5 Things to Know About Flexon Frames

You probably don’t think too much about your eyeglasses—until they either start to hurt after you’ve worn them all day, they slip down on your face when you’re bending over to tie your shoes, or you accidentally sit on, step on, or otherwise inadvertently crush them. Maybe you’ve gone with a plastic frame because you figured that was the sturdier choice, or you’re convinced the thick frame is really your jam. (Side note: It’s probably not.)

But good news: There is one brand for which technology meets fashion in a way that will make your face—and your wallet—happy. Flexon Eyewear uses highly advanced technology (no lie—it comes from the U.S. military) that’s super-strong, featherlight, and incredibly flexible. The result just might be the most comfortable, durable, and stylish eyewear you’ll ever find.

We spoke with Megan Greene, director of design and product development at Marchon Eyewear, the parent company of Flexon, about what makes these frames so special.

1. Their roots are highly technical.

“Flexon was discovered in 1961 by scientists at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory who were creating titanium-based alloys for use in missile heat shields,” explains Greene. The researchers found that even small bends or dents in the alloy would disappear after they were heated up. “They hit the alloy with a hammer to test its hardness, then left the dented sample on a windowsill—and hours later found the dents had removed themselves after being exposed to the noonday sun,” she says.

Flash-forward 2src years, when other researchers started to explore how this alloy could be used in optical frames. “At the time, it was virtually impossible to make frames out of the material, because no one could weld it, plate it, or process it,” notes Greene. But eventually in 1988, after years of development in both the U.S. and Japan, Marchon launched the first collection of Flexon optical frames featuring this “memory metal,” a particular alloy of titanium. The collection has continued to evolve over the more than three decades since.

2. They’ll bend, but they won’t break.

The beauty of this memory metal is just how much torque the frames can take. Designers at Flexon put the material in both the bridge and the temples, so you can flex, bend, or twist them any which way and they’ll still return to their original shape.

“This material is fatigue-resistant, so it won’t kink and can resist breakage,” adds Greene—and as anyone knows well who has ever sat or stepped on their frames, or had them used as a chew toy by their tot, this can be crucial. (Check out this cool video of the technology in action.) “Basic metal frames will break if they are bent back and forth; Flexon frames can be bent hundreds of times without breaking.”

3. They’re super-comfortable.

Flexon’s unique combination of properties makes it ideal for optical frames, because it’s not only flexible but also 25 percent lighter than conventional metals, while also resistant to corrosion, Greene points out. Thicker plastic frames, on the other hand, can feel heavy, especially after hours of wear. Plus, Flexon frames require only a minimal amount of adjustment to your face, and their nose pads and end pieces can be further fine-tuned so they won’t slip down your nose or squeeze your temples.

4. They look pretty darn cool.

You only have one face, so of course you want to look good in the frames you choose. “We have evolved not only the way we use the memory metal, but also have pushed ourselves to keep up with the ever-evolving trends in eyewear,” says Greene. The brand’s designers look for inspiration in a variety of places, from watches and fine jewelry to architecture, furniture, and art. All of which means that in this case at least, technical doesn’t equal boring: Flexon’s frame collection is filled with color, texture, and silhouettes that fit faces of any size or shape. “We continue to work on concepts that evolve with our consumers and their desire for eyewear that is everlasting, but also makes them look and feel good,” says Greene.

5. They’re good for the planet.

It’s important to feel good in the eyeglasses we select, but it’s also important to feel good about any brand we’re supporting—and that it’s demonstrated that it cares about the world around us. “Marchon Eyewear has a proud history of commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives through our long-term global program Eyes on Tomorrow, which guides us in responsibly ensuring that our eyewear and our processes will have a lowered impact on the planet,” says Greene. This includes creating lenses that are derived from castor oil (a renewable biomass) instead of traditional oil-based plastics, and eliminating the use of PVC in all of its frames. “And we’re working on incorporating even more sustainable materials and design details into Flexon frames and future collections.”

Although Flexon frames are durable, they are not indestructible. Flexon frames should not be twisted more than 9src° and Flexon temples should not be twisted more than once around the finger.