FAQ

Free Fedex shipping is offered worldwide on all orders of $99 and above.

United States Addresses: Orders may be fulfilled from LiP Sunglasses fulfilment centre in Illinois or from Taiwan. Where the shipment is despatched from Taiwan to the United States, all shipments are shipped according to Incoterm DDP (‘Delivery Duty Paid’). This means that all import fees, duties or other charges are expressly included within the purchase price. Addresses Outside the United States: All shipments to addresses outside the United States are ordinarily fulfilled from Taiwan, but may also be fulfilled from the United States. Regardless of the shipment origin, all shipments to countries outside the United States are shipped according to Incoterm ‘DDU’ (Delivery Duty Unpaid) and will be subject to customs duties and/or local taxes that may apply for your country. Any import taxes, duties or other fees that may apply in your country must be settled by you before delivery is made.

For Fedex shipments to addresses within the United States, shipping times are 2-3 business days. For addresses outside the United States, Fedex shipping times can vary and will depend on your location but are normally 2-4 business days. If additional shipping methods are offered for your region, you will see an estimate of the shipping times in the cart. Shipping times stated are indicative only and are not commitments. All shipments can occasionally be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances or peaks during holidays. If you are in any way concerned about shipping times, please get in touch with us via our contact form for address-specific advice.        

Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your cart contents, destination and selected shipping method. In general, where the cart has a value of $99 or above, Free Fedex shipping is provided worldwide. For orders up to $49.99, there is a flat Fedex shipping fee of $22.00, and for orders between $50.00 and $98.99 the Fedex Shipping fee is $13.20. Detailed information on our shipping rates and delivery times can be viewed in our Shipping Policy.

United States: Irrespective of where the shipment originates from,  all shipments to US addresses are shipped according to Incoterm DDP (‘Delivery Duty Paid’). This means that all import fees, duties or other charges are expressly included within the purchase price.

Outside the United States: Regardless of shipment origin, all shipments to countries outside the United States are shipped according to Incoterm ‘DDU’ (Delivery Duty Unpaid) and will be subject to customs duties and/or local taxes that may apply for your country. Any import taxes, duties or other fees that may apply in your country must be settled by you. The courier may notify you by email / sms that duties are required to be cleared prior to delivery or may submit a bill to you after delivery has been made.

Tracking is offered for all Fedex shipments and the tracking link will be emailed to you once your order is processed and shipped. You can also access your order tracking in your customer account. Tracking service is not provided for standard mail and airmail.

Address changes after the order has shipped are not available for ground and airmail shipments, and are highly restricted with Fedex, especially for international shipments. If you have made a mistake with your address or need to request a new delivery address due to a change in your circumstances, please contact us immediately via our contact form attaching details of your order number and the new address you require delivery to. We will contact Fedex to request if the new delivery address can be accepted. Address changes are not guaranteed to be available, and if available, additional charges will likely apply.

LiP sunglasses are specifically engineered for watersports and extreme environments. With highly durable and flexible frame materials, and state-of-the-art lens materials and coatings, they’re designed for clarity & performance in rugged conditions.

We offer a range of lenses including fixed tint (non-polarized), polarized, photochromic, and polarized + photochromic. For many watersports, polarized lenses are ideal because they strip out reflected glare – a key problem for many watersports activities. Every product listed on the lip-sunglasses.com website lists its lens type. Use the ‘Lens Type’ filter on the product pages to drill down on the available options for a particular lens function.

Absolutely. All our lenses provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Our non-prescription lenses are made from either nylon or polycarbonate, both of which are ideal for watersports as they offer solid impact protection. For a comparison of the relative pros and cons of these two lens materials, check out our visual guide. Our prescription lenses are either polycarbonate or NXT (Trivex). We offer a wide range of options for each of these lens materials in our prescription program. Please refer to our visual guides for polycarbonate prescription lenses and NXT prescription lenses for detailed information on all of the available options.

We offer prescription lenses for all of our watersports sunglasses. Single Vision (distance only) lenses are available in polycarbonate and NXT lens material. Progressive lenses are available only in NXT material.  In terms of lens function, we offer fixed tint, photochromic, polarized, and polarized + photochromic. Learn all you need to know about our prescription watershades.

All our frames are made from Grilamid® TR90 nylon. This material is lightweight, highly durable and flexible. Some of our sunglasses also incorporate overmolded rubber on the frame and temples. You can find detailed information on the benefits of the Grilamin TR90 frame material and frame design generally on our lip-lab-frames page.

Yes. Most of our frames are designed to suit a wide range of face shapes and are unisex by design. The only exception is our Rose sunglasses in the Urban Collection which are styled for women.

Every sunglasses model has a Size Guide on the shop page. Precise measurements are provided for lens width, lens height, frame width, bridge width and temple length.

‘VLT’ stands for Visible Light Transmission — the percentage of visible light that passes through the lens. A lower VLT means darker lenses, suited to bright conditions. For a detailed understanding of visible light, UV and infrared, check our our blog article – Eye protection: Understanding ultraviolet and visible light  

Yes, we offer custom lens/frame combinations for all our watersports sunglasses. Build your preferred combination of frame, lenses and accessories for a unique look: Custom Typhoon, Custom Surge, Custom FLO

Please refer to our guidance note and instructional video to ensure that you set up the leash system in the correct way.

You can download instructions for removing your old lenses and installing new lenses by clicking the “Instructions” button on our replacement lenses shop page.   

Our eyewear is designed to counteract fogging through a combination of frame ventilation, premium coatings, and smart design. But it’s important to understand that there are two ways in which lenses fog up and the anti-fog coating we offer on some of our lenses only addresses one of them.

1. What causes lens fogging in the first place?

There are two primary culprits:

• Body-heat fogging: Warm, humid air from your body and breath gets trapped behind the lens, especially when you’re working hard (e.g. paddling out) and /or the wind drops. This moisture condenses on the inside of the lens, creating fog.

• Condensation fogging: This occurs when the lens cools down below the dew point—often from being dunked in cold water or exposed to cold blasts of air. Moisture in the surrounding air (not just your own breath) condenses on the lens, on both the inner and outer lens surfaces.

Our anti-fog coating is designed to resist fogging caused by body heat on the inner surface of the lens. It works by spreading out moisture into a transparent film rather than letting it form visible water droplets. However, if your lenses drop to the dew point temperature and attract condensation, the anti-fog coating will not stop fog from forming on the lenses – there is currently no lens coating technology that can prevent this type of fogging. It’s a physical response to temperature and humidity, not something a coating can block.

FRAME
Apart from the size and shape, the core difference between these two models is the amount of overmolded rubber (frame cushioning) attached to the main frame. The Typhoon model has full interior frame cushioning whereas the Surge has partial frame cushioning. This is best illustrated with a rear view of the Typhoon and Surge models.

In practical terms, the extra cushioning of the Typhoon makes for lasting comfort on extended sessions on the water. Note however that the additional overmolded rubber on the Typhoon slightly reduces the ventilation behind the lenses compared to the Surge, so if you are concerned about lenses fogging up in your environment, the Surge may be a better option.  If you would like to discuss which frame is more suited to your needs and environment, please get in touch via our contact form and we’ll be happy to offer you some guidance.

LENSES
The Typhoon is equipped with premium polarized lenses by ZEISS, whereas the Surge is equipped with LiP’s proprietary VIVIDE, Levanté and ecLiPse Series lenses. All lenses whether from LiP or ZEISS come with the same comprehensive 3 years warranty.

ACCESSORIES
Both the Surge and Typhoon come with the same bombproof leash and necklace retention system.      

Returns Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase for items purchased from the LiP Sunglasses website. Return requests for items purchased from a LiP dealer should be directed to that dealer.  Return items must be unused and should include all accessories, tags and packaging and must meet the terms of our Return Policy. In all cases, customers should complete the return form and await instructions from our Customer Service team. For domestic (United States) orders, we will provide you with a printable pre-paid return label which you will need to take to a Fedex Service Centre along with the return item. The return label fee is $8 per item for mainland US, and for Alaska and Hawaii it is $14 per item. The return label fee will be deducted from any refund due. For all other countries, a pre-paid return label may not always be available.  Upon receipt of a return request, we will provide instructions for returning your order. Any return label costs, if available, will be deducted from the refund amount. Exchanges If you wish to exchange for another product, you should first submit a return request and specify the item that you would like to exchange for. Exchange items must be returned before a replacement product is shipped. Shipping charges apply for re-shipping an exchanged product per our Shipping Policy terms. Where there is a difference in price between the original item and the exchange item, our Customer Service team will advise the refund / additional charge procedure.

Refunds are typically processed within 5 business days of us receiving your returned item. You will receive an email notification once the refund has been processed.  If you paid by PayPal, the refund is immediately credited to your PayPal account. For orders placed by credit or debit card, it can take up to 5 working days for the refund to show in your account.

Return shipping costs are not covered unless the product is defective or shipped in error. For cases where there is a product defect or error in shipping the wrong product, please follow the warranty claim procedure detailed in our warranty policy.  

Rinse with fresh water after each session, especially after saltwater exposure. Once clean, allow to dry and then use the supplied microfibre cloth to bring out the gleam on the lenses and to reset the hydrophobic coating back to factory condition. You can find detailed guidance on how to maintain your sunglasses here and here.

We offer a 3-year warranty on all sunglasses frames, accessories and all standard (non-optical) lenses against defects in material or workmanship to the original purchaser. The warranty period for optical lenses is 1 year. Full details are available in our Warranty Policy.

If you wish to raise a warranty claim or need support about a problem you are experiencing with your sunglasses, please complete the Warranty / Support Request Form and our Customer Service team will advise the next steps. To ensure a full and swift response to your claim, please provide your original order number, details of the issue, a supporting photo and the four digit code that is printed on the inside of the right temple.

If you purchased your sunglasses from one of our authorised dealers or distributors, you may wish to register your warranty with us. You will need to provide the date of purchase and the identity and location of the dealer that you purchased from.  You can register your purchase here.

Our warranty does not cover lens scratches or damage caused by wear and tear. Similarly, lens loss is not covered by our warranty. Replacement lenses can be purchased in our online store.

You can request instructions for removing and installing the lenses in your sunglasses by completing our Lens Installation Instructions Form.  The instructions will be immediately emailed to you.

Our eyewear is designed to counteract fogging through a combination of frame ventilation, premium coatings, and smart design. But it’s important to understand that there are two ways in which lenses fog up and the anti-fog coating we offer on some of our lenses only addresses one of them.

1. What causes lens fogging in the first place?

There are two primary culprits:

• Body-heat fogging: Warm, humid air from your body and breath gets trapped behind the lens, especially when you’re working hard (e.g. paddling out) and /or the wind drops. This moisture condenses on the inside of the lens, creating fog.

• Condensation fogging: This occurs when the lens cools down below the dew point—often from being dunked in cold water or exposed to cold blasts of air. Moisture in the surrounding air (not just your own breath) condenses on the lens, on both the inner and outer lens surfaces.

Our anti-fog coating is designed to resist fogging caused by body heat on the inner surface of the lens. It works by spreading out moisture into a transparent film rather than letting it form visible water droplets. However, if your lenses drop to the dew point temperature and attract condensation, the anti-fog coating will not stop fog from forming on the lenses – there is currently no lens coating technology that can prevent this type of fogging. It’s a physical response to temperature and humidity, not something a coating can block.

Because fogging is a natural physical process and can be caused by many environmental factors beyond our control, lens fogging is not considered a product defect.

If you’re experiencing persistent fogging that seems unrelated to temperature shifts or environmental conditions, feel free to get in touch. In some cases, lens wear, damage, or coating degradation may be a factor—and we’re happy to investigate this and work out a solution.

Many aftermarket sprays or wipes contain chemicals that can damage or strip our lens coatings, so we do not make any recommendations.  It’s also important to note that applying an anti-fog spray onto a surface with a hydrophobic coating will effectively cancel the performance of the hydrophobiccoating as they are opposite lens technologies.

• Hydrophobic coatings repel water, causing water droplets to bead up and fall away under gravity or be pushed aside by the wind. They also resist smudging and help keep lenses clean and clear.

• Hydrophilic coatings (also called anti-fog coatings) attract water, spreading moisture evenly into a thin film, preventing droplets (fog) from forming and blocking vision.

Applying a hydrophilic spray onto lenses already treated with a hydrophobic coating generally creates an ineffective scenario:

• The hydrophobic surface rejects the hydrophilic coating, causing uneven coverage and patchiness.

• The hydrophilic coating struggles to bond or form a uniform film, undermining its anti-fog benefits.

In practice, what usually happens is you end up with a lens surface that’s neither properly hydrophobic nor effectively anti-fog.

Although it is not possible to fix or glue the original rubber parts, we do offer replacement frame parts for our watersports sunglasses. This includes the right and left side temples (arms) and the main frame. If your purchase is within the warranty period (3 years from date of purchase), and provided that we have stock of your frame colour, the replacement part will be provided to you free of charge. Please note that we charge a shipping fee for all frame part replacements, whether under warranty or not. If your purchase is still under warranty, please submit a warranty support request here.

If the overmolded rubber on your Typhoon frame separates from the plastic, this is covered by our warranty and we will replace the defective part for you if your purchase is still within the warranty period (3 years from date of purchase). Provided that we have stock of your frame colour, the replacement part will be provided to you free of charge. Please note that we charge a shipping fee for all frame part replacements, whether under warranty or not. Please do not attempt to glue or re-seal the rubber to the frame, as this will not work for any length of time and you could accidentally damage the lens coatings in the process.  Please get in touch with us via our warranty support and we’ll guide you through the process of transferring your temples and lenses to the new frame.

All our sunglasses frames and product accessories are manufactured in Taiwan. Our lenses are manufactured in Taiwan, Italy and Malaysia.      

We currently offer prescription lenses for all our watersports sunglasses. Single vision (distance only) lenses are available in both polycarbonate (PC) and trivex (NXT) lens material. Progressive lenses are available only in our premium NXT range.  For full details of the range of options we offer, head on over to our prescription section and discover what is ideally suited to your watersports discipline, environment and personal needs.

Our lens crafters work methodically to ensure that your lenses are prepared to the highest possible standard. Each prescription lens set takes 21 days to process, irrespective of the complexity of the lens or the strength of the prescription. We offer complimentary Fedex Priority shipping with all prescription watershades orders, meaning you receive your order just 2 days after we get them back from our RX lab.

Ideally you will have a prescription from your eye-care provider. If the ‘PD’ – pupillary distance –  is not recorded on your prescription, the first port of call it to contact your optometrist over the phone and request your PD reading(s). In most cases, they will hold this on your file, and will release this data to you. Sometimes, there is a reluctance to provide you this information. In such cases, and only for single vision lenses, you can use a digital PD measuring tool like https://www.accupd.com

Prescription sunglasses lenses are custom-made and are therefore not eligible for return unless there is a material defect. If there is a material defect in either the frame or the lenses, please follow the procedure outlined in “What Should I do if my sunglasses are damaged or defective” (Product Care & Warranty). If you are concerned about the fit of any of our frames prior to ordering prescription sunglasses, or if you are looking to purchase progressive lenses, please contact our sales team via our contact form for details regarding our frame sampling service.

Our prescription lenses come with a 1-year warranty against coating or material defects. Sunglasses frames and accessories (e.g leash and necklace set, EVA case) come with a 3-years warranty against workmanship or material defects.

At the current time, we can accommodate prism correction only in our premium NXT prescription lenses. There is an additional charge for prism correction of $65. When placing your RX order, select ‘I would like to enter it manually’ in the ‘Your Prescription’ step, then tick the radio button for prism reading before adding your prism readings into the relevant boxes.

If you’re having any issues with your LiP prescription sunglasses—whether it’s dizziness, discomfort or vision clarity —it’s best to first check in with the eye care professional who examined your eyes and prepared your script. It’s not unknown for eyecare professionals to make mistakes or issue the wrong prescription to a patient. It’s also possible that your prescription may have changed since your last eye examination.

Bear in mind that if you have not worn prescription lenses in wrap-fit sunglasses before, it may take some time to adapt to the look and feel of the lenses. Adaptation can take 2-3 weeks of regular use.

If after having consulted your eyecare professional and allowed time for adaptation you’re still having trouble, we’re here to help. Reach out to us directly via our contact form and we’ll work alongside your eye care provider to come up with a solution. Whether that means fine-tuning or revisiting your lens details, we’ll guide you toward a solution that brings your LiP experience back into focus.

Once we receive your prescription order, you’ll receive an RX Confirmation from us outlining your chosen frame, lens type, and prescription details. If you need to make any changes or wish to cancel your order, please contact us within 24 hours of receiving this confirmation. After that window, we’re unable to modify the lenses, prescription readings or frame model, as production may already be underway.

That said, if you’d like to switch the frame colour, this may still be possible—just get in touch with us promptly, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

If you’re a resident of California, state law requires that we receive a copy of your prescription from your eye care professional.

For customers in all other regions, it’s not mandatory—but we do strongly recommend uploading a copy. Having it on file helps us double-check the details and minimise the risk of any transcription errors when processing your order.

 

Yes, we do—but only in our premium NXT lens range. These high-performance lenses are engineered to deliver the clarity and optical precision required for progressive prescriptions. If you’re looking for multifocal functionality with exceptional durability and optics, our NXT progressives are the way to go.

To craft progressive lenses with the accuracy and comfort you’d expect from us, we need a few extra details beyond a standard (distance only) prescription. Specifically, we’ll require:

• Your full prescription, including Sphere, Cylinder & Axis (if you have an astigmatism), and Add power

• Both Distance and Near PD (pupillary distance)

• Segment height, which is the vertical measurement needed to align the progression zone precisely within the lens

To measure segment height accurately, you will need access to the frame that your lenses will be fitted into. The segment height is measured by your optometrist with reference to how the frame sits on your face. If you already have a frame, you can take this with you to your optometrist. If not, we’ll need to ship you a sample frame to use for fitting and measurements.

Our prescription lenses have specific power ranges depending on the lens material:

• NXT lenses: Available from -7.00 to +3.00 spherical power.

• Polycarbonate (PC) lenses: Available from -5.00 to +5.00 spherical power.

Please contact us directly if your prescription falls outside these ranges, and we’ll advise on possible options.

We do not directly accept insurance payments at this time. However, we can provide an itemized invoice detailing your prescription sunglasses order, which you can submit to your insurance provider to assist in making a claim for reimbursement.