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NO MATTER where you are, you can and should upgrade your eyewear with a pair of shades. The best sunglasses for men are one of the most effortless, low-risk yet cost-effective accessories a guy can own. On any occasion, the best sunglasses for men will protect your eyes from harsh sunlight and give your look a boost of badass style.
When searching for the ideal eyewear, the best sunglasses for men should complement your face shape in classic, tried-and-tested styles like aviator sunglasses or wayfarer sunglasses. The best sunglasses for men will have reliable sun-defying features to reduce glare, eliminate distortion, ease eye strain, and provide 100% UV protection. Finally, the best sunglasses for men need to be durable and fit comfortably to ensure a secure grip even during outdoor activities.
Read more: Learn How Men’s Health Tests Products
Below, our team of style editors has done hands-on testing on over 40 pairs to find the best sunglasses for men. Whether for strolling on the beach, hitting the golf course, or enjoying a sunny day, these 16 best sunglasses for men will be your reliable companion.
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Weekenders
A simple, lightweight, modern Wayfarer design with a durable construction is all any guy’s sunglasses game needs. First of all, its fit is one of the best we’ve ever tested: to all the lost or broken sunglasses during outdoor adventures or while soaking up the sun on a patio, this one’s for you. Designed with a sporty twist on the classic Wayfarer frame, these sunglasses boast a proper secure fit that won’t slip off unexpectedly while giving you a lightweight, comfortable feel that will not wear off.
Crafted for durability as well, these sunglasses can take a beating and bounce back effortlessly; the temples further safeguard the hinges, offering added protection in case of any mishaps. Our testers also approved of their polarized lenses that have helped us combat glares, and reduce eye strain and reflections while giving our daily views enhanced clarity and color. And don’t forget: these shades boast 100% UVA/UVB resistance, ensuring your eyes stay shielded from harmful rays.
At this price point, we recommend getting the Weekenders as an extra backup pair, though using them as your main sunnies is also a no-brainer.
The Glide Sunglasses
Co-signed by Jamie Foxx himself, this uber-affordable yet uber-sexy pair of aviators are classic and sassy in one. We found that the tinted polycarbonate lenses of the Glide Sunglasses provided exceptional visibility and clarity under the sun, as well as are impact-resistant to boot. With anti-glare and scratch-resistant coatings, these lenses also helped us cop a clear and distortion-free view in our testing. Additionally, they offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, which has kept our tester’s eyes safe from harmful rays.
Durability is another standout of the Glide Sunglasses. Customized barrel hinges and Akulon-coated screws make them tough as nails and long-lasting, not to mention suitable for active pursuits. Additionally, we love how the silicone nose pads are actually adjustable, and our testers have never felt discomfort while wearing these. And then there is their blue-light blocking feature which we love and need in this digital age.
The Glide Sunglasses
$39.95
priverevaux.com
Headland
A pair of polarized shades for under $75? Count us in. Sunski uses recycled materials and performance lenses to create incredible minimalist-inspired shades. One of the standout features is the premium polarized lenses. With superior clarity, abrasion resistance, and strength, we tested just how these lenses offer enhanced optics for a clear view of the world, and we were able to see our surroundings very clearly with higher contrast optics in these sunnies. They also provide 100% UVA/UVB protection.
Overall, they are lightweight and designed to be worn all day sans any discomfort, and the fit is surefire at this price as well—a medium-sized frame with a classic wayfarer shape that does not pinch my head or make my nose bridge hurt after hours of wearing.
Lastly, when you’re enjoying the breathtaking views of nature while hiking up a mountain, it’s possible that pollution and your carbon footprint might cross your mind. Do yourself (and nature) a favor with Sunski’s polarized shades made of recyclable materials. They even come with a lifetime warranty, so you’ll never have to think about shopping for another pair of sunglasses again—and that’s a good thing, right?
RB2140 Original Wayfarer
Wayfarer is a classic shape that was first introduced in the 50s and achieved cult status in the 80s, courtesy of so many stars wearing them—Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, George Micael, and Madonna, to name a few. Now, with a few stylish design tweaks, the classic Wayfarer style is donning a modern look that’s worthy of your attention, and we found that the style works for just about every face shape as well to lend a casual flair.
In our testing, aside from protecting our eyes from harmful UV rays with lenses coated with 100% UV protection, we also found the acetate frame to be extra robust and heavy-duty at withstanding impact, courtesy of the seven-barrel hinges on each side. While this design does make the whole thing a bit heavier than most others on this list, our testers didn’t complain and in fact, found it just as comfortable, especially because of how smooth the frames felt against the skin.
A wide range of frame and lens colors are available in the Original Wayfare, but we honestly prefer the old-school black the best. For pure versatility, the black is unbeatable.
RB2140 Original Wayfarer
$163.00
amazon.com
Courtesy of Retailer
Clear Acetate Sunglasses
You’re one of a kind, so shouldn’t your sunglasses follow suit? Each lightweight wood-based Woodies frame is unique, with polarized lenses and comfortable, ultra-durable fit to boot. And now that you’ve got surefire structure and durability out of the way, a clear option with blue lenses will assist with delivering on the personality front (if that sunglasses combo isn’t your vibe, don’t worry—the brand offers 50+ different other pairs of sunglasses for you to sport year-round).
Overall, we found these wood sunnies let our testers look sharp with their modern twist of a clear frame, wooden arms, and vibrant colored lenses for an effortlessly cool look. Made from wood and lightweight acetate, these shades are lighter than other sunglasses in this list and have ensuring long-lasting comfort for any occasion in our testing. But they’re built to last as well, with 316L stainless steel double-spring hinges. Plus, we got to stay protected from harmful UV rays with their anti-glare polarized lenses.
Clear Acetate Sunglasses
$50.00
amazon.com
Courtesy of Retailer
Hatcher
These scratch-resistant, impact-resistant sunglasses have given our testers a major boost of style without us having to opt for a wild-looking pair of shades. For starters, the lightweight design of the Hatcher is not only comfortable but also exudes confidence, and I love that the brow bar adds a stylish touch that makes me look sophisticated. However, what sets these sunglasses apart is their functionality. The lenses, for instance, are made from CR-39 to ensure maximum colorization and also clarity. Having worn these to brave the glaring sunlight this summer, I found that the scratch-resistant lenses were able to block 100% of UV rays to ensure my eyes are shielded from harmful sun exposure. And the durable acetate construction is lightweight but tough enough to withstand your days out in the sun.
Lastly, we found that these sunnies could work on every face. Our team of testers loves how its shape is a nice blend of teardrop shape and a squared-off silhouette to be super adaptable to any face, meaning whatever shape you’re working with, the Hatcher will work with it.
RB3025 Classic Aviators
You don’t need us to tell you that Ray-Ban makes one of the best aviator sunglasses on the market. Very few sunglasses styles can be dubbed iconic, but the iconic Top Gun tear-drop style has been (and will continue to be) a classic worthy of any guy’s mug. Plus, they’re polarized and offer 100% UV protection.
The classic metal aviators look good on anything and look good on everyone. And they perform great as well. The lenses offer 100% UV protection to optimize visual clarity in different light conditions, for instance. And the metal frame plus silicone nose pads are not only long-lasting but are also comfortable o wear all day long.
Additionally, we love that Ray-Ban now offers a variety of metal frame and lens colors to choose from, as well as multiple sizes, so you’ll definitely be able to find one pair of Ray-Ban 3025 aviators that suits your style and your face shape.
RB3025 Classic Aviators
$171.00
amazon.com
Courtesy of Retailer
Ruskin Sun
Over the past couple of years, Garrett Leight has slowly set the standard in what a timeless pair of shades should exhibit. No matter what style you choose, you can expect a durable lightweight design that’s going to leave you looking cool, calm, and collected. This pair of Ruskin Sun’s will gain you subtle IFYKY respect.
Overall, we love how these shades boast a relaxed yet refined silhouette which is perfect for everyday wear. The gently rounded square frame felt lightweight and comfortable to our testers all day long, and we love how it’s complete with a keyhole bridge for an extra touch of elegance. In addition, we found that the brand uses both bio-based acetate and nickel-silver core wire to ensure both durability and environmental responsibility.
Lastly, the Ruskin Sun provided our testers full UV protection in our testing, granting our eyes the shield they deserved. To top it off, the sunglasses come with five-barrel hinges and real rivets for added sturdiness and style—hence the price point.
Ruskin Sun
$385.00
garrettleight.com
Courtesy of Retailer
Jett
A pair of outdoor shades needs to offer an unobstructed panoramic view so you can stay tuned while hiking, cycling, golfing, surfing, or just wilding out, like these for instance. In our testing, the unique sports wrap shape of Jett offered our testers seamless panoramic views, making it a top choice for all our outdoor adventures. Featuring polarized NASA lens technology, these shades have provided HD colors to our eyes while enhancing our vision with better contrast, visibility, and clarity. Hence, they’ve become the go-to sunglasses for some of our testers whenever alfresco activities under the sun call.
Designed with a semi-rimless frame, Jett also looks dynamic and modern. We found that the adjustable rubber saddle bridge and unique rubber temple design helped these sunnies ensure a comfortable and secure fit on our nose bridge, no matter the activity.
Vantage Sunglasses
Vintage-inspired round sunglasses are a trendy option that’s great for guys with any shape of the face. Peter Millar riffs on that with UV 400 protection and a keyhole bridge that won’t press on your nose, meaning these shades can let you daily sun-blazing in style and comfort.
In our testing, we found that the polarized sapphire crystal lenses not only elevated our eyewear style but also offered scratch and shatter resistance to make sure these sunnies last and provide lasting clarity as well. With UV 400 protection, our eyes were able to stay shielded from harmful rays all day long under the sun, making them perfect for any outdoor adventure or city outing.
Another style-wise but also functional standout is the 100% acetate frame which we’ve found to be lightweight, sturdy, and overall great looking and feeling.
Vantage Sunglasses
$250.00
petermillar.com
Mountain View Sunglasses
Don’t let your cool shades weigh you down. With ThinOptics ultra-lightweight aviator frames, you’ll barely remember you’re even wearing sunglasses. To protect these feather-weight champs, the brand provides a thin, durable aluminum case, eliminating any bulk to your pockets.
Mountain View Sunglasses
$129.95
thinoptics.com
Sportsman
The added acetate brow bar in these stylish vintage sunglasses can be the perfect finishing touch to all your fits. With anti-reflective lenses and skull temples that provide comfort behind the ear, they’re also quite wearable every day.
Remmy
It’s the small details, like the hinges and end pieces that situate the temples above the lenses so that they look like they’re floating, that give these scratch-resistant, impact-resistant sunglasses a major boost of style without you having to opt for a wild-looking pair of shades.
Sunglass fanatics will appreciate the attention to detail on these retro shades, from the interesting design touches on the temples and the bridge, to the pop of color throughout the build, to the green polarized lenses that can cut off the glare without shutting out your eyes to onlookers.
Kawika
This retro browline-style adds some swagger to any basic outfit for an effortlessly cool look. Taking account into its polarization and glass resistance to scratch and shatter, it’s a full package.
The Nomad Sunglasses
To celebrate 10 years of Todd Snyder New York, the sleek and chic menswear brand teamed up with Moscot to create these olive green acetate frames that are perfect to sport from the beach to city streets.
The Nomad Sunglasses
$325.00
toddsnyder.com
Coleman
It’s the classic pair of frames that fits your style vibe, but with added features meant for the man with an active lifestyle. Titanium provides a sleek-metal look, but they’re more robust, more durable, and 40% lighter than other metals, so you won’t feel like they’re weighing you down.
How to Choose the Best Sunglasses for Men
UV Protection: “The most important factor is ensuring they offer UV protection to protect the eyes from harmful sun rays,” says Mihir Trivedi, the Head of Marketing of Nikon Lenswear. Therefore, choosing sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection—against both UVA and UVB—is important. “Select lenses that are appropriate for your lifestyle and daily activities,” Trivedi adds. “Polarized lenses are great for water sports and outdoor activities, while photochromic lenses are better for everyday use.”
Polarization: “Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare and improve visual comfort, making them an excellent choice for outdoor activities,” says optometrist Amman Anup Kumar. By reducing glare, it also reduces strain and damage to your eyes. Adding polarised lenses will thus enhance your outdoor experience and are recommended for people who enjoy the outdoors. Polarized sunglasses will also help reduce glare from surfaces like water, snow, and pavement, not just from the sun.
Face Shape: “When shopping for sunglasses, consider your face shape,” says Anna MacGabhann from eyewear retailer SmartBuyGlasses. “While our looks are unique, our face generally falls into one of four face shapes: round, oval, square, or heart.” Knowing your face shape and what eyewear style goes well with it is a great way to begin refining your options when searching sunglass for men. We’ll break down this more below, but as a rule of thumb, go for frames that oppose your features.
Fit: It is essential when investing in a pair of sunglasses to have the correct fit. Sunglasses should fit comfortably on your nose and face without causing any pressure points or slipping off. If you struggle to find the best nose fit, adjustable nose pads or temples are the best option for your comfort. If you have a wider set head and find that glasses are always too tight, a spring-hinged pair is perfect for you.
Type/Style: “The type and shape of the frames can play a significant role in enhancing facial features and creating a cohesive look with other accessories and clothing,” says Trivedi. Overall, the sunglasses you choose should complement your face shape, personal style, and the occasion for which they will be worn. There are various types and styles of sunglasses: aviator, wayfarer, round, square, sports sunglasses, etc.
How to Choose the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape?
As a rule of thumb, go for frames that oppose your features (e.g. square faces are softened by a round frame).
Round Face: Rectangular or square frames with straight lines and edgy corners will help add definition to your round face and soft curves, or even make your face look longer.
Square Face: If you’ve got a defined jawline and/or a wide forehead, round or oval frames will soften the angles of your face instead of accentuating them.
Oval Face: While we love how the balanced proportions of an oval face complement the teardrop-shaped lenses and double-bar frame of aviator sunglasses, the truth is: oval face shapes will look good with most if not all shapes of the frame. But, generally, you’ll want to look for sunnies that are as wide as the broadest part of your face.
Heart-shaped Face: Sportin a narrower jawline and broader forehead? Cat-eye or aviator-style sunglasses will draw attention to the upper part of the face, balancing the wider forehead and narrower chin.
Diamond-shaped Face: High cheekbones and a narrow forehead and chin look great with rimless or oval frames of sunglasses because they emphasize your eyes and soften your facial angles.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most durable materials for men’s sunglasses?
Acetate is a popular material for crafting frames since it combines both durability and style, allowing for a wide range of color and pattern options, and is thus frequently used in premium sunglasses. TR-90, a thermoplastic material, is known for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to impact, and thus can often be found in outdoorsy sunglasses. Nylon is lightweight and flexible while offering excellent durability, even being able to resist extreme temperatures. Other materials like stainless steel and titanium are simply no-brainers due to their outstanding durability and ability to withstand wear and tear over time.
Can prescription lenses be added to sunglasses?
Yes and in fact it’s a common practice for people who require vision correction. Many eyewear retailers and opticians offer the option to customize sunglasses with prescription lenses. It’ll involve eye examination, prescription, lens customization, and fitting and adjustment.
Can sunglasses be used for sports or outdoor activities?
Yes, and there are actually specialized sunglasses for athletic deeds, from hiking to racing. These sunglasses often boast protective features and are highly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts as they will enhance performance and protect the eyes during physical activities.
How We Selected
To find the best sunglasses for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on over 40 options since 2021 and tested each of them for at least two weeks on different real-life occasions. For instance, we wore Nike’s and Under Armour’s performance sunglasses to train or jog in the outdoors, Garrett Leight’s and Ray-Ban’s premium sunnies to formal events, or Sunski’s and Warby Parker’s classic shades as part of our office and everyday fits.
Read more: Learn How Men’s Health Tests Products
To get a feel for how these shades really felt and looked, we vetted our tested sunglasses for men by taking notes of their style, comfort, fit, price point, versatility, and performance such as polarization and UV protection. We examined whether they fitted well and true to size, whether their frames could withstand sweating, and whether they could be worn for more than one occasion. This article was updated in July 2023.
Why Trust Us
At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.
For instance, we have a fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as the newest products in menswear. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear what their opinions are and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s fabric or materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.
Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan who actually know that polyester isn’t a breathable material, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, and designers—that we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.
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