Best Sunglasses for Men
Our Favorite Shades to Help You Enjoy the Summer Sun Safely
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We’re long past the days of $20 shades you found at your local pharmacy. These days, no sunny day outfit is complete without a killer pair of sunglasses to tie the look together.
They aren’t just a fashion statement, either — the difference in UV protection between a pair of cheapos and a high-end investment is astronomical. Style is important, sure, but so is safety.
RELATED: These Are the Best Sunglass Styles for Every Face Shape
And sure, the summer might mean the sun is out longer and the days are hotter, but these particular sunglasses are essential all year long.
What to Look for When Buying a Pair of Sunglasses
- Style: Finding the right style of sunglasses is not always easy, but chances are once you've pair you love, you’ll stick with them. Popular styles include aviator and wayfarer made famous by Ray-Ban, round and square styles for casual glasses, as well as shield and wrap styles for sports glasses. Remember: Different face shapes work well with different styles of glasses, so don't be afraid to try them on before you make your final purchase.
- Materials: Do you prefer metals such as titanium, aluminium, or stainless steel? How about plastics such as cellulose acetate, blended nylon, or epoxy resin? Those are the two most popular materials for shades with good ol' wood coming in a distant third.
- Frame Color: Choosing the color of your frames is a personal choice, but the most popular are black, tortoiseshell, and metals.
- Lens Color: Dark colors such as browns, greens, and greys work for everyday and most easy outdoor activities. Darker shades are intended primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright conditions. Light colors such as yellows, ambers, and even rose are often great for outdoor sports where visibility is important such as skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports. They improve the visibility of objects by providing excellent depth perception and enhancing contrasts in flat-light conditions.
With that in mind, we took to the internet to find you the best sunglasses, whether you’re looking for your next pair of cheap-and-cheerful sunnies or just some quality happy-hour-with-the-boss shades.
Best Sunglasses for Men
Oakley Radar EV Path
Whether you’re going for a run or playing a game of pickup basketball with your friends, these are the sunglasses made for you. Fitness-savvy folks would be well served to pick up some shades that will give your eyes and face the UV protection they need that come with sturdy, rubberized frames. What does that mean, exactly? They won’t break if they fall or slide off while you’re working up a sweat. Oakley remains the gold standard in performance sunglasses, so trust their Radar shades are guaranteed to get the job done.
Akila Apollo Sunglasses
Akila burst onto the scene over the last year thanks largely in part to this beautiful silhouette (and how savvily they showed it off through Instagram ads). It’s a bold look available in a number of colors, all of which are guaranteed to make you look like you own real estate in the Hollywood Hills.
Ray-Ban Aviator Rb3625
Is this the single most iconic pair of sunglasses ever made? Maybe, maybe not — but there’s a strong case to be made for them. Ray-Ban’s classic aviators haven’t aged a day and act as a reliable go-to for anyone just starting out on their sunglasses journey. Plus, let’s be honest: Top Gun: Maverick's massive box office success proves some styles are eternal.
Clocks & Colours Getaway x Black
Want to look like you just stepped offstage after tearing up a gig for 20,000 screaming fans? Look no further than the Clocks & Colours Getaway shades. The brand has made their name on men’s jewelry over the last several years, but their first foray into sunglasses is not to be underestimated.
Persol 649
Persol, like Ray-Ban, is a classic brand with a timeless vibe and rich history. Where a Ray-Ban wayfarer calls to mind classic Americana, the Persol 649 feels deeply European. They're the sort of shades you’d wear pulling a heist in the French Riviera in 1968 that also look just as good on a quick grocery run.
Jacques Marie Mage Plaza
Jacques Marie Mage is an esteemed crafter in the sunglasses space, outfitting everyone from LeBron James to Jeff Goldblum. Their shades are made in tightly limited quantities and about the best you could do in terms of an investment piece when it comes to sunglasses. The Plaza frame is one of their most iconic, and while this oversized frame isn’t for the faint of heart, those who can pull it off won’t want to wear anything else.
Oakley Sutro
Is it a bad thing to look like the bully in an ‘80s high school movie? The Oakley Sutro boldly argues no, it is not. Ostensibly designed for performance, the Sutro will hold up on your toughest game of beach volleyball and then look just as good later when paired with some 4-inch inseam shorts. It’s also the pair you've probably seen some of your favorite MLB stars rocking these days.
Moscot Lemtosh
Moscot is an institution in New York, and when it comes to smaller circular frames, there’s nobody who does it better. Whether you keep your metro card near the top of your billfold or just have Big Apple dreams, it’ll help you look the part.
Warby Parker Blaise
The folks at Warby Parker went and revolutionized eyewear access over the last decade. Their durable, affordable frames still look great and remain the best bang for your buck. The Blaise is as reliable as anything they have to offer, designed with a plastic Aviator frame that suits most face shapes and looks like it costs twice what it does.
Persol P03223 Aviator Sunglasses
These stylish summer shades in a rich and flattering tortoiseshell acetate and brown lenses fold up to make looking good a lot more compact. Similar to the Ray-Ban pair up above, you can't go wrong with a classic style that's been around for quite a long time.
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