Prescription Sunglasses

The Founder is the largest, boldest frame in the current Wiley X lineup — heavier face coverage, wider lens, more visible presence. Where the Saint reads as understated and the JAKL reads as aggressively athletic, the Founder reads as a statement frame. The matte build and the removable side shields keep it functional, but the design intent is visibility — a frame that announces itself rather than blends in.

Yes, removable. The Founder ships with the side-shield module attached, which puts the configuration into OSHA 1910.133 lateral-protection compliance. With the shields removed, it’s still ANSI Z87.1+ rated for frontal impact, so you can wear it as everyday sunglasses off-shift and snap the shields back in when you need OSHA-compliant industrial coverage. That dual-mode flexibility is the main reason buyers pick this over a permanent-shield industrial frame.

Both paths exist. The sunglasses configuration is the most common buy — Selenite polycarbonate in smoke-grey, polarized smoke, or copper for variable conditions. The prescription configuration is also available; the Founder’s lens housing is moderately curved (less aggressive than the Saber Advanced shield), which means it accepts a ground-in Rx cut directly into the lens rather than requiring the PTX insert. FSA/HSA applies only to the prescription path.

Yes, with the temple geometry tuned for mid-range helmet compatibility. The Founder’s slightly thicker temples don’t slip under a full-face helmet as cleanly as the JAKL’s slim profile, but a modular or 3/4 helmet works fine. If the priority is full-face helmet compatibility, the JAKL is a better pick. If you want a frame for cruiser, ADV, or off-bike everyday wear with the option to convert into compliant industrial PPE, the Founder is the right call.

The Founder runs $110 at the entry colorway and up to $206 for premium configurations with polarized lenses and specialty colorways. The price-to-value math is heavily front-loaded: the entry $110 configuration carries the same ANSI Z87.1+ certification, the same Selenite lens material, and the same removable shield kit as the $206 configurations. The premium pricing pays for polarized smoke, specialty frame colors, or limited-edition collaborations rather than for material differences.