Back to Top

Oakley and Ray-Ban Easter Sale, Save on Men's & Women's Eyewear! SHOP NOW

Sunglass Frame And Lens Tech Guide

How To Read The Specs On A Sunglass Frame.

  • Lens Size
  • Bridge Size
  • Arm Size (Temple Length)

* Measured in millimeters

Sunglass Frame Material Guide

METAL FRAMES

Features: Strong, malleable, corrosion resistant, adjustable to almost any face, expensive, not best for sports, heavier, not ideal for sensitive nose bridges, high fashion, ideal for fashion.

TITANIUM FRAMES

Features: Special light weight metal, very strong, expensive, durable, scratch resistant, lighter than regular metal, heavier than non-metal, very fashionable, high fashion.

NYLON FRAMES

Features: Great for sports, flexible, safe, ideal for the active lifestyle, light, affordable.

POLYCARBONATE

Features: Ideal for sports and safety purposes, very durable, rigid and not flexible, great for sports, great for younger people who abuse their sunglasses, inexpensive.

ACETATE

Features: Stronger than normal plastic frames, more flexible, lighter, color is inbedded in the plastic, not painted on, very affordable, great for active lifestyles, great for sports.

PLASTIC

Features: Can be made out of acrylic or polyurethane. The least expensive frame option. Light and durable but tend to feel lower end. Not the best for high fashion. Good for sports and the active lifestyle. Good low end sunglasses.

Sunglass Lens Material Guide

OPTICAL GLASS LENS

Features: Made of real glass, very resistant, very durable, highest level of distortion free vision and scratch resistance, heavier than non-glass lens, more expensive, not the best for action sports as the lens can shatter into a spider shape or break apart and damage your face or eyes on impact, ideal for high fashion.

POLYCARBONATE LENS

Features: Special light weight metal, very strong, expensive, durable, scratch resistant, lighter than regular metal, heavier than non-metal, very fashionable, high fashion.

NXT POLYURETHANE LENS

Features: Very expensive, bringing the best clarity and optics of glass, with the strength and safety features of polycarbonate lenses, high impact resistance, very lightweight, made with Trivex – an advance polymer material.

ACRYLIC LENS

Features: Inexpensive, ideal for sports and general fashion, great for casual wear, sports wear, less optical clarity, less durable.

Lens Information Guide

NON-POLARIZED LENS

Features: Ideal for most activities, affordable.

POLARIZED LENS

Features: Ideal for water sports, around the beach, snow and anywhere that has a lot of glare, usually more expensive.

PHOTOCHROMIC LENS

Features: Automatically adjusts the tint and darkness of the lens based on UV conditions from the sun, not to be confused with actual light conditions. Takes longer in colder climate for the lens to adjust, and won’t work inside your car while driving. The tinting is activated by UVB rays. Ideal for most outdoor activities and sports where the change in lighting affects your performance and vision, such as baseball, softball.

GRADIENT LENS

Features: Automatically adjusts the tint and darkness of the lens based on UV conditions from the sun, not to be confused with actual light conditions. Takes longer in colder climate for the lens to adjust, and won’t work inside your car while driving. The tinting is activated by UVB rays. Ideal for most outdoor activities and sports where the change in lighting affects your performance and vision, such as baseball, softball.

DOUBLE GRADIENT LENS

Features: Lens where it is darkest on top and bottom, and lightest in the middle, ideal for conditions where you get a lot of reflective light and overhead light such as on sand, water, snow and reflective surfaces in general.