Honorable Mentions
We’ve tried so many sunglasses that not every pair can take a top spot. Here are some of the many pairs we’ve tested over the years that didn’t quite make the cut:
Photograph: Ombraz
Ombraz Armless Sunglasses for $160: Ombraz has a recycled nylon cord that meets in the back with two strong beads. You pull the beads to tighten the fit and pull the cord to loosen it, but it shouldn’t come apart. That way, when you aren’t wearing them, you can let them dangle around your neck. They’re surprisingly comfortable and sturdy, with polarized lenses. I do wish they had cuter designs. These are a little 1970s. The company plants 20 trees for every pair of sunglasses sold and is part of the sustainability nonprofit 1% for the Planet.
Maho Tulum No. 5 for $150: Maho makes many attractive shade styles, but Tulum is our top pick. The round lenses are flattering, and the glasses are lightweight, less than 7 ounces. The best part, though, is the Zuma fit and retention system (which is also baked into other styles). The nose pads and earpieces feature grooved thermoplastic sections, which use Van der Waals forces to become grippier on wet surfaces. The sweatier you are, the more secure the sunglasses will be. They don’t slide down your nose or work themselves toward the ground when you’re running; they stay put. Maho has a warranty that covers damage for a flat $40—weirdly, it’s not valid if you purchased the glasses for more than a 40 percent discount.
Eco Belize Polarized Sunglasses for $150: Eco’s Belize sunglasses feature frames made from recycled metal, polarized lenses, and a robust build quality. They’re lightweight and comfortable, but there’s a heft to them that goes beyond weight; they have substance. They’ve survived being tossed around in my bag for a few months now without ever bending, warping, or breaking. The slightly blue-tinted lenses themselves do an excellent job of keeping my sensitive eyes comfortable in bright sunlight without making everything too dim. Plus, the polarization eliminates reflected light, so when you’re at the beach, the water becomes almost transparent.
Rheos Floating Sunglasses for $65: Sweat-resistant glasses are important, but if you’re bopping around in lakes or pools, you’ll want quality sunglasses that won’t sink to the bottom if they fall off. The polarized glasses in the Rheos x Southern Tide collection will stay at the surface. Plus, they’re treated with a hydrophobic coating to repel water while you swim. We tried the Faris frames, but between the six frames available and multiple color combinations for each, we think there’s a pair for every person and style. (You could also just put a neck strap on your old pair.)
Tens Sunglasses The Classic – Polarized for $158: Tens sunglasses are all about the ~vibes~. Developed by photographers, the lenses are available in five styles, all tinted to apply a filter to your field of view. The Original adds warmth, while Boulevard makes pink and violet hues pop. Each lens comes in multiple style options.
Le Specs Outta Love for $65: These are perfect classic sunglasses that feel well-made and come with a carrying pouch. This sunglasses brand has a ton of options for men and women, including a line of “alt fits” designed for those with wide faces, high cheekbones, or low nose bridges.
Tifosi Rail Sunglasses for $80: These sporty sunglasses aren’t polarized, but apart from that, they’re solid. They won’t fog when you’re running, and the lenses are interchangeable. The nose pads and earpieces repel water, so the glasses stay put in sweaty conditions.
SunGod Zephyrs for $140: F1 fans might expect McLaren driver Lando Norris to boast a perfect pair of $1,000 shades, but he wears these sleek roundish glasses that WIRED associate editor Parker Hall also loves. WIRED UK contributing editor Chris Haslam also recommends the Tokas for $90 which are light and universally flattering with superb clarity.
Costa Del Mar Lido Sunglasses for $234: These glasses have an unfortunate price, but they’re solid. WIRED senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson says that despite seeing Costa sunglasses in every fishing store, he’d never tried them until now, and he’s “regretting all those years I ignored them.” These Lido frames he’s been using are tack sharp and polarized to reduce glare on the water. His wife loves the Calderas, too.
Avoid These Sunglasses
Not every pair of sunglasses we test stands up to rigorous scrutiny. While they might look great online or in person, every one of the frames on this list missed the mark in some way or another, which makes them hard to recommend.
Aview Sunglasses for $75: These interchangeable-lens sunglasses use lenses that slide in and out of the frames, but after a while, the slot holding the lenses started to loosen a bit for us. The lenses never fell out, but they did jostle around quite a bit after a while.
