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What are Asian Fit Sunglasses? | Science Behind Them Explained

If you struggle with your sunglasses falling off your face, lens fogging, or hitting high cheekbones, Asian fit sunglasses may be right for you. And while the name might surprise you at first, there is real science behind these sunglasses.

So let’s dive into what exactly Asian fit is and the science behind it.

What is Asian Fit?

Asian fit sunglasses are adapted to be more comfortable for people with higher cheeks, a flatter nose, a low nose bridge, and a shorter distance between the nose and ears.

To accomplish this, Asian Fit sunglasses have three main features.





Asian Fit vs. Standard Fit Sunglasses

  1. Thicker nose bridges – Asian fit nose bridges and nose pads are longer and larger than the standard parts. This provides additional surface area and grip for sitting on a flatter nose.
  2. Shorter lenses – Asian fit lenses are shorter so that they don’t interfere with higher cheekbones while still providing protection
  3. Decreased frame curvature – Many Asian fit sunglasses feature decrease frame curvature and wrap to better fit flatter face shapes

Rebranding Asian Fit

The features Asian fit glasses address are mainly found in people originating from the Asian continent, hence the name. But in the last few years, the eyewear industry and specifically Luxottica-owned companies have begun rebranding their Asian Fit sunglasses to be more politically appropriate.

This has resulted in each brand creating its own name for these new Asian fits.

You can see what each brand calls Asian Fit in the section below.

What Each Brand Calls Asian Fit

  • BCBG Max Azaria – Global Fit
  • Costa – Omni Fit
  • Celine – Universal Fit
  • Maui Jim – Alternative Fit
  • Oakley – Low Bridge Fit
  • Ray-Ban – Low Bridge Fit
  • Warby Parker – Low Bridge Fit
  • Wiley X – Alternative Fit

Top Brands That Offer Asian Fit Sunglasses

Costa

Costa Del Mar Omnifit sunglasses modify their standard fit to have thicker nose pads, shorter temples, and wider lenses. These modifications make Costa sunglasses fit better for people with higher cheekbones, bigger eyelashes, and flat noses.

Costa OmniFit Sunglasses

Maui Jim

Maui Jim alternative fit is an Asian fit design that offers a different frame curvature for flat and wide faces, with thicker nose pads. But all of these improvements don’t affect the weight of the glasses.

Maui Jim Asian Fit Sunglasses

Oakley

Oakley low bridge fit is available in most of their sunglasses and snow goggles. This fit adds shorter lenses and thicker nose bridges on all pairs. Plus, many Oakleys feature modified frame curvatures for flatter faces that can improve optical alignment and clarity. These features also help to raise the sunglasses off the face of someone with a shallower nose bridge.

Read more in our Oakley Low Bridge Fit guide.

Oakley Low Bridge Fit Flak Sunglasses

Ray-Ban

Like Oakley, Ray-Ban offers low bridge fit sunglasses with short nose bridges, flatter curvatures, and changing the temple curvature on some frames. All of these improvements give Ray-Ban’s Nylon and Acetate Asian fit eyewear one of the best fits on the market.

Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Low Bridge Fit

Wiley X

Wiley X’s formally changed their Asian fit name to Alternative fit, but you’ll still find some sunglasses under both names. And similar to other brands these sunglasses feature shorter lenses and adapted temples that help to keep your sunglasses straight and upright on your face!

Wiley X Alternative Fit

Where to Buy Asian Fit Sunglasses?

Because Asian fit sunglasses are a more specialty fit, your best option to buy these sunglasses is online.

But if you’re wondering how alternative fit frames fit on your face, we’d recommend going to your local SunglassHut or sunglasses store. While your local store may not have a wide selection, they should have at least a few.

Once you determine which brand and fit are best for your face, your best option is to buy online. That’s because you can save 30%+ off designer sunglasses through aftermarket and grey market sites like our Sunglasses Exchange, eBay, or EZcontacts.

Are Prescription Asian Fit Glasses Available?

Yes, prescription Asian fit lenses and glasses are available through your local eye doctor or online suppliers. When you’re buying a pair of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, be sure to mention any issues with your fit.

From there, a glasses specialist will be able to guide you on the best prescription eyewear frames for your facial characteristics, including Asian fit options.

Check out our guide on How to Read Your Prescription for more!

Have a Question?

Looking for more information or have a question about Alternative fit glasses? Check out some of our top resources and let us know in the comments below:

Created this site because of the lack of a place for the Oakley Community to talk. Feel free to Message me any time with feedback for the site, tips o...
As an Asian, I am obviously an expert....



Just kidding. Some of the newer sport frames are a bit wider, thus the lenses are not interchangeable. Helps with those that have wider noggins. Nose bridge is sometimes narrower as well. Few frames that come to mind that do have different frames include:

Gascan, Flak 2.0, Flak Draft, Fives Squared and 3.0's. There's probably a lot more, but those are the ones I know of.
 
The Olympic Rio green fade frogskins I got have way way shorter arms. That said there for sale and no one apparently wants them.

Sent from your mom.
 
That would be awesome if the regular Flak 2.0 lenses would fit in the Asia fit frames. There’s a definite lack of Asia fit lens choices.
 
My question is that I have a pair of AF Flak 2.0s that had Rx lens from Oakley.
I had vision correction surgery, and no longer need those lenses.
My wife picked up a pair of replacement lenses from an Oakley retailer...
They didn't fit right. I believe they may have been mis-boxed. When mounted
in the frame, the new lenses fall short and do not follow the top of the frame,
leaving a 2-3mm gap. either the lenses are for another Flak-style, or I need to
heat the frame and contour it to the lens shape. I hope not, I hate to mess
these u[ and ruin (IMO) perfection.
Thanks in advance for the help.