The short answer: Both Trivex and polycarbonate are impact-resistant, lightweight lenses that block UV, which makes them the safe choice for kids, sports, and rimless frames. Trivex gives sharper optics, weighs a touch less, and resists cracking at drill holes. Polycarbonate is cheaper and slightly thinner. For clarity, choose Trivex. For value, polycarbonate.
What they share
Trivex and polycarbonate were both built for safety. They resist impact far better than standard plastic, so they suit children, sports eyewear, and safety glasses, and they carry full UV protection built in. Both are light on the face. If your priority is a lens that will not shatter, either one does the job, which is why opticians recommend them for active wearers and rimless mounts.
Where they differ
| Property | Polycarbonate | Trivex |
|---|---|---|
| Optical clarity | Good | Sharper, less distortion |
| Weight | Light | Slightly lighter |
| Impact resistance | Very high | Very high |
| Thickness | Slightly thinner | Slightly thicker |
| Rimless mounting | Good | Better, resists cracking |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Which to choose
Choose Trivex if you want the sharpest vision, the lightest feel, or a rimless frame, where its crack resistance at the drill holes matters. See rimless glasses. Choose polycarbonate if you want strong impact protection at a lower price and a marginally thinner lens, which suits kids and spare pairs. Both take an anti-reflective coating well, and both benefit from one. See anti-reflective coating.
What about high-index?
For very strong prescriptions, a high-index lens can come out thinner than either of these, though it is more brittle and not built for impact. If safety is the point, stay with Trivex or polycarbonate. If thinness for a strong prescription is the point, see high-index lenses.
From our test bench. We compare lenses on an eye chart and a bench scale. Trivex read a hair crisper at the edges and weighed slightly less on identical frames. Polycarbonate came in a touch thinner and cost less. For rimless mounts we watched the drill holes: Trivex held where polycarbonate showed micro-stress sooner. Both survived our impact test with ease.
FAQ
Is Trivex better than polycarbonate?
For optical clarity, weight, and rimless durability, yes. Trivex is sharper and resists cracking at drill holes. Polycarbonate wins on price and is slightly thinner, so it is the better value for kids and spare pairs.
Are Trivex and polycarbonate lenses impact-resistant?
Both are, strongly. They were designed for safety and sport and resist shattering far better than standard plastic, and both include UV protection.
Which lens is best for rimless glasses?
Trivex, because it resists cracking at the screw holes that hold a rimless lens. Polycarbonate works too, but Trivex holds up better at the mount.
Part of Sunglasses Lenses Guide · Related: high-index lenses · Browse eyeglasses · Last updated: August 5, 2026
