain models are slightly more expensive.

Tester Comments: “This is the kind of style in high-end sunglasses I’d been looking for but wasn’t familiar with in the past until I found Kaenon.”

Key Attribute: Optics

Best For: Everything except losing them. Black matte lenses will perform best in a variety of situations.