GLADEDUCATION: SUNGLASSES 101

If you read our previous post, you know that we recently had a little realization that snow melts (true story), and that this realization was the impetus for our new sunglass line.

Now it’s time for a little insight into what goes into a pair of Glade sunglasses.  

Welcome to Glade Sunglasses 101: where we’re all about simple, functional performance. 

Let’s break this mini-lecture into a few sections:

  •     PREMIUM POLYCARBONATE LENSES
  •     POLARIZATION & CLARITY
  •     FEATHERWEIGHT BIO-BASED FRAMES
  •     SMALL-BATCH ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION
  •     STYLE THAT PERFORMS

Ready? Yeah, me too.

If you read our previous post, you know that we recently had a little realization that snow melts (true story), and that this realization was the impetus for our new sunglass line.

Now it’s time for a little insight into what goes into a pair of Glade sunglasses.  

Welcome to Glade Sunglasses 101: where we’re all about simple, functional performance. 

Let’s break this mini-lecture into a few sections:

  •     PREMIUM POLYCARBONATE LENSES
  •     POLARIZATION & CLARITY
  •     FEATHERWEIGHT BIO-BASED FRAMES
  •     SMALL-BATCH ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION
  •     STYLE THAT PERFORMS

Ready? Yeah, me too.

PREMIUM POLYCARBONATE LENSES

Glade HQ sits 9600’ above sea level. That is…up there. Now, if you’ve spent time in the mountains, especially in the summer, you know (and your sunburned skin will remind you) that the sun is quite a bit more intense at this altitude.  

Lenses are, in our opinion, the most important component of these things we call sunglasses. In true Glade ethos, we spared no expense in this department. We sourced super-premium, impact-resistant, Italian polycarbonate (PC) lenses with full UV400 sun protection. For what a mountain lifestyle demands, polycarbonate provides the best combination of weight, clarity, and protection.  

Quality, consistency, and expertise is what we focused on to ensure our lenses were built to withstand the intense UV rays in the places we love to play…. places that happen to be… well… closer to the sun.

PREMIUM POLYCARBONATE LENSES

Glade HQ sits 9600’ above sea level. That is…up there. Now, if you’ve spent time in the mountains, especially in the summer, you know (and your sunburned skin will remind you) that the sun is quite a bit more intense at this altitude.  

Lenses are, in our opinion, the most important component of these things we call sunglasses. In true Glade ethos, we spared no expense in this department. We sourced super-premium, impact-resistant, Italian polycarbonate (PC) lenses with full UV400 sun protection. For what a mountain lifestyle demands, polycarbonate provides the best combination of weight, clarity, and protection.  

Quality, consistency, and expertise is what we focused on to ensure our lenses were built to withstand the intense UV rays in the places we love to play…. places that happen to be… well… closer to the sun.

POLARIZATION & CLARITY

If you are reading this, then like us you are drawn to wild places. The places that make you stop, soak in the view, and give the sense of how small we truly are in this world.

Your moments in the mountains deserve to be seen CLEARLY.

I could talk about light dispersion and how the eyeball works, etc, etc. But the fact is, seeing is believing. When you put on a pair of Glades the proof is in the pudding. Here is how we do it:

  • High Altitude Polarization: Eliminating the glare from the surrounding surfaces and added color contrasting means that even in the brightest light, your view is crystal clear.
  • Anti-Reflective: Reducing peripheral glare means less squinting. Combined with polarization, this translates to less eye fatigue.

Hydro/Oleophobic: Less water, grit, and grime sticking to your lenses and blurring your sight lines.

POLARIZATION & CLARITY

If you are reading this, then like us you are drawn to wild places. The places that make you stop, soak in the view, and give the sense of how small we truly are in this world.

Your moments in the mountains deserve to be seen CLEARLY.

I could talk about light dispersion and how the eyeball works, etc, etc. But the fact is, seeing is believing. When you put on a pair of Glades the proof is in the pudding. Here is how we do it:

  • High Altitude Polarization: Eliminating the glare from the surrounding surfaces and added color contrasting means that even in the brightest light, your view is crystal clear.
  • Anti-Reflective: Reducing peripheral glare means less squinting. Combined with polarization, this translates to less eye fatigue.

Hydro/Oleophobic: Less water, grit, and grime sticking to your lenses and blurring your sight lines.

FEATHERWEIGHT BIO-BASED FRAMES

Since it doesn’t take many components to create a sunglass, that means each component must be scrutinized that much harder. While none is more important than the other, the frame is well… by mass… the largest part of the equation.  

Good design aesthetics are critical, but the material can make or break a sunglass frame.

All Glade sunglasses are made with GRILAMID BTR 600 LS NATURAL material. This lightweight, bio-based material is sourced from a world-renowned materials innovator and is composed of 58% plant and biomass. Our frame material successfully tightropes the very fine line of sustainability, durability, and weight in a way that . has blown us away with regard to how it holds up and feels on the face.  

FEATHERWEIGHT BIO-BASED FRAMES

Since it doesn’t take many components to create a sunglass, that means each component must be scrutinized that much harder. While none is more important than the other, the frame is well… by mass… the largest part of the equation.  

Good design aesthetics are critical, but the material can make or break a sunglass frame.

All Glade sunglasses are made with GRILAMID BTR 600 LS NATURAL material. This lightweight, bio-based material is sourced from a world-renowned materials innovator and is composed of 58% plant and biomass. Our frame material successfully tightropes the very fine line of sustainability, durability, and weight in a way that . has blown us away with regard to how it holds up and feels on the face.  

SMALL-BATCH ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION

 “Tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you who you are.”

We are firm believers in the premise that the partners you choose, in business and life, reflect and help to define who you are.

We’ve built Glade’s reputation on quality (just read the reviews on our goggles) and when it came to creating this sunglass line, we placed premium quality at the top of our list.

After months of searching and networking, we found a small family-owned factory in the foothills of the Central Italian Alps. They’ve been building glasses for generations and constantly evolving their operations to align with their family values; they’ve electrified the vast majority of their equipment, installed a solar array to power their facility, and used new tumbling methods significantly reducing their use of water. All of this, and they’ve maintained, if not improved, the high-end capabilities that have made them respected for years in the luxury eyewear space.

In short: We didn’t find a factory. We partnered with true craftspeople.

SMALL-BATCH ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION

 “Tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you who you are.”

We are firm believers in the premise that the partners you choose, in business and life, reflect and help to define who you are.

We’ve built Glade’s reputation on quality (just read the reviews on our goggles) and when it came to creating this sunglass line, we placed premium quality at the top of our list.

After months of searching and networking, we found a small family-owned factory in the foothills of the Central Italian Alps. They’ve been building glasses for generations and constantly evolving their operations to align with their family values; they’ve electrified the vast majority of their equipment, installed a solar array to power their facility, and used new tumbling methods significantly reducing their use of water. All of this, and they’ve maintained, if not improved, the high-end capabilities that have made them respected for years in the luxury eyewear space.

In short: We didn’t find a factory. We partnered with true craftspeople.

STYLE THAT PERFORMS

You choose a sunglass based on style and look. You keep a sunglass because of how it feels, wears, and performs.  

Are these the last glasses you buy? Probably not. I see more Glades in your future.

STYLE THAT PERFORMS

You choose a sunglass based on style and look. You keep a sunglass because of how it feels, wears, and performs.  

Are these the last glasses you buy? Probably not. I see more Glades in your future.

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