Valley Rays' nylon lenses offer superior durability, optical clarity, and lightweight comfort, making them the ideal choice for athletes, outdoor adventurers, and everyday wear. Unlike traditional plastic or polycarbonate lenses, nylon provides the perfect balance between impact resistance, scratch protection, and distortion-free vision. Below, we compare the most popular lens materials and explain why nylon lenses outperform the competition.
When it comes to protecting your eyes, impact resistance is critical. The chart below shows how different materials perform under high-velocity and high-mass impact tests. A ✅ means the lens passed the test, while ❌ means it failed.
Lens Material | FDA Drop Ball | ANSI Z87.1 (High-Velocity) | ANSI Z87.1 (High-Mass) | Military (MIL-PRF-32432) |
---|---|---|---|---|
CR-39 Plastic | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Polycarbonate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Some Pass |
Trivex | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Some Pass |
Nylon | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Some Pass |
Glass | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
The Bayer Abrasion Ratio measures how well a lens resists scratches. A higher ratio means better scratch resistance. Nylon lenses perform up to 7 times better than standard plastic and polycarbonate.
Lens Material | Bayer Abrasion Ratio | Scratch Resistance |
---|---|---|
CR-39 Plastic | 1 | ❌ Low |
Polycarbonate | 2-4 | ✅ Moderate |
Trivex | 2-5 | ✅✅ Good |
Nylon | 2-5 | ✅✅ Good |
Glass | 10+ | ✅✅✅ Excellent |
The Abbe value measures how much distortion a lens produces. A higher value means clearer vision with less color distortion. Nylon lenses provide sharper clarity than polycarbonate.
Lens Material | Abbe Value | Optical Clarity |
---|---|---|
CR-39 Plastic | 58 | ✅✅✅ Very Good |
Polycarbonate | 30 | ❌ Poor |
Trivex | 45 | ✅✅ Better |
Nylon | 52 | ✅✅✅ Very Good |
Glass | 50 | ✅✅✅ Very Good |
A lower specific gravity means a lighter lens, reducing pressure on your face and ears. Nylon lenses are among the lightest available, making them perfect for extended use.
Lens Material | Specific Gravity | Comfort Level |
---|---|---|
CR-39 Plastic | 1.32 g/cm³ | ✅ Good |
Polycarbonate | 1.20 g/cm³ | ✅✅ Excellent |
Trivex | 1.11 g/cm³ | ✅✅✅ Superior |
Nylon | 1.02-1.14 g/cm³ | ✅✅✅✅ Best |
Glass | 2.50 g/cm³ | ❌ Poor |
When choosing the best lenses for your sunglasses, nylon lenses stand out as the ultimate choice for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who values durability, clarity, and comfort. They offer a perfect balance between impact resistance, scratch protection, optical clarity, and lightweight design, making them ideal for both high-performance and everyday wear.
At Valley Rays, we prioritize quality, ensuring our nylon lenses provide unmatched protection against the elements while delivering crystal-clear vision for any adventure. Whether you're tackling a Spartan Race, hitting the trails, or just enjoying a day in the sun, nylon lenses will elevate your experience and keep your eyes protected.
Upgrade your eyewear today with Valley Rays’ premium nylon lenses – built for those who refuse to compromise.
When choosing the best lenses for your sunglasses, nylon lenses stand out as the ultimate choice for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who values durability, clarity, and comfort. They offer a perfect balance between impact resistance, scratch protection, optical clarity, and lightweight design, making them ideal for both high-performance and everyday wear.
At Valley Rays, we prioritize quality, ensuring our nylon lenses provide unmatched protection against the elements while delivering crystal-clear vision for any adventure. Whether you're tackling a Spartan Race, hitting the trails, or just enjoying a day in the sun, nylon lenses will elevate your experience and keep your eyes protected.
Upgrade your eyewear today with Valley Rays’ premium nylon lenses – built for those who refuse to compromise.