Vuarnet protects our team's vision.

The time our staff spends in nature and exposed to high rays of light, both in the ocean and on the rugged sierras and deserts, while exploring, scouting, and operating regenerative tourism in the Peninsula of Baja California, Mexico, amounts to over 300 days per year.

This exposure to sun, wind, and a salty environment has led our team to seek the perfect glasses that allow us to work in the field without suffering collateral damage to our vision and eyes.

We consider this a priority for safety while exploring, as sharp vision is crucial for spotting wildlife from a distance, akin to the keen eyesight of a puma or an eagle. Our ocean expeditions focus on searching for marine mammals like dolphins, whales, and orcas, and most of our monitoring expeditions goes from sunrise to sunsets.

Regina Domingo on a ocean expedition wearing Vuarnet glacier model

Therefore, having high-quality polarized glasses that are also comfortable is a crucial part of our gear. While Vuarnet may have been traditionally associated with snow sports, we believe their eyewear is equally perfect for ocean exploration.

After approaching the Vuarnet team to explain our projects and conservation strategies in the field, we explored potential collaboration opportunities. We are super happy to announce that Vuarnet is supporting our team and projects at Baja Adventures and Nakawe Project with eyewear. Our pair of glasses arrived just in time for some scientific research monitoring expeditions we conducted alongside a scientist from CICESE and Conahcyt, analyzing the distribution of marine mammals in the National Park of Loreto.

Scientific research monitoring expedition at Baja Adventures and Nakawe project alongside a scientist from CICESE Mario A. Pardo

This research aims to generate more conservation strategies and management plans.

Our experience this past week with Vuarnet sunglasses has been nothing short of amazing; they are comfortable, beautifully designed, and available in stunning earthy design colors.

Leopoldo Sanmiguel on a ocean expedition wearing Vuarnet glacier model

The performance has exceeded our expectations, especially regarding glare reduction on the water's surface. We were recommended to analyze Vuarnet glasses and quickly fell in love with their shape, design, colors, and the numerous positive reviews from adventurers praising the quality of these products.

Blue whale in Loreto National Park during our expeditions.

As you can imagine, being ready to explore in dry terrain in the sierras and sometimes humid conditions in the Gulf of California means gear wears out quickly; thus, we need to rely on the best brands available to ensure sustainability.

Vuarnet’s commitment to sustainability resonates deeply with our principles at the Nakawe Project and Baja Adventures. Their initiative of creating eyewear that is 75% made from nature and recycled materials aligns perfectly with our mission to protect and preserve the environment. Collaborating with the Tara Ocean Foundation, Vuarnet has developed a revolutionary natural material from the castor plant: RILSAN® Clear G820 Rnew®, produced in Normandy, France. This innovative approach not only reduces dependence on petroleum but also exemplifies how we can integrate eco-friendly practices into our adventures, ensuring that our explorations contribute positively to the ecosystems we cherish.

Leopoldo Sanmiguel on a ocean expedition wearing Vuarnet glacier model

This bio-resourced nylon is derived from a low-water-consuming plant that grows using sustainable agricultural practices. It retains essential properties like lightness, flexibility, shape memory, and resistance over time, thereby reducing dependence on petroleum. In addition to their innovative nylon, Vuarnet has introduced bio-acetate for their frames—100% natural and fully recyclable—made from cotton cellulose or wood fiber. This eco-responsible approach extends across their entire sports eyewear range.

Sustainable Packaging

Regina Domingo on a ocean expedition wearing Vuarnet glacier model

Vuarnet’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond their eyewear; it also encompasses their packaging. The case and cord are made of neoprene derived from 70% recycled PET plastic bottles, making them both recyclable and environmentally friendly. This material boasts excellent characteristics such as flexibility, shape memory, thermal insulation, and resistance to wear. The cleaning cloth is crafted from 80% recycled polyester, also sourced from PET plastic bottles. Additionally, the box that contains the case, leaflet, and warranty card is made from 100% recycled fibers and is fully recyclable. All packaging elements are FSC labeled, ensuring responsible sourcing.

Vuarnet packaging

We loved the design style of the packaging—minimalist yet striking—and particularly appreciated the beautiful black-and-white mountains featured on it. This aesthetic reflects our values perfectly and adds an extra touch of thoughtfulness that resonates with us. To further minimize environmental impact, Vuarnet uses water-based inks for all prints, adhering to the latest environmental standards.

Local bottlenose dolphins during our research expedition.

The Glacier model was particularly appealing because many of the glasses we had previously used did not adequately cover the sides of our eyes, making it uncomfortable during long hours—sometimes exceeding 9 hours—out in the ocean searching for marine mammals.

Leopoldo Sanmiguel on a ocean expedition wearing Vuarnet glacier model

With Vuarnet's focus on high-quality materials and environmental responsibility throughout their entire product line—including packaging—we feel confident that we have found a partner that aligns with our values while providing the protection our team needs in the field. So far, our experience with Vuarnet has been exceptional; we love all the security features they offer and how beautifully they are presented.

Previous
Previous

Enhancing cetacean conservation in Loreto Bay National Park

Next
Next

Photography exhibition: Ojos de las Californias