How to know what nose pads You need.
How to tell what nose pads you need.
With so many nose pads out there it can be hard to find the right pair. Start by looking at your frames to see what type of nose pads your glasses came with. This will give you a good place to start. There are several different mount types, shapes, and sizes. It will be helpful to have a ruler on hand that can measure in millimeters. Check out this complete comprehensive guide from GMS Optical to help you find the best nose pads for your frames!
Mount Types
The mount is the place where the nose pad connects to the glasses.
- Adhesive – Push-In – Screw-In – Slide-In – Clip-On
Shape Types
There are many different shapes of nose pads your glasses may have come with. In some cases, when replacing your nose pads you do not need to keep the same shape; you can replace them with the shape you like best. It’s an easy way to upgrade your glasses! Below we will discuss the different shapes and how to identify which ones you have.
- DShape – Symmetrical – Round – Oval – Butterfly – HalfMoon – Rectangle
Silicone Types
As nose pads evolve more and more Silicone types are used. Airbag nose pads are a very soft silicone that has air inside of them for maximum comfort, but you give up the firmness and durability. Airbags can be found in several mount types. Air Pillow has a pillow of Air in the center of the pad and is very soft, again the durability is ok. These are only found in the adhesive type. Hard Silicone is the most common nose pad and is likely what your reading glasses came with. They are the most durable and are commonly found in Screw-in, push-in, slide-in, and Clip-on mount types. Soft silicones are being used more and more and offer great comfort at the expense of durability. The soft silicone can be found in use in every mount type. The last time isnt a silicone at all but is a foam. Foam is the thinnest of all nose pads. They offer comfort and a good grip. They will need to be replaced regularly.
- Airbag – Air Pillow – Hard Silicone – Soft Silicone – Foam
Why GMS Optical
We are the experts. We were the first optical brand on Amazon.com to sell nose pads for your glasses. We have been innovating new designs through customer feedback since 2014. GMS Optical is located in the USA. We source only the best silicone and are quick to remove products from our catalog that do not deliver the best customer experiance.
Mount Types -The mount is the place where the nose pad connects to the glasses.
These are typically used on plastic frames when there isn’t a mount on the glasses. These nose pads adhere to the frame in the area where your glasses rest on your nose. Most of GMS Optical’s adhesive nose pads are made with 3M adhesive, which allows them to stick in place for longer. They come in silicone or foam materials, and several shapes which you can read about in the next section
These are symmetrical pads. They have two long round edges with quick round ends to form an oval shape. They are interchangeable from left to right
If you look at your glasses and see a rectangle mount with a hole the size of a small screw, then you’re looking for screw-in nose pads. When you purchase new screw-in nose pads, they do not come with screws. Be sure to keep our original screws that came with your glasses to attach your new nose pads.
These nose pads are characterized by the lifted table top piece on their backside. This table protrusion has a little lip on the outer edge. The glasses will either have a round or oval shape mount that the nose pads pop into, or they will have a hairpin-like retaining structure the round protrusion snaps into
Shape Types - There are many different shapes of nose pads. In some cases, when replacing your nose pads you do not need to keep the same shape; you can replace them with the shape you like best.
These are some of the most common shapes. They are roughly shaped like a capitalized letter “D”. They have one long straight edge and one long round edge with round ends that connect the two edges. The flat side will mount toward the frames with the round side facing your face. These nose pads have a distinct left and right pad in each pair.
Also referred to as Teardrops. These have round edges and are skinnier near the bottom creating a teardrop shape. These can be used on the left or right side of your glasses.
These are easy to identify with their perfectly round shape. There is no difference between the left and right nose pads. They are often seen on children’s glasses or smaller frames.
These are symmetrical pads. They have two long round edges with quick round ends to form an oval shape. They are interchangeable from left to right.
These are found in adhesive mount types. They have two “wings” with one being larger than the other. The larger wing attaches onto your frames where the nose piece rests on your nose. The smaller wing will wrap around the nose piece for extra adherence.
These are found in the adhesive mount types. These have a nice smooth long round edge from end to end. These are offered in thin and airbag styles.
These are less common than most of the other nose pads we have discussed. They will have two long flat edges and two short flat edges. They allow for even distribution of weight. They can be used interchangeably on the left or right side.
Dont have a lot of room, but need grip and comfort. Foam adhesive nose pads are a great solution. Available in peach or black or brown.
Size Types
GMS Optical nose pads come in many different sizes to accommodate many different faces and glasses. Nose pads are naturally tiny, so we measure these in millimeters. This is where that ruler will come in handy! 1mm corresponds to approximately 1/32nd of an inch. Below we have broken down the sizes. We have them sorted into three different size groups: small, medium, and large. Because nose pads are so small, 1mm can make a big difference in how they fit! You should measure your current nose pads and consider how they fit before changing sizes. Make sure you use the exact measurement when purchasing nose pads, not the grouping of small, medium, or large.
- Small Sizes: These are recommended for small faces and children’s glasses. Often the round shape is the smallest nose pads, measuring just 9mm. Other small sizes include 11mm, 12mm, and 13mm.
- Medium Sizes: These tend to be the most popular sizes and fit well on most glasses. Not too small and not too big, just right! Medium nose pad sizes include 14mm, 15mm, and 16mm.
- Large Sizes: These are recommended for large faces and noses, or someone looking to better distribute the weight of heavier glasses. Large nose pad sizes include 17mm, 18mm, and 19mm.
Material Types
The material that makes up the nose pad
- Silicone: This is the most common type of nose pad material as it is superior to others, offering comfort, softness, and quality. Silicone nose pads are often referred to as “non-slip” nose pads. Silicone does help to keep glasses from slipping. However, the overall fit of your glasses and using the proper type and size of nose pad play a big factor in keeping your glasses from slipping. For most, silicone nose pads are hypoallergenic, but all users should consult a healthcare professional if allergies or skin irritation are a concern.
- Plastic: This type of nose pad is durable due to the plastic material and is more resistant to degradation from oils on your face. This material offers a more firm fit than silicone and is easier to clean.
- Foam: This material tends to be more affordable than the others. The foam is a light and comfortable alternative that still feels soft. They typically need to be replaced more often and are available in higher quantity packages.