Ray-Ban sunglasses are one of the most popular and iconic sunglasses brands in the world and have become a staple in many people’s wardrobes over the years. However, there has always been some speculation about how well they hold up and if they break easily because of their material composition. Considering the average cost of these accessories, their longevity is a significant factor to consider before purchasing a pair of your own.
Ray-Ban sunglasses are cut from acetate, one of the most durable plastics used for eyewear. In addition to being sturdy, acetate can last 4-6 years without showing any signs of wear or tear, but many can last upwards of ten years when cared for properly. Other models are made with steel and titanium metals, both of which are unmatched in strength and longevity.
There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a brand-new pair of stylish sunglasses only to have them break less than a year later. With Ray-Ban sunglasses, this isn’t a concern, and we’re going to prove it. In this article, we’ll detail the material composition of Ray-Ban sunglasses, how long they last, and how you can protect these products and extend their lifetime.
What is the Durability and Longevity of Ray-Ban Sunglasses?
Sometimes, you don’t always get what you pay for, but with Ray-Bans, that couldn’t be further from the truth regarding their durability.
All authentic Ray-Ban sunglasses are made with the highest-quality materials known for their strength and longevity, namely acetate for the plastic models and titanium and steel for the metallic models. Thanks to these materials, acetate-framed Ray-Bans will last at least 4-6 years, if not more, and titanium and steel-framed Ray-Bans will last well over ten years.
Despite being the more budget-friendly option as far as Ray-Ban standards go, you certainly don’t sacrifice quality when purchasing their acetate-framed models.
Because of this material’s durability, consumers can rest at ease that their $100+ Ray-Bans will last years without peeling or changing shape. This is a significant upgrade compared to most cheap sunglasses made with polycarbonate plastic.
The titanium and steel-framed sunglasses, on the other hand, are even more reliable and will last exponentially longer than the acetate-framed options. It isn’t uncommon for these materials to uphold optimal appearance and functionality for upwards of twenty years. This is because titanium and steel are incredibly strong, flexible, and corrosion-resistant. All qualities you want in a solid pair of sunglasses.
Do Ray-Bans Have a Lifetime Warranty
While it’s reassuring to know that the materials used to make Ray-Bans are both strong and long-lasting, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a little extra security in case they don’t hold up to standards for one reason or another.
Unfortunately, Ray-Bans do not have a lifetime warranty offered by the company itself. The Ray-Ban brand is owned by Luxottica Group, which only offers a limited warranty for its eyewear products. This warranty covers a 24-month period after your date of purchase and guarantees repairs or replacement of any Ray-Bans that are defective due to manufacturing error.
Apart from these manufacturing defects, no additional protection is offered for Ray-Ban products through Luxottica Group. However, you can still acquire a lifetime warranty for your Ray-Bans if you purchase them from a retailer that offers lifetime warranties for all sunglasses or eyewear.
How to Ensure Your Ray-Bans Don’t Break
Material composition can only go so far, and because Ray-Bans don’t have a lifetime warranty, you’ll want to do everything you can to help ensure they last as long as possible before requiring a replacement.
If you’re interested in safeguarding your Ray-Ban long lifetime, we suggest you follow the tips we have listed below that will keep them safe when they are and aren’t in use, as well as limit any potentially damaging accidents.
The best way to ensure the safety and longevity of your Ray-Bans is to store them in a strong sunglasses case when not in use, have them properly fitted to your head, and clean them frequently and correctly.
Here are some things you should know about each tip to ensure ultimate success and Ray-Ban longevity.
Buy a Sturdy Sunglasses Case
It is far too easy to take your Ray-Bans off and set them down somewhere within arm’s reach when you don’t need or want to wear them. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst things you can do as it leaves your Ray-Ban’s exposed and unprotected.
It isn’t uncommon for sunglasses to get knocked off tables and shelves, resulting in problematic damage. Even if your Ray-Bans are safe where they are, leaving them out for extended periods could expose them to damaging UV rays, dust, and other debris.
Therefore, the best thing to do is buy a sturdy sunglasses case where you can always store your Ray-Bans when not in use.
We recommend purchasing cases made from aluminum alloy or another strong metal, and you’ll want to buy more than one. This way, you can keep them in common areas like your home or your car if you don’t always have them on hand.
Get Your Ray-Ban’s Fitted
Ill-fitting Ray-Bans usually leads to two common issues will. One, they’ll slide off your head, potentially crashing on the floor and causing irreparable damage, or two, you frequently bend and twist the material trying to get it to fit your head, again, potentially causing irreparable damage.
So, if you purchase your Ray-Bans from an eyewear retailer, we highly recommend you have a representative help you get them properly fitted to your head. This will increase your comfort and help prevent accidental damage.
If you didn’t buy your Ray-Ban’s from a sunglasses or eyewear specialist retailer, we recommend you learn how to properly tighten and adjust them without damaging any of the components.
Clean Them Frequently and Correctly
The last tip we have for your Ray-Bans is to clean them after every use if you can manage it and use the correct methods when doing so.
Although Ray-Bans are made from durable materials, being covered in dirt, dust, and other daily debris can definitely take its toll if left for extended periods. Therefore, we recommend you try to clean your Ray-Bans after every use, or at least before you store them in their case.
Cleaning them improperly could also cause accidental damage, such as scratching the lenses, so you’ll want to make sure you use the right methods.
First, rinse them off with lukewarm water to remove any dirt or debris (otherwise, you could rub them into the lenses, scratching the material). Next, wash them with a very small amount of moisturizer and lotion-free dish soap. Afterward, rinse them again in lukewarm water, then dry them off with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of sunglasses that won’t break easily and can stand the test of time, Ray-Bans should definitely be on your list to consider. These sunglasses are guaranteed to last you anywhere from 4-10+ years if cared for properly and depending on their material composition. Remember, proper care and storage are paramount to their longevity, and it never hurts to get a lifetime or extended warranty through your retailer just in case.
