JINS Switch Review: Magnetic Clip-On Sunglasses Designed In Tokyo

JINS Switch Glasses Delivered

My JINS glasses were neatly packed into the shipping box. I ordered two pairs of eyeglasses, though I’d assume that if you’re only purchasing one, the box would be smaller yet still employ the stabilizing insert.

Each of the hard cases contained the glasses and a micro-fiber cloth for cleaning them. Additionally, the Switch glasses contained a small card with precautions regarding the magnetic sunglasses plate.

JINS Willard Eyeglasses

There’s nothing alarming among the precautions; they mention mostly obvious things, such as don’t use these while driving in the dark and that storing them in extreme heat can cause damage to the sunglasses plate.

While expected at this price point, I was glad to see that each of the glasses was accompanied by a hard case. Especially for the Switch frames, you’ll probably have to carry this hard case with you given that whenever you take the plate off, you need somewhere to store it.

JINS Switch 342

In the past two months of use, I’ve kept the hard case with me whenever I wore the JINS Switch glasses. It has been quite useful as I can put the clip-on sunglasses away or the whole “set” without worrying about them getting crushed or scratched.

Switch Sheet Glasses’ Style

Before purchasing, what I liked the most about these JINS Switch magnetic clip-on sunglasses was that they were an uncommon hybrid between Aviator and Browline glasses. Accordingly, they have both the double bridge that is a trademark of Aviator glasses as well as the rim and end-piece design that is most commonly encountered on Browline glasses.

It appears that JINS is constantly releasing different glasses models within their Switch collection, so if this design is not to your liking, you can get different models such as Wayfarers or even true Browline glasses with magnetic sunglasses functionality at a similar price.

The JINS Switch Shet 342 was available in a couple of different colors, but I really enjoyed the aesthetic resulting from the slightly transparent acetate and the “gold” metal elements paired with the brownish-colored sunglasses plate. Speaking of which, the sunglasses plate is a single piece that looks like a reflective sheet in front of the glasses, and I was definitely captivated by this look. It would also seem to reason that this is why this model is called the Switch Sheet, but that’s just my guess.

You can get a better idea of this “reflective sheet” look I’m referencing with the picture below. I’ve seen this style be referred to as mirrored sunglasses, but the effect is nowhere near as pronounced with the JINS Switch; I preferred this as the brash mirrored sunglasses you find out there are just too techno ravey for my taste.

Again, not all of the JINS Switch sunglasses have this same look. Other models have more traditional clip-on elements with rims attached to the sunglasses plate, but the Sheet style is what I found most intriguing.

How Do JINS Switch Glasses Fit?

Fit is where I had the most reservations when making a final decision with JINS. Indeed, buying a pair of shoes online is not the same as buying a pair of glasses, and you don’t wear shoes on your face. And while JINS has physical locations in San Francisco & LA, this was not an option as I’m on the East Coast.

Ultimately, JINS offers free shipping & 30-day returns, so it’s not a big risk. Nevertheless, I did not want to go through the returns process if they didn’t fit properly.

JINS evidently understands such reservations and therefore offers a Virtual Try-On tool that helps you get a good idea of how the glasses would fit you. After playing around with this tool, I still chose to measure my current pair of prescription glasses and compare the measurements with those listed for the JINS Switch Sheet 342 on the site. If you want to do the same, check out our guide on how to measure glasses.

Ultimately, I found the measurements of the JINS Switch were similar to those of my glasses, so I decided to take the plunge.

JINS Glasses Quality & Construction

Now that I’ve largely covered the looks of JINS Switch glasses, I’ll delve a bit into the quality and construction. I will preface this by establishing that I am still on the journey into glasses/sunglasses and am not an expert on the best materials, hinge types, etc…

My first impression when handling and putting on the JINS Switch was that they were solidly built yet still lightweight. There’s absolutely no up-and-down play to the temples, and the gold coating seems to be of good quality. The sunglasses plate itself doesn’t feel fragile, and it snaps (via magnets) onto the frames very satisfactorily. Overall, they feel like a premium pair of glasses.

With two months of use under their belt, the JINS Switches have held up to everything I’ve thrown at them. From trips to the beach in Nicaragua to horseback riding in Colombia, I’ve worn them comfortably and had no issues with the sunglasses plate falling off or anything of the sort. It’s worth considering that, as I alluded to earlier, the glasses are in their case if they’re not on my face, so this has probably helped them remain in pristine condition.

Overall Review

Before these JINS glasses, I had never felt the allure of premium glasses or sunglasses. And yes, the price point would lead me to qualify JINS’ Switch glasses as premium. However, the quality is also there to back up the cost, so I’d say it’s justified.

The design of the Switch Sheet is unique, so some exclusivity likely worked into the final price as well. And if you were looking for this uncommon hybrid Aviator/Browline design that also implements magnetic sunglasses, there are few (if any) alternatives to the JINS Switch. It just so happens that these are of really good quality, too, making them an excellent choice.

In the past, I’ve broken and lost countless pairs of glasses and sunglasses, so I generally gravitate toward pairs that are more expendable. In this sense, the JINS glasses have given me a taste of what high-end glasses are like, and it’s impossible to argue that they’re not a better option than what I’ve purchased in the past. If you’re willing to take a bit more care of your sunglasses, then I’m confident you’ll get as much enjoyment out of JINS’ glasses as I have.

Further Reading

Enjoyed this review of JINS Switch glasses? Check out some of our other glasses content below:

• The Complete Buying & Style Guide To Glasses
• Glasses Frame Designs Guide
• The Best Glasses Based On Your Face Shape
• How Should Glasses Fit?
• Buying Glasses Online vs. In-Store