Trivex vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: How To Choose

Not sure which type of protective eyewear is right for you? Here’s a guide to the two most popular materials — Trivex and polycarbonate — and how they compare.

What Are Trivex Lenses?

Trivex is a lens material created in the U.S. for impact resistance that was later used for eye protection. It’s an ideal option for lightweight and comfortable eyewear, and it provides all of the benefits that you’d want from a pair of safety glasses.

The material was originally developed for the windshields of helicopters and fighter jets, but its chemistry was later changed slightly to make it more lightweight and user-friendly. 

What Are the Key Features of Trivex Lenses?

These eyeglass lenses are known for quite a few different features, including their unmatched optical clarity, UV protection, and more. 

Here’s what you need to know about them:

Lightweight Plastic Lenses

Trivex lenses are made from an extremely lightweight polymer, which makes them arguably more comfortable than polycarbonate lenses and other options. The lightweight material can make a big difference in your overall wearing experience, especially if you need to wear protective eyewear for most of your workday.

Impact Resistance

These lenses are extremely durable, which makes them perfect for sports glasses, safety glasses, and kids’ eyewear. They’re very difficult to break and are an excellent choice for anyone who needs impact-resistant lenses.

Clear Vision

Trivex lenses are known for their optical clarity because of their higher abbe value. In other words, they barely distort the image that you see through them, making it easier to make out finer details. This clarity can be a game-changer if you’re wearing safety eyewear for high-precision tasks. 

Scratch Resistance

Trivex is a scratch-resistant and chemical-resistant material, perfect for heavy-duty work. This sets it apart from polycarbonate lenses, which must have added scratch-resistant coatings.

In addition, Trivex’s natural chemical resistance makes it the right option for a wearer who works with dangerous substances. For example, if you’re a professional power washer handling bleach throughout the day, these lenses would be perfect. Plus, being some of the lightest on the market, they’re more comfortable for all-day wear.

What Are Polycarbonate Lenses?

Polycarbonate lenses are another option for durable eye protection. Like Trivex, polycarbonate was originally developed for use in the aerospace industry, but it’s now one of the gold standards for sports eyewear and protective glasses.

Here’s what you need to know about polycarbonate lenses:

Design

Like Trivex, polycarbonate is a very lightweight material. Most users won’t notice a major difference in weight and design between the two materials, but Trivex is technically the lighter option.

In terms of polycarbonate vs. Trivex, this small distinction is one of the biggest points of differentiation. If you’re wearing some form of protective eyewear all day, you might want to go with Trivex for the slightly lighter weight.

UV Protection

Polycarbonate provides natural protection from UV rays, which makes it helpful for people who work in bright environments. However, you’ll need an extra coating if you want your protective glasses to protect your eyes from blue light.

Scratch Resistance

Polycarbonate lenses aren’t naturally scratch-resistant the way that Trivex is. That means you’ll need lenses with an added layer of scratch protection. Thankfully, most polycarbonate sports goggles and other forms of PPG on the market have this extra layer.

Optical Quality

Polycarbonate has a slightly lower abbe value than Trivex, which means you may deal with more visual distortion while wearing polycarbonate glasses. You might not notice this subtle difference, but it’s worth considering if you have to use protective eyewear for up-close, detailed tasks.

Trivex vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: The Cost

In general, polycarbonate lenses are a more affordable option than Trivex. This is because Trivex is a more high-tech and lightweight material, and it has a high abbe value, which means better optical clarity. 

If you need protective lenses for basic everyday tasks, you might be content with polycarbonate. However, investing in a solid pair of Trivex lenses might be a better pick if your career involves heavy-duty work that could hurt your eyes.

Trivex vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: Alternatives

When it comes to protective eyewear, Trivex and polycarbonate aren’t your only options. You have a few other choices that are worth knowing about.

First of all, there are always glass lenses like those in your regular pair of eyeglasses. However, these aren’t a good alternative to a more durable material like polycarbonate, as they aren’t impact-resistant. 

In addition, there are also CR-39 plastic lenses, which are more impact-resistant than glass and have a higher abbe value than some similar materials. However, CR-39 glasses are much thicker and heavier than polycarbonate or Trivex options.

Overall, we’d choose polycarbonate or Trivex over either glass or CR-39 lenses. The more modern materials are a more worthwhile investment, will be more comfortable, and will do a better job of protecting your eyes.

Who Should Wear Protective Glasses?

We highly recommend wearing protective eyewear if you work or play in an environment that puts your eyes at risk of getting injured. This might mean that you’re exposed to factors like bright light, dust, and other particles, and foreign objects (or flying baseballs).

In addition, we recommend opting for durable, high-quality protective glasses that come with built in scratch protection and UV protection. 

Trivex vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: The Verdict

Overall, there’s no objective winner here; Trivex is slightly higher quality, but it’s also more of an investment. 

Polycarbonate is more accessible, but it’s not quite as nice. The right choice for you depends on your budget, your needs, and how often you plan on wearing your protective eyewear.

If you need a stylish pair of glasses or sunglasses to wear when you don’t need eye protection, we have you covered. Check out our full selection of Base Frames and pair them with your favorite Top Frames to create a unique lineup of styles for any mood.

Sources:

Eye and Face Protection - Overview | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

NIOSH Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Sun Exposure | CDC

Eye Pain: Causes, Common Conditions & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Ultraviolet (UV) protection | AO