Should you get a hard glasses case or a soft one? It sounds like a small decision, but the wrong case either ends up left at home because it's too bulky, or doesn't do enough to protect the glasses inside. Here's how I'd think it through, before I say anything about what I make.
What a glasses case is actually protecting against
There are really two dangers to a pair of glasses in a bag or pocket. The first is scratches: keys, coins, zips and grit rubbing against the lenses. The second is pressure: being sat on, squashed at the bottom of a rucksack, or bent when something heavy lands on top.
A hard case is built for the second problem. A rigid shell spreads the load, so if your glasses are likely to get squashed, that's what it's for. A soft case or sleeve is mainly built for the first problem. It keeps the lenses away from everything else in your bag and stops the frames picking up scuffs, but it won't stop a determined bottom from bending your arms.
When a hard case makes sense
I'd lean towards a hard case if:
- Your glasses go in a rucksack or work bag that gets thrown about, or packed tight with other things.
- You put them in a back trouser pocket (please don't, but if you do).
- They're expensive prescription glasses you can't easily replace while you're away.
- You're travelling and they'll spend time in luggage.
The downside is size. Hard cases are often chunky, which is exactly why so many end up left at home. A case that stays in a drawer protects nothing.
When a soft case or sleeve is the better choice
A soft case is the better pick if your glasses mostly live in a jacket pocket, a handbag or a shirt pocket, and the main risk is scratches rather than crushing. Reading glasses and sunglasses that come in and out all day suit a soft case well, because it's quick to slip them in and out and you're more likely to actually use it.
Whichever you choose, a few habits help: put your glasses away rather than loose in a bag, slide them in so the lenses aren't dragging against anything rough, and clean the lenses with a proper lens cloth rather than your shirt. It's also worth not leaving any case in a hot car for long spells.
Where a thick leather case fits in
Leather sits somewhere in between. A thin leather sleeve behaves like a soft case. A thicker leather case has more body to it, so it holds its shape better and gives the frames a bit more cushioning than a thin pouch, while staying much slimmer than most rigid shells. It isn't a crush-proof shell, so if you're sitting on your glasses, a hard case is still the honest answer.
That middle ground is what I had in mind with the Thick Leather Glasses Case. It's made from thick full-grain leather, hand-dyed and stitched here in Cornwall, and sized to fit most standard frames snugly so they don't slide about in your bag. Inside there's a soft lining to help keep the lenses free of marks. It comes in Dark Brown or Whisky and costs £27.
Because it's full-grain leather, it picks up its own patina as you use it, so it ends up looking like yours. Care is simple: wipe it with a damp cloth now and then and avoid harsh cleaners. There's more on that in my leather care guide.
If you'd rather go fully soft and slim, the Slim Leather Glasses Sleeve (£24) slips into a pocket and comes in five colours. And for a simple, lighter option, there's the Soft Metallic Leather Glasses Case (£17.99) in chrome-tanned leather with a press-stud closure. You can see them side by side in the Eyewear Cases collection.
Every full-grain piece like the thick case comes with no-questions 30-day returns and my lifetime repair warranty on faulty leather or stitching.
So, hard or soft?
If your glasses get squashed, get a hard case. If they mostly need keeping away from keys and grit, a soft case or sleeve will do the job and you'll actually carry it. If you want something in between, with a bit more body than a pouch but none of the bulk, have a look at the Thick Leather Glasses Case.
You'll find it, along with the rest of my handmade leather, at craftydrifters.co.uk. Thanks for reading. Mark
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