A good pair of sunglasses is part of your kit, like your paddle or racket. The listings describe Mente sunglasses as handmade in Japan from Mazzucchelli acetate with CR39 lenses, so a little care goes a long way in keeping them clear, comfortable and well aligned.
This guide covers how to clean the lenses, how to look after the acetate frame and hinges, how to store them between sessions, and a quick reference to the lens and frame size of every Mente colorway we stock. If you want to know why sunglasses matter on court in the first place, start with our pickleball sport sunglasses guide.
What the listings say about every Mente frame
Across all 18 Mente listings on Mint Sport, the specs are consistent:
- Lenses: CR39 sun lenses, Category 3. The spec block lists UV400, and the descriptions state 100% UVA and UVB protection.
- Frame: Mazzucchelli acetate front and temples.
- Hinge: 3-ball hinge in shiny matt silver.
- Nose pads: crystal nose pads on most listings.
- Origin: handmade in Japan, unisex.
Some colorways have polarized lenses, and the rest have gradient or solid tinted lenses. The table further down shows which is which.
One important note: Mente sunglasses are sunglasses, not certified protective sports eyewear. If you want eye protection rated for impact, speak to an optometrist about certified protective eyewear.
How to clean the lenses
Court sessions mean sweat, sunscreen and dust. The US Department of Veterans Affairs eyeglass care guide gives simple advice that works just as well for sunglasses:
- Rinse first. Rinse the lenses with cold water or an eyeglass cleaning solution to lift grit before you wipe. Wiping a dusty lens dry is the quickest way to scratch it.
- Use a microfiber cloth. The VA guide says to always use a microfiber lens cloth on your lenses to avoid scratches.
- Keep the cloth clean. A cloth full of grit just moves it around, so keep it in the case and away from the bottom of your bag.
How to look after the acetate frame and hinges
- Take them off with both hands. The VA guide recommends this to reduce misalignment. Pulling them off one side at a time slowly bends the frame and hinges.
- Keep them out of the heat. The VA guide warns that high temperatures may crack lens coatings. A car dashboard or a bag left in the sun on a hot day is the worst place for them.
- Wipe off sweat and sunscreen. After play, give the frame and temples a rinse and a dry.
- Ask an optician about fit. If a frame starts to sit crooked or slip, take it to an optician rather than bending it yourself.
How to store them between sessions
- Use the case. Keep your sunglasses in a case whenever they are not on your face.
- Lenses facing up. If you do put them down, place them with the lenses facing up to reduce wear, as the VA guide advises.
- Keep the cloth with the case. That way you always have a clean microfiber cloth ready courtside.
Do sunglasses lose their UV protection?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is not clear whether UV protection fades over time, but an optical shop can test your sunglasses if you are unsure. The AAO also notes that a darker lens does not automatically mean more UV protection, and that polarization reduces glare but does not block UV on its own. Read the full advice on the AAO sunglasses page.
Every Mente listing on Mint Sport states 100% UVA and UVB protection in its description and lists UV400 in its spec block.
Mente colorway quick reference
Frame sizes are listed as lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimeters. All lenses are listed as CR39, Category 3. For help choosing a model, see our pickleball sport sunglasses guide.
| Model and colorway | Lens on the listing | Polarized | Frame size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnifique Solid Black | Smoke | Yes | 55-19-145 |
| Magnifique Blue Havana | Blue gradient | No | 55-19-145 |
| Magnifique Brown Havana | Gray gradient | No | 55-19-145 |
| Mirroir Brown Havana and Solid Teal | Brown gradient | No | 50-20-140 |
| Mirroir Green and Solid Olive Green | Blue gradient | No | 50-20-140 |
| Mirroir Honey and Brown Havana | Smoke | Yes | 50-20-140 |
| Maestro Transparent Grey and Navy Blue | Blue | Yes | 53-22-145 |
| Maestro Honey and Brown Havana | Gray gradient | No | 53-22-145 |
| Maestro Brown Havana | Green gradient | No | 53-22-145 |
| Mon Ami Green | Blue gradient | No | 50-21-140 |
| Mon Ami Solid Black | Green | Yes | 50-21-140 |
| Mon Ami Olive Havana | Brown gradient | No | 50-21-140 |
| Mystique Olive Havana | Gray gradient | No | 54-17-145 |
| Mystique Green | Smoke | Yes | 54-17-145 |
| Mystique Honey | Green gradient | No | 54-17-145 |
| Mint Transparent Grey and Forest Green | Green | Yes | 51-22-145 |
| Mint Brown Havana and Teal | Brown gradient | No | 51-22-145 |
| Mint Burgundy | Gray gradient | No | 51-22-145 |
Choosing between polarized and gradient lenses
- Polarized lenses reduce glare, according to the AAO. Six Mente colorways in our range are polarized: Magnifique Solid Black, Mirroir Honey and Brown Havana, Maestro Transparent Grey and Navy Blue, Mon Ami Solid Black, Mystique Green and Mint Transparent Grey and Forest Green.
- Gradient lenses are darker at the top and lighter toward the bottom.
Whichever you choose, the AAO's advice is that full UV protection matters more than how dark the lens looks, and every Mente listing states 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Choosing a frame size
The three numbers on each listing are lens width, bridge width and temple length. The easiest check is to compare them with a pair you already wear comfortably, which often has the same three numbers printed inside a temple. In our range, Magnifique (55 mm lens) and Mystique (54 mm) are the largest fronts, while Mirroir and Mon Ami (50 mm) are the smallest.
Quick care checklist
- Rinse before you wipe, then dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Take them off with both hands.
- Keep them in the case and out of hot cars.
- Put them down lenses facing up.
- Ask an optician to adjust a frame that sits crooked.
- Remember they are sunglasses, not certified protective sports eyewear.
Keep the rest of your kit in shape
Looking after your sunglasses is part of looking after your kit. Our guide to tuning your pickleball paddle covers your paddle, our pickleball hydration guide helps you through long sunny sessions, and you can browse our pickleball accessories.
FAQ
Are Mente sunglasses polarized? Six colorways in our range are polarized. The rest have gradient or tinted lenses. Check the table above or the individual listing.
What does UV400 mean? UV400 refers to blocking ultraviolet light up to 400 nanometers. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says a label promising UV absorption up to 400 nm is an acceptable sign of full UV protection. Every Mente listing on Mint Sport lists UV400 in its spec block and states 100% UVA and UVB protection in its description.
Can I wear Mente sunglasses as protective eyewear? No. They are not sold as certified protective eyewear, so they are not a substitute for it.
How should I clean them? Rinse with cold water or an eyeglass cleaning solution, then dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Sources
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, How to care for your eyeglasses
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, Sunglasses
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