Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Lani Shades — premium polarized bamboo and wood sunglasses designed and tested in Hawaii for life in the sun and around the water.
What makes Lani Shades different?
Lani Shades were born in Hawaii from a simple idea: sunglasses made for life on the water should combine great optics, lightweight comfort, natural materials, and the ability to float.
Every pair features premium polarized lenses, lightweight bamboo or wood frames, stainless steel spring hinges, and distinctive island-inspired style.
We design and test Lani Shades in Hawaii, where bright sun, saltwater, sailing, surfing, and everyday outdoor life give us plenty of opportunities to put them to the test.
Why bamboo and wood?
Because this material makes for great sunglasses. Bamboo and wood are naturally lightweight, comfortable, distinctive, and — with the right design — buoyant enough to float.
Natural materials also give every pair character. Grain, tone, and texture can vary slightly from one pair to another, so your Lani Shades feel a little more personal than conventional mass-produced plastic frames. And wherever we can thoughtfully replace unnecessary plastic with beautiful, functional natural materials, we think that's a good thing.
What are Lani TAC polarized lenses?
Not all TAC lenses are created equal. Lani TAC lenses are premium 9-layer polarized lenses selected for clear, comfortable vision and performance in bright, demanding environments. They provide:
• UV400 protection
• Polarized glare reduction
• Scratch-resistant performance
• Seawater-resistant performance
• Clear, comfortable optics
We work closely with our manufacturing partners to select premium-quality TAC lenses specifically suited to the way Lani Shades are used — around bright sun, beaches, boats, and saltwater. Like all premium sunglass lenses, they should still be cared for properly. Rinse away salt and sand with fresh water before wiping the lenses, and use the included microfiber cloth for cleaning.
Do Lani Shades really float?
Yes — our floating models are designed and tested to float. That's one of the reasons we fell in love with bamboo and wood sunglasses in the first place. Because nobody wants to watch their favorite sunglasses sink into the blue.
Overboard doesn't have to mean goodbye.
Different woods, frame designs, and hardware have different levels of buoyancy, so some models float higher than others. If flotation is especially important to you, check the individual product description before choosing your pair. Our bamboo Ohe styles offer particularly strong buoyancy and are a great choice for sailing, boating, paddling, fishing, or other activities where your sunglasses might unexpectedly go for a swim.
Are Lani Shades durable?
Yes. Lani Shades are designed for everyday use in the sun and around the water, but natural bamboo and wood are not indestructible.
Treat them as you would any quality pair of sunglasses: keep them in their protective case when you're not wearing them, avoid crushing or excessively bending the frames, and don't leave them soaking in water for extended periods.
If they get wet — including in saltwater — that's fine. We recommend rinsing them with fresh water afterward and allowing them to dry naturally. With reasonable care, Lani Shades are designed to be part of plenty of adventures.
How should I care for my Lani TAC lenses?
Use the included microfiber cloth and make sure the lenses are free of sand, salt, or other debris before wiping them. After exposure to saltwater, rinse the lenses with fresh water first and then gently dry them. Avoid household cleaners, solvents, or abrasive materials.
Mirrored lenses deserve a little extra care because mirrored coatings can naturally be more susceptible to scratching than classic non-mirrored lenses. For complete instructions, visit our Care Instructions page.
What styles and sizes do you offer?
Most Lani Shades styles are designed to be unisex and work well across a range of face shapes. Because buying sunglasses online can make fit difficult to judge, you'll see Lani Shades modeled by different people throughout our website so you can get a better sense of scale, shape, and style.
Our Style & Size guide can also help you compare designs and find the pair that feels most like you. And if you order a pair that simply doesn't look or feel right, our 60-day return guarantee gives you time to find out for yourself.
What if my Lani Shades don't fit or I don't love them?
No problem. We offer a 60-day return guarantee so you can see how your Lani Shades look, feel, and fit in real life. If they're not the right pair for you, contact us and we'll help make the return process straightforward. We want your Lani Shades to become the pair you reach for whenever the sun comes out.
What is your warranty?
We stand behind the quality of Lani Shades. If you experience a problem that you believe may be related to a manufacturing defect, contact us and we'll review it with you personally. Even outside the standard return period, if something isn't right, reach out. We're an independent brand and we believe good customer service means treating people like people.
Normal wear, accidental damage, and improper care aren't manufacturing defects, but we'll always do our best to help you find a reasonable solution.
Where are Lani Shades designed and made?
Lani Shades are designed and tested in Hawaii and manufactured in China by specialized eyewear manufacturing partners.
We believe premium products come from combining thoughtful design with the right manufacturing expertise, wherever that expertise is found. We work closely with our manufacturing partners on frame design, materials, lenses, hardware, finishes, and quality standards, while continuing to test and refine our sunglasses in the Hawaiian environment where the brand was born.
We're proud of where Lani Shades are designed, transparent about where they're manufactured, and focused above all on making a product we're proud to put our name on.
Are Lani Shades sustainable?
We prefer to talk about better choices and measurable impact rather than call any consumer product perfectly sustainable.
Bamboo and wood allow us to use beautiful natural materials for our frames instead of relying entirely on conventional plastic construction. But we also recognize that making sunglasses still uses materials, energy, packaging, and transportation. That's why every Lani Shades purchase also contributes to verified environmental action through our partners — helping plant a tree and remove 1 lb of plastic from the ocean. A pair of sunglasses won't solve the world's environmental problems.
We just believe better choices add up.
Why should I choose Lani Shades instead of cheaper wood sunglasses?
Because price alone doesn't tell you what's in a pair of sunglasses. Lani Shades are built around the things we believe matter most: premium polarized lenses, thoughtfully selected natural materials, quality hardware, comfortable fit, floating performance, distinctive design, premium packaging, and personal customer service. Every pair includes a protective bamboo case and accessories, free standard shipping, and our 60-day return guarantee. We're not trying to make the cheapest wood sunglasses.
We're trying to make the ones you'll be glad you chose.
Why does Lani Shades use Hawaiian words and names?
Lani Shades was born and is based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii continues to shape the way we think about our brand — our relationship with the ocean, our appreciation for the outdoors, and values such as aloha, mālama, and respect for the places and people around us. We use Hawaiian words and place-inspired names thoughtfully and respectfully as part of that story - and because we believe the world would be a better place with a little more Aloha.
You'll sometimes see both “Hawaii” and “Hawaiʻi” used across our website. Hawaiʻi reflects the Hawaiian-language spelling, while Hawaii remains the conventional English spelling and the form commonly used in addresses, search, and other contexts. Our intention is always respect for the place Lani calls home and the culture that makes these islands extraordinary.
Can I buy Lani Shades in a store?
Yes. In addition to shopping online, Lani Shades are available through a select and growing group of retail partners and at occasional events in Hawaii. We intentionally choose retail partners that fit the Lani brand rather than trying to be everywhere. Please visit our Retail Locations page to see where you can find Lani Shades in person.
Interested in carrying Lani Shades in your store? We'd love to hear from you.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes.
Standard worldwide shipping is free. Orders are carefully packed and shipped from Hawaii, and qualifying U.S. orders receive upgraded USPS Priority Mail shipping. Shipping times vary by destination.
Still have a question?
We're a small independent brand, and there's a real person on the other side of your message. Please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
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