Ray-Ban - RB4396| Black / Bio-Based
Black | G-15 Green Lenses | Bio-Based Material Frames
The Wayfarer, reimagined from the ground up.
The Ray-Ban 4396 is one of the most genuinely innovative frames Ray-Ban has produced in recent years — not an iteration or a colourway update, but a fundamental rethinking of how the Wayfarer silhouette can be constructed and worn. The result is a frame that is immediately recognisable as a Wayfarer in spirit, yet entirely distinct in character and proportion.
The defining feature of the 4396 is its inverted lens construction — the lenses sit proud of the frame rather than recessed within it, reversing the conventional relationship between acetate and lens and creating a profile that is broader, bolder and more architecturally assertive than any standard Wayfarer. Worn on the face, the effect is of a frame with exceptional visual presence — substantial without being heavy, contemporary without abandoning heritage.
Frame & Fit
- Bio-based material frame construction — Ray-Ban's commitment to more sustainable eyewear manufacturing, with frames produced from renewable, plant-derived sources without compromising quality, finish or longevity
- Inverted lens design — lenses extend beyond the frame rim rather than sitting inside it, creating the Wayfarer Reverse's signature bold, projecting profile
- Chunky, high-wall squared silhouette with a deeply substantial brow line — confidently oversized in a way that feels deliberate rather than excessive
- Broad, substantial temples providing a secure and comfortable fit with excellent all-day wearability
- Precision clear hinge mechanism visible at the temple join — a considered constructional detail
- Ray-Ban script logo on outer temples
- Bio-Based Material Frames notation on inner temple — a transparent declaration of the frame's sustainable credentials
- CE certified
Lens Technology
- Classic G-15 green lenses — Ray-Ban's most celebrated and enduring lens technology
- Full UV400 protection — blocks 100% of UVA and UVB radiation
- Reduces luminous transmission for comfortable, fatigue-free vision in bright conditions
- Natural colour perception with enhanced contrast and visual depth
- The inverted construction means the lenses are set forward of the frame, providing a marginally increased field of vision and a distinctive visual signature from both the wearer's perspective and the observer's
Sustainability
The 4396 represents Ray-Ban's active engagement with responsible manufacturing. The bio-based material from which the frame is constructed is derived from renewable plant sources — a meaningful step in reducing the eyewear industry's dependence on petroleum-based plastics. Critically, this commitment does not come at any cost to quality, finish or the longevity of the frame — the bio-based material achieves the same gloss, weight and structural integrity as conventional acetate, making this a genuinely considered choice rather than a compromise.
For customers who factor environmental credentials into their purchasing decisions, the 4396offers a compelling proposition — premium Ray-Ban quality and the brand's most directional current silhouette, produced with a reduced environmental footprint.
The Optical Perspective
The 4396 occupies a unique position in the current market as a frame that is simultaneously heritage-rooted and boldly contemporary. The inverted lens construction gives it a visual profile that is unlike anything else in the mainstream eyewear space — broad, projecting and unapologetically present — making it an outstanding choice for customers who want a statement frame with genuine design credibility behind it.
The oversized squared silhouette suits medium to large face shapes best, where the generous proportions sit in natural harmony with broader facial structures. It is particularly effective on oval and oblong face profiles, where the strong horizontal emphasis of the frame provides visual width and definition.
For optical retail, this is a frame with strong conversational appeal — the inverted lens construction and bio-based material story give it two compelling talking points that distinguish it clearly from the broader sunglass offering and make it a natural focal point in any display.
Product Specifications
- Model: RB4396
- Frame material: Bio-based material
- Lens material: Nylon — G-15 green
- CE certified
Suitable for: Medium to large face shapes | Unisex styling Recommended for: Everyday wear, fashion-forward occasions, customers seeking sustainable eyewear
