FLOAT's Behind the Development
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What kind of image do you have of reading glasses? Many people tend to have a less positive impression of them.When we spoke with people who were actually struggling with it, we were surprised to find how many felt that “reading glasses look uncool” or that they felt embarrassed for others to know they needed them.
In the same way, surprisingly many people still feel self-conscious about wearing sunglasses.Making glasses people don’t want to wear into something they truly want to wear — and delivering clear, comfortable vision — is what drives me forward.
FLOAT: Born from Reading Glasses
FLOAT originally started with reading glasses.
Many people who begin using reading glasses have had good vision all their lives and are unfamiliar with wearing glasses.For first-time users, glasses can feel uncomfortable — resting heavily on the face and creating pressure around the head.This inspired us to develop eyewear that feels natural and easy to wear, even for those new to glasses.
Our initial approach focused on function: reducing weight, eliminating pressure for a comfortable fit, and making sure the glasses sit gently on the nose without pain. At the same time, designing eyewear that people would genuinely want to wear was an equally important challenge.
FLOAT was launched in 2013, at a time when stylish reading glasses were hard to come by. I realized this when I noticed my fashion-conscious father wearing reading glasses that, to be honest, weren’t very stylish. On top of that, because they lacked charm and attachment, he would often misplace them. Any user of reading glasses can probably relate — finding them can be surprisingly difficult! Creating reading glasses that people wouldn’t lose became another key challenge.
The solution to many of these challenges came in the form of resin temples with integrated hinges — a design without metal joints. This hinge-less structure combines the temple and hinge into one, offering both lightweight comfort and flexibility. Because the frame and temples can be easily connected, the glasses can be customized or “dressed up” with different styles. Extending the temple arms for better hold also brought an unexpected benefit: the glasses can be worn around the neck when not in use. One drawback of the hinge-less design is that the arms don’t close easily. By placing a magnet in the center of the temples, the arms can fold widely and be neatly stored — even allowing the glasses to be displayed on a wall. The result is reading glasses that are stylish, comfortable to wear for long periods, and designed not to be lost. The name “FLOAT” was inspired by the light, floating-like feel when wearing the glasses and the way they appear to float when set on the magnetic base designed to prevent loss.
Why move from reading glasses to outdoor sunglasses?
Not long after we launched our reading glasses, a friend who enjoyed outdoor activities swapped the lenses and turned them into sunglasses. He said, “FLOAT is so light—it’s perfect for outdoor adventures!” Since our company has long specialized in sunglasses, we had thought about developing them once the reading glasses took off. But his comment definitely sped up the development process.
When we looked at the outdoor industry, we noticed something similar to what we had experienced with reading glasses. Although sunglasses are essential for protecting the eyes from UV rays during outdoor activities, very few people were actually wearing them.
The reason was the same as with reading glasses. Many people had never worn sunglasses before, so they avoided them from the beginning, saying things like, “They don’t look good on me,” “I feel a bit embarrassed,” or “They hurt when I wear them.”
Polarized sunglasses for clearer vision
How would you feel if someone told you, “You can actually see more clearly with polarized sunglasses than with the naked eye?”
Polarized sunglasses are widely known among anglers, but they are still unfamiliar to most people. Even I had spent many years designing fashion sunglasses without paying much attention to them, thinking that polarized lenses were only for fishing.
Scattered reflected light exists not only on the surface of the ocean, but almost everywhere in nature. By wearing polarized lenses, this unwanted reflected light — the white haze — is reduced, creating a clearer view. We began to describe this in a simple way as a “light filter.” Imagine a paper filter used when brewing coffee. The filter removes not only the ground beans but also unwanted bitterness and excess oils, allowing only the smooth, flavorful coffee to pass through. Polarized lenses work in much the same way. Polarized sunglasses are difficult to fully understand through words alone, so we encourage you to try them for yourself at one of our retail stores.
You’re missing out without sunglasses.
More than 80% of the information we perceive comes through our sense of sight, and we naturally understand the world first through what we see. Having a clearer view can truly change the way we experience life. When something can make the world look more beautiful simply by wearing it, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.
For those who feel sunglasses don’t suit them and hesitate to wear them. Are you missing out on the beauty of nature? A clearer view than the naked eye is waiting for you. FLOAT offers a variety of shapes so you can find the one that truly suits you.
Did you know that the eyes are often described as “exposed human organs”? Just as you apply sunscreen to protect your skin, you should protect your eyes with sunglasses.
The higher you go in the mountains, the stronger UV radiation becomes. Without proper protection, UV exposure can increase the risk of cataracts and may even accelerate presbyopia. Presbyopia is caused by the hardening of the eye’s natural lens. While aging is the primary factor, studies have shown that UV exposure can speed up this process.
As mentioned at the beginning, our goal is to bring a clearer and more beautiful view to everyone. To achieve this, our mission is to reduce the hesitation people feel about wearing glasses. We will continue striving to support you in making that experience more comfortable and accessible.
ALPHA CO.,LTD
President & CEO
Kenji URYU