Maui Jim Maliko Gulch & Stone Crusher Sunglasses - REVIEW

[GolfSpy Dave]

 

Aloha again Maui Jim!

This is actually the third time that I have reviewed Maui Jim sunglasses. I really enjoy doing multiple reviews of the same company because that allows me to see if what I thought was a great product (Ironwoods + others) turns out to be a fluke of goodness, or the standard by which the company operates. So far, Maui Jim has gone 2 for 2 with this golfer. The first batch of glasses I reviewed was excellent (reviewed HERE) as was the pair I tried out a year or so later (HERE). If a company goes 3 for 3, I think that it is safe to say that their quality is anything but a fluke.

 

So, I was very excited to review this year's two new golf-friendly models, the Maliko Gulch and Stone Crushers. I was curious about a possible three-peat, but there was also something else that made this review special. This time, the Maui Jim play testing was done in Maui! How cool, and appropriate is that? It's like eating Klondike bars up where dogs pull people on sleds across frozen land, but without all of that annoying cold and wet dog smell. Trying out the Maui Jim shades in Maui couldn't be more perfect a scenario. Next up, Bermuda shorts in Bermuda...

 

Ignoring my non sequitur, I don't think that there is a nicer testing lab out there than the Royal and Kai courses at Ka'anapali.

 

 

Style

So I have reviewed four total pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses prior to the Maliko Gulch and Stone Crusher models, and all four of them were lookers. Again, there is a certain standard that the new models must live up to. Let's take a look:

 

Maliko Gulch

The Maliko Gulch model is a take on the classic aviator-type frame. This pair has the Metallic Gloss Copper frame with the HCL Bronze lenses. Maui Jim calls the frame material MauiFlex™ memory metal, claiming that in addition to being “featherweight” and “durable” that it also “remembers fit and shape longer than traditional metal frames”. One of the beauties of this being the third Maui Jim review is that I have some data for this longevity. My Ironwoods are also MauiFlex in construction, and they have held up very well, even when my rear end has tried to modify their shape on my car seat. Overall, the style of these is not as “sporty” as the Stone Crushers, but I never felt that they didn't match my snazzy golf attire.

 

Stone Crushers

The Maui Jim Stone Crushers are far more “for sports” in their style. This pair is Matte Black with Neutral Grey lenses. I see these as more of a “let's get to work” styling. They are a bit larger than the other pair, and depending upon your head size, could provoke that dreaded bug-eyed appearance. While I thought they looked a little large on me, the visual field coverage was so fantastic that I never once worried again about them being too big. YMMV if you sport a smaller cranium. Overall these are the more casually styled of the pair.

 

 

On the Course

Just like the samples from previous years, I took the Maliko Gulchs and the Stone Crushers out on the course to see if they could hold up through vigorous (i.e. many swings) rounds of golf. Again, with a huge lump of awesomeness, the test courses were the Kai and Royal courses at Ka'anapali. Woohoo me!

 

Lenses

Maliko Gulch

Like the previously reviewed Mala model, this pair of Maliko Gulch sunglasses comes with the HCL Bronze lenses. These are marketed as a “variable conditions” lens, working from sunrise to sunset. The lenses also feature Maui Jim's PolarizedPlus2 polarization for light reduction and UV protection. The clarity and durability of the Maui Jim lenses is unsurpassed, again based upon previously reviewed, and still worn models. I agree that they work well under a variety of light conditions.

 

 

I think that the HCL Bronze lens is a nice choice for the course. It's dark enough to get rid of the sun's glare, but not so dark that you start to lose course detail. Here is a photo that should give you an idea about the performance of the lens color.

 

 

Stone Crusher

The Neutral Grey lenses of the Stone Crushers are definitely darker than the HCL Bronze lenses. What is interesting though is that this increased darkness does not come with a loss of resolution. Overall, I would say that the grey lens produces an image that is not a warm in tone as the bronze, but is not a washed out grey field either. Color transmission is excellent.

 

Golf Performance

 

Maliko Gulch

On the course, the Maliko Gulch model performed almost identical to the other MauiFlex frames that I have played in. The the “Rabalon” nose pads and arm socks anchor the glasses securely to your face, with never slip or a slide during the swing. I am sure that the light weight of the glasses also helps out with the secure fit. Field of view coverage was excellent, with the lens size and curvature really limiting the times that I found myself looking under or around the lens.

 

Stone Crushers

We can make this part of this review very short. The Maui Jim Stone Crushers have become my playing-golf sunglasses. Previously, that title was held by my polarized Oakley Fast Jackets. These are better. They are light. The fit is amazing. For me, the real deal sealer is that once they are on for a few minutes, I forget that I am wearing them. They are that clear. They cover that much of the field of view. The only thing that I would change about them is the ability to swap in the other Maui Jim lenses, especially the low-light green Maui HT lenses. If there was a package with this frame and all three swappable lenses, you would have the best of all worlds.

 

I would definitely rate both pairs as 100% golf friendly, though for me I tend to go with the Stone Crushers on the course and the Maliko Gulches before and after.

 

Value

The Maliko Gulches retail for $339, which is a lot of money, but is actually very competitive with other metal framed, polarized glasses. I can say from experience that you are not paying a premium for a name with Maui Jim. Instead, the money spent is returned in the quality of the product. This is a top tier unit.

The Stone Crushers retail for $189, which I think is an excellent price point, if not an amazing price. The comparable Oakley polarized Flak Jackets list on the Oakley site for $210. I've worn both pairs, and the Stone Crushers are better. You can get great glasses for golf and have money left over to enjoy another little Maui treat.

 

Summary

To quote my prior review(s), Maui Jim sunglasses truly represent quality and style. Both the Maliko Gulch and the Stone Crushers continue the trend of amazing quality glasses. $5 convenience store glasses guy and I always lose my sunglasses gal may balk at the price, but anyone looking for the best looking, fitting, and performing sunglasses in the golf market should check these out. I may not get back to Maui soon, but I will definitely be wearing these Maui Jims.

 

Mahalo Maui Jim and Aloha!

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Great review Dave - really nice to get some off/on photos looking at the same scene - it really helps to get an idea of the difference they make. Great looking shades - I'm not an aviators man myself, but the stonecrushers look the business!