PRODUCT
REVIEW
WILEY X CLIMB SUNGLASSES
By Matt Williams
PHOTOS BY BRANDON ROWAN
Just about everything we do on and off the water hinges on our ability to see . Protecting that precious gift with military-grade eyewear built to take a beating has always been a priority at Wiley X . The company recently stepped up its game with a new polarized lens technology called “ Captivate .” The technology is advertised to improve vision by producing exceptional optical clarity , enhanced colors , contrast and better depth perception while offering top levels of protection .
The Climb is one of several new frame designs offering the cutting-edge lens technology . I checked out the matte grey model with blue mirror lenses to find out just how exceptional the new offering really is .
First Impressions
The sporty-looking shades feature a wrap-around frame design and wide temple arms that help prevent pesky peripheral ( side ) light and projectiles from sneaking in while providing a snug , comfortable fit . Rubber nose and earpiece pads reduce slippage and help keep the rectangular-shaped lenses riding close to the eyes . The temple arms are stamped with the WX logo . Wiley X throws in a zippered hard clamshell case , lanyard / rubber grips and a microfiber bag that doubles as a cleaning cloth .
In Action
I found plenty to like about the WX Climb .
For starters , the lightweight frames provide all-day comfort and optimal protection while the high-tech Captivate lenses are a pleasure to look through whether on the water , driving down the road or working outside . As optics go , I ’ d put these lenses in the same league as those found in some other top name-brand shades that cost significantly more , including glass .
The blue mirror lenses do a great job of filtering out blue light and squelching reflective glare , making them ideal for fishing in bright skies on big water . As advertised , the lenses keep most colors neutral while giving greens a little extra pop .
The lenses and frames both meet restrictive safety and impact resistance standards set by the American National Standards Institute ( ANSI ). That bumps the confidence needle up a notch or two .
Still another plus is the scratchresistant lenses , which are really easy to clean thanks to a proprietary oleophobic coating that keeps dust , oil and other gunk from sticking .
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of high-quality sunglasses on the market to choose from . If you ’ re looking for a pair that can take some hard knocks , offer good looks and great optics for under $ 175 , you can ’ t go wrong with the WX Climb .
Performance Advice
Take care of the glasses and they will take care of you . Here are some basic tips : — Wiley X recommends cleaning with the provided microfiber cloth , soft cotton cloth and warm water . Avoid ammonia , bleach , vinegar or window cleaners that could strip away the coatings on your glasses .
68 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021