I know what you’re thinking, because when I first saw a pair of Ombraz sunglasses I thought the exact same thing. How in the world are these going to be comfortable, or even functional?! Well, if they say to not judge a book by its cover, then I guess it’s fair to say don’t judge sunglasses by their arms…or lack thereof.
Ombraz have replaced traditional arms with Japanese marine-grade cord. The custom-woven nylon material is abrasion resistant, soft, and 100-percent recycled. Two ergonomic sliders sit at the back of the cord, allowing for quick and easy adjustments to the fit. To wear Ombraz, simply put the cord over your head, place the frames on your face and pull the sliders tight until comfortable. When I received a pair of Ombraz several months ago to test, I was convinced they would feel wobbly or too different to be usable. I was wrong. And many, many wears later, they have become some of my favorite, go-to sunglasses, especially when I’m out on a boat. The frames are well balanced and rest comfortably on my nose, and the design and placement of the cord keeps them in place without hassle.
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Of course, the advantages of going armless are many. First and foremost, arms are breakable – and they are also known to loosen up or stretch out over time, especially for wearers with larger heads. Several of my favorite pairs of sunglasses no longer fit properly or even slip off because they’ve become too loose. By getting rid of the arms and the requisite hinges, Ombraz have eliminated these issues, while simultaneously making their sunglasses more compact and packable. Replacing solid arms with ultra-soft cord removes the problem of ear fatigue. Another advantage to the cord-for-arms system is loss prevention. The cord is a built-in keeper, so you can easily pull the Ombraz off your face and let them hang from your neck.
The frames are created with an aerospace-grade TR-90 material that Ombraz claims are indestructible – even going as far as to back them with a lifetime warranty. The cord and adjustment tabs fall under that lifetime warranty, as well. The Carl Zeiss nylon lenses are scratch and smudge resistant, and Ombraz can be ordered with polarized or non-polarized versions. During testing, the Ombraz I’ve worn with grey polarized lenses are clear, vibrant and great for on-water activities. While the cord-for-arms route requires two hands to properly put on and secure, I appreciate the other advantages and conveniences, especially the packability and durability. While you might have your doubts looking at them, all I can say is you’ve got to try them. I guarantee Ombraz will change the way you think about sunglasses, while enhancing the way you see your world. At $160, they are also cheaper than most other premium eyewear offerings.
Ombraz can be ordered in five different frame styles (in multiple colorways) with three different lens colors, and side shields can be added for an extra cost. The frames are also offered in regular and XL sizes. For folks with plus-sized heads like myself, this is a wonderful option.
Ombraz Leggero (XL) w/ grey polarized lenses MSRP: $160, ombraz.com
