When it comes to innovation in outdoor gear, sometimes the best ideas are born out of mishaps. Ombraz, the sunglasses brand that took the outdoor industry by storm with their armless design, is a perfect example.

I sat down with one of the founders, Nikolai, to talk about how Ombraz began, what makes their sunglasses so different, and how their sustainability mission is making waves across the globe.

1. Let’s start at the beginning: How did the idea for armless sunglasses come to life, and what problem were you trying to solve?

Ombraz Co-Founder, Nikolai:
The story actually begins on a camel safari in India. My co-founder’s sunglasses broke when someone accidentally sat on them. With the sidearms snapped off, he tied a piece of twine to both hinges and wrapped it around the back of his head. The improvised pair worked surprisingly well—they didn’t slip, they stayed secure and comfortable, and when not in use, they could hang around the neck or slip into a pocket without fear of breaking.

Over the next five years, so many people asked about this unusual setup that it sparked the idea for Ombraz. That small accident grew into what we believe are the most practical sunglasses in the industry.

2. For those new to the concept, how do Ombraz actually stay on your face without traditional arms; and how do they hold up on rugged outdoor adventures?

Nikolai:
An ultra-comfy adjustable cord keeps Ombraz securely in place without squeezing the sides of your head. Ombraz are unrivaled for any rugged adventure. You can run them over with a dump truck. As long as they’re in their soft case (to protect the lenses), your Ombraz will be totally fine.

3. Your designs are obviously really intentional. What went into choosing the lens materials, frame shape, and cord system, and how do these features benefit outdoor users?

Nikolai:
Our goal is to offer timeless shapes that integrate our armless design. We value aesthetic minimalism and functionality.

All of our lenses are Zeiss polycarbonate and equipped with scratch-resistant and hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings for easy cleaning. Zeiss has been making the world’s best optics since 1846, and their lenses allow us to offer Ombraz customers the finest quality available.

Our cord is custom-woven by a Japanese supplier out of 100% recycled fishnet material. It was developed over three years and more than 100 iterations. It’s soft and supple but insanely durable and abrasion resistant. The adjustment system works with all head sizes, allowing people to fully customize their fit. It’s specifically designed not to tangle in hair or cause any pressure above the ears.

4. Ombraz has a strong sustainability mission. Can you talk about the steps you’ve taken to make your sunglasses more environmentally responsible?

Nikolai:
We plant 20 mangrove trees for each pair of Ombraz sold. We work alongside ARC Restoration, a non-profit tree-planting organization that employs indigenous locals to regenerate and protect native forests. We focus our tree planting in Madagascar, where many coastal mangrove forests have been destroyed.

When you purchase a pair of Ombraz, or an Ombraz accessory, we donate a portion of that revenue to ARC, who plants the mangrove trees on our behalf. No other tree on earth provides more environmental and socioeconomic benefits than mangrove trees. The number one reason we chose them is their remarkable carbon sequestration abilities. The 20 mangroves we plant per pair sold sequester 1,713x the carbon that’s emitted during production and delivery.

Of course, we couldn’t just make that claim without verification. That’s where Greenticket, a carbon measurement firm in Chile, came in. They calculated the emissions across our entire supply chain—from material extraction and manufacturing to doorstep delivery—then compared it with the carbon sequestered by 20 mangrove trees over a 20-year lifecycle.

5. Your brand has grown fast and gained a cult following among hikers, climbers, and travelers. Who would you say is the most common Ombraz customer?

Nikolai:
I’ll let our customers speak on that one! We actually ran a post-checkout survey, and the results are pretty fun to look at.

6. What are some of the wildest places your customers or your team have tested Ombraz in the field?

Nikolai:
Honestly, just browsing our tagged content on Instagram gives you a great idea of how people are testing these in the field. From climbing expeditions to river trips, the submissions we’ve received from our community have been incredible.

7. If someone’s on the fence about switching to armless sunglasses, what would you say to convince them to try Ombraz for their next adventure?

Nikolai:
I’d encourage them to try a pair in person! We’re sold in over 140 retail locations around the world—check out the store locator on ombraz.com. We also offer free shipping, returns, and exchanges on our site, so if you don’t love ’em, send ’em back, no strings attached.

And remember: keep the cord nice and relaxed under the hair. Don’t wear ’em tight ;)

Closing Thoughts

Ombraz isn’t simply reinventing sunglasses; they’re rethinking how outdoor gear can work better for adventurers while making a positive environmental impact. And that's truly how innovative gear comes to life. From a broken pair of sunglasses on a camel safari to a global community of fans, Ombraz proves that simplicity, durability, and sustainability can all go hand in hand.

Whether you’re climbing mountains, paddling rivers, or just looking for everyday shades that won’t break in your pocket, Ombraz might just be the most practical sunglasses you’ll ever own.

Be sure to check out our reviews of the Refugio and Teton sunglasses!

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