Ray-Ban ChroMax Lens: Lightning-Fast Color Selection

Activity. Perhaps the only thing that makes our lives interesting, filled with vibrant events and unforgettable experiences. If you're a fan of such a lifestyle, you definitely need sunglasses designed specifically for an active lifestyle.

Moreover, if plastic lenses don’t excite you and you prefer good old glass, ChroMax is the perfect choice!

Why, What, and How

ChroMax lenses first appeared in Ray-Ban sunglasses in the early 1990s.

Like the brand's classics, they are made of mineral glass, absorbing 80% of visible light and 100% of ultraviolet radiation. As for optical performance, they exceed ANSI standards and are impact-resistant according to U.S. government standards.



And what’s more, similar functions can be found in other lenses, you might say. But we would respond that ChroMax has something that sets it apart from all others. First, the color selector, which enhances the intensity of hard-to-distinguish colors (red, green, and amber). Second, overall increased contrast. Third, an anti-reflective layer applied to the inner surface of the lenses (when the sun is behind you, reflections come from the inside of the lens, and this coating protects against them).

It’s easy to recognize ChroMax: there’s a small lightning bolt next to the Ray-Ban logo in the upper right corner of the lens.

For Drivers and Athletes Alike

To cater to various consumer needs, three types of Ray-Ban ChroMax lenses were created:

1. B-20 ChroMax: a classic brown lens with enhanced contrast, color selector, and anti-reflective coating. Ideal for motorists.



2. G-20 ChroMax: an additional feature is the inclusion of the rare element neodymium, which can change color from green to gray depending on lighting. This effect is called pleochroism ("Alexandrite effect") — the ability to change color as the light direction shifts. Recommended for sports where quick coordination is needed.

3. Ace A-30 ChroMax: amethyst-colored lens. Like G-20, it contains neodymium and changes from blue to violet depending on the amount of light. This lens enhances contrast not only of green and red but also blue, improving the visibility of contours and small details (e.g., a ball). These glasses are perfect for golf and other sports.



Traditionally, this technology is represented in many of the brand’s collections, from the iconic Aviator to the hipster Signet.

So if you have the desire to combine historical material with enhanced clarity in a single pair of sunglasses, Ray-Ban ChroMax technology is made for you!

One issue: Ray-Ban no longer manufactures sunglasses with these lenses (they were produced only by Bausch & Lomb before Ray-Ban was acquired by Luxottica in 1999), and they can now only be found for sky-high prices on E-Bay and similar sites. Maybe in the coming years, Luxottica will decide to delight Ray-Ban fans and release new glasses with these legendary lenses.