Gunnar Novato: Stylish, ultra-light design meets premium titanium build

Among Gunnar’s most recent releases over the past few months, we’ve seen a series of collaborations with Fallout and Cyberpunk that have brought these franchises to users’ glasses. But that hasn’t stopped the brand from designing its own styles to offer a wide variety of personalities and options to the market. A little over a month ago, Gunnar released the Novato, part of its premium Titanium Collection, which we’ve been testing over the past few weeks—wearing these extremely lightweight glasses while we work and play.

What’s in the box?

The Gunnar Novato glasses come with a set of accessories to enhance your experience. The package includes:

• The Gunnar Novato glasses
• Clam Shell Case
• Microfiber pouch
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Design and Comfort

The Gunnar Novato is among the most stylish pairs of glasses I’ve tried from the brand. Inspired by the aviator frame, this model features straight lines that give it a familiar yet distinctive look. The design provides excellent peripheral vision coverage, ensuring that the G-Shield protects your eyes whenever you look ahead. It’s both elegant and modern.

Undoubtedly, one of the key features of this premium line lies not so much in its design as in its craftsmanship. As part of the Titanium Collection, this model features lenses made from ultra-lightweight titanium, making them virtually weightless at just 0.085 ounces—a material that, despite its thinness, is significantly more durable. Since it is not one of the themed models, there are few decorative details beyond the brand logo on the temples.

That said, their lightweight design might not be for everyone. One thing I noticed about this model is that, over time—and unlike other designs I’ve reviewed—the glasses gradually start to slip down. It’s not something that happens right away, nor does it mean the glasses don’t fit my face properly, but during long gaming sessions or extended periods of computer work, I found myself readjusting them a couple of times. This appears to be more related to the nose pads than any other part of the design.

As is typical for the brand, the lenses feature a slight magnification. This detail can improve the clarity of text and on-screen elements, especially during extended reading sessions, although it requires a brief adjustment period for those unfamiliar with this type of correction. The amber tint fulfills its primary function: reducing exposure to blue light and alleviating eye strain during long hours in front of the computer. In office settings or while gaming at night, the difference becomes noticeable after several hours of use.

Price and Options

The Novato model has a base price of $130 and includes all the accessories mentioned above. On the official website, it is available in a standard version, with custom prescription lenses, and with different lens options: amber and amber max.

Verdict

The Gunnar Novato aviator-style frame and minimalist look make it easier to integrate into everyday use, especially when compared to Gunnar’s more overtly themed collaborations. The titanium build results in a notably lightweight pair of glasses, something that becomes particularly relevant during long workdays or extended gaming sessions. In terms of performance, the lenses behave as expected within this category, with the amber tint and slight magnification helping reduce eye fatigue during prolonged screen exposure, without introducing major visual distortion. However, extended use reveals a small but recurring issue: the frame has a tendency to slip over time, which may be noticeable for some users and feels more significant given the product’s price range. Taken as a whole, the Novato offers a solid balance of comfort, durability, and elegant design.

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