Folding Eyewear: More Than Convenience

Understanding folding eyewear is more than knowing a product category - it’s about embracing innovation, adaptability, and craftsmanship that today’s consumers demand. We hope these insights offer a distinct strategic edge for discerning eyewear brands and buyers: you gain foresight into evolving trends, material breakthroughs, and functional design that sets your product lineup apart.

Foldable eyewear originated in the late 18^th century, when the first pair of “scissor glasses” made glasses more practical for travel and daily use.

An image of the scissor glasses, said to be used by Napoleon.

The 19^th century saw the introduction of nose pads and folding temples, with bone, tortoiseshell, and metals like steel and silver becoming popular materials.

The 20^th century welcomed plastics and high-strength alloys, making folding eyeglasses lighter, more durable, and easier to mass-produce.

We, JaneyCheers Eyewear, selected some iconic brands and signature models as examples:

1. Persol 714 Folding Sunglasses

Launched in 1960, this iconic model featured triple-folding hinges and became immortalized by Steve McQueen. Its mix of comfort and style set the benchmark for portable sunglasses and luxury eyewear.

2. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Folding (RB4105)

First released in 2012, Ray-Ban brought a foldable design to their classic Wayfarer silhouette, making travel and storage effortless without sacrificing signature style.

3. Ray-Ban Clubmaster Folding (RB2176)

This model blends retro aesthetic with modern convenience, offering a fully collapsible version of the beloved Clubmaster frame.

4. Moscot Lemtosh Folding

Moscot updated its iconic Lemtosh silhouette with foldable features, appealing to those who desire authentic custom eyeglasses that adapt to a mobile lifestyle.

5. ROAV Eyewear FOLD Series

Ultra-thin, all-metal frames with innovative snap hinges—ROAV’s FOLD series sets new standards for lightweight, compact foldable glasses.

6. Eyewris Foldable Reading Glasses

A unique wrist-wear design, Eyewris made headlines in 2023 for its comfortable, portable reading glasses that you can wear on your wrist.

7. Beneunder and TOD’S Folding Eyewear

Beneunder focuses on Asian markets with practical, everyday folding options, while TOD’S merges luxury materials and craftsmanship for fashion-forward foldable glasses.

For easier comparison, we made a chart below.

Release Time	Products	Photos	Structure	Price	Folding Specialities	Official Links
1960	Persol PO0714		Acetate frame, use metal as a folding juncture	700usd		https://www.persol.com/australia/0PO0714--24-S3
2012	Ray-Ban RB4105		The nose part uses metal. Temples use plastic hinges	322usd		https://www.ray-ban.com/australia/sunglasses/RB4105%20UNISEX%20wayfarer%20folding%20classic-light%20havana/805289161226
2014	Ray-Ban RB2176		All use a metal structure	310usd		https://www.ray-ban.com/australia/sunglasses/RB2176clubmaster%20folding-black/8053672125597
2015	Moscot Lentosh		Acetate frame, use metal as a folding juncture	400usd		https://moscot.com/products/lemtosh-fold-alternative-fit
2016	ROAV FOLD		Full ultra-thin metal structure	270usd		https://roaveyewear.com/products/presley-gunmetal-moonrise
2020	Eyewris Reading		Use a metal structure and extra metal force	137usd		https://eyewris.com/collections/reading-glasses-womens/products/reading-glasses-womens-tortoise-gold
2022	Beneunder TR		All use a plastic structure	65usd		https://shop.beneunder.com/products/drift
2023	TOD'S FOLD		The nose part uses metal & acetate, and the temples have full metal hinges.	730usd		https://www.tods.com/au-en/Foldable-Sunglasses/p/XOM03095219AGJV805/
2025	JaneyCheers		Milled acetate frame with metal structure	16usd		https://www.instagram.com/janeycheers_eyewear/

Material & Craftsmanship: The Heart of Foldable Eyewear

The folding eyeglasses revolution owes everything to advances in material science and manufacturing. Early frames relied on heavy metals for durability, with key hinges crafted for strength. The advent of ultra-thin stainless steel unlocked true portability, while modern plastics brought flexibility and lightweight comfort to foldable eyewear.

Every detail matters: precision polishing, fine hinge engineering, and seamless assembly turn the concept of folding glasses into exceptional, everyday accessories. We must applaud these relentless innovations—custom eyeglasses today are not only practical, but reflect aesthetic and technical artistry.

Meanwhile, brands invest heavily in patented folding technologies—Persol’s triple-hinge, Ray-Ban’s classic folding architecture, and Eyewris’s wearable wristband system are all protected. These solutions guarantee reliability, durability, and a standout look.

Why Folding Eyeglasses Matter—For Your Business and Vision

Grasping the evolution of folding eyeglasses is more than product knowledge—it’s an invitation to embrace ingenuity and adaptability. For forward-thinking brands and buyers, we hope our sharing could do a little help.

Our commitment is to share, empower and grow together, partnering with those who value quality and customer-centric innovation. If you seek premium custom or OEM folding eyewear, we invite you to connect—let’s turn shared expertise into mutual success, trust, and the next chapter of modern eyewear.

JaneyCheers Eyewear:

Email: contact@janeycheers.com

WhatsApp: 86 157-2343-5310