Okay, so I’ve been wearing glasses for a while now, and I’ve always been a bit jealous of people who can just switch to sunglasses when they go outside. I’d have to carry two pairs of glasses, and it was kind of a hassle. I mean, who wants to be that person fumbling around, trying to switch their glasses while holding a coffee and a bag? Not me.
Then I heard about these light-responsive lenses from Warby Parker. I found out about them about six years ago. They’re supposed to change from clear to dark depending on the light. Sounded pretty cool, right? I decided to give them a try.
First, I selected my frames online. Warby Parker has a ton of styles, so that took a while. I finally chose these frames called “Felix”. They looked good in the pictures, but you never really know until you try them on.
Then came the important part – the lenses. I opted for the light-responsive ones, which they say go from “fully clear to dark grey, brown”. I have blue light added, and anti-glare.
When the glasses arrived, I was pretty excited. I put them on, and at first, they were just like regular clear glasses. But then I stepped outside… and waited. It took a few minutes, but I started to notice them getting darker. They didn’t get super dark, like dark sunglasses, but it was definitely a noticeable tint. They were the dark grey ones. I guess they also have brown, but I didn’t try those.
- Indoors: They’re totally clear. Just like regular glasses. No issues there.
- Outdoors: This is where it gets interesting. They do darken, but it’s not instant. You have to give them a little time.
The transition back to clear is also gradual. When I came back inside, they didn’t just snap back to being clear. It took a while for them to fully lighten up. They’re designed to be clear when indoors and not exposed to UV light.
I ended up paying an extra $100 for the light-responsive feature. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting them to be as dark as regular sunglasses. Some people online were saying they don’t get that dark, and they were right. But it’s enough to make a difference on a sunny day.
My Verdict
Are they worth it? Well, they’re definitely convenient. I like not having to carry two pairs of glasses. And they do offer some protection from the sun. But if you’re looking for really dark sunglasses, these aren’t it. They’re more like a subtle tint.
They’re also prescription lenses, which is great. I can actually see clearly with them. Also, I heard that the frame choice doesn’t really matter when getting these lenses, which is good to know.
So, yeah, that’s my experience with Warby Parker’s light-responsive lenses. I wore them for a few days, testing them out in different lighting situations. They are useful when I am playing computer games or using my cellphone.
If you’re thinking about them, I’d say give them a try. Just manage your expectations. They’re not magic, but they’re a pretty cool and useful piece of eyewear tech.
