The 14 Best Men’s Sunglasses for Any Outing

As one of the quintessential accessories to anyone’s wardrobe, there is nothing that’s more integral to both your health and style than a pair of sunglasses. While countless brands try to make a name for themselves through ad campaigns on your social timeline, it’s virtually impossible to go toe-to-toe with the iconic manufacturers that have been crafting archetypal silhouettes for decades. That said, though, there are a handful of boutique sunglass labels to keep an eye on, many of which garner inspiration from some of the circle’s biggest names.

Simply put, finding the right pair of sunglasses can be virtually impossible, especially when trying to find them online. Nevertheless, we’ve put together a list of the best men’s sunglasses on the market, because protecting your eyes from UV damage is extremely important — plus, it must be said, sunglasses just look cool. So whether you’re looking to keep things traditional or roll with something a bit more fashion-forward, eyewear options come in abundance, and we have rounded up our favorites in this guide to the best sunglasses for men.

What frames are best for your head shape?

Before diving deep into what’s on the market, it’s worth noting that narrowing down your head shape will make your purchase all the more suitable. For example, an oval-shaped head hones the opportunity to rock any pair of shades they please thanks to the versatile shape. However, people with a more square or rectangular-shaped head may be better off considering a rounded pair of frames, while those with a circular head often look best when wearing a set of square-frame sunglasses. Although trying to figure this out can be difficult when shopping online, many brands have done a great job at categorizing these options accordingly on their websites, on top of offering the ability to virtually try on pairs using augmented reality.

what to look for

Polarization: Even if you’re just interested in a stylish pair of shades, it’s worth considering a pick that’s polarized (or ponying up for the add-on). They reduce glare produced from reflections and increase overall contrast. It’s not essential to have it, but it will make seeing in bright conditions a lot easier.

UV Protection: UV protection, on the other hand, is pretty essential to a pair of good sunglasses, as you want to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. You’re looking for something that blocks at least 99% of UV rays, which is the minimum for ample eye protection. However, if you’re just worried about how you look (and not spending extra money on add-ons), you could get away with a pair that doesn’t block UV rays so long as you’re wearing them inside or at night.

Style: Between aviators and cat eyes, there are many options to choose from when it comes to style. Much of this comes down to your own personal style (those who like the classics may always go with Wayfarers, and more modern styles might opt for round sunglasses), but your head shape also plays a role. You can refer to our excerpt above regarding which frames pair best with your head shape to get a better idea.

Weight and Fit: If you’re just grabbing a pair of summer shades for quick trips to the beach or sunsets in the city, then style might be more important than the overall weight and fit of the glasses. But if you plan on wearing your sunglasses for long periods of time, something lighter and looser will usually be more comfortable.

Lens types

Polarized: These lenses reduce glare and light reflections. Many labels will offer the option to add this to the sunglasses you want, so keep that in mind when shopping.

Transition: Transition lenses will adjust from clear to dark based on the brightness in your environment. They can be helpful for people who want to consolidate, and can save money if you were planning on getting a pair of prescription glasses.

Gradient: As the name suggests, gradient lenses start off dark on top, then gradually become clear towards the bottom. This offers some versatility for those who might be in and outside throughout the day.

Tinted: This means the lenses are coated in a uniform color (yellow will sometimes be used for increased contrast, and gray is preferred for driving sunglasses).

are expensive sunglasses better than cheap sunglasses?

For the most part, higher-end sunglasses will be more durable (and often more stylish) with higher quality materials and construction, but offer the same sun protection as a cheap pair of sunglasses.

Sunski Foxtrot

The Starters: Sunski’s Foxtrot, with its curved silhouette, serves as one of the more stylish entry-level options on the market. This lowkey brand’s polarized pair of specs block 100% of UVA wavelengths and provide full-on eye coverage, making them a health-cognizant choice that will keep you looking, as the brand puts it, “super fly.” Its lightweight frames are sustainably made, so you’re helping the planet with these, too, rather than just your eyes.

Warby Parker Hayes

The Safe Bet: The New York-bred Warby Parker has made quite a name for itself in the world of eyewear, with its Hayes serving as a testament to its brand of minimalist design and timeless style. Composed of hand-polished cellulose acetate and uber-durable screws coated in high-performance Akulon, the Hayes also come equipped with scratch-resistant lenses to ensure that they’re sturdy all-around. Sold in a trio of stylish colors, adhere to your wardrobe with two vibrant tortoise options and a stark black choice.

AKILA Zed

The Most Stylish Sunglasses: This retro-inspired pair of sunglasses from Akila is as stylish as it gets. As one of the L.A.-based manufacturer’s flagship styles, the Zed features rectangular frames and sharp-beveled edges. To ensure the utmost quality, each of Akila’s offerings is handmade in limited numbers, maintaining meticulous attention to detail through each pair of its lensmaker’s craft. Composed of a sustainable bio-acetate frame, this pair provides top-notch protection for the price, not to mention durability, thanks to its stainless steel temple cores.

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic

The Wayfarers: Often touted as the best model of all time, there’s simply no room for error with this ubiquitous square shape from Ray-Ban. Beloved by movie stars and classic cool guys like Bob Dylan and James Dean, these frames are truly in a league of their own. And they come with the option to add a variety of lens treatments, so you can personalize the classic style.

Raen Remmy

The Best Round Sunglasses: Raen garners inspiration from SoCal beach culture, serving as another brand that crafts ultra-stylish shades from the heart of Los Angeles. Using high-quality Carl Zeiss lenses, the manufacturer’s Remmys are guaranteed to provide nothing short of incredible protection from the sun’s rays, as ZEISS Vision Care is one of the more innovative names in this space. In addition to the stellar lenses, the glasses’ acetate-composed frames are rounded out with integrated nose pads for a more subtle look.

Todd Snyder x Moscot 10 Year Anniversary Edition The Nomad

The Best Limited-Edition Sunglasses: Todd Snyder’s concoction of homages to fashionable staples could fill up an entire warehouse, and its partnership with Moscot is simply another example of the New York designer’s unabashed spin on traditionalism. In celebration of the latter’s 10th anniversary, MOSCOT embraced the label with its own distinct, new frame that the fellow NYC-based label called the Nomad. Serving as a reimagined rendition of Snyder’s favorite go-to shades, MOSCOT’s Zilch, the Nomad’s frames are crafted from Italian acetate while the lenses boast MOSCOT’s Custom Made Tint with anti-reflective coating for protection.

Randolph Aviator

The Best Aviators: While you may be well aware of Randolph’s iconic Aviator silhouette — a favorite of one Don Draper — this interesting, military-inspired take on the quintessential accessory offers some added substance to a staple that had great enough a backstory as it is. The brand’s Military Special Edition boasts a glistening 23K gold frame finish and is rounded out with a pair of world-class polarized lenses courtesy of SkyTec. As a bonus, every pair comes equipped with a Randolph dog tag keychain.

Garrett Leight Hampton Sun

The Best Lightweight Sunglasses: It’s easy to trust an L.A.-bred label with knowing what it takes to manufacture a perfect pair of shades, considering they might know the sun better than anyone else. Garrett Leight’s Hampton was its very first silhouette, and it served as an essential pick-up from the get-go. The shades are made from a cured cellulose acetate frame and reinforced with a stainless steel core wire, deeming this as a durable, world-class offering. The Hampton is tailored to go with any outfit, as it comes available in a wide variety of colors.

Persol 714SM

The Steve McQueen-Approved Sunglasses: Men’s style icons come and go with each passing generation, but Steve McQueen is one of the few that have managed to stick around as a long-lasting epitome of unadulterated coolness. These groundbreaking bi-folding specs courtesy of Persol serve as a form of homage to the brand itself, having originally taken inspiration from the Italian label’s non-folding 649 sunglasses. As an added bit of trivia, these were the very first foldable sunglasses upon their introduction in the ‘60s. Boasting an unmistakable pilot silhouette, the 714SM has stayed true to itself over the years, as it features all the same, small-scale details that it had when McQueen wore them himself.

Oliver Peoples Nino

The Best Italian Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples is one of the classier, more subdued glasses makers on the market, and its 35-year lifespan doesn’t manage to dictate just how popular it’s become. And while there are plenty of worthwhile standouts in OP’s standard catalog, it’s the L.A. brand’s collaborations with world-renowned Italian clothier Brunello Cucinelli that really get our attention. The Nino is a luxurious, mob-movie-appropriate set of shades with custom-detailed frames and a bold design language that is sure to stand out while remaining incredibly subtle and clean.

Dita Flight.006

The Best Pilot-Inspired Sunglasses: As a brand that has been thinking outside the box for well over twenty years, Dita is no stranger to crafting immaculate eyewear. The Japanese brand’s Flight 006 serves as a gorgeous pair of titanium-crafted shades thanks to its wide shape and an even wider array of colors. This luxurious option is rounded out with a diamond-pressed detail on the temples and nose pads as an added touch, making them a meticulously crafted choice that’s suitable for anyone looking to don a reimagined take on the classic shape.

Matsuda M3087

The Best Japanese Sunglasses: Simple and subtle with just the right amount of sumptuousness, Matsuda’s Round-Frame Gold-Tone shades are the perfect adherence to keeping things traditional and top-of-the-line at the same time. This particular model from the luxury Japanese label features a lavish gold-tone titanium frame and green-tinted lenses that assist in blocking out any pesky glare. And while they may come across as heavy due to their sturdy, metal composition, they remain incredibly lightweight and comfortable, allowing you to throw them on without a fret.

Vuarnet Glacier Round

The Best Glacier Sunglasses: Vuarnet’s alpine roots are embraced quite clearly throughout its catalog, but the Glacier Round serves as an end-to-end embodiment of it. These French-made mountaineering sunglasses are composed of bio acetate and bio titanium, and come in an iconic mountaineering-inspired silhouette. They have removable side shields and a nose bridge that provide enough sun protection for summiting sunny peaks, with lenses made of mineral glass for alpine lighting conditions.

Jacques Marie Mage Dealan

The Grail Pick: As one of the leaders in stylish, innovative eyewear, the Los Angeles-based Jacques Marie Mage encapsulates the spirit of Bob Dylan with these bold sunglasses. They’re made with cured cellulose acetate and feature a subtle cat-eye silhouette with sharp lines and bold features. During Dylan’s electric era, he famously sported a pair of black cat-eye shades on his tours, and now you can wear them yourself.

The Best Driving Sunglasses for the Open Road

If you’re looking for some shades designed specifically for driving, then check out our best driving sunglasses guide.