Say Goodbye to Dust and Scratches with the Best Glasses Cases
If you own premium eyeglasses or high-quality sunglasses, you’re going to need a few glasses cases to protect your investment. Even if you’ve got some of the best cheap glasses, a solid glasses case will prolong the life of your lenses just by minimizing scratches from your pocket or backpack.
But like so many products, there are a million options to choose from, and depending on your needs, there’s also not likely to be one perfect case to cover all your bases. Soft case or hard case? Zip opening or snap opening? More protection or more convenience? Whatever your needs are, we’ve rounded up some of the best glasses cases to help you cut through the noise and find a reliable option. Whether you need something that can survive the drop from desk to floor with your glasses intact, a glasses case to help keep your precious frames dry or maybe just something to tuck into your pocket to protect your glasses from daily wear and tear, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our picks below and start protecting your glasses today because if you take good care of your glasses, they’ll keep taking good care of your eyes.
Whatever your basic needs are for your glasses, the Optiplix Hard Shell Glasses Case will address them. The beauty of a glasses case like this is it’s inherently simple. Is it hard enough to be sat upon? Check. Does it snap shut, keeping dirt and dust out and ensuring your glasses won’t accidentally fall out? Check. Is it big enough to fit most frames while not being unwieldy? Check. Is the inside soft enough so I know my lenses won’t get scratched? Check. Does it come in multiple colorways so I can go for something that will blend or something eye-catching that will stand out? Check. Can I afford to buy three so I have a glasses case in every place I need? Check.
The Optiplix covers all the basic bases you would need in a glasses case and will offer solid protection through its hard clamshell casing at a reasonable price. Some of the designs even have glasses printed on the case so you couldn’t possibly confuse the case for anything other than what it is: a simple, great glasses case. For hitting most of the needs for most people, the Optiplix is our unquestioned best overall glasses case.
Short of buying basically a glasses lockbox, there’s only so much protection you get for your glasses out of a glasses case. That being said, the Nite Ize Rugged Hard Shell Optics Case offers a lot of features to make sure your glasses stay safe. The weather-resistant hardshell exterior helps protect against some rain, falls or crushing and the interior has foam on the inside so even if you leave the case under something heavy the glasses should remain unscathed, not to mention scratch-free. A zip enclosure guarantees your glasses won’t ever slip out (so long as you remember to zip it closed!) and this case also features a built-in clip as well as a built-in carabiner loop, so you can secure this case anywhere you want. As an added bonus, the case features a sewn-in microfiber cloth, so you’ll always be able to give your lenses a quick polish when you’re out and about.
The only real downside to this case is its size and flexibility. The case appears to be rigid, but it actually flattens out so it might not protect glasses if something heavy is dropped on top of them. The case is also basically the size of a small sneaker, which can be inconvenient, though you can make the case that because the case is so large, it’s unlikely you’ll accidentally sit on them because they definitely won’t fit in a pocket.
How to Choose the Right Eyeglass Case
No matter how good your eyeglasses are, they won't serve you for long without proper maintenance.
One of the rudimentary things you should do to ensure your eyeglasses stay in tip-top shape is to invest in an eyeglass case. An eyeglass case will help preserve your glasses' quality and protect them from all kinds of unpredictable mishaps when you're not wearing them. But given that there are thousands of eyeglass cases available in the market, how do you know what case to buy? Here are the factors you should consider.
The Type of Eyeglass Case Material
Eyeglass cases may look similar, but they're usually made using different types of materials. There are three main types of eyeglass case materials:
a) Hard Eyeglass Cases
As the name suggests, these cases are made using light, firm, and hard materials. Some of the most common materials used to make hard-eyeglass cases include metal, gold, silver, aluminum, plastic, and wood.
These cases are built to provide the highest level of protection possible. They also have unmatched impact toughness, which prevents them from breaking even when dropped or sat on.
b) Semi-hard Eyeglass Case
These are convenient, easy-to-use eyeglass cases that closely resemble hard cases. Semi-hard eyeglass cases are made from light and flexible exterior materials and have a firm interior to protect your glasses. Most have a zip opening or a front-close flap design that allows them to safely secure your eyeglasses when in coats, purses, or on the go.
c) Soft Eyeglass Case
Soft eyeglass cases are ultra-light, space-saving cases usually made from elastic microfiber material. Aside from protecting lenses from getting scratched, their microfiber material can be used to remove smudges off your lenses. In addition, these cases are a great choice for reading and driving glasses because they're light and easy to carry around.
Case Size
Size is another important factor you should consider when choosing an eyeglass case. Make sure you choose the right size.
If the case you buy is too big, your eyeglasses will move a lot, bump into the case during transport, and get damaged. On the other hand, if the case is too small, your glasses' frames may bend or break due to continuous pressure.
Cushioning
Go for padded eyeglass cases—they'll protect your glasses from scratches. Where possible, choose glass cases with foam end pads and fabric linings. They provide extra protection to glass frames.
Quality and Personal Taste
Regardless of the eyeglass case you choose, make sure it's made of high-quality materials and guarantees the best value for money. Also, make sure you choose a case that matches your taste and lifestyle.
How To Clean Glasses the Right Way
Cleaning your eyeglasses daily is the best way to keep them looking great and avoid scratched lenses. But there's a right way — and plenty of wrong ways — when it comes to how to clean glasses.
Follow these tips to clean your eyeglass lenses and frames to keep your glasses in top condition. These cleaning tips will also help you keep your sunglasses, safety glasses and sports eyewear in great shape.
1. Wash and dry your hands.
Before cleaning your eyeglasses, wash your hands thoroughly. Use lotion-free soap or dishwashing liquid and a clean, lint-free towel.
2. Rinse your glasses under a gentle stream of tap water.
This will remove dust and other debris, which can help avoid scratching your lenses when you're cleaning them. Avoid hot water, which can damage some eyeglass lens coatings.
3. Apply a small drop of lotion-free dishwashing liquid to each lens.
Most dishwashing liquids are very concentrated, so use only a tiny amount. Or apply a drop or two to your fingertips before touching the lenses. Use only lotion-free brands.
4. Gently rub both sides of the lenses and all parts of the frame.
Make sure you clean every part of your glasses, including the nose pads and the temples of the frame. Also, clean the area where the edge of the lenses meet the frame — dust, debris and skin oils frequently accumulate here.
5. Rinse both sides of the lenses and the frame.
Failing to remove all traces of soap will cause the lenses to be smeared when you dry them.
6. Gently shake your glasses to get rid of most of the water on the lenses.
Inspect the lenses carefully to make sure they are clean.
7. Carefully dry the lenses and frame with a clean, lint-free towel.
Use a dish towel that has not been laundered with a fabric softener or dryer sheet (these substances can smear the lenses). A lint-free microfiber cloth is also a good choice. Make sure the cloth is perfectly clean. Dirt or debris trapped in the fibers of a towel can scratch your lenses. Also, any cooking oil, skin oil or lotion on the towel will smear your glasses.
8. Inspect the lenses again.
If any streaks or smudges remain, remove them with a clean microfiber cloth — these lint-free cloths are available at most optical shops or photography stores.
For touch-up cleaning of your eyeglass lenses, use disposable lens cleaning wipes. These are formulated specifically for use on eyeglass lenses.
Cleaning glasses: Don'ts
DON'T use your shirttail, blouse or other clothing to clean your glasses, especially when the lenses are dry. This can scratch your lenses.
DON'T use saliva to wet your lenses.
DON'T use household glass or surface cleaners to clean your eyeglasses. These products have ingredients that can damage eyeglass lenses and coatings.
DON'T use paper towels, napkins, tissues or toilet paper to clean your lenses. These can scratch or smear your lenses or leave them full of lint.
DON'T try to "buff away" a scratch in your lenses. This only makes the situation worse.
The Best Sunglass Straps to Keep Track of Your Shades
Sunglasses fall off. And they get scratched. And they break. Worst of all, this seems to happen whether they’re on our face, hung on a shirt, stashed in a pocket or on top of our heads. Luckily, some of the best sunglass straps can help.
You’ve probably seen sunglass straps before. Sometimes called eyewear retainers, the simple strip of fabric connects to the arms of your glasses behind your head. This lets you hang your shades around your neck when not in use and provides a safety net in case your sunnies fall off while on your face.
Sunglass straps are a great choice for fishing, cycling, hiking and other outdoor activities where sunglasses are prone to falling off. In addition to the safety aspect, some eyewear retainers also keep glasses more secure against your face by tightening around the back of your head. This means less bouncing around and less chance of your shades falling off.
But sunglass straps are also very convenient in casual situations where you need to take your shades on and off: think, going in and out of stores while shopping or working in the yard. In these cases, you won’t need to find a place for your sunnies every time you take them off. In short, eyewear retainers make sunglasses easier to deal with and less likely to break or get lost (for example, at the bottom of the lake or ocean).
They all do the same thing, but sunglass straps come in a variety of materials, sizes and colors that all impact your intended use. Below are a few things to consider while shopping, plus five of our favorites to buy right now.
Material: The best sunglass straps are comfortable and sturdy. That might come in the form of durable cotton, buoyant neoprene or flexible plastic. Keep in mind that the material of your sunglass strap will most likely touch your head or ears when your shades are on, as well as your neck when they’re off.
Compatibility: Make sure that eyewear retainers will fit your sunglasses. Sunglass straps vary in terms of fit, with some being more snug on thin frames (such as aviators) and others fitting better on shades with thick frames.
Adjustability: Some eyewear retainers feature an adjustment bead to tighten or loosen the strap. This is very handy if you occasionally need a snug fit for high-impact activities like mountain biking or boating.
Color: In the right color, sunglass straps can blend in with an outfit or make a fun dad-style statement. Like anything else on your body, consider how an eyewear retainer will fit with your personal style.
Our favorite sunglass straps are these neoprene Ukes. The neoprene fabric is very soft, waterproof, stain-resistant and, best of all, buoyant. That means accidentally dropping your sunglasses in the lake, river or ocean isn’t the end of the world. Thanks to a slight stretch, the neoprene also helps accommodate a wide range of sunglass arms. Measuring just under 20 inches long, the straps keep your glasses at a good distance when worn around your neck.
If you’re looking for a low-profile sunglass strap, check out this sunglasses leash from Oakley. The strap itself is very thin and keeps its semi-circle shape. This ensures that the strap stays out of the way while mountain biking, running or doing any other high-intensity activities. On either end of the strap, you’ll find small rubber pieces that squeeze around the arms of your sunglasses. These are designed to fit Oakley glasses, although they’ll work with other brands as well.
What are the different types of eyeglass hinges?
1. Standard Hinges
Standard hinges are also known as barrel hinges or tenon hinges and are the most common type of hinges used on most eyeglasses and sunglasses frames.
A standard hinge works by consisting of a barrel hinge design, which is a design made of interlocking metal loops that are all held in place by a small screw through the middle of the loops.
The metal loops in a standard glasses hinge are also known as charniers.
Barrel hinges come in intervals of either 3, 5, 7 or 9 charniers.
Benefits of a Standard Hinge
Standard hinges are the easiest to repair and modify if needed to help make you glasses fit more comfortably.
Standard hinges can be more durable, especially the seven barrel hinge design.
Disadvantages of a Standard Hinge
Standard hinges cannot extend the temples on glasses past ninety degrees, this makes them prone to breaking if the arms of the glasses are pulled too far apart.
Standard hinges might not be the most comfortable if you have a wider face that needs the temples on your frames to extend out wider.
2. Spring Hinges
Spring hinges are hinges that have a spring mechanism that allows the temples of a glasses frame attached to the hinge to extend beyond ninety degrees.
Benefits of a Spring Hinge
Spring hinges biggest benefit is the flexibility of allowing the arms on your eyeglasses or sunglasses to open out wider for your face.
Spring hinges allow for a one size fit all option for different glasses styles.
Spring hinges require no adjustments for comfort fittings.
Spring hinges are an alternative option to using standard hinges for most adult eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Disadvantages of a Spring Hinge
Spring hinges cannot be custom adjusted
Spring hinges are more difficult to repair compared to standard hinges if they get damaged or broken.
3. Hingeless Frames
Hingeless frames are glasses that have no metal hinge mechanisms attached to the frames to help move the temples of the glasses.
Hingeless frames can come in either plastic frames or specialised metal frames.
Benefits Hingeless Frames
Hingeless frames are best for kids glasses when you are worried your child will try open the arms on their glasses to wide or twist the frames.
Hingeless frames have no hinge that will need repairing.
Hingeless glasses have arms that open wide which makes them ideal as one size fits all for children's eyewear.
Disadvantages of a Hingeless Frame
Hingeless frames cannot be repaired if the temple breaks off the glasses frame.
Hingeless frames styles are more limited vs standard or spring hinge frames.
