NATIVE WARD SPORT SUNGLASSES – REVIEW

NATIVE WARD SPORT SUNGLASSES – REVIEW

Editor: Randy Johnson
iReview Gear Lead Field Editor
HIGH DESERT WILD SHEEP GUIDES
www.highdesertwildsheepguides.com
Worldwide Trophy Adventures Consultant

BASIC DESCRIPTION:
NATIVE’S Ward Sport Sunglasses were designed to live up to the classic Colorado climb up Left Hand Canyon to Ward for which these glasses were given their name. This innovative, lightweight sunglass, featuring full frame construction paired with Native’s high altitude, advanced polarized lens technology aids and protects the eyes of climbers, hunters, backpackers, mountaineers and anyone else who spends time in the great outdoors. Designed with style and comfort in mind the Native Ward’s stylish frames and lenses are a homerun for sportsman anywhere.

THE FACTS:
Featuring the most innovative and advanced polarized lens on the market, Native’s N3™ lenses block up to 4X more infrared light than regular polarized lenses, pass Z87.1 testing, provide UV protection up to 400nm, and significantly reduce blue lightas well as selectively filtering UV. The Ward delivers high contrast, crisp definition, and peak visual acuity. Designed for “State of the Art Performance,” Native’s Ward provides superior impact resistance, contrast enhancement and infrared heat protection.
The optical quality Poly Crystal Carbonate impact-resistant lenses block 100 percent of the harmful UV light and eliminate glare for sharp, clear vision with increased contrast and depth perception. P.C.C. lenses provide outstanding vision and protection in any lighting condition. Polarized Reflex™ lenses support superior glare reduction and enhanced styling.

NATIVE WARD IMPACT RESISTANT N3™ lenses

It doesn’t matter whether you’re hunting, hiking, fishing, or just walking down the street, the sun’s waves are being reflected off everything from pavement to snow, which creates glare in your vision. This is where the effect of Native’s polarized sunglasses are so important, working as a filter to only let in the natural light needed to experience the world with clarity.
Glare, simply defined, is reflected light that travels on a horizontal plane. Virtually any surface can be a source of glare, including water, sand, pavement, ice, and snow. All of Native’s N3™ and P.C.C.® lenses incorporate a polarized filter that absorbs the horizontal light, thus eliminating glare. You’re left with sharp, crisp, glare-free vision, with increased contrast and depth perception.
All Native sunglasses are manufactured using cutting edge technology that
will enable the frames to form fit around your eye orbits, giving you an extremely comfortable fit.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• N3™ Lens Technology
• SportFlex™ Lens Kit Included
• Co-Injected Rhyno-Tuff® Air Frames
• Cushinol™
• Cam-Action Hinges
• Mastoid Temple Grip™
• Optic Gear Kit
• Mastoid temple grips rest comfortably behind your ears on the mastoid bone
• Optimal fit for medium profiles
• Interchangeable Lens System

Story:
I spend hundreds of hours “outdoors” each year on a variety of adventures such as guiding hunters in both high altitude and desert environments, backpacking, fishing, engaging in water sports, etc, and I need all the protection I can get for my eyes in safeguarding them from the elements! One of my expectations with the sunglasses I wear is that they be capable of protecting my eyes from the glare and damage caused by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays! They also must safeguard my eyesight My

Natives – Co-Injected Rhyno-Tuff® Air Frames with Cam-Action Hinges

from wind, dust, debris, insects, and other potentially dangerous objects. I can still recount and vividly remember a hunting trip years ago when I was bushwacking through a thick pinion juniper forest and accidentally ran into a branch. One of the small, dry limbs impaled me in the side of my eye. It was a small miracle that I was able to get off the mountain to a doctor who removed the stick without causing any vision impairment whatsoever to my eyesight. After that “learning experience” I always tried to wear eye protective sunglasses whenever possible. Of course, it is always nice when you find a pair of sunglasses that are stylish and fit comfortably.
When I was introduced to Native’s Ward polarized sunglasses I was immediately attracted to their stylish lenses and frames. However, that does not always translate into the quality of a particular sunglass or how it will fit and protect your eyes! The Ward, though, fit my head perfectly, felt very comfortable, and was available in a Realtree Camo color frame that I have been looking for due to my individual life style. In particular, I was impressed with how clear the Native N3™ Lens Technology was as the polarized lenses in these glasses provided me with crisp vision. Although I’m not an expert, I have no doubt that Native’s literature’s claim that their lenses block up to four times the infrared light compared to other polarized lenses, reduce blue light by filtering UV, and provide UV protection up to 400nm is substantiated.
Very noticeable with the Ward sunglasses was the “mastoid temple grips that rest behind your ears on the mastoid bone so that your glasses are held secure and don’t slip when you are sweating. The same grips are also found in the nose-piece that provide an optimal fit for medium profiles like mine! I don’t know about you, but when I have to keep pushing sunglasses up onto my nose when I’m running, hiking, biking, etc, it really irritates me. The mastoid grips are a great feature Native!

Note the Mastoid Grips on Nose Piece and Ear Piece

With NATIVE’S Ward sunglasses you also get very light, but tough and comfortable Co-Injected Rhyno-Tuff® Air Frames that don’t move around. The cam action hinges have worked well for myself as you have to click them into a locked position when putting the glasses on. You don’t have to worry about loose frame ear appendages flopping around with the “cam hinges.” Another very clever feature!
I’ve worn and field-tested these glasses in a variety of different environments/circumstances such as hunting in extreme desert conditions and hiking in high altitude where the glare from snow can be a real issue. I’ve also worn these glasses for style and sport while on vacation, driving, or when attending casual social occasions. It should be noted that I own six different brands of sunglasses and my Native Wards are the first ones I reach for! I have been extremely pleased with the protection and comfort the N3™ polarized lenses and Rhyno Air Frames have provided me.

The Polarized Lenses On My Natives Have Offered Great Protection Out In The Desert

Upon purchasing a pair of Native Ward sunglasses you also receive a SportFlex™ Lens Kit with a pair of “interchangeable lenses that are lighter in color for use in dim light conditions. These lenses are designed with a reflective coating and changing them was a relatively simple process. The interchangeable lenses are stored into small slots built into the top of the attractive Ward hard case top. In the case you also receive a soft glass case that can also be used to clean your glasses. Very nice.

NATIVE Hard Case Featuring Interchangeable Lens Kit

I believe that Native has designed a pair of sunglasses in the Ward that are not only ascetically pleasing but are versatile enough for wearing anywhere. Importantly, they can be ordered in EIGHT different frame color ways for your specific preferences.

Warranty’s and service are very important to me and the Ward, as with all Native Eyewear, are backed by an outstanding Lifetime Warranty that states: “It doesn’t matter whether you come across an unforeseen obstacle, miscalculate a turn on a trail, or even if man’s best friend decides to use your sunglasses as a chew toy. Whatever the reason, we’ll send them a replacement pair for just $30, no questions asked. Manufacturer defects are covered for one year at no charge.

NATIVE Disclaimer:
Proof of purchase required for manufacturer’s defect claims. Lost or stolen items not covered.

With any Warranty I recommend that you SAVE THE BOX AND RECEIPT for the sunglasses to alleviate any problems and expedite the return process.

After wearing my Native Ward sunglasses extensively I highly recommend their purchase to anyone who is looking for a high quality, stylish sunglass backed by a company who believes in adventure. When shopping the web I found these specific sunglasses priced from $129 to $160 so you can save some money by doing a little shopping around. You can also look at other specific Native sunglasses on their website at www.Nativeyewear.com to see what sunglasses may work best for your active lifestyle.

What They Could Do Better:

At the present time, my NATIVE Wards are my “go to” sunglasses. I have no specific recommendation at this time on what could be done to improve the Wards but I do believe Native could look at and change their $30 processing fee with their Lifetime Warranty.

Thanks for reading my review and always keep your boots warm for your next adventure. As quoted on the Native website:

NATIVE KNOWS
To live in the spirit of the native is to live the life you want to
live … not the one you have to live. It’s pursuing your dreams
with the best gear, the right companions and a free spirit,
tempered only by an enduring respect for the world that is
your playground. That’s why you wear Native: it’s genuine
performance eyewear, made for lives that are too amazing to be
seen through an ordinary lens.