Make my glasses case bulletproof!
April 6, 2018 1:24 PM Subscribe
I need a metal glasses case that doesn't look too dude-broish. Help!
I bike pretty much everywhere I go, and when I bike, I either use a backpack or an Ortlieb pannier to store my gear. My glasses, which I don't need for riding, are part of that gear. I generally go through a couple of the hardened-plastic Warby Parker-style cases a year, because over time, they get squished by groceries/clothes, busted by my Kryptonite lock, or otherwise bent or beaten up to the point of unusability.
I haven't searched a ton, but in a quick Amazon search, I find less-than-ideal options; there are a ton of metal cases like this, but those are all too small/narrow for my glasses (I've tried a couple and they don't work).
The only metal case I've seen that would work is this one, which...no. That one looks like it'd be at home in a monster truck, and that's just not me.
What I need is a metal glasses case of that size of a very plain style. Color isn't super important, but I don't want anything wildly patterned - dark solid color is ideal, but really any solid color would be fine.
Where can I find such a thing?
I bike pretty much everywhere I go, and when I bike, I either use a backpack or an Ortlieb pannier to store my gear. My glasses, which I don't need for riding, are part of that gear. I generally go through a couple of the hardened-plastic Warby Parker-style cases a year, because over time, they get squished by groceries/clothes, busted by my Kryptonite lock, or otherwise bent or beaten up to the point of unusability.
I haven't searched a ton, but in a quick Amazon search, I find less-than-ideal options; there are a ton of metal cases like this, but those are all too small/narrow for my glasses (I've tried a couple and they don't work).
The only metal case I've seen that would work is this one, which...no. That one looks like it'd be at home in a monster truck, and that's just not me.
What I need is a metal glasses case of that size of a very plain style. Color isn't super important, but I don't want anything wildly patterned - dark solid color is ideal, but really any solid color would be fine.
Where can I find such a thing?
It’s not metal, but have you considered Pelican? They make totally-overkill hardened waterproof plastic cases. I don’t think they specifically make glasses cases, but they do make small smartphone/camera equipment cases that might meet your needs. They’re maybe a little tryhard/tacticool, and look at reviews because some of the Pelican branded stuff isn’t as solid as their main line of kit, but that kit is hard to beat for rugged gear storage.
posted by Alterscape at 1:50 PM on April 6, 2018
posted by Alterscape at 1:50 PM on April 6, 2018
How about a metal pencil case (like this) lined with some adhesive-backed felt?
posted by bgrebs at 2:40 PM on April 6, 2018
posted by bgrebs at 2:40 PM on April 6, 2018
Zenni Optical cases are pretty rugged. Maybe you could order $6.95 glasses just to get the case?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:27 PM on April 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:27 PM on April 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Eyeglass cases are ubiquitous at thrift shops and rummage sales. Collect a few, wash them out, glue back the flocking since it's probably peeled a bit, and you're good for the net cost of maybe fifty cents.
Since I usually have to carry multiple pairs of glasses on my person, I went the other route and got a relatively fancy soft leather case and keep it in a jacket pocket, shirt pocket, or cargo shorts pocket. It won't protect the glasses from a stomping but so far it has been very effective at protecting them from falls, or the crush of being in a crowd, and other low-impact situations. It's easier to use one-handed than a flip-open hard plastic case and looks nicer too, which is sometimes important.
But I also got a bunch of those thrift shop cases I mentioned above, and use them for when the glasses are sharing space with the bike lock in my bag. The cases will eventually wear out but who cares?
posted by ardgedee at 6:06 PM on April 6, 2018
Since I usually have to carry multiple pairs of glasses on my person, I went the other route and got a relatively fancy soft leather case and keep it in a jacket pocket, shirt pocket, or cargo shorts pocket. It won't protect the glasses from a stomping but so far it has been very effective at protecting them from falls, or the crush of being in a crowd, and other low-impact situations. It's easier to use one-handed than a flip-open hard plastic case and looks nicer too, which is sometimes important.
But I also got a bunch of those thrift shop cases I mentioned above, and use them for when the glasses are sharing space with the bike lock in my bag. The cases will eventually wear out but who cares?
posted by ardgedee at 6:06 PM on April 6, 2018
I'm going to suggest something that isn't metal. I see you are in Portland; I suggest going to your local REI and looking at sunglass cases. The are all semi-hard and made out of EVA/PVC, but they are also designed for protecting expensive sunglasses that are being stuffed into a backpack. Sample of what is available; my local REI has a wider selection than this in-store.
posted by kovacs at 6:30 PM on April 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by kovacs at 6:30 PM on April 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Last time I was in the Dollar Tree, they had a selection of metal clamshell glasses cases, in plain colors. They would accommodate large glasses. For a dollar each, you could get a bunch for the price of any of the ones linked to.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:27 PM on April 7, 2018
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:27 PM on April 7, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 1:49 PM on April 6, 2018 [2 favorites]