What Ombraz Sunglasses does

Ombraz Sunglasses is a Seattle-area direct-to-consumer eyewear company founded in 2017-2018 by Jensen Brehm and Nikolai Paloni that designs, manufactures, and sells armless sunglasses — replacing traditional sidearms with an integrated adjustable Japanese nylon cord (made from recycled fishing nets) that wraps around the head. The product architecture is protected by US Patent 10,514,556 and the frames are hand-assembled in Italy using TR-90 aerospace-grade nylon and Carl Zeiss polarized or photochromic polyamide optics, with the full collection ANSI Z87.1 safety certified. The company sells eight frame styles (Classic, Dolomite, Leggero, Cammina, Viale, Teton, Refugio, Azzurro) at $95-$195 each, complemented by frame-specific accessories ($22.50-$45), digital gift cards ($100-$600), and premium prescription lenses ($445+) through an exclusive partnership with Lens & Frame Co.

Ombraz operates a product-led growth go-to-market anchored on its own e-commerce site at ombraz.com and a selective international retail footprint of 100+ specialty stores across the US, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, UK, Spain, UAE, Slovakia, Finland, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. Marketing emphasizes the armless design's comfort, durability, security, and packability, with earned media across Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Wirecutter, NPR, and 75+ 'Best of' gear awards. Customer segmentation is activity-based (aviation, cycling, fishing, hiking, paddle, alpine, everyday), reflecting the design's resonance with helmet- and headset-wearing users.

The company is bootstrapped and founder-owned, having raised approximately $165,000 on Indiegogo in Spring 2018 from 1,400+ backers and taken no disclosed institutional capital. ESG positioning is integral to the brand: Ombraz is B Corporation, Climate Neutral, and 1% for the Planet certified, plants 20 mangrove trees per pair sold through ARC Restoration Projects in Madagascar (over 2 million trees to date), and claims 1,713x more carbon sequestered than emitted per pair based on a Greenticket audit. Revenue, headcount growth, and profitability are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Ombraz Sunglasses

Legal name

Ombraz

Website

https://ombraz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ombraz Sunglasses is a Seattle-based DTC eyewear brand that designs patented armless sunglasses with an integrated cord, hand-assembled in Italy with Carl Zeiss optics, and sold online and through 100+ specialty retailers across 11+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium sunglasses and eyewear

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sport & Performance Eyewear (CRAAAKAC), Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD), Sunglasses & Luxury Eyewear (CRAKAEAE), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Armless sunglasses
• Cord sunglasses
• Premium eyewear
• Outdoor sunglasses
• Italian eyewear

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sunglasses Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of armless sunglasses through the company website and retail partners. Multiple frame styles (Classic, Azzurro, Dolomite, Leggero, Cammina, Viale, Teton, Refugio) and lens options (polarized, non-polarized, photochromic, mirrored, low light).
2. Accessories: Sale of complementary accessories including side shields ($45), nose pad risers ($30), floaties ($25), neoprene cases ($22.50), and cord replacement services.
3. Prescription (RX) Lenses: Partnership with Lens & Frame Co for premium prescription lens services starting at $445, offering fully customizable lens options handcrafted in California.
4. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards available in denominations from $100 to $600.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ombraz designs, manufactures, and sells armless sunglasses that replace traditional sidearms with an integrated, adjustable Japanese nylon cord. The frames are handmade in Italy using TR-90 aerospace-grade nylon with Carl Zeiss polarized optics and are ANSI Z87.1 safety certified. The company also sells complementary accessories (side shields, nose pad risers, floaties, cases) and offers prescription lens services through partner Lens & Frame Co.

Product overview

Ombraz Sunglasses offers a portfolio of armless sunglasses that replace traditional sidearms with a built-in adjustable cord system. The product line consists of eight core frame styles (Classic, Dolomite, Leggero, Cammina, Viale, Teton, Refugio, and Azzurro), each handmade in Italy with Carl Zeiss optics and ANSI Z87.1 safety certification. Frames are constructed from indestructible TR-90 aerospace-grade nylon and feature polarized, photochromic, and mirrored lens options. The company also offers a range of accessories including side shields, nose pad risers, nose shields, floaties, and protective cases. Ombraz provides prescription lens services through exclusive partner Lens & Frame Co. All products come with a lifetime warranty and are backed by environmental commitments including B Corporation certification and carbon-negative production through mangrove tree planting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classic Armless Sunglasses The original armless aviator-style sunglass from Ombraz, handmade in Italy with Carl Zeiss optics, ANSI Z87.1 safety certification, TR-90 nylon frames, and an integrated adjustable cord. Available in Regular and Narrow sizes.
• Dolomite Armless Sunglasses Distinct circular frame with keyhole double bridge and integrated mini visors to reduce peripheral glare; handmade in Italy with Zeiss optics and Z87.1 safety certification. Available in Regular and XL sizes.
• Leggero Armless Sunglasses Rectangular vintage 'cocaine dad' silhouette inspired by The Big Lebowski; handmade in Italy with Zeiss optics and Z87.1 safety certification. Available in Regular and XL.
• Cammina Armless Sunglasses Slender-contoured frame complementing round, square, and narrow face shapes; handmade in Italy with Zeiss optics and Z87.1 safety certification. Available in Regular and Narrow.
• Viale Armless Sunglasses Elegant circular lenses with vintage keyhole nose bridge and integrated mini visors; handmade in Italy with Zeiss optics and Z87.1 certification. Available in Regular and Narrow.
• Teton Armless Sunglasses Square frame with keyhole nose bridge inspired by the most popular industry profiles; integrated mini visors minimize peripheral glare; handmade in Italy with Zeiss optics and Z87.1 certification. Available in Regular and XL.
• Refugio Performance Sunglasses Retro wraparound silhouette for endurance athletes, fusing armless design with a sport-forward performance profile; fully integrated rubber nose pads, full-wrap coverage, mirrored Zeiss optics with 100% UVA/UVB protection, Z87.1 certified. Available in Regular and XL.
• Azzurro Full-Wrap Performance Sunglasses First full-wrap performance frame designed for guides and professionals in harsh water environments; features expanded coverage, peripheral protection, revamped rubber nose pads, polarized mirrored ZEISS polyamide optics, 8-Base Curve lens, and rubber ligature nose pad system.
• Prescription (RX) Lens Service Premium prescription lens service offered in partnership with Lens & Frame Co, with fully customizable lens options handcrafted in California. Starting at $445 via a 'White Glove Experience'.
• Ombraz Gift Card Digital gift card redeemable towards any Ombraz style, available in denominations from $100 to $600.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,713X more carbon is sequestered than emitted to produce and deliver each pair
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Lens & Frame CocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive prescription (RX) lens partner for Ombraz. Provides premium, fully customizable lens options handcrafted in California with a 'White Glove Experience' and 'Truly Special Customer Service'. Premium RX service starting at $445. The partnership enables customers to get prescription lenses fitted into Ombraz frames.
• ARC Restoration ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit tree-planting organization that employs indigenous locals to regenerate and protect native forests in Madagascar. Ombraz plants 20 mangrove trees for every pair sold through this partnership. The organization handles tree planting operations while Ombraz provides funding from each sale.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization that certifies companies committed to giving 1% of sales to environmental causes. Ombraz is a certified member, with tree planting initiatives forming part of their commitment.
• Climate NeutralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification organization that works with companies to measure, reduce, and offset their carbon footprint. Ombraz is Climate Neutral certified, offsetting all carbon emitted from production and delivery.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goodr: Goodr is a DTC sunglasses brand targeting runners and active-lifestyle consumers with fun designs at sub-$30 price points. While cheaper and not armless, Goodr competes for the same active/outdoor buyer with a similar direct-to-consumer and specialty retail playbook, making it the closest strategic comparable.
• Pit Viper: Pit Viper sells sport and lifestyle sunglasses with bold retro styling at ~$40-$80 price points, primarily direct-to-consumer with growing retail. It targets active-lifestyle consumers in cycling, fishing, skiing, and beach sports - the same verticals Ombraz addresses - making it a close functional peer despite different aesthetic positioning.
• Sunski: Sunski is a sustainability-focused DTC sunglasses brand using recycled plastics, with a similar B Corp / 1% for the Planet ethos and direct-to-consumer + specialty retail distribution. It directly competes with Ombraz for the eco-conscious, premium active-lifestyle buyer.
• Blenders Eyewear: Blenders Eyewear is a California-based lifestyle sunglasses brand sold direct-to-consumer with strong social-media-led marketing and a similar premium-but-accessible price point. While not armless, it competes for the same lifestyle/active consumer profile and uses similar DTC-first GTM motion.
• Knockaround: Knockaround is a San Diego-based sunglasses brand with affordable premium pricing, direct-to-consumer focus, and outdoor/lifestyle positioning. It targets a similar active-casual consumer demographic and competes for share of wallet in the same shopping occasions as Ombraz.

Emerging players

• Zeal Optics: Zeal Optics is a Boulder-based sunglasses brand emphasizing plant-based materials (e.g., castor bean frames) and sustainability credentials. Its eco-focused positioning, sport/lifestyle mix, and similar premium price band make it a thematic peer in the sustainable eyewear niche.
• Melon Optics: Melon Optics is an Austrian-based performance eyewear brand focused on cycling, mountain biking, and endurance sports with premium European manufacturing. It targets the same active outdoor consumer with sport-specific frames comparable to Ombraz's Azzurro and Refugio lines.

Broad incumbents

• Maui Jim: Maui Jim is a premium polarized sunglasses brand owned by Safilo with strong presence in fishing, golf, and water sports - the same verticals Ombraz targets. It is a broader incumbent with extensive wholesale, optical retail, and prescription distribution that competes for the same polarized-sport consumer at a similar premium price point.
• Costa Del Mar: Costa Del Mar is a leading polarized sunglasses brand for fishing and water sports, owned by EssilorLuxottica. It overlaps directly with Ombraz's fishing and paddle use cases at similar premium price points but with vastly greater brand recognition, distribution, and prescription capabilities.
• Smith Optics: Smith Optics (Safilo) is a sport performance eyewear and goggles brand serving cycling, snow sports, and outdoor markets. It overlaps with Ombraz's Azzurro and Refugio performance positioning in cycling and alpine verticals, offering broader product range and deeper retail penetration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ombraz
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ombraz-Sunglasses
• Instagraminstagram.com/ombraz

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ombraz Sunglasses