Maui Jim and Oakley are two of the biggest eyewear companies in the world. And with millions of pairs of sunglasses sold by each company, they are both classics in their own right. But how do they compare? We’re reviewing both companies side-by-side so you can see how the brands, styles, frames, and lenses compare!
Now let’s get started.
Maui Jim vs. Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley Overview
One of the most popular eyewear brands, Oakley specializes in sports sunglasses. Founded in 1975 by James Jannard (“Jim”), the company is now a part of eyewear giant Luxottica, which also owns other brands like Ray-Ban, Lenscrafters, and Oliver Peoples.
Today you can buy Oakleys from one of their hundreds of stores or through retailers like SunglassHut or Lenscrafters (for prescription options). Plus, you can buy them online at Oakley.com and at a variety of online retailers.
Maui Jim Overview
Founded in 1987, Maui Jim centers itself around its Hawaiian heritage and creating high-end lifestyle and fishing sunglasses. Today, they’re a part of Kering luxury goods, a competitor of Oakley’s parent company Luxottica. But that hasn’t changed the company’s dedication to Maui Jim sunglasses that transport you straight to the beaches of Hawaii.
Oakley vs. Maui Jim Styles & Frames
Oakley frames tend to be more sports focused, made out of their proprietary O Matter nylon frame material that is lightweight and durable. But they also have a wide range of lifestyle frames made of metal, titanium, and other materials. This includes an array of aviator sunglasses and wire frame designs that can be worn in any setting.
In comparison, Maui Jim is clearly a lifestyle brand, with most of the lineup being aviator, fishing, and polarized sunglasses. And while we wouldn’t recommend wearing these shades for a marathon, they are still plenty durable for everyday life. Plus, all of Maui Jim’s sunglasses are built for comfort, with most pairs featuring a large wrap that hugs your face for maximum coverage.
Oakley vs. Maui Jim lenses
Maui Jim Lens Technology
PolarizedPlus2 lens technology is Maui Jim’s proprietary and patented lens technology. Designed to enhance color naturally perceived by the eye, PolarizedPlus2 lenses also protect from intense glare and harmful UV rays. You can find this technology in most Maui Jim sunglasses, and offers superior visual clarity and color while reducing eye strain. Maui Jim’s emphasis on Polarized lenses and casual design has made the brand a favorite amongst anglers and outdoorsmen.
Plus, Maui Jim offers 5 different lens materials that balance optical clarity, shatter resistance, scratch resistance, and weight. These options are SuperThin Glass, MauiBrillant, MauiPure, Maui Evolution, and Maui Pure Lt. You can see the complete comparison of these lens materials below from Maui Jim’s website:
Oakley Lens Technology
Oakley’s Prizm Lenses lead the industry with color and contrast-enhancing tuned for specific environments. Oakley’s Prizm Lens boosts the color in the world around you while still providing complete glare protection from the sun’s harmful rays. And with over 20 different Prizm lens options built for different sports and activities, there is a lens for everyone. Oakley also offers PrizmPolarized lenses that add a Polarized filter to the contrast-enhancing lenses.
Along with Prizm lenses, Oakley also offers standard and HDPolarized lenses, along with Iridium (mirrored) coatings. If you’ve never tried Prizm lenses, we’d recommend trying out some of our favorites, including Prizm Sapphire, Deep Water, and Prizm Road. And most Oakley frames are available with prescription lenses (including Prizm and Polarized options).
For durability, all of Oakley’s lenses are made of impact-resistant Plutonite lens material. This material is a purified polycarbonate lens that is lightweight and meets ANSI Z87.1 impact resistance standards. Plus, every pair of Oakleys offers 100% UV protection against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays (and harmful blue light up to 400nm).
Check out Prizm Lenses in action below:
Oakley vs. Maui Jim Lens Side-by-Side Comparison
To see Oakley and Maui Jim lenses compared side by side, check out the images below from member Nick H.
The first pic is just the standard iPhone (11 Pro Max) – No filter, no editing, nothing (just to offer a baseline).
The second is the Maui Jim Neutral Grey (Model – Red Sands). I’m also getting the Wana tomorrow, which has glass lenses – If there is a perceivable difference in the photo, I’ll update the thread below (I doubt there will be).
Lastly is Oakley Prizm Black lenses in a Holbrook XL frame.
All of these pictures are completely unedited and give a really good reflection of the different tones from the lenses.
Oakley Prizm Black has a clear rose tint which makes the colors pop a little but also changes the True Tone of the landscape. In comparison, the Maui Jim provides a more “normal” look in terms of colors. But the extra pop on the Oakley’s would be welcome in the morning and late afternoon when it’s not quite as bright.
Oakley vs. Maui Jim Prices
Now that we’ve reviewed the frames, styles, and lenses, it’s time to talk about prices. Both of these brands are considered designer sunglasses, so they are relatively expensive.
Today Oakley prices generally range between $100 and $400, though, with sales, you can usually find cheaper pairs. Learn why Oakley’s are so expensive in our dedicated guide.
In comparison, Maui Jim sunglasses cost between $200 and $400, with the price depending on the frame and lenses. These prices are in-line with other quality sunglasses, but similar to Oakley’s, you can often find discounts and sales with a bit of patience.
Oakley vs. Maui Jim Warranty
Both Oakley and Maui Jim offer a similar 2-year warranty for their sunglasses from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any normal wear and tear, such as scratches, frame damage, or accidental breakage.
In general, these warranties are provided for manufacturers’ defects. This means your sunglasses need to be built wrong in order to get a new pair.
For more information, check out our Oakley Warranty Guide.
Which Brand is Right for You?
We’d recommend Oakley sunglasses or eyeglasses if you want a pair of sunglasses built for outdoor activity and sports like baseball, running, and cycling. With Oakley’s tuned Prizm lenses and durable frames, they are definitely built for high-intensity sports.
In comparison, we’d recommend Maui Jim sunglasses for anyone looking for a casual pair of sunglasses that can be worn fishing, to a wedding, or on the beach. And while these sunglasses can definitely stand up to the world, they may not be the best for intense activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maui Jims Worth the Money?
Yes, Maui Jim’s are a high-end pair of sunglasses built with quality, including durable frames, polarized lenses, and stylish designs. And with some of the best optics and best lenses also comes higher prices. Most Maui Jims cost between $200 and $400 today, which is similar to other high-end brands.
Where Are Maui Jim’s Made?
All Maui Jim’s sunglasses are made in Italy or Japan, while the company’s headquarters are in Peoria, Illinois. This is similar to other high-end brands who have moved production overseas in recent years. Similarly, brands like Oakley are made in the USA, Italy, or China today.
Does Luxottica Own Maui Jim?
No, Maui Jim is owned by Kering group, a competitor of Luxottica. Kering luxury brands group owns other top eyewear brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Alexander McQueen.
In comparison, Luxottica is the largest eyewear company with brands like Oakley, Ray-Ban, Chanel, Coach, Olivers People, and many more.
Have a Question?
Want to know more about our Oakley vs. Maui Jim sunglasses comparisons? Or have a question of your own? Let us know in the comments below!
(H/t to member Nick H for his comparison of Maui Jim and Oakley lenses)
