The best folding Wayfarer is the one that keeps the classic square silhouette, blocks 100% of UV and still fits in a jacket pocket without bending. Ray-Ban’s RB4105 started the category, and it is still the name most people search. A handful of brands, ours included, now make folding frames built around a more compact hinge. Below we compare them on the things that matter on a trip: fold size, hinge, lenses, fit and what happens when you sit on them.
TL;DR
- Any folding Wayfarer is only as good as its lenses: look for a UV400 or 100% UV label, not a dark tint or a high price.
- The Ray-Ban RB4105 is the familiar classic, but its folded shape is still fairly bulky next to micro hinge designs.
- ROAV frames use a patented micro hinge and a screwless build, so they fold smaller and have no tiny screws to loosen.
- Fit matters more than brand. Measure lens width and bridge before you order, and expect a new folding hinge to feel stiff.
- If you prefer metal, folding aviators are a real alternative and use the same checklist.
Table of Contents
- What a folding Wayfarer has to do
- UV protection: the check that comes before style
- Polarized or not?
- The options compared
- Our perspective
- Fit: the part most buyers skip
- Hinge feel and durability
- Packing them for a trip
- If you wear prescription lenses
- How to choose: a short decision guide
- Try a ROAV pair
- FAQ
- Sources
What a folding Wayfarer has to do
A standard Wayfarer is a thick acetate frame. It looks great and it is a nuisance to pack: it needs a hard case, and the case takes up the room of a small paperback. Folding versions exist to solve exactly that, so judge them on four jobs.
- Protect your eyes. Lens quality and UV filtering come first, whatever the frame does.
- Fold small and flat. The folded size decides whether they live in a pocket, a passport sleeve or the bottom of a bag.
- Survive being folded hundreds of times. A folding hinge has more moving parts than a classic one, so build quality shows up here.
- Still look like a Wayfarer. Squared top line, slightly trapezoid lenses, a presence on the face.
If you travel often, the second and third jobs are the ones you will notice every single day.
UV protection: the check that comes before style
Health Canada advises looking for sunglasses labelled 100% UV or UV400 protection, and notes that price, lens darkness and colour do not tell you how well a lens filters UV. A very dark lens without a UV filter can actually be worse than a pale one, because your pupils open wider behind it.
That is good news for your budget. A McGill University science piece explains that glasses advertised as UV 400 block essentially all UV rays, and that paying more mostly buys lens clarity, coatings and scratch resistance. The Canadian Association of Optometrists makes the same point in its position statement on UV and eye protection: you cannot judge UV protection from the price tag, colour or darkness.
Health Canada also gives a simple home test for distortion. Put the glasses on and look at a straight-lined pattern such as floor tiles. If the lines stay straight when you move your head, the optics are acceptable. If they wave or bend, try another pair.
Two more checks are worth doing before you buy:
- Read the product page for the words UV400 or 100% UV. If it is missing, ask.
- If you are not sure about a pair you already own, an optician can test them, as the McGill article notes.
Our own guides go deeper on this: five quick checks to confirm UV400 and why UVA and UVB both matter, even in foldables.
Polarized or not?
Polarized lenses cut glare off water, wet roads and snow. They are a comfort feature rather than a safety one: polarization and UV filtering are separate things, so a polarized lens still needs the UV400 label. For driving, boating, fishing or a beach week, polarized is the better pick. If you mostly want a city sunglass for a few hours, it is optional.
One small catch: polarized lenses can make some phone and car screens look dim or patchy at certain angles. Try that in a shop or check the return policy before committing.
The options compared
This is not a ranking by price. We have left out prices that we cannot confirm for today. Check current Canadian prices on each retailer’s page.
| Option | Fold style | Lens options | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ray-Ban RB4105 Folding Wayfarer | Classic folding hinge, frame folds in on itself | Offered in several lens colours, polarized versions exist in the wider Ray-Ban range | Buyers who want the Ray-Ban name and a close copy of the original look | Folded size is thicker than micro hinge frames; stiff hinge when new |
| ROAV foldable frames | Patented micro hinge, screwless | Polarized UV lenses, many colours and styles | Frequent travellers, commuters, anyone who wants the smallest pack size | Wayfarer-style shapes vary by model, so check size and shape on the product page |
| Uniqlo folding Wayfarers | Folding frame in a classic shape | Standard tinted lenses | A low-cost spare pair | Men’s Health picked them for price, not for premium lenses |
| Folding aviators (several brands) | Metal frame that folds at the bridge and temples | Often polarized | Wearers who prefer a lighter, thinner look | Different silhouette; fit differs from a Wayfarer |
Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer RB4105
This is the model most people mean. Men’s Health reports that many brands offer folding Wayfarers and that Uniqlo’s are the most affordable it has tried. Ray-Ban’s own listing sells the RB4105 as easy to fold and tuck away while keeping a durable frame.
Owner feedback is generally warm. On the Zappos review page, the model has a 12-review summary that is mostly five stars, though those reviews date back to 2011, so treat them as a sign of long popularity rather than current build quality. The real trade-off is size. The frame folds, but it stays a thick block of acetate, and the usual folding case is still needed.
Uniqlo and other budget folders
A cheap folding Wayfarer is a perfectly reasonable second pair for a suitcase or glovebox. Just apply the same test as any other pair: look for a UV400 label and run the tile check. Budget should be spent on lenses and a hinge you trust, not logo.
ROAV foldable frames
We make our frames around a patented micro hinge, so they collapse into a very compact shape and travel in the waterproof pouch that comes with them. The design is screwless, which means there are no small screws to work loose over years of folding and unfolding. The lenses are polarized with UV protection, and the range spans multiple styles and materials, including metal and prescription options.
More than 100,000 customers have bought from us, and a Reddit thread on folding sunglasses recommendations shows a user recommending ROAV for how tiny they fold. That is one user’s view, but it matches what we hear.
For the Wayfarer look specifically, start with our foldable sunglasses collection, and read our aviator vs Wayfarer face shape check to decide which silhouette suits you.
Folding aviators
Many readers who search for folding Wayfarers also look at folding aviators. A metal frame is thinner and often lighter, and some folding aviators from other brands have polarized lenses. If you prefer metal, our roundup of foldable metal frame sunglasses covers the options. The checklist in this article applies equally: UV400 first, then hinge, fit and pack size.
Our perspective
We have spent years watching how people really carry sunglasses, and the pattern is consistent: the pair that stays in the bag gets lost or crushed, and the pair that fits in a pocket gets worn. That is why we built around a micro hinge instead of adapting a normal hinge to fold.
A classic Wayfarer is a design that works, and the Ray-Ban is still a benchmark for style. Men’s Health calls the Original Wayfarer a gold-standard benchmark and credits its robust hinges. What a folding frame has to prove is that it can match that sturdiness while taking up a fraction of the space. We think the screwless build and the compact fold do that, and we would rather you test the claim than take our word for it.
Our advice is practical. Choose by fit first, lenses second, brand last. Spend time on the size chart. Pick polarized if you spend time near water or roads. Expect the hinge to feel firm for the first few weeks.
— Thomas
Fit: the part most buyers skip
Style writers agree that face shape drives the silhouette: square and Wayfarer frames add angularity to a round face, and the distance from bridge to cheekbone decides whether you need a standard or a low-bridge, relaxed-fit frame. If sunglasses sit on your cheeks or slide down your nose, no hinge will fix it.
A quick routine:
- Take a pair that fits you well and read the numbers printed inside the temple: lens width, bridge, arm length.
- Compare them with the product page.
- If you are between sizes, go for the one that keeps the lens centred over your pupil.
We explain the method in finding your sunglasses size in two minutes and in a face shape guide for travel sunglasses.
Hinge feel and durability
Folding sunglasses often feel stiff when new. Reviewers on the Zappos page link that firmness to a secure build, and it typically eases with regular use without any loss of structure. A hinge that is loose from day one is the one to worry about.
Habits that extend the life of a folding pair:
- Fold the arms in the order the maker shows, rather than forcing them.
- Keep them in the pouch when in a bag, so the lenses do not rub on keys.
- Wipe lenses with a microfibre cloth, not your shirt. Scratch resistance is one of the things that separates costlier lenses.
- Check for any play in the hinge every few months.
Packing them for a trip
A folding Wayfarer earns its place on a trip because it removes the case from the equation. Slip it into a jacket pocket, a passport holder or a small organizer. If you are building a carry-on kit, a compact travel organizer for small essentials keeps sunglasses, lip balm and other small items together.
While you are packing, check the rules for sun care too: aerosol sunscreen on a plane is governed by airline and security restrictions that are worth reading before you fly.
For sunny destinations, UV exposure is higher at altitude and on the water. Our guide to packable UV400 sunglasses for high UV travel covers three foldable models for that use.
If you wear prescription lenses
Glasses wearers have two routes: prescription sunglasses, or a second pair of foldable sunglasses over contacts. If you wear glasses all day, a dedicated prescription pair is worth considering, and we cover that in foldable prescription sunglasses for glasses wearers. Our eyeglasses collection uses the same micro hinge approach for everyday frames.
How to choose: a short decision guide
- You want the original look and name: the Ray-Ban RB4105. Accept the bulkier fold.
- You want the smallest fold and a screwless build: ROAV micro hinge frames.
- You need a cheap spare: a budget folding Wayfarer, with a UV400 check.
- You prefer metal and a lighter feel: folding aviators.
- You buy for a team: a single foldable style in a neutral colour is easy to give and easy to pack. Companies can ask us about gifting.
Try a ROAV pair
If the pocket-sized fold appeals, browse our foldable sunglasses collection. Each pair includes a waterproof pouch, and you can add accessories at checkout. For a first pair, our sunglasses range lets you compare shapes and lens colours side by side.
FAQ
Are folding Wayfarers as durable as regular ones?
A well-made folding pair can be, but it has more moving parts, so build quality matters more. Look for a firm hinge and check it for play over time. A screwless design, like ours, removes one common point of failure.
Do folding sunglasses block UV as well as normal sunglasses?
The frame has no effect on UV protection. The lens does. Health Canada says to look for a 100% UV or UV400 label, whatever the price or tint.
Should I pick polarized lenses?
Choose polarized if you drive, boat, fish or spend time near snow or water, because they cut glare. They are not a substitute for UV400, so check for both on the label.
Why are my new folding sunglasses stiff?
Folding hinges are tighter when new. Reviewers on Zappos describe the stiffness as a sign of secure construction, and it usually eases with regular use. If the hinge feels loose from the start, return them.
Is a folding aviator a good alternative to a folding Wayfarer?
Yes, if you prefer a thinner metal frame. The silhouette is different, so check the fit and face shape guidance before choosing, and apply the same UV400 test.
Sources
- Sunglasses, Health Canada
- Looking at the Science of Sunglasses, McGill Office for Science and Society
- UV and Eye Protection, Canadian Association of Optometrists
- The Best Wayfarer Sunglasses, Men’s Health
- The Best Sunglasses for Men, Men’s Health
- Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding reviews, Zappos
- Recommendations for a sturdy foldable pair of sunglasses, r/EDC