You remember the chaos. Everyone scrambling for that tiny sliver of cardboard and dark film just to see a moon-shaped bite taken out of the sun. It’s wild, honestly. People were buying random packs off sketchy websites, praying they wouldn't burn their retinas out. But then there was the "Warby Parker move."
They basically became the hero of the 2024 total solar eclipse by just... giving them away. No catch, really. Just walk in and grab a pair.
But there is a lot of bad info floating around about these specific shades. Some people think they’re just fancy sunglasses. (They aren't.) Others think you can still find them sitting in a drawer at your local mall. (You probably can't.) Let's get into the actual reality of these things because, with more eclipses on the horizon in 2026 and beyond, you’re going to want to know the deal.
Why the Warby Parker eclipse glasses were a big deal
Most of the time, Warby Parker is where you go when you want to look like a sophisticated architect or a Brooklyn-based poet. They do "cool" well. So when they announced they were handing out free, ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses at every single one of their 240+ stores, people lost it.
The strategy was simple: starting April 1, 2024, you could walk in and get up to two pairs per family. For free.
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It wasn't just a marketing gimmick. It was a massive public health service. According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the market was flooded with fakes in 2017 and again in 2024. Seeing a reputable brand like Warby Parker partner with American Paper Optics—a legit, AAS-approved manufacturer—meant people finally had a source they could trust without squinting at a tiny "ISO" logo on a random Amazon listing.
The Delta Connection
Kinda cool detail: they didn't just stick to their stores. Warby Parker teamed up with Delta Air Lines too. If you were hanging out in select Delta Sky Clubs in cities like Austin or Detroit right before the big day, you could snag a pair there. They even gave out a "WARBYLOVESSKYMILES" promo code for 10% off regular glasses. Clever.
Are they actually safe or just cardboard?
Here is the thing. These aren't "sunglasses." If you put on solar eclipse glasses inside your house, you should see absolutely nothing. It should be pitch black. Total void.
The Warby Parker version met the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. This isn't just a random number. It means the lenses block out 99.999% of intense visible light and basically all ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
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- Standard Sunglasses: Block maybe 80–90% of light.
- Warby Parker Eclipse Glasses: Block 99.999%.
Huge difference.
If you still have a pair from the 2024 event, you might be tempted to toss them in a junk drawer for the next one. You can! But—and this is a big "but"—you have to check the silver film. If there is even a tiny pinhole or a scratch, they are trash. Direct sunlight through a scratch is like a laser beam for your eyeball. Not worth it.
The "Sold Out" Heartbreak
By April 7, the day before the 2024 eclipse, it was a ghost town in those stores. CNET and other outlets reported that almost every location had run dry. People were showing up at 10:00 AM only to find a "Sorry, we're out" sign taped to the glass door.
If you missed out, they did provide a PDF for a DIY pinhole projector. It's the old-school way—looking at a shadow of the eclipse on the ground rather than looking up. It works, but it's definitely not as "Instagrammable" as the branded cardboard frames.
What about the next one?
We are looking at 2026 for the next big total eclipse (mostly visible in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain). While Warby Parker hasn't officially announced a 2026 campaign yet, they've set a massive precedent. They clearly like being the "safe" authority on vision.
Don't fall for the "Any Glasses Will Do" myth
I’ve heard people say you can just stack three pairs of Ray-Bans and be fine.
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Please don't.
Dr. Ronald Benner, the president of the American Optometric Association, famously compared solar retinopathy (the damage caused by the sun) to a "sunburn on the satellite dish of the eye." It doesn't hurt when it's happening because your retina doesn't have pain receptors. You just wake up the next day with a permanent blind spot in the center of your vision.
The Warby Parker glasses were specifically designed to prevent this. They weren't just "branded swag."
Actionable Steps for the Next Eclipse
If you're planning for the 2026 or 2027 celestial events, don't wait until the week of the eclipse to find your gear.
- Check the AAS List: Always verify your vendor on the American Astronomical Society’s "Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers" page. Warby Parker is usually on there, but it’s good to check for others like Lunt Solar or Rainbow Symphony.
- Inspect Your Old Pairs: If you’re digging out your 2024 Warby Parker frames, hold them up to a bright light bulb (not the sun yet!). If you see any light leaking through the black film, throw them away immediately.
- Recycle the Good Ones: If your glasses are still in perfect shape but you don't want them, look for programs like Astronomers Without Borders. They often collect gently used, ISO-certified glasses to send to schools in other parts of the world where the next eclipse will be visible.
- Follow the Brand Early: If you want the freebies next time, follow Warby Parker on social media or sign up for their newsletter in the months leading up to the event. They usually announce the giveaway about 2-4 weeks in advance.
The 2024 eclipse was a rare moment of everyone looking up at the same time. Having the right gear just made it less stressful. Whether you got yours for free at a boutique or bought them online, the goal is the same: keep your vision intact so you can actually see the next one.
Keep your 2024 frames in a hard-shell case or a sturdy envelope to prevent scratches if you plan on reusing them. If you see any creases in the lenses, it's time to retire them and look for a fresh pair when the 2026 season kicks off.