Floating Sunglasses: What are they and how do they work?

If you’ve spent any amount of time near water, then you know how easy it is to lose a pair of sunglasses to the depths below. Fortunately, there is a solution: floating sunglasses. These unique frames are specifically designed to stay buoyant when dropped in water, making them a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts who sometimes find themselves in precarious, potentially wet environments.

No one wants to replace their expensive sunglasses when they go overboard, and sunglasses that float can prevent the loss of expensive sunglasses during water activities such as boating, fishing, or kayaking. Floating sunglasses are a great solution to protect your vision from harmful UV rays if you’ve been hesitant to wear your shades on the water before. Water reflects up to 100% of UV rays, and that damage can add up over time and lead to serious conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. It’s important to have a solution to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare off the water. 

In addition to these benefits, floatable sunglasses help to reduce environmental damage by preventing the loss and accumulation of plastic eyewear in our oceans, lakes and rivers. With increasing awareness of the negative impact of plastics on marine life, using products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable is becoming increasingly important each and everyday. Learn more about our commitment to recycling and sustainability, and how reusing your sunglasses can also help reduce your environmental impact.

What are Floating Sunglasses?

So what exactly are floatable sunglasses and how do they work? Simply put, their floatability is achieved by using special materials and technical features that enable the frames to float on the water's surface. The materials used to create floatable sunglass frames include foam, thermoplastic, or other buoyant materials. Additionally, some frames feature air pockets that increase their buoyancy or have specific designs that aid in keeping them above the water's surface.

One outstanding example of great floating design is Dragon Alliance's H2O floatable line of sunglasses, which use a highly buoyant material that is lightweight and durable. The H2O floatable technology ensures that the sunglasses are comfortable to wear and won't slip off your face. Another important feature of Dragon’s floatable sunglasses is that they are resistant to salt-water damage, making them perfect for water activities like surfing or paddle boarding. 

Dragon Alliance's H2O Floatable Technology

Dragon Alliance has quickly become the most coveted floatable sunglasses due their unique H2O Floatable Technology that allows its frames to float in water while maintaining their strength. The premium H2O Floatable Collection by Dragon Alliance is constructed from a specially formulated injection molded resin with a density lower than water, enabling them to float. The H2O style sunglasses come with water-resistant hardware and feature Lumalens and Performance Polar lens technology. Revant also offers premium replacement lenses for Dragon Alliance sunglasses in the event that you scratch yours, or if you simply want more options to customize and personalize your frames.

Dragon’s floating sunglasses are designed with hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coatings, making them resistant to water, dirt, oil, and other elements, while maintaining a clear view. Dragon Alliance keeps sustainability at the forefront of their projects. For their UPCYCLED frames line, they repurpose five single-use plastic bottles into every frame, keeping harmful plastic away from our oceans and marine life. Compared to other floating sunglasses on the market, Dragon Alliance's frames are known for their superior fit, sustainability, comfort, and clarity.

Other Floatable Sunglass Brands

While Dragon Alliance is a popular choice for floating sunglasses, there are other brands that offer floating sunglass options as well, such as Rheos, who offer a line of polarized floating sunglasses that feature lightweight frames and shatter-resistant lenses. However, they lack the hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coating that Dragon’s H2O Floatable line delivers, and the frames are delicate and have to be handled with care so they don’t break. Some cheaper options for floating frames are RawWood Original, Blenders Float2O Collection, and Riptide Vibes; however, these collections do not include high quality polarized lenses to protect your eyes from the water's glare. They also lack the sturdy break-resistant frames and salt and sand resistant coatings that Dragon's floating sunglasses have, so they won’t last you for long.

Our Final Thoughts

With so many options on the market, it's easy to find a high-quality pair that will last a long time and fit your style and needs. In our expert opinion, the best floating sunglasses are Dragon Alliance's H2O Floatable Sunglasses. Revant offers a wide selection of Dragon Alliance's H2O Floatable Collection, as well as premium Dragon replacement lenses. Don't let the fear of losing or damaging your sunglasses hold you back from enjoying water activities. Invest in a pair of floatable sunglasses today and enjoy your outdoor adventures worry-free for years to come.