Tested: The Best Driving Sunglasses to Wear Behind the Wheel

Finding a good set of sunglasses is tricky, but narrowing down a pair engineered to improve your driving is even more challenging. And while you might consider any average pair of shades worthy of taking on the open road, you’ll soon learn that several factors come together to create a high-quality option. Like any performance-driven sport, certain technical elements in a pair of sunglasses will bring the best out of your behind-the-wheel persona, so it’s only fitting to pick up a pair geared toward driving. Well, after thoroughly scouring the market, we’ve managed to round up this curated selection of what our hands-on testing and review process proved to be the best driving sunglasses on the market. 

Selection & Testing

Between pairs purpose-built for behind-the-wheel use and models that just happen to lend themselves to driving, there’s no shortage of available options in this space. So, when we set out to uncover the best, we opted to scan the wider market, focusing on elements such as materials, style, design, and features. We also thoroughly scrutinized the aspects that allow glasses to lend themselves to driving. This ultimately allowed us to generate a shortlist of glasses that we then proceeded to get hands-on with and test for an extending period, with each pair being used to drive to and from work — and to hit the canyons on the weekends — for roughly two weeks at a time. 

This hands-on testing process also allowed us to scrutinize additional areas such as overall craftsmanship and build quality, each pair’s level of comfort, and how well they stay in place on your face. In addition to behind-the-wheel use, all pairs were also utilized for regular day-to-day, walking-around use — something done to get a sense of their overall versatility. In terms of driving, each pair was also tested behind the wheel of a coupe for roughly half of the testing, and inside of a convertible for the remaining half. 

With this testing process complete, we were then able to turn to our findings in order to narrow the original shortlist down to a final selection of what we found to be the best driving sunglasses currently out there. There were also several extremely close calls that just barely were bumped from the main list — picks that can be found at the bottom of this writeup in our honorable mentions section. 

Oakley Sutro Lite

Best Performance Pick: Sunglasses don’t need to be engineered specifically for behind-the-wheel use in order to lend themselves to that application. And much like how pilot-focused aviators are super conducive to driving, so too is Oakley’s Sutro Lite model — a semi-rimless pair of wrap-around shades that were developed for cycling but excel just as much when used at the helm of a car. 

The Good

The Sutro Lite glasses are pieced together around a frame crafted from Oakley’s proprietary O Matter construction before being fitted with temples with ridged textured Unobtainium inlays and a swappable single-piece lens that Oakley refers to as a “high-wrap shield.” In lieu of traditional nose pads, this pair uses a plastic base that accommodates a piece of Unobtainium that acts as the contact point with the wearer’s nose. Sporting a unique geometric motif, the temples also have a unique drop-down design and a construction that becomes softer as it nears the temple tips. 

Above and beyond their idiosyncratic appearance and frame style, what really makes these glasses special — and what earned them a spot on this list — is their PRIZM Road lenses. This state-of-the-art proprietary polycarbonate material hugely increases contrast of white and yellow lane lines on roads, plus also benefits from a custom rate of transmission that’s formulated specifically cater to one’s vision needs while out on the road (whether piloting a motorcycle, bicycle, or car or truck). It’s genuinely hard to overstate just how effective this PRIZM Road tech truly is — an area that becomes even more obvious when tested back-to-back with traditional shades. 

Supplementary Strengths

Because they’re designed for cycling, Oakley’s Sutro Lite glasses unsurprisingly do a phenomenal job of remaining planted on/against your face. Because they were being tested alongside ultra-premium pairs from the likes of ROKA, Persol, and Porsche Design, I expected these Oakley’s craftsmanship and fit and finish to be somewhat lacking by comparison, but I was pleasantly surprised by the meticulous build quality they boasted. This isn’t a total shocker though, considering this pair is made in America. 

With an MSRP hovering around the $200 mark, I wouldn’t call this pair cheap, despite the fact they cost a literal fraction of some of the pricier pairs I tested. Obviously, this pair is also excellent for cycling as well as driving. And, while not every variant uses the PRIZM Road tech lenses, Oakley nonetheless sells this pair in a whopping 19 different frame and lens color options/combos. 

The Not So Good

While the PRIZM Road lens tech alone makes this pair worth considering when shopping for driving glasses, I will admit there were a few aspects of the Sutro Lite that I wasn’t very fond of. First off, while the temples do a fantastic job of hugging the sides of your face, I did find myself starting to get super mild headaches after wearing these shades for more than a few hours at a time. And, while it’s purely subjective, I imagine the bigger issue most will have with this pair is its appearance, which is undeniably loud and idiosyncratic. With that said, I happen to be in the camp that likes the way these look, though this sentiment obviously won’t shared by everyone. 

Verdict: Sporting an idiosyncratic semi-rimless design with a high-wrap shield lens, the Oakley Sutro Lite glasses are a high-performance cycling model that features a color and contrast-bolstering proprietary lens technology that makes them perfect for use behind the wheel. 

American Optical Original Pilot

Best USA-Made Pick: The American Optical Original Pilot glasses aren’t merely a classic pair of aviators, they’re shades with a story. This pair was originally developed in the late 1950s to meet the needs of military pilots, leading to this now-instantly-recognizable frame style with oversized lenses to help maximize field of vision and bayonet temple tips designed ti easily slip under a helmet. The pair eventually became part of the survival kit supplied by NASA on various missions including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. More-than-half-a-century after their debut and American Optical’s Original Pilot glasses remain some of the most sought-after aviators on the market — and for good reason. 

The Good

Built to military specifications, the entire pair is crafted around a set of alloy wire-construction aviator-style frames finished in 23-carrot gold plating. Earning an ANSI Z80.3 rating for impact resistance, the frames house of a set of AO Skymaster glass lenses that feature an anti-reflective backside coating and an oleophobic smudge-resistant coating front and back. The temples culminate in a set of transparent end tips that increase comfort while also ensuring the glasses stay put. They also ship with a premium leather travel case. 

In typical aviator fashion, this pair’s temples don’t just sit on the wearer’s ears and instead allow the glasses to wrap around the head. This allows the glasses to remain squarely in place at all times, and thanks to the oversized lenses, the field of vision is excellent. And while the glasses originally received these design traits in order to meet the needs of pilots, this same characteristics also allow them to be just as conducive to use behind the steering wheel. The nose pads are self adjusting the frame and temples have enough flex that the pair can easily accommodate a wide variety of face shapes and sizes. 

Supplementary Strengths

I found the Original Pilot glasses to be incredibly comfortable, with the nose pads and temple tips working exactly as intended. They’re also incredibly lightweight, tipping the scales at just over 1oz, meaning they’re lightweight enough to comfortably be worn all day long. While it’s not quite on the same level as Persol or ROKA, the build quality this pair displays is still really solid. Everything feels robust and wet crafted, the temples open smoothly and consistently, and there’s zero rattling whatsoever. 

Just like with how they’re made in America, there’s also definitely something to be said about the classic old-school look of aviator-frame glasses. And, while it applies to aviators in general and not just this specific frame or pair, but American Optical’s Original Pilot glasses possess a timeless look that’s just as in vogue today as it was when the silhouette was first introduced in the mid ‘30s. Thanks to their handsome appearance, these glasses also make for a great pair of regular everyday-wear glasses in addition to lending themselves so well to driving. It’s also hard not to appreciate the rich history of these glasses, their historical significance, and ties to both U.S. military and the country’s space program. 

The Not So Good

I was generally impressed with the time I spent testing American Optical’s Original Pilot glasses, though my hands-on review process did leave me with a few gripes — albeit very minor ones. While there’s no denying that they bolster comfort and improve fitment, I don’t love the appearance of the transparent temple tips, as they look semi unfinished to me. I even had one friend call them the sunglasses equivalent to those yellow splitter guard covers some owners leave on their Dodge Charger or Challenger. And, while the gold-plated exterior resonates with me personally, I imagine not everyone will share my sentiment for the gold finish. Having said that this pair is also offered with a black frame, silver frame, or matte silver frame — all of which can be optioned with one of five different lens color options across two lens constructions.

Verdict: American Optical’s Original Pilot glasses were originally developed to meet the needs of pilots, however, the same properties that make these 23-carrot gold-plated shades so ideal for flying also makes them highly conducive to use behind the steering wheel. Long story short, if you want a pair of aviators for driving duties, this should be your obvious choice. 

ROKA Falcon Ti

Best Titanium Pick: With modern sunglasses, it’s often the smaller details that add up to the biggest differences. And though ROKA’s Falcon glasses may not look all that different from American Optical’s Original Pilot shades, the ROKAs have a lot going on once you start to scratch the surface — so much so in fact that they’re not only one of the best pairs of driving glasses on the market, but probably also one of the most advanced pairs out there, period. 

The Good

The ROKA Falcon glasses are pieced together around a lightweight yet hardwearing titanium frame paired with a set of lenses with C3 tech and best-in-class optics. Like all of ROKA’s lenses, the Falcon’s set also benefits from an anti-reflective coating, a fog-resistant treatment, a hydrophobic/oleophobic coating, and a scratch-resistant finish. I was also blown away by how wildly effective the lenses’ polarization was at blocking out glare from the hood of the car or from wet roads. 

Both the nose pads and temple tips come lined in ROKA’s GEKO pads — proprietary thermoplastic elastomer pads that bolster comfort, traction, and shock absorption. By using non-slip GEKO pads across the inside of the temple tips and on the nose pads, the glasses do a phenomenal job staying in place — and they do this without the temples needing to squeeze tightly around your head, meaning they don’t create any hotspots or pressure points whatsoever. This setup also utilizes ROKA’s Float Fit system. 

Each pair also ships with a second, differently-sized set of GEKO pads that can be slipped over the nose pads, allowing you to more precisely dial-in the glasses’ fit. In fact, I was so impressed with this pair’s ability to keep in place that I actually wore them when out on a morning run and found that they performed like a dedicated pair of running/sport glasses. This actually makes a lot of sense considering this pair was modeled after ROKA’s existing, award-winning Phantom glasses, and like the Phantom, these were engineered with movement and performance in mind. 

Like Persol’s PO3336S, ROKA’s Falcon glasses are also extremely versatile from an aesthetic standpoint, and lend themselves just as well to driving as they do everyday use. Hell, they can even jive with formal outfits and attires. And, though they are made in China, there’s absolutely no denying the top-notch craftsmanship and build quality ROKA’s Falcon glasses have on display. ROKA also extensively torture tests these glasses to ensure they can stand up to the rigors of normal everyday use for years at a time. 

Supplementary Strengths

At just 0.67oz, this was not only the lightest pair I tested — and by a pretty substantial margin — but it was also by far the most comfortable — again, by a pretty wide margin. Between the soft pads used at all points of contact and the practically negligible weight, it’s easy to forget that you’re ever wearing these glasses at times. When on your face, the only visible logos or branding consist of tiny color-matched ROKA logos engraved into the sides of the temples, though they’re so small that you really have to be looking for them to spot ‘em. 

The titanium frame isn’t just lightweight, but it also affords these glasses with a surprising amount of strength. While I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit it, I definitely placed these shades into my back pocket, forgot about them, and sat down on them several times during the weeks I spent testing them, and the frame never bent or broke, and the lenses never cracked out popped out of the framework. 

They also posses an unmistakably premium feel to them that’s difficult to put into words. They just feel really solid and well-crafted, and the hinges open smoothly and consistently. At the end of the day, the amount of coverage they provide, coupled with their extremely lightweight nature and their unparalleled ability to remain planted on your face collectively make for an extraordinary pair of driving glasses. 

The Not So Good

My complaints surrounding the ROKA Falcon glasses were few and far between. Obviously, with a more-than-$300 MSRP, there’s no denying that they come at a fairly steep price — though I’d argue you really do get what you pay for here. Based on the price, build quality, and material selection, I would expect this pair to offers decades of dependable use, which is why I was a bit surprised to see that ROKA’s warranty only extends to 1,000 days. At 1,000 days (or 2.739 years), the warranty is nothing to scoff at, though a lifetime warranty — even a limited lifetime warranty — would still be massively appreciated. All in all, this pair’s many strengths ultimately outweigh its short list of downsides, and I still stand by my statement that these are unequivocally some of the best driving glasses currently out there. 

Verdict: Weighing only 0.67oz, the ROKA Falcon puts a high-performance, high-tech spin on classic aviator frames, updating the silhouette with a titanium construction and a host of proprietary technologies and details. 

Persol PO3336S

Best Overall Pick: Dating back to 1917, Persol unquestionably represents one of the most lauded and iconic eyewear outfits in existence. Based in Italy, the company produces a wide array of glasses and frame styles, however, when it comes to driving, it’s hard to outdo Persol’s classic wayfarer-style models like the PO3336S. And after spending several weeks testing them, I’m now convinced this is almost certainly one of, if not the single best pair of driving sunglasses currently on the market.

The Good

A high end take on a pair of classic wayfarers, the PO3336S is handcrafted in Italy and is comprised of an acetate frame housing a set of polarized crystal glass lenses supplied to Persol by Barberini. And, while this pair is offered in half-a-dozen frame and lens options, the timeless black frame and gradient blue lenses are hard to beat. In typical Persol fashion, the build quality on display is definitely another major highlight, as the craftsmanship is beyond meticulous. The handworked nature of these glasses is beyond apparent. 

The temples protrude from the rim frame at a 90° angle before eventually curving inward and then arcing down as they reach the temple tips. This results in a temple setup that doesn’t just sit on your ears, but rather wraps around the side of your face, hugging your head and creating a sensation that the glasses are sitting around your face rather than on it. And, despite the fact the temples are slightly pressing in on your head, these contact points are spread out and don’t focus on one area and as such don’t create painful hot spots or pressure points — which is something that can’t be said for some of the other pairs I tested. 

Because of this setup, Persol’s PO3336S does a phenomenal job of staying planted on your face, even amid rigorous movement or when faced with ample wind. In fact, these glasses felt so secure and planted on my face that I actually felt completely comfortable using them for motorcycle riding in addition to daily driving duties. The way the temple tips turn inward and hug the sides of your head also allows those same temples to easily slip in between a helmet and the wearer’s head. 

Supplementary Strengths

The use of Persol’s signature Arrows where the temples and frame meet is another touch that I really appreciate. It also readily announces the shades as being a pair of Persols — at least to those in the know — without needing any script, logos, or branding. This pair also very much benefits from the use of Persol’s patented Meflecto flexible stem system designed for maximum comfort by eliminating pressure on the head from glasses. This system allows glasses to adapt to any face shape and still today represents a technologically unsurpassed solution. 

More so than any other pair on this list, the PO3336S is extremely versatile and looks just as at home being worn for beach days and barbecues as it does being paired with a suit or even black tie attire. The branding is also subtle and tasteful, consisting of logos and script on the inside of the temples, plus a tiny Persol logo on top left corner of the left lens and a second tiny logo adorning the right outer temple tip. For only $15 more you can also have this pair inscribed with custom engraving which is another cool yet minor touch that I appreciate. 

The Not So Good 

After spending a few weeks wearing these sunglasses, I eventually sat down with my notes to start formally writing this article, only to then realize I didn’t have a single negative thing to say. Wanting to dig a little deeper, I then spent another few days wearing them while driving to and from work in hopes of uncovering some gripes or insight on shortcomings but this was all to no avail. I wouldn’t go as far as to say this pair if perfect, but it’s damn-close. And, while it doesn’t have any impact on the user experience or how they actually perform, there’s still no getting around the fact that at approximate $400, Persol’s PO3336S glasses don’t come cheap. With that said, the build quality and material selection practically guarantees that they’ll offer a lifetime of use. 

Verdict: Meticulously handcrafted in Italy, the Persol PO3336S is a high-end interpretation of a pair of wayfarer-style shades that feature top-shelf materials, numerous signature Persol details, and a temple design that allows the glasses to closely and snugly wrap around your face — making them perfect for use behind the wheel. 

Porsche Design Sunglasses P´8964

Best Carbon Fiber Pick: As the force behind some of the finest automobiles on the planet, it shouldn’t in any way come as a shock to learn that Porsche’s design and lifestyle division is also responsible for some of the best driving glasses out there right now. In fact, I could probably generate an entire list of best driving glasses just from Porsche Design’s catalog alone, but for today we’ll be focusing exclusively on the brand’s Sunglasses P´8964.

The Good

Porsche Design’s Sunglasses P´8964 boast a sleek, minimalist frame made from an amalgamation of stainless steel and rubber. Offered in four color variants, the glasses also feature soft, adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips, and outer temple inlays made from genuine carbon fiber — the latter of which takes obvious inspiration from Porsche’s cars’ extensive use of carbon fiber. From pocket knife handles to automotive parts, I’ve long been a massive sucker for carbon fiber, which is why the carbon inlays adorning the P´8964’s temples are such a welcome addition in my eyes. 

 It’s not just their sleek appearance and premium material selection that makes this pair so noteworthy, but also its state-of-the-art lens set. Composed of a proprietary polycarbonate, these polarized VISION DRIVE lenses manage to absorb substantially more blue light compared to regular shades, which not only bolsters glare protection, but also increases perception, color contrast, and even depth perception — all of which are perfect for use behind the wheel. Made in Italy, the Sunglasses P´8964 benefit from Porsche’s — and Porsche Design’s — usual brand of top-notch build quality. 

Supplementary Strengths

And Porsche Design’s claims about the VISION DRIVE lenses are far more than marketing fluff or hyperbole, as this technology genuinely works. This is made abundantly clear when using the P´8964 back-to-back with a regular pair of shades. It’s also clear every inch of these glasses were painstakingly pored over, as even tiny elements such as the stiffness of the temple hinges has been perfectly dialed-in. They also tip the scales at less than an ounce, furthering their all-day comfort. 

While it has zero impact on their actual performance, there’s definitely something I dig about using a pair of driving glasses made by one of the most elite and reputable automotive marques on the planet — or at least the design and lifestyle division of one of the most  elite and reputable automotive marques on the planet. This pair also ships with a premium Porsche Design-branded protective hard case with a brushed motif borrowed from Porsche’s cars’ dashes. 

The Not So Good

All in all, I feel like Porsche Design has delivered an exceedingly solid pair of driving glasses, though they aren’t without a few minor issues here and there. First off, while they’re plenty comfortable, the inside of the temple tips don’t provide much traction or grip and would no doubt benefit from a construction like ROKA’s GEKO pads. Next, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room, and that’s this pair’s $450 MSRP — which is a lot to spend on a pair of shades, even a particularly nice one. At this price, I’d also really have liked to see PD employ titanium for the frame construction rather than stainless steel. With all that said, these glasses clearly aren’t meant to be budget-focused or super value-laden, however, if you can swing the admittedly steep price, we’d highly recommend picking up a pair. 

Verdict: The Porsche Design Sunglasses P´8964 are a modern pair of square sunglasses that have been engineered from the ground up for driving — while also taking influence from vehicles and motorsport with its sleek appearance and liberal use of carbon fiber. While their appearance might not be for everyone, there’s absolutely no denying how wildly conducive the P´8964 is to behind-the-wheel use. 

Driving Sunglasses Comparison Chart

What Exactly Are Driving Sunglasses?

Driving sunglasses are quite similar to regular sunglasses because they’re also designed to block UV rays. But unlike regular sunglasses, the ones meant for driving should almost always be polarized and lighter than the average pair. Driver and pilot-friendly sunglasses will also commonly pull from the aviator silhouette (if they’re not already aviators).

What To Look For When Shopping?

Polarization:  Polarized lenses are the best place to start, as these will assist by vastly reducing the glare of the sun around you, which will ultimately lessen the chances of any accidents caused by light reflecting in your eyes. It’s worth noting that polarized lenses may reduce the visibility of certain screens and gauges inside your car, depending on your setup, but their safety benefits far outweigh these annoyances, in our opinion. The majority of polarized sunglasses will offer 100% UV protection, too, which is something you should be looking for in any pair of sunglasses to protect the health of your eyes.

Light Resistance: The next factor to look out for is light resistance, a spec that tends to get overlooked on most retailers’ listings but will typically appear on a pair of performance-geared shades. As a result of its scarcity, do your best to keep an eye out for the percentage, as it is often best to stay within the 0-19% range.

Weight and Fit: Another aspect to look out for is the weight and fit of the glasses. The benefits of wearing a lighter, well-fitting pair when driving as opposed to a clunkier, heavy set of shades are immediately noticeable from a comfort standpoint, as you don’t really want to be thinking about how uncomfortable your glasses are or be trying to adjust them when you should be concentrating on the road.

Frame & Lens Material: The vast majority of driving sunglasses will be made with glass or polycarbonate. Glass offers better clarity and scratch resistance, but polycarbonate lenses are lighter and less likely to break. You’ll also want to pay just as much attention to the material used to craft a pair of glasses’ frame.

Style: Lastly, like any other pair of sunglasses, you should make sure they look good. It’s hard to determine what exactly makes a stylish pair of driving sunglasses, as style is up to everyone’s discretion. But if you’re not sure, then you can’t go wrong with some aviators.

Breaking Down Lens Types

Polarized: This is an essential part of any good pair of driving sunglasses because it reduces glare and light reflections.

Transition: These lenses automatically adjust from clear to dark based on the UV rays outside. They can be convenient but are probably not ideal for driving because you won’t be outside (unless you’re in a Jeep or a convertible), but there are some solid options out there.

Gradient: Gradient lenses go from dark on top to clear on the bottom, so they’re a bit more versatile and offer a more clear vision of the road and your dash.

What Lens Color Is Best For Driving?

Grey, amber/copper, and clear lenses are best for driving sunglasses as they maintain color difference, and also allow you to properly see important traffic information (lights and signs), which can sometimes be altered by colored lenses.

Honorable Mentions 

It really is hard to go wrong with tried-and-true icons like the Ray-Ban Aviator Classic. While there’s a very god reason this pair has achieved something of legendary status, the reality is that it was simply outperformed by other aviators I tested like those from ROKA and American Optical — a fact that’s ultimately relegated these Ray-Bans to a mere honorable mention. 

If you want a nice pair of drive-ready wayfarers and don’t want to shell out the roughly $400 MSRP that it takes to get your hands on a pair of Persols, we’d recommend what we consider to be the next best thing with the Shinzo Tamura Namba Slate. Made in Japan by a brand that produces driving-specific glasses, these shades feature polarized TALEX lenses set in a lightweight yet rugged nylon frame. Though it’s a great pair of driving glasses, these ultimately lost out to Persol’s PO3336S. 

With oversized rectangular acetate frames, Flexon hinges, and rugged nylon lenses, Shinola’s Rx-ready Monster Sunglasses area other excellent pair of driving shades that not only look great, but thanks to rubberized temple tips, they also do a great job staying in place. And while it doesn’t come cheap, this pair also benefits from Shinola’s usual brand of top-notch craftsmanship. 

Though they’re technically made for motorcycle riding, the Skram ONES’ durability, versatile style, top-notch materials and build quality, and ability to remain squarely on your face collectively make them one of the best pairs of driving glasses too. Sure, it’s temples and tips aren’t rubberized, but it more than makes up for this with its unparalleled versatility. 

Tested: The Best Motorcycle Sunglasses For Riders

Want to check out another selection of motor vehicle-focused shades? Then be sure to cruise on over to our guide to the best motorcycle sunglasses for a curated buyers guide to and hands-on review of the latest and greatest shades for use on two-wheels.