Folds vs Foldies: Folding Sunglasses Compared
Foldies are one of the best-known folding sunglasses brands, and if you are researching folding sunglasses you will probably come across them. So here is a straight comparison with Folds, including where Foldies come out ahead. Foldies details are taken from the Foldies website for their Folding Classics V2, as of October 2026.
At a glance
| Folds | Foldies Classics V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £49.95 | $89 |
| Lenses | Polarised TAC, UV400 | Polarised CR-39 (7-layer HepTEK), UV400 |
| Lens category | Category 2 (19.7% light through) | Category 3 (15% light through) |
| Frame | TR90 with metal-core arms | Not stated |
| Arm hinges | Sprung, open to 120° | Not stated |
| Weight | 19 g | Not stated |
| Size | 51 mm lens, 48 mm height | 50-22-140 |
| In the box | Vegan leather case, drawstring bag, cloth, mini screwdriver, polarised test card | Leather carrying case, microfibre cloth |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
| Styles | 1 shape, 2 colours | 7 styles, many colours, prescription option |
| Ships from | UK (US via Amazon) | US |
Where Foldies are ahead
Choice. Foldies make aviators, browlines, rounds, a cat-eye and more, plus a prescription option. Folds come in one versatile square frame in black or tortoiseshell. If you want a specific shape, Foldies have more to choose from.
Lens material. Foldies use CR-39 lenses. CR-39 is a well-regarded optical plastic with very good clarity. Folds use TAC polarised lenses, which are lighter and widely used in polarised sunglasses.
Track record. Foldies have been around for years and have a lot of reviews behind them. Folds launched in 2026.
Where Folds are ahead
Price. Folds are £49.95 against $89 for Foldies Classics, and Folds are sent from the UK, so UK buyers are not paying in dollars or waiting on international shipping.
Warranty. Folds come with a 3 year warranty, a year longer than Foldies.
Hinges and frame. Folds have sprung arm hinges that open to 120 degrees, so they ease around wider heads and absorb knocks. The TR90 frame flexes rather than snapping, and the whole pair weighs 19 g.
The box. Folds come with a vegan leather case, a drawstring bag, a cleaning cloth, a mini screwdriver for the hinge screws and a polarised test card.
Category 2 or Category 3?
This is the real difference in how they feel to wear. Foldies use a darker Category 3 lens; Folds use a Category 2 lens. Category 3 suits very bright sun: beaches, snow, southern Europe in summer. Category 2 is lighter and suits everyday UK sun and changeable light, so you are less likely to take them off every time a cloud comes over. Both are legal for daytime driving. More in Category 2 vs Category 3 sunglasses.
Which should you buy?
Choose Foldies if you want a particular frame style, prescription lenses or a darker lens for very bright climates. Choose Folds if you are in the UK and want a flexible, lightweight everyday pair with sprung hinges, a fuller kit in the box and a longer warranty for less money.
