What Are the Gunnar Optiks Tomb Raider Croft Edition Glasses?

Celebrating 30 years of one of gaming’s most iconic adventurers, Gunnar Optiks has teamed up with Crystal Dynamics to deliver the Gunnar Optiks Tomb Raider Croft Edition glasses. Lara Croft’s signature round shades have been a staple of gaming history since her debut in 1996. Gunnar takes that nostalgic look and elevates it with modern blue-light and UV protection technology the company is renowned for.

Glasses Specs // lens width: 50 mm | lens height: 45 mm | nose: 22 mm | frame width: 134 mm | temple: 145 mm | weight: 28 grams (without packaging)
Lens // Amber, Amber Max, and Amber Sun Shift
MSRP // $99.99
Reviewed // Amber

Design Look and Resemblance to the Original Tomb Raider Glasses

When you think of classic Lara Croft, the small, iconic round sunglasses immediately come to mind. Whether raiding pixelated tombs in the original PS1 classic or embarking on modern globetrotting missions, Lara’s glasses are a big part of her image. Gunnar nailed the design here while adding modern touches.

The Gunnar Tomb Raider Croft glasses feature a refined round frame with bronze accents that evoke the vintage aesthetic fans have loved for three decades. The frame design manages to look remarkably close to Lara’s classic look while adding modern touches. This includes subtle side shields and detailed etching on the temples, giving them an authentic explorer vibe.

The Packaging and Unboxing Experience

Gunnar always delivers on collector-grade packaging for its licensed collaborations, and the Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary set is a treasure trove in its own right. Opening the box feels like unearthing an artifact and is well entrenched within the Tomb Raider universe.

What’s Included in the Box:

• A Rugged collector’s glasses case designed to look like an explorer’s travel gear, offering heavy-duty protection for your shades.
• Limited-Edition Dagger of Xian Pin, a premium collector’s pin referencing the legendary artifact from Tomb Raider II.
• Collector’s microfiber cleaning cloth that is adorned with 30th-anniversary insignia and classic Croft iconography.
• A soft storage microfiber pouch for lightweight carrying when you’re on the go.

The unboxing experience hits all the right nostalgic notes for longtime fans of the franchise. In particular, the case has a nice brass-colored pin, with a clip and strap in case you need to attach it to your belt. Truly, the case feels directly ripped from Croft Manor. Speaking of Croft Manor, the backside of the microfiber cloth sports a massive Croft Manor emblem, which continues the phenomenal branding tie-in. No doubt the entire package makes it feel like a true collector’s item rather than just another pair of glasses. This is something that Gunnar has nailed for a while from its plethora of collabs over the years.

The Features of the Glasses (Amber Tint Version)

Like other Gunnar lines, the company offers the Tomb Raider frame in multiple lens tints (Amber, Amber Max, and Amber Sun Shift). Of course, Gunnar is famous for its Amber lenses for good reasons. They have set the mass-market standard for protecting your eyes from blue light while maintaining color accuracy.

My time with the Amber lenses worked great for both long work/gaming sessions. Best of all, the lenses kept my eyes free of fatigue and maintained high color accuracy when staring at the screen for prolonged periods. It continues Gunnar’s impressive track record from the last pair of Gunnar glasses I tested.

Here are the key features of the Amber tint:

• Reduces up to 65% of harsh blue light coming off screens so your eyes don’t feel as tired or strained after long sessions.
• 100% coverage against UVA and UVB rays if you wear them near direct sunlight or windows.
• Better screen contrast warms up the color palette and softens screen glare, making text and game graphics look sharper and easier on the eyes.
• A subtle focus magnification bump of (+0.20) that takes the strain off your eye muscles when staring at close-up monitors.
• Dual-coated glare and scratch protection to cut down reflections from overhead lights while keeping the lenses safe from everyday scuffs.
• Traps eye moisture around the high-wrapped frame shape blocks dry airflow around your eyes, helping prevent that dry, gritty feeling.

Trying different brands of sunglasses throughout my life, none of them come as featured pack as the Gunnars do. Especially the smudge-resistant coating is a true Godsend when kids get their greasy little hands on them.

The Build Quality of the Tomb Raider Sun Tint Glasses

The Gunnar Optiks Tomb Raider glasses were rated as Epic. This means the line has upgraded frames with both customizable and ultra-durable hybrid materials. Including Gunnar’s EPIC polycarbonate lenses, which sport the G-Shield Plus coating stack with enhanced anti-reflective properties and Hard Coat. Holding the glasses, it’s clear Gunnar prioritized durability and comfort. Built for long screen-staring sessions, the glasses feature:

• Stainless-Steel Frame offers a solid, structural feel while remaining lightweight on the face.
• Textured detailing and engineered polymer accents give the frame a tactile, tactical texture along the rims and side shields.
• Flexible spring hinges allow the arms to flex outward easily, preventing pinching at the temples and ensuring a snug fit for various head sizes.

The stainless-steel construction ensures these shades won’t feel flimsy, while the polymer accents add flexibility where it matters most. My previous experience with the Barron’s did result in the lens falling out of the frame after years of use. However, I simply inserted the lens into the frame, and the glasses were good to go again. I do feel the same would be true for the Lara Croft spectacles as well. Just well-built overall.

In particular, I was impressed by the comfort of the spring hinges. Even during long sessions, the glasses gently rested on my nose bridge with minimal digging.

Closing Thoughts on the Gunnar Optiks Tomb Raider Glasses (Amber Tint)

Gunnar Optiks continues to lead the pack in gaming eyewear, and the Tomb Raider Croft 30th Anniversary Edition is one of their finest crossover releases yet. By striking the right balance between nostalgia, functionality, and build quality, Gunnar has another feather in its hat of impeccable collabs.

Whether you’re a die-hard Lara Croft fan looking for the ultimate anniversary collectible or simply looking for high-performance amber-tint glasses with a retro-adventurer flair, these shades deliver incredible value at $99.

Check out the official Gunnars Optiks Tomb Raider store page right here.

Note: The glasses were sent by Gunnar for the purpose of this impression post.