FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know that buying a new pair of shades can be daunting, especially online, so we've gathered all the information you need in one place, to make sure you have everything to hand when making your decision.

LENSES & PROTECTION

What is UV400 protection?

UV400 sunglass lens protection is a filter that protects your eyes from nearly 100% UVA and UVB rays. To earn the UV400 classification, lens protection must meet or exceed the standard of blocking 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, ensuring comprehensive shielding against these damaging rays .

All BondiBlu sunglasses have UV400 protection

How do polarised sun glass lenses differ from other lenses?

Polarised sunglasses are designed to reduce glare caused by light that is reflected off horizontal surfaces. In most situations, polarised sunglasses increase visual comfort by filtering both ambient and reflected light. Viewing a bright scene through polarised lenses can also help you see colours more vibrantly and details more clearly than you would without polarisation.
This anti-reflective coating only allows light rays to enter vertically, meaning you’re able to see whatever you’re looking directly at. However, they block light from entering at any other angle, such as from the glare of the sun bouncing off snow, a car or a body of water.

Which activities are polarised sunglasses recommended for?

  • Sports: Polarised sunglasses are particularly useful for water sports such as fishing and boating, as they can reduce the glare from the water's surface and help you see more clearly. Polarised sunglasses also help anglers see changes in water depth, underwater structures, and vegetation, which are essential for successful fishing.
  • Driving: Glare from the sun and other reflective surfaces can be a significant distraction when driving, making it difficult to see the road ahead. Polarised sunglasses can reduce this glare and help you see more clearly, making driving safer and more comfortable. Polarised sunglasses are also beneficial for people who drive long distances or for extended periods, as they can reduce eye strain and fatigue. It’s important to note that wearing polarised sunglasses while driving in low light conditions are not recommended.
  • Leisure activities: Polarised sunglasses are also ideal for various leisure activities such as hiking, camping, and relaxing by the pool. These sunglasses can enhance the natural beauty of your surroundings by reducing glare and enhancing colours.
  • Beach Activities: Polarised sunglasses are a must-have for beach activities such as sunbathing. These sunglasses can reduce glare from the water and sand, making it easier to see and enjoy your surroundings.

What are the best sunglasses for playing Golf?

Polarised sunglasses for golf may be one of the biggest debates in sports eyewear.

While some people may disagree, the biggest disadvantage mentioned for polarised lenses in golf is reduced depth perception, especially when putting. This puts you at a disadvantage as golf requires acute eye-hand coordination. You’ll often see golfers who do choose to wear polarised lenses, remove them while putting.
Polarised lenses are only effective when they are positioned correctly on your face and your head maintains an upright position. Polarisation filters out horizontal wavelengths so you will still experience glare when you tilt your head to the sides, which is inevitable while golfing. For instance, you may notice that glare increases when you turn your head around 60 degrees during your swing.

Many professional golfers use colour-enhancing golf lenses instead of polarised lenses.
These lenses make it easier to read greens, spot and follow your ball and see different contours on the course.

The Pros and Cons of Polarised Sunglasses: Is It Worth the Investment?

Why polarised sunglasses? For certain activities, including daytime driving, water sports and winter sports, you may benefit from wearing polarised sunglasses — especially if light is bouncing off surfaces and into your eyes. Both polarised or non-polarised lens types can help you see more comfortably in bright light, but you’ll want to consider polarised lenses for activities and situations that require a reduction in glare.
The truth is, there are both pros and cons to investing in polarised sunglasses. On one hand, they can greatly reduce glare and provide superior clarity for outdoor activities like fishing or driving, but on the other hand, they may not be suitable for all situations or environments

Pros of Polarised Sunglasses

  1. Blocks glare and helps improve overall visibility in bright sunlight
  2. Better visual clarity and contrast in sunny conditions
  3. It’s easier to see below the surface of the water, which is useful when boating or fishing
  4. Reduced eye strain for enhanced comfort
  5. All BondiBlu polarised sunglasses have UV400 lenses which blocks nearly 100% of all harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Cons of Polarised Sunglasses

  1. Polarised lenses make it difficult to view LCD screens. That’s because the anti-reflective coating on polarised lenses distorts digital screens, making them appear faded or completely dark depending on the angle from which you’re viewing the screen
    In low-light situations, polarised lenses may actually block too much light.
  2. They’re best in bright conditions. When there’s too much cloud cover or the sun is setting, it’s still good to wear sunglasses with UV protection in order to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, but you may not need polarisation. They’re also not recommended for night-time driving, as they could potentially darken the overall scene too much.
  3. Visual disorientation: Some people are naturally more sensitive to the effect of polarised sunglasses. This could cause them to feel dizzy or disoriented.
  4. Depth perception: In some cases, the glare blocking effect of polarised lenses could negatively affect one’s depth perception.
    Polarised sunglasses tend to be more costly compared to non-polarised sunglasses.

In conclusion, polarised sunglasses are well worth the investment for anyone who spends time outdoors in sunny conditions. The reduced glare and increased clarity they provide makes them a great choice for activities like fishing and sailing where optimal vision is of upmost importance. Paying slightly more for polarised sunglasses is worth it for many people, though they aren’t right for everyone. It’s important to consider how you plan to use your sunglasses, and in which situations you plan to wear them.

What are the features and benefits of High-Contrast & High-Definition lenses?

  • High-contrast and High-definition lenses are designed to enhance contrast and improve overall visual clarity.
  • Ideal for multiple sports disciplines, especially outdoor activities where enhanced contrast is beneficial. For example, golf, tennis and cricket to name but a few.
  • The High-contrast HD lenses will allow 14.8% visible light transmission (VLT) and enhance red, green and blue hues to boost colour perception.
  • The lens is highly impact-resistant, offering durability and protection against potential hazards.
  • The lens helps reduce glare from the sun. This allows you to see more clearly and reduces eye fatigue.
  • Our High-contrast HD lenses are non-polarised so there is no risk of a negative impact on your depth perception. You will also not have any trouble viewing LCD screens.

Are all BondiBlu sunglasses polarised?

BondiBlu has a combination of polarised as well as non-polarised sunglasses. Ultimately, the best sunglasses for you will depend on your needs and preferences. All our sunglasses offer UV400 protection which will protect your eyes from nearly 100% harmful UVA and UVB rays

WARRANTY, AFTER SALES & ORDERING

What warrantee do I have on my product?

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.

A 6-month warrantee is given on all our products. If you experience an issue with your product that is not considered normal wear and tear, BondiBlu will warranty your item by replacing the product at no charge.

BondiBlu International has the sole discretion to determine what is considered a manufacturing defect. We do not warrant any sunglasses that have incurred normal wear and tear (scratches or damage to lenses due to incorrect cleaning, for example) and does not cover any damage caused by abuse or mishandling of your sunglasses.

We will happily replace, at our discretion, any product found to be defective and within the 6-month warrantee period. Proof of your purchase will be required. If purchased from a retail outlet, your till slip will be required to claim against your warrantee.

BondiBlu International does not refund purchases made at retail outlets. Refunds will have to be arranged with the retail store where the product was purchased.

Have a question about what's covered? Get in touch by emailing us at shop@bondiblu.co.za

How do I exchange my purchase if I don’t like it?

Purchased from a retail outlet:

If you have purchased our product from a retail outlet and you wish to exchange it, please follow the steps below.
Each retail outlet has their own T&C regarding the time period wherein exchanges are allowed. Please contact the relevant outlet for assistance.
Please note that your till slip will be required for any exchanges.

Purchased from our online store:

If you have purchased our product from our online store and you wish to exchange it, please follow the steps below.
Please note that you have 7 days from receiving your order to contact us regarding an exchange.
All exchanges need to be unused and in its original packaging.
Damaged or worn items will not be eligible for exchange.
You can email us at shop@bondiblu.co.za for assistance with your exchange.

Can I order replacement parts and lenses?

BondiBlu eyewear and accessories are not manufactured in South Africa. Therefore, we do not offer replacement lenses or parts.
Please contact us at shop@bondiblu.co.za and we will see how best to assist you.

How long will it take to receive my order?

Orders received by 12:00 pm Monday – Friday will be shipped the same day and
delivered within 3-5 business days.
Orders received after 12:00 pm will be shipped the following business day.

CARE

How should I clean my BondiBlu glasses?

Cleaning your glasses daily is the best way to keep them looking great and avoid scratched lenses. But there’s a right way — and plenty of wrong ways — when it comes to how to clean glasses.

Follow these tips to clean your lenses and frames to keep them in top condition.

Step 1: Rinse your glasses under cold to lukewarm water. This will remove dust and other debris, which can help avoid scratching your lenses when you’re cleaning them. Avoid hot water as it can damage some lens coatings.

Step 2: Apply a small drop of dishwashing liquid to your fingertips before applying to each lens.

Step 3: Gently rub both lenses and all parts of the frame.

Step 4: Rinse both sides of the lenses and frame thoroughly under cold to lukewarm water.

Step 5: Inspect your lenses to ensure that they are clean before drying

Step 6: Carefully dry your lenses and frame with a clean microfibre or soft lint-free towel.
Make sure that the cloth you use is perfectly clean. A cloth containing dirt or debris trapped in the fibres can scratch your lenses.

Step 7: Store your glasses in a pouch or a case when not in use.

Important:
If you use eyeglass cleaning solution and your lenses have anti-reflective coating (Revo or Mirror coating), make sure the eyeglass cleaner you choose is approved for use on anti-reflective lenses and does not contain alcohol.
Disposable lens wipes can scratch your lenses if there is dirt or debris on the lenses when you wipe them. Rinsing your lenses before cleaning them is advised.

What should I avoid when cleaning my glasses?

DON’T use your shirt, sleeve or other clothing to clean your glasses, especially when the lenses are dry. This can scratch your lenses.

DON’T use saliva to wet your lenses.

DON’T use household glass or surface cleaners to clean your glasses. These products have ingredients that can damage lenses and coatings.

DON’T use any products that contain chemicals to clean your glasses, for example, hand sanitiser, household cleaning products and solutions containing salt - like saline solution.

DON’T use any lens cleaner that contains alcohol to clean your sunglasses lenses as it will damage the lens coatings.

DON’T use paper towels, napkins, tissues or toilet paper to clean your lenses. These can scratch or smear your lenses or leave them full of lint.

DON’T try to “buff away” a scratch in your lenses. This only makes the situation worse.

Important:
To maintain the longevity of your glasses, it’s advisable to avoid contact with personal care products such as hair gel, hair spray, sunscreen, body lotion and similar products. These products may contain chemicals that could potentially damage the lenses and lens coatings.

Always rinse and clean your sunglasses after exposure to seawater
Always rinse and clean your sunglasses after exposure to pool water that contains either salt or chemicals such as chlorine.

Does salt water damage sunglasses?

Salt water is not ideal for your sunglasses due to its corrosive nature. The salt content in seawater can potentially erode the lens coatings, frames and other components of your sunglasses, compromising their durability and visual clarity. The salt in seawater can leave residue or salt crystals on the lenses, affecting visibility and potentially scratching the lenses. We strongly recommend that you rinse your sunglasses with fresh water and gently clean them using a drop of mild dishwashing soap after exposure to saltwater to minimise any potential damage.

What materials are BondiBlu frames made from?

At BondiBlu we predominantly use Polycarbonate material to manufacture our sunglasses and reading glasses frames. However, we use TR90 material for some of our more specialised BondiPro styles.

Polycarbonate is a type of lightweight and impact-resistant thermoplastic material.

TR90 frames are made from a type of thermoplastic material called Grilamid TR90. It is a unique and advanced material that offers several desirable properties for eyewear frames.

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