Sunglasses Lens Material: which is right for you?
When choosing sunglasses, lens material makes a big difference to how they feel and perform day to day. At Waterhaul, we offer two lens options across our eyewear range: lightweight polycarbonate lenses in the Coastline collection, and premium Mineral Glass+ lenses in the Horizon collection.
Both have clear benefits. Rather than one being universally better, it is more useful to think about which lens best suits how and where you’ll use your sunglasses. Coastline is built for everyday adventure, with lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. Horizon is for those who want the clearest possible view and excellent scratch resistance, with premium Mineral Glass+ lenses.
Why lens material matters
Lens material affects optical clarity, weight, scratch resistance, impact resistance, and the overall feel of your sunglasses.
Coastline focuses on lightweight durability and versatility. Horizon focuses on premium optical performance and scratch resistance.
Polycarbonate lenses: lightweight and durable
Polycarbonate is a popular lens material (the same material you'll find in Oakley sunglasses) for good reason. It is lightweight, durable, and highly impact-resistant, which makes it a strong choice for active use and everyday wear. That is why we chose it for the Coastline collection.
A lighter lens can make sunglasses more comfortable over long periods of wear, especially if you are moving around a lot or wearing them all day. Polycarbonate also stands up well to being knocked about, thrown in a bag, or used across a wide range of outdoor settings.
While it does not offer the same premium optical performance as mineral glass, it still provides a very good visual experience for everyday use, with the benefits of lower weight and greater impact resistance. It also enables a more accessible price point, with the Coastline range starting at £49.
Polycarbonate lenses offer a significant performance and longevity benefits over cheaper TAC (Triacetate cellulose) lenses.
Mineral Glass+ lenses: our premium option
For those who want the highest level of visual clarity and scratch resistance, Mineral Glass+ remains our premium choice.
Mineral glass is especially valued for its crisp, true-to-life view. One reason for this is its higher Abbe value (59, vs 30 for polycarbonate), which means less light dispersion and less chromatic aberration. In practice, that helps create a sharper, more precise visual experience.
It is also far more scratch-resistant than plastic-based lens materials, which can be a major advantage in sandy, salty, or abrasive environments. That is why Horizon is designed for those who demand the clearest view in tougher conditions.
Which Waterhaul collection should you choose?
Choose Coastline if you want:
- Lightweight comfort
- Extra strong impact resistance
- A versatile pair for everyday outdoor use
- A more accessible price point (starting at £49) without compromising on UV protection and performance
Choose Horizon if you want:
- The sharpest, clearest view possible
- Ultimate scratch resistance
- A more elevated performance option for demanding conditions
- A plastic-free lens option
Both collections offer full UV400 protection, and the ranges of both collections are made using Traceable Marine Plastic recovered and recycled from the UK coastline.