…for the world of sport: technical, precise..with fully integrated prescription capabilities
Gary Black’s independent sports eyewear brand continues to release new tech-driven sun styles in a market saturated by big names, with the advantage that from the outset the concept was all about raising standards. “I founded Kuro Athletics out of a personal need as an athlete. Having competed in multiple Ironman 140.6 and 70.3 races, as well as 29029’s 3-Day, 3x Mountain Marathon, I know first-hand the challenge of finding eyewear that truly performs. I didn’t want just another pair of sports glasses – I wanted to create something,” he says in his mission statement that introduces new products for 2026, Aplomado and Peregrine.
Kuro Athletics is built on three key pillars: clean design, premium materials, and first-of-its-kind technology. According to Black, a leader in independent optical retailing in the US who has designed the collection from the ground up, there is a gap in the market for Rx-compatible, high-performance eyewear and a need to raise the standard. Inspired by the precision and speed of falcons, each frame is designed for clarity, comfort, and durability –all while staying lightweight and logo-free. Initially launched around the concept of mono lens architecture, the brand has also expanded its offering to include classic Rx-able designs optimised for everyday sport, and weighing just 26 grams. Pictured above, the Aplomado wrap – inspired by the Aplomado Falcon – a swift and agile bird of prey – a frame with all round appeal for all sports activities
Made and engineered in Japan, the Aplomado has a streamlined wrap front combined with extremely sleek beta titanium temples, creating a product that is featherlight, minimal in structure, and which, importantly, has been tested by athletes. “Every aspect of Kuro Athletics reflects the athlete’s journey – whether running, cycling, or pushing endurance limits. We manufacture in Japan, ensuring each pair meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality. For me, it’s about providing athletes with the tools to perform at their best – without distractions.”
The Peregrine – named after the Peregrine Falcon – the fastest bird on the planet – has been conceived as a piece of sports gear that will enhance the reaction time and clarity of the athlete. Specifically designed for runners, the style features a mono-lens shield design with double injected temples with metal core and comes in different versions for men and women.
With minimallised visual branding (no massive logos), both new models come in extensive colourways which enhance the cool and attractive aesthetic of each piece, sometimes with a nostalgic nod to classic frames but always ensuring there is a solid contemporary look about the designs, however streamlined.
Kuro Athletics’ products boast prescription lenses offering vibrant colour enhancement, polarized clarity, and rapid light adaptive technologies – all via an advanced Rx program which utilizes digital free-form Rx technology to match high curvature wraparound designs. Lightweight and impact-resistant, the shield lenses offer panoramic vision both vertically and peripherally, “guaranteeing” says Black “an unrivalled visual experience for every athlete”.
Find out more about Kuro Athletics at www.kuroathletics.com
Kuro first appeared on Eyestylist.com in 2024: https://www.eyestylist.com/2024/07/kuro-athletics-where-action-creates-clarity/
