DRIFT Eyewear® is a company founded on quality, craftsmanship, and a desire to push the eyewear industry to a new level through technological innovation and ecological consciousness.

Don't be the same...At DRIFT we strive to be unique in every way. Our products are like nothing you will find anywhere else. DRIFT Eyewear® is a seamless fusion between nostalgic style and new-age expression. All of our products are hand-crafted with a passion for breaking the barriers of style and quality.

Keep it clean...All of the materials used to craft our products are carefully chosen with the environment in mind. Our wood materials are carefully selected from fair-source suppliers who share the DRIFT mentality toward ecology. When you wear DRIFT you are supporting your environment by supporting the businesses that help keep our air clean, our water clear, and our forests healthy.

Quality...Creativity...DRIFT

DRIFT Eyewear® started with a beat-up old skateboard and a Dremel tool. The first pair of eyeglasses was crooked at best and still had the grip tape for effect. The final product was far from wearable, but the spirit and concept had been formed.

The business was developed out of a desire for change. The idea was to create something new and unique; something that would turn heads, but also project a sense of value and attention to detail. Our goal was to provide a sense of substance without the need for over-the-top branding. Wood was a natural choice as it is incorporated in so many aspects of our day-to-day lives. Wood is unique, durable, and sustainable.

It’s taken just over a year to perfect the design: making the frames more durable, more stylish, and easier to produce. The challenge was magnified by a determination to keep in mind a sense of ecological responsibility. The product has come a long way and we’re proud to be able to share it with you.

We hope you appreciate the time and effort that goes into each pair of DRIFT Eyewear®.

- Handcrafted with Soul

Chris Mantz - Designer and Founder

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that I developed my appreciation for action sports, music, and art. More importantly, it is where I learned my blue collar work ethic, a strong devotion to friends and family, and the importance of putting my heart behind everything I do. That influence permeates my work today.

I have always loved working with my hands and creating new and innovative designs. Inspiration for my work comes from a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and life by the water. These influences have driven me to travel and live in beautiful, culturally rich places across the globe. The depths of these experiences motivate me to pursue an environmentally conscious business model — a model that will, with our efforts, continue to gain traction and help preserve our planet for generations to come.

I currently reside and work in Chicago, IL – an energetic and diverse American city. The live music, art and D.I.Y. scene provide continuing inspiration for my unique and innovative eyewear styles.

-Chris