Sunglasses Buying Guide: Frame Options

Find an unfamiliar term? Glossary of Sunglass Terms

Frames come in two parts, each with a specific function. The arms of the frame, which rest on your ears, keep the glasses firmly on your ear. The face of the frame, which rests on your nose with a nose-bridge, keeps the lenses aligned properly with your eyes. 

Frame Materials: 

• Plastic Usually found in the less expensive sunglasses. Tends to crack easily...choose plastic reinforced with metal rod molded into the arms for durability.
• Nylon Good choice, it's flexible, light and strong with a tendency to return to its original position.
• Metal Also a good choice, strong and lightweight. The main drawback is they will bend and break more easily than nylon.

The hinge pieces themselves should fit together tightly with no gaps. A cheap hinge will usually be made out of soft metal, generally as small as possible with the pieces not fitting together snugly. When flexing the ear piece up and down, most will feel like they're going to break.

Hinge Materials:

• Metal Usually steel, and will extend into the earpiece for added strength. The best will often have a spring added inside. This helps keep the glasses snug against your face. 
• Nylon The segments that make up the hinge will be thick and fit together snugly and should have a metal rod that holds the nylon hinge together.