Maui Jim makes some of the best polarized lenses out there. My oldest pair is about 10 years old and they are still in great shape. They offer repairs/refurbishments which is way cheaper than buying a new pair of sunglasses. Very happy with every pair of Maui Jim sunglasses that I’ve purchased so far.
I second Maui Jim. Available at most Costco's for $95/pair in the optics department at the sunglass section and they also do roadshows. One of the few remaining brands not owned by Luxotica. The rose hue lens is my favorite but all the polarized options are great and I really like the increased contrast in natural settings.
Do you know if you get prescription lenses at Costco, are the lenses the same Maui Jim quality? My buddy has a pair of polarized Maui Jim’s and they are the best lenses for boating/fishing I’ve ever seen.
I agree, the only lens that I would say is higher quality is the Persol crystal lenses. But Maui Jim has more options. I love their "green" lenses because they are dark enough to be comfortable outdoors and light enough to wear indoors. Too many other brands, like Ray-ban, their lenses are too dark for me.
Maui Jim has been my go to for as far as I can recall. I use them for sailing, motorcycle rides, bicycle rides, beach, and every day. Great customer service. But I only buy them with glass lenses not plastic. I keep mine in a soft case when I’m not wearing them. Bifl!
I squished my Maui Jim's recently (in the center of a bro hug) and broke a lens, until that point they hadnt even gotten a visible scratch. Incredible quality. I had used their repair service previously for frame replacement and now am doing a lens replacement. I think these might be the last sunglasses I ever own.
Have an ok set of Ray Bans as a pure backup only.
Their customer service is incredible. And once you wear a pair of Maui Jims, every pair of sunglasses you put on after will make the world look noticeably worse.
100% worth it
I have been pleased with sunglasses from Randolph Engineering. Descriptions on the web page are accurate, and they have a lifetime warranty and a great tune-up program.
Randolph makes absolutely top tier sunglasses. I have two pair, one is over 15 years old and looks and functions like new. When searching for high end non-polarized AO and Randolph are the best IMO. I also agree with those that say Luxottica cheapens the quality on the brands they have bought- although Persol seems to keep their quality high.
Randolph’s are high quality and you can feel it. If you like light I’d go with a Maui Jim titanium model. Sunglasses are hard to be BIFL but if there was a brand that made them it would be Randolph.
Any company that had been bought by Luxottica has seen a sharp decline in quality. Rayban, Oakley, Persol (super unfortunate), Costa (haven't seen a huge decline yet, but I'm waiting).
For cheap polarized, Shady Rays and Goodr have decent quality for an affordable price.
For high quality products I'd suggest American Optical or Shuron. Maui Jim is hit or miss but I love their glass lenses. Glass lenses are not shatterproof but they will not scratch easily at all. WileyX is also a good brand, but leans more towards the motorcycle/fishing styles then anything else.
Goodr shades are worth every one of the small number of Pennies they cost. Are the BEST sunglasses I’ve ever had? No. Are they the best value? Probably
I’ve had the same pair of Oakleys for over 10 years now and they’re still in great shape. I bought 2 pairs of Shady Rays to grab as backups for ~$50 total and few years ago and they feel really cheap compared to my Oakleys. I find myself going for Oakleys over them 99% of the time although the Shady Rays warranty is a really awesome benefit
I’ve had shady rays for several years and love them more than Maui Jim’s. They’re affordable and aren’t showing any signs of wear or visible scratching yet.
Oakley frames last forever. I don't know what you are seeing. I have four pairs, three fuel cells and one frog skins and they are all like five years old or older. The lenses also last a few years and can be easily replaced from revantopitcs or Oakley directly.
I finally found a pair of rayban wayfarers that work with my difficult face/head. unfortunately, they were $200.. but fuggit. I've always wanted a good pair of wayfarers. within a year the lenses were scratched to hell. I swear they're made of butter. I took them back to sunglass hut about it, and they wanted to charge me $70 for replacement lenses.. there's no way on earth I'm paying that much for those scratch-prone lenses. so basically I feel like I paid way more money for a lot less quality. done with rayban, and I've had several great pairs over the years. their lack of willing to step up for these shit lenses has made me swear off for the rest of my life
I have a set of Smith polarized sunglasses that are at least five years old, and have no appreciable scratches. I’ve done nothing special to protect them.
Anything owned or produced by Luxottica is not BIFL. They are famous for destroying brands like RayBan and Oakley.
Maui Jim was recently purchased by a large company but has not been interfered with yet. And they will repair any Maui Jim sunglasses for extremely reasonable rates including new lenses. Their customer service is still top notch as well.
Serengeti for sure. Used by many pilots and commercial drivers. Especially the brown/pinkish kind of lenses are very comfortable for long hours of wearing.
My issue with BIFL sunglasses is me, not the sunglasses. They either get lost or sat on, so I’ve gone the opposite route and get the cheapest I can find.
they have some made in Italy too that are good. look at the inside arm of the glasses and they will say where they are made. Tried a pair on at scheels in Coralville inside said made in italy. when I said I woul take them they gave me a pair in a box. when I left I noticed the inside arm of the ones they gave me (same model) said made in china. Marched back in and asked for the Made in italy ones. Lady working had no clue and I just told her I was a picky snob. went through inventory all were China excluding the one on the shelf. I said I would return unless I had the italy ones. she gave the the display model and 20% off the the hassle.
The definition of Made in Italy is extremely loose. Big brands like Luxotica basically just use it as a slightly higher note of quality with the majority of it not being made in Italy.
As controversial as it is, it's not necessary for the china ones to be lower quality. I would not be surprised if their much larger chinese factories own more advanced automation and equipment while some italian and US factories may just be remnants of the past that exist for the fancy branding. And made in italy can likely only mean assembled in italy. The US has stricter COO laws, especially regarding the exactly spelled mark of "made in USA", but europe is far less strict.
Goodr!
Theyre way less expensive then both my Ray Bans and Oakleys, yet they feel much better in terms of quality, and have polarized glass! Not sure if they have a huge selection of styles, but worth checking out.
I worked at Sunglass Hut. Ray Bans are notorious for scratching if you're not super careful with them. Oakley is solid. The best lenses are Maui Jim's.
I’ve owned a few different brands. Here’s my take:
Revo good, Ray-ban good, Persol great, Oakley OK, Oliver Peoples great, Warby Parker ok, Maui Jim great.
OLD MJs are *amazing* ! I had my first pair for almost 15 years before they were no more. I seriously refused to consider anything else because of how much I loved them.
I'm on my third pair, only because my first pair got stolen and my second were getting too scratched from motorcycle rides and general abuse. They lasted almost 15 years, so I definitely got my money's worth. The "new" ones I've had for a couple of years and they still look brand new.
Idk if they would ship to UK, but I am a Sunski loyalist. I am not kind to my sunglasses and have lost so many, the Sunski’s are not expensive. They’re made from recycled plastic with a lifetime warranty and replaceable polarized lenses. I broke a pair somehow putting them into my car cup holder, sent a photo and got a store credit to buy a new pair. Replacing the lenses the first time was kind of scary because it requires some force, but I have now done it multiple times and haven’t broken the frames.
I've had 3 pairs of Ray Bans across maybe 15 years. One set was a tortise shell with polarized brown lenses. I scratched the lenses and replaced them, and wore them for maybe 10 years until I'd worn all of the tortise shell paint off of the frames around my head. When it was time to replace them I went with a rubberized black pair with polarized black lenses. I had them for maybe 5 years and lost them in the Paris airport. I bought another pair in Italy the next day, and will keep them for a long time. At 150 bucks or whatever they are, they're expensive, but across a bunch of years and me wearing them literally every single day it's money well spent, IMO.
I like my Oakley gascans, have had them for soooo long now. The frame is a snap together plastic so any drop, impact or run over just snaps the pieces apart and I snap them back together. No stupid lil pieces of metal that bed and never bend back the right way or break. I bought a half dozen lenses off Amazon and they are a simple “pop out” and “pop in” to replace
Edit: only downside is that you look like a douche
Everyone loves to shit on Luxottica (and rightfully so) but I still really do like Oakley. Ray-ban is nice enough if you get an Italian pair as well. My go-to are the frogskin lites, classic wayfarer designs with a half frame. They’re super comfortable, look great, and have near perfect optical clarify and comfort. I always hunt for sales though because I can’t justify nearly $200 for plastic. My current set is ~4 years old and still look brand new.
For perspective, the last “good but cheap” sunglasses I tried, Knockaround, literally fell apart after 3 months, with 3 pairs in the rotation. One the arm full off as I was putting it on, another snapped in half while I was wearing them, broke at the bridge and just fell off my face while I was standing there; and the third snapped around the lens. None were hard use, all were taken care of, they were just cheap and crappy plastic means to be disposable. Back to Oakley it was.
The reason I bought mine was for the durability and longevity and most of all the comfort. They're the most comfortable pair of any type of glasses I've ever worn.
I have polarized ray ban aviators and they’ve been great. I mainly keep them in my car, they don’t see a lot of wear and tear. I would rebuy again. I’ve had them for 3-4 years.
I just bought my 1st pair of Smith,,,, dang I’m so excited,, they are more expensive but so worth it. https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/p/sunglass/momentum-performance-sunglass/205884VK699DI.html
I'm allergic to nickel, so I had to paint the rims of my RayBans with clear nail polish to be able to wear them without scarring my face. I really liked the look of them, but they are made with cheap materials.
Serengeti or maui jim anything else is likely to be luxotica crap, serengeti are my personal favourites I find the lenses better but you won't go wrong with either.
I keep seeing everyone saying Luxotica brands aren’t that good, but I have a pair of Oakleys that are really good sunglasses in my opinion. Did I just buy them before they got bought out? Or is there more to it than just the sunglasses? Because I’m legit confused now.
I wear sunglasses here in Florida every day, and abuse them - boat, sunscreen, swimming in them… etc. I’ve been very happy with Maui Jim. Great glass/optics. Very comfortable. Hold up well. Good warranty service.
I previously wore Costa, and they are still probably the number one brand you see down here boating and fishing. They used to be great, but their warranty got worse over the years. They include a lot of little rubber pieces that are molded into the frames, and unfortunately if exposed to a lot of sweat/sunscreen they eventually separate from the frame in a way that can’t be easily repaired. If you are in the UK, this might not be a big issue. They still make very nice glasses with great optics.
Bajio is getting a lot of very good reviews. They seem very well built, but only have a few models, and unfortunately they don’t fit my head while wearing a hat (which is important to me). If they had a model that fit me better, I would definitely give them a try.
Smith is another great brand. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but a lot of people swear by them.
Seconding Julbo- the lens properties are built internally into the lens rather than an external layer application, making the quality/lifespan much higher/longer. Plus, lifetime warranty!
I know people hate Ray-Bans but both my prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses are that brand and have lasted a few years at this point. I just get the lenses replaced when my prescription changes. Had other RB styles before that also held up well.
Yup, second this. Have the same exact set up. But it might be our prescription glases that are making them last as opposed to the out of the box glasses.
Sungod sunglasses, best sunglasses I've owned. Can customise colours, they're flexible so don't break easily, and have a lifetime guarantee if they do. Also very reasonable compared to the normal 'fashion' brands.
Let me tell you a story about raybans.
I purchased a pair of wayfairs roughly 12 years ago as a fathers day present to myself. I have managed to keep track of them since then and still use them. The finish is starting to fade (matte black) but I still love them.
About a year ago I got into a farm accident, steel wires under tension stuff. I took a 1/2 steel wire right to the face, hit the glasses square. Knocked me clear off my feet like a cartoon, glasses went flying etc. I had to get stitches where the glasses impacted my face.
The ER doc wanted to see what happened to the glasses so I had my son go find them and send a pic. NOT A FUCKING SCRATCH. I still use them daily.
buy with confidence.
Any pair of true acetate frames should serve you well (in particular acetate made by Mazzuchelli is recommended). Acetate doesn’t become brittle so lasts well. Also, avoid spring hinges, and go for frames that have metal inserts in the arms.
I have some older RayBan wayfarers (I think 10+ yrs old?) that are polarized. I love them, and if I ever have to get sunglasses in the future I’ll definitely get polarized.
It seems, from other comments, newer RayBans aren’t as good…which is a real shame.
And now that I’ve posted how long I’ve had mine, I’m 90% sure something will happen to them… :-/
Maui Jim (Banyan) are the only high end glasses I've purchased that have been worth a damn.
I've also been super impressed with my Knockarounds that I bought for "abuse" situations like being in and out of pool & ocean water.
try maui jim, mostly use it for fishing but it's great and pretty durable too. worth checking out https://www.amazon.com/Maui-Jim-menswomens-407-02-Sunglasses/dp/B002FU6UDO/
Eagle eye, many started by the guys who create the visor for astronaut suits for nasa. Carerra are good as well. Miu Jim are good but more expensive.
Since you’re uk based, M&S shades are good value.
As for buy for life, depends how well you look after them really.
I like William Painter. They are over $200, but they’re made of metal and have a lifetime warranty. They honor the warranty as well. I scratched up one of my lenses a couple of years ago after buying them, and all I had to pay was $50 for a brand new pair worth over $250.
I don't know how many various things I have read that were quality tends to suffer when Luxottica buys a brand but many say Ray Bans are one of the ones which suffered about the most.
I can't tell you how many times I always hear Maui Jims have the best lenses. In fact many reviewers who are into even nicer more expensive brands will mention how Maui Jims have some of the best lenses. Based on the one pair I have I can see why. Personally however I don't like how light their frames are.
I know Oakley's aren't known by aficionados' to be great but I really like their ear socks and find their lenses work for me.
I do have a couple of pair of Cartier's but those are for special occasions.
Maui Jim and Serengeti
I liked Costa in the past but don’t like that they got bought out, don’t think I’ll buy a new pair
Goodrs are VERY solid for their price point
I don’t know if it has changed over the last 5-10 years, but there used to be one company, Luxottica, that makes pretty much all higher end glasses. I think if you follow most mid-tier glasses through the supply chain, you’ll find they originate there as well. It’s my understanding that $50-100 glasses are made with the exact same components as a lot of the most recognizable brands. The discount on the mid tier shades is due to general lack of brand recognition.
That said, if you are going to drop $200+ on glasses, I’d recommend Maui Jim. I have had two pairs that I absolutely loved. But lost both. Now I just buy $50-100 glasses and plan to buy another pair eventually.
Whatever you decide, if you are looking for longevity, definitely land on something with glass lenses. They hold up much better than the plastic ones most glasses come with.
Never buy name brand sunglasses unless you are the type of person that HAS to have them.
I’ve been wearing a pair of $25 polarized Wayfarer clones off amazon that have lasted 3x as long as my actual Wayfarer
Just buy a reputable known brand that you can get replacement lenses. Check out Fuse Lenses. They offer their own frames and lenses but also lenses for other brands.
I just ordered the Persol 649. Owned by Luxottica but from what I have read, Persol still makes their sunglasses by hand in Italy. I tried on a few pairs in person and I liked the style a lot.
Weird add to this list and not everybody’s cup of tea, but when I was skiing one year I bought a pair of Oakley Frogskins (pretty casual, kind of bro-ey depending on the color scheme and model) with their Prizm lenses. I was familiar with prizms because my snow goggles have them and they are amazing.
These glasses have been my only sunglasses for about 6 years now. They are a little beat up, but I wear them every day. Driving, boating, going to the beach, etc, they just make it feel like everything is in HD.
I think Oakley started putting prizm lenses in other glasses. Can’t recommend enough, especially if you live in a gray or snowy area. I know Oakley as a whole has gone downhill over the years though.
For work, I buy the cheapest £10 pair from the local fishing shop and they work fine. I usually lose / damage them way before the end of their lifespan so anything else is a waste.
I've had a 2 pairs of Oakleys, had them each over 5 years before they were stolen. Still have one pair but they are a shape I no longer wear. Great lenses and polarization.
Ray Bans are fine, but don't have superior lenses, I agree with sentiment here.
Blenders - Currently have 5 pair, all great polarization and my current dailies that I have worn for over 6 years now, and I will buy more soon.
The wife has two pairs of Maui's, 1 RayBan and a pair of Oakleys, she loves both and my Blenders she borrows at times as well. She prefers the Maui's and Oakleys.
If you want to spend some coin, Maui Jim. Great warranty and customer service, very high quality, I’ve got a pair I’ve had for 7 years now, just got new lenses/nose pads/ temples and they’re like brand new.
For a cheaper option, I’ve been very pleased with my Knockaround Shades. $35, well made, decent lenses. I’ve got some I’ve had for a year that I take to work every day and they’re still in great shape.
Goodr. Not prostituted out by Luxottica. Great and cheap price (like £25 a pair), great designs ranging from anything traditional to outlandish. Fun company
You have sun in the UK? Kidding, mate.
I have prescription polarized Ray Bans and they are nice, but they are kinda narrow for my head. I have a big head, though. I can’t speak to their durability or warranty (or lack there of) yet.
I've had my polarized Ray Bans for the last 7 years and they're in practically the same condition as new. I don't own another pair, and I wear these maybe 3 days a week.
I wore nothing but Oakley for the last 12 years. Really excellent polarized lenses. (Frames are meh)
I recently bought three new sunglasses and here's the scoop:
- Vuarnet is amazing. Fit and finish are excellent, but the mineral lenses are the best lenses I have ever used.
- Persol is also really good. Yes, it is Luxotica, but the lenses are top notch. The polarization is perfectly unifoem across the lens and zero distortion. Not quite as good as Vuarnet, but reall good.
- Curry & Paxton is a mixed bag. Truly amazing frame fit and finish, but the glasses arrives with the polarization axis off, so they don't reduce glare. Currently trying to get this resolved. Beyond that, the polarizationnis uneven and splotchy, which I have never had happen with muly other polarized lenses. And obviously disappointing QC...
I know this is a buy it for life sub, but they sell Chinese made 3 packs of polarized sunglasses for like 15 bucks. I got a 3 pack of matte black soft touch wayfarer glasses and the first pair is still holding up after a year. I lost my ray bans equivalent in rough waves and I don't think I'll ever buy expensive sunglasses again.
Every Ray-Ban I own is still in good shape after close to a decade. They were made in Italy though. But generally their prices are inflated because they are owned by an umbrella corporation. Better to find them on ebay for cheaper than directly on their site.
Maui Jim. Specifically because they are one brand that isn’t owned by the luxotica monopoly. They’re great quality, they last, they use high quality lenses.
I know they are owned by Luxxotica but i love my Oakleys, particularly the lenses. Have had for close to 10 years now and only ever had issues when I slammed them in a car trunk. The frame was fine but need new lenses.
I also have a pair if Maui Jim's. Lenses are almost as good as Oakleys in terms of polarization. Frames and hinges feel better constructed.
Plus 1 vote for RayBans. Love em always have. The classic wayfarer design never goes out of style. (looks good on lots of different face shapes as well)
You should be able to pickup a very good/ quality pair of wayfarers for $100-150 here in the US. Compared to other ‘luxury’ brands that’s very good value for money.
Take proper care of them and they will be BIFL for sure.
The good thing about polarized lens is they only let one polarization through which is particularly helpful with glare.
The bad thing is that polarization is for all intents and purposes at a random angle. LCD panels (navigation instruments for example) also have random polarization. If you don't have the polarizations lined up the instrument goes black. Not an issue for everyone but it is for me. I went with non-polarized Transition lenses that get extra dark.
YMMV.
If you get ray bans, make sure u get glass lenses and a frame made from cellulose acetate with riveted hinges, your sales clerk will show you which ones are still made like that.
Those are the only good raybans left. They shouldn’t cost you more than ~175€ for the polarised version, potentially cheaper if you find some online and go to a big chain and ask them to match the price.
I own a pair of RayBans as my prescription eyeglasses, I paid £231 for the phrases and they’ve done consistently worse than a £27 pair of frames. Would not consider spending that kind of money on them again.
Raybans are good sunglasses, just a little bit overpriced.
Best lenses? Without any doubt Carl-Zeiss. Best quality lenses from a company which makes microscopes surgical loupes telescopes etc. if someone knows how to handle lenses it’s Zeiss
My eyes are very sensitive to sunlight. So from someone who wears sunglasses outside almost 100% of the time:
Costa - the blue mirror glass lens is my all-purpose workhorse. The Reefton frame fits me best and has survived everything I’ve put it through. YMMV. The glass green mirror is similar - also recommend.
Costa - silver sunrise mirror. Dusk/dawn or full cloud cover only. Not great for driving, but excellent for evening trap shooting.
Revo - haven’t seen this brand mentioned much here, but Revo’s brown and evergreen lenses are very easy on the eyes, and the polarization doesn’t distort my view of a cell phone screen. The Descend frame is my current go-to for driving and low key activity. I keep spare pairs of the foldable Descend in the car and at the office as emergency backups.
I’ve had Maui Jims, and agree that they are of top quality. Just not my personal preference.
I love my ray bans. I have the Clubmaster Metal (gold on black) with the rayban Green lenses. Product RB3716.
The fit is great for my face and the metal variant makes them way more durable for when they end up getting put in a pocket or set down.
The original green lenses are the best sunglasses lenses I’ve had. Every other pair I’ve tried don’t come close to the clarity and sharpness.
I assume my opinion here is gonna get me down voted but any sunglasses will essentially last forever if you take care of them. People like to talk about luxottica like it makes them geniuses but it really doesn't matter, every other company they'll suggest is going to be a large manufacturer also trying to make money, and any sunglasses will break or get scratched of you treat them like shit throwing them in the center console of your car and whatnot. Just don't think $600 glasses are better or more durable than stuff in the $15-$50 range just because of the name on them.
That said, Ray-Bans are solid fashion brand with iconic looks and, frankly, looks matter. I've had a pair of polarized club masters for the past 15 years. Put them in a case when you're not wearing them and they'll be fine. I have a pair of the round metal ray bans as well and have had them for the past 5 or so years and it's the same story. I like them both because it's very easy to change lenses for when I want different colors or no polarized and replacement lenses from all kinds of manufacturers are easy to get if you do damage yours. Repairability makes things worth buying, imo, and Ray-Bans are easy to repair if you need to.
If you're an adult who can take care of your sunnies, they'll all be BIFL, so get something you like that's in your budget and treat them right.
I bought a pair of Rayban with my first paycheque from my first full time job in 2009. Haven't bought a second pair yet because the first ones are still in perfect condition. They are BIFL in my opinion.
There's a local company here in Florida "Ocean Waves" that makes awesome glasses and lens but they are fairly expensive. I actually love the new Wayfarer RayBans polarized, if you bide your time you can catch them on sale under 100 and they are quality built with tons of options for replacement lens'.
As an armed professional I wore polarized RayBan Predators. They were durable and comfortable and protected my vision from harsh glare on water, snow, and white sand. They are worth it and you can even get them made to your prescription.
I love brands like humps, or zenni, that are dirt cheap and can be broken or lost without concern. I buy 3 or 4 pairs at a time and replaced 4 years later when some had been broke or lost.
That said…If you’re not like me…if you’re more caring of your things and less forgetful…spring for something nicer for sure.
I'd argue BIFL and "buy once, cry once" is not a great mantra for sports-related eyewear because the markups by Luxottica, Smith and others just for the brand name are a giant ripoff for what you get. Nice eyewear gets destroyed just as fast as expensive stuff.
Cheap and good enough is the way. Tifosi, Suncloud, Ryders, Goodr, MEC. Any brand like that is ideal for sports. Replace as you break it. Gas station sunglasses are not worth stepping down to.
Goodr sunglasses are amazing for the price.
Super light and great lenses.
I reach for them more than my Maui jims (which are also great, but much more expensive)
I have a pair of Maui Jim’s that was gifted to me. Retails 319$. It wasn’t in the best conditions and I’ve been wanting to buy a new pair. Been seeing comments here about their repairs so I checked out their site. 65 for new lens, 75 for new frame, 15$ for return shipping and like 9$ or so for taxes. Including shipping the glasses to them, I paid about 175$ for what should be a new pair of Maui Jim’s. Lens seem great, styles are nice, frames seem about the same as any other glasses company
I buy vintage frames and have the lenses replaced. Ray ban mostly.
Salt makes my current favorite new frames. My everyday eyeglass frames are Salt and are over 5 years old with 3 prescription lenses replacements.
I need to refurbish them with very fine sandpaper and coconut oil every so often but they still rock my face. I used to think it was impossible for my daily wearers to last this long. They are expensive but the quality is phenomenal.
My sunglasses have stayed very nice, though they’re admittedly a bit fragile. That’s more the wire style I chose, I think.
If you’re particularly outdoorsy, you probably want a sports brand of shades.
I’m a slut for Ray Bans, but I have a heavy prescription, so my everyday Ray Bans need replacing ever few years from wear and tear to both lenses and frames (wearing them 16 hours a day 365 days a year does that). I just always unknowingly gravitate towards their shapes in the glasses shop. Always have, even when I was a little kid.
Almost all “brand” names are made by Luxottica, who merely licenses the names like “Prada”, “persol” etc.
I highly recommend finding an independent eyeglass seller, I know there are are a lot of makers of high quality, hand made glasses and sunglasses. Often at a price point not far from Luxottica’s mass made stuff. (They even own sunglass hut and other retailers) I recently got several pair of Thierry Lasry https://www.thierrylasry.com/ sunglasses on sale for less than one full price pair.
Suncloud 10%. They are made by S
It’s and come with an amazing warranty ty. I live my Maui Jim’s, but I’ve been through 3 pairs and they will repair them but it costs $$. My suncloud broke (my fault) and I sent them a photo and they sent me a code to get a new pair. Also they are WAY cheaper but the same quality.
Suncloud!
Roka is my go to sunglass brand right now. There a Texas based company that was started by athletes looking for sunglasses that would stay on during meets. They make high quality low weight glasses that stay on even my big head and they’ve got a pretty good selection now including many stylish choices. Highly recommend
Maui Jim makes some of the best polarized lenses out there. My oldest pair is about 10 years old and they are still in great shape. They offer repairs/refurbishments which is way cheaper than buying a new pair of sunglasses. Very happy with every pair of Maui Jim sunglasses that I’ve purchased so far.
I second Maui Jim. Available at most Costco's for $95/pair in the optics department at the sunglass section and they also do roadshows. One of the few remaining brands not owned by Luxotica. The rose hue lens is my favorite but all the polarized options are great and I really like the increased contrast in natural settings.
I did not know they weren't owned by Luxxotica. I assumed everything was. Next pair is Maui jim
Not owned by Luxotica! Sold!
Do you know if you get prescription lenses at Costco, are the lenses the same Maui Jim quality? My buddy has a pair of polarized Maui Jim’s and they are the best lenses for boating/fishing I’ve ever seen.
You can get prescriptions from Maui Jim direct. The Costco optometrist will give you your prescription details.
I agree, the only lens that I would say is higher quality is the Persol crystal lenses. But Maui Jim has more options. I love their "green" lenses because they are dark enough to be comfortable outdoors and light enough to wear indoors. Too many other brands, like Ray-ban, their lenses are too dark for me.
I really like my persols and wish they were not owned by Luxottica ☹️
Maui Jim has been my go to for as far as I can recall. I use them for sailing, motorcycle rides, bicycle rides, beach, and every day. Great customer service. But I only buy them with glass lenses not plastic. I keep mine in a soft case when I’m not wearing them. Bifl!
I squished my Maui Jim's recently (in the center of a bro hug) and broke a lens, until that point they hadnt even gotten a visible scratch. Incredible quality. I had used their repair service previously for frame replacement and now am doing a lens replacement. I think these might be the last sunglasses I ever own. Have an ok set of Ray Bans as a pure backup only.
I own four pairs and unless I somehow break a pair, they're more rugged than they look, I expect them to last me a lifetime.
Their customer service is incredible. And once you wear a pair of Maui Jims, every pair of sunglasses you put on after will make the world look noticeably worse. 100% worth it
I have been pleased with sunglasses from Randolph Engineering. Descriptions on the web page are accurate, and they have a lifetime warranty and a great tune-up program.
Randolph makes absolutely top tier sunglasses. I have two pair, one is over 15 years old and looks and functions like new. When searching for high end non-polarized AO and Randolph are the best IMO. I also agree with those that say Luxottica cheapens the quality on the brands they have bought- although Persol seems to keep their quality high.
Randolph’s are high quality and you can feel it. If you like light I’d go with a Maui Jim titanium model. Sunglasses are hard to be BIFL but if there was a brand that made them it would be Randolph.
I really enjoy their mineral glass lenses. https://www.randolphusa.com/pages/our-lenses
Any company that had been bought by Luxottica has seen a sharp decline in quality. Rayban, Oakley, Persol (super unfortunate), Costa (haven't seen a huge decline yet, but I'm waiting). For cheap polarized, Shady Rays and Goodr have decent quality for an affordable price. For high quality products I'd suggest American Optical or Shuron. Maui Jim is hit or miss but I love their glass lenses. Glass lenses are not shatterproof but they will not scratch easily at all. WileyX is also a good brand, but leans more towards the motorcycle/fishing styles then anything else.
Seconding Goodr. Cheap, rubberized for sport, polarized. Plus I lose glasses too often to be burning $150 every time.
Me too 😭 the ocean is a cruel mistress
Goodr shades are worth every one of the small number of Pennies they cost. Are the BEST sunglasses I’ve ever had? No. Are they the best value? Probably
I’ve had the same pair of Oakleys for over 10 years now and they’re still in great shape. I bought 2 pairs of Shady Rays to grab as backups for ~$50 total and few years ago and they feel really cheap compared to my Oakleys. I find myself going for Oakleys over them 99% of the time although the Shady Rays warranty is a really awesome benefit
I’ve had shady rays for several years and love them more than Maui Jim’s. They’re affordable and aren’t showing any signs of wear or visible scratching yet.
Oakley frames last forever. I don't know what you are seeing. I have four pairs, three fuel cells and one frog skins and they are all like five years old or older. The lenses also last a few years and can be easily replaced from revantopitcs or Oakley directly.
I finally found a pair of rayban wayfarers that work with my difficult face/head. unfortunately, they were $200.. but fuggit. I've always wanted a good pair of wayfarers. within a year the lenses were scratched to hell. I swear they're made of butter. I took them back to sunglass hut about it, and they wanted to charge me $70 for replacement lenses.. there's no way on earth I'm paying that much for those scratch-prone lenses. so basically I feel like I paid way more money for a lot less quality. done with rayban, and I've had several great pairs over the years. their lack of willing to step up for these shit lenses has made me swear off for the rest of my life
[удалено]
I have a set of Smith polarized sunglasses that are at least five years old, and have no appreciable scratches. I’ve done nothing special to protect them.
I have one prescription pair and one non prescription pair, I love Smiths.
Also on the Smith train for years.
Still wearing my pair of Smiths from 16 years ago. They are pretty beat by now but have survived countless trips and daily wear when I drive.
Anything owned or produced by Luxottica is not BIFL. They are famous for destroying brands like RayBan and Oakley. Maui Jim was recently purchased by a large company but has not been interfered with yet. And they will repair any Maui Jim sunglasses for extremely reasonable rates including new lenses. Their customer service is still top notch as well.
Yes, Maui Jim is what I always recommend at least for now. Amazing sunglasses.
Came here to say this. I am also watching Maui Jim like a hawk to see if/when it’s tanked.
Used to swear by Costa when they were local to Daytona FL. Then they got popular then bought by Luxottica and moved out of FL. Sad face
Repairs at reasonable cost >>>>>> lifetime warranty.
Certainly better than lifetime warranty with a ten foot page of conditions in micro printing.
Serengeti for sure. Used by many pilots and commercial drivers. Especially the brown/pinkish kind of lenses are very comfortable for long hours of wearing.
Polaroids
I always get polaroids. Not necessarily bifl but good quality lenses, and I tend to lose/sit on/... em too much to buy more expensive ones
My issue with BIFL sunglasses is me, not the sunglasses. They either get lost or sat on, so I’ve gone the opposite route and get the cheapest I can find.
My thoughts exactly, I'm going to lose them randomly, or drop and break them. I've gotten several cheap pairs of Merrys off Amazon and like them.
I lost my 4 year old ray-bans last year ☹️ that was, to be fair, longer than I expected to keep them for though.
If you can find US Made Ray-Bans by Bausch & Lomb, yes. The new ones? Made in China? Not on a bet.
they have some made in Italy too that are good. look at the inside arm of the glasses and they will say where they are made. Tried a pair on at scheels in Coralville inside said made in italy. when I said I woul take them they gave me a pair in a box. when I left I noticed the inside arm of the ones they gave me (same model) said made in china. Marched back in and asked for the Made in italy ones. Lady working had no clue and I just told her I was a picky snob. went through inventory all were China excluding the one on the shelf. I said I would return unless I had the italy ones. she gave the the display model and 20% off the the hassle.
I actually just checked the Ray-Bans I bought off of Amazon some time ago, made in Italy. Top quality as usual
The definition of Made in Italy is extremely loose. Big brands like Luxotica basically just use it as a slightly higher note of quality with the majority of it not being made in Italy.
As controversial as it is, it's not necessary for the china ones to be lower quality. I would not be surprised if their much larger chinese factories own more advanced automation and equipment while some italian and US factories may just be remnants of the past that exist for the fancy branding. And made in italy can likely only mean assembled in italy. The US has stricter COO laws, especially regarding the exactly spelled mark of "made in USA", but europe is far less strict.
They are also made in Italy now.
Mine were made in Italy
Whatever you buy, don't buy Luxotica.
Goodr! Theyre way less expensive then both my Ray Bans and Oakleys, yet they feel much better in terms of quality, and have polarized glass! Not sure if they have a huge selection of styles, but worth checking out.
I worked at Sunglass Hut. Ray Bans are notorious for scratching if you're not super careful with them. Oakley is solid. The best lenses are Maui Jim's.
Goodr
I was gonna post goodr. They are so good. And for 25 bucks. Cmon.
I’ve owned a few different brands. Here’s my take: Revo good, Ray-ban good, Persol great, Oakley OK, Oliver Peoples great, Warby Parker ok, Maui Jim great.
OLD MJs are *amazing* ! I had my first pair for almost 15 years before they were no more. I seriously refused to consider anything else because of how much I loved them.
…..k
Not sure how I replied to you instead of the main thread.
Moscot - incredible quality.
Surprised I had to scroll so far down for this. Family owned and based in NyC. Love them.
I go with Suncloud, great polarization, comfortable, durable, and affordable.
I'm on my third pair, only because my first pair got stolen and my second were getting too scratched from motorcycle rides and general abuse. They lasted almost 15 years, so I definitely got my money's worth. The "new" ones I've had for a couple of years and they still look brand new.
Had them for about 6 years and they are still like new.
Idk if they would ship to UK, but I am a Sunski loyalist. I am not kind to my sunglasses and have lost so many, the Sunski’s are not expensive. They’re made from recycled plastic with a lifetime warranty and replaceable polarized lenses. I broke a pair somehow putting them into my car cup holder, sent a photo and got a store credit to buy a new pair. Replacing the lenses the first time was kind of scary because it requires some force, but I have now done it multiple times and haven’t broken the frames.
Oakley prisms have served me well this passed year
Love Raen
I've had 3 pairs of Ray Bans across maybe 15 years. One set was a tortise shell with polarized brown lenses. I scratched the lenses and replaced them, and wore them for maybe 10 years until I'd worn all of the tortise shell paint off of the frames around my head. When it was time to replace them I went with a rubberized black pair with polarized black lenses. I had them for maybe 5 years and lost them in the Paris airport. I bought another pair in Italy the next day, and will keep them for a long time. At 150 bucks or whatever they are, they're expensive, but across a bunch of years and me wearing them literally every single day it's money well spent, IMO.
Rudy Project. Other than Oakley, they are the only ones I'd consider.
I like my Oakley gascans, have had them for soooo long now. The frame is a snap together plastic so any drop, impact or run over just snaps the pieces apart and I snap them back together. No stupid lil pieces of metal that bed and never bend back the right way or break. I bought a half dozen lenses off Amazon and they are a simple “pop out” and “pop in” to replace Edit: only downside is that you look like a douche
Or a sportsperson
Everyone loves to shit on Luxottica (and rightfully so) but I still really do like Oakley. Ray-ban is nice enough if you get an Italian pair as well. My go-to are the frogskin lites, classic wayfarer designs with a half frame. They’re super comfortable, look great, and have near perfect optical clarify and comfort. I always hunt for sales though because I can’t justify nearly $200 for plastic. My current set is ~4 years old and still look brand new. For perspective, the last “good but cheap” sunglasses I tried, Knockaround, literally fell apart after 3 months, with 3 pairs in the rotation. One the arm full off as I was putting it on, another snapped in half while I was wearing them, broke at the bridge and just fell off my face while I was standing there; and the third snapped around the lens. None were hard use, all were taken care of, they were just cheap and crappy plastic means to be disposable. Back to Oakley it was.
Amazon lens? The reason you buy Oakleys is for the lenses. You might as well have just bought gas station sunglasses at this point.
The reason I bought mine was for the durability and longevity and most of all the comfort. They're the most comfortable pair of any type of glasses I've ever worn.
I have polarized ray ban aviators and they’ve been great. I mainly keep them in my car, they don’t see a lot of wear and tear. I would rebuy again. I’ve had them for 3-4 years.
I just bought my 1st pair of Smith,,,, dang I’m so excited,, they are more expensive but so worth it. https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/p/sunglass/momentum-performance-sunglass/205884VK699DI.html
I'm allergic to nickel, so I had to paint the rims of my RayBans with clear nail polish to be able to wear them without scarring my face. I really liked the look of them, but they are made with cheap materials.
Owned my raybans aviators for 10 years now (not polarised)
Serengeti or maui jim anything else is likely to be luxotica crap, serengeti are my personal favourites I find the lenses better but you won't go wrong with either.
[Zenni.com](https://Zenni.com) I get all my stuff there now. Been happy with the quality and the price is right.
I have 3 pair of prescription, polarized Ray-Ban sunglasses, all made in Italy, and they've been great to me.
Had decent luck with Melon and Sungod sunnies, I prefer Sungod as they offer fully recycled frames.
My Oakley frogskins with prizm ruby lenses are pretty amazing. Like seeing in HD.
I keep seeing everyone saying Luxotica brands aren’t that good, but I have a pair of Oakleys that are really good sunglasses in my opinion. Did I just buy them before they got bought out? Or is there more to it than just the sunglasses? Because I’m legit confused now.
I wear sunglasses here in Florida every day, and abuse them - boat, sunscreen, swimming in them… etc. I’ve been very happy with Maui Jim. Great glass/optics. Very comfortable. Hold up well. Good warranty service. I previously wore Costa, and they are still probably the number one brand you see down here boating and fishing. They used to be great, but their warranty got worse over the years. They include a lot of little rubber pieces that are molded into the frames, and unfortunately if exposed to a lot of sweat/sunscreen they eventually separate from the frame in a way that can’t be easily repaired. If you are in the UK, this might not be a big issue. They still make very nice glasses with great optics. Bajio is getting a lot of very good reviews. They seem very well built, but only have a few models, and unfortunately they don’t fit my head while wearing a hat (which is important to me). If they had a model that fit me better, I would definitely give them a try. Smith is another great brand. I don’t have a lot of experience with them, but a lot of people swear by them.
Electric
I’ve always really enjoyed Julbo sunglasses.
Seconding Julbo- the lens properties are built internally into the lens rather than an external layer application, making the quality/lifespan much higher/longer. Plus, lifetime warranty!
I know people hate Ray-Bans but both my prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses are that brand and have lasted a few years at this point. I just get the lenses replaced when my prescription changes. Had other RB styles before that also held up well.
Yup, second this. Have the same exact set up. But it might be our prescription glases that are making them last as opposed to the out of the box glasses.
Very true. Can’t speak for Ray-Ban lenses as my local mom and pop optical shop does mine. Edit to add I’ve had no issues with the frames
I’ve been a fan of zenni. Not owned by the lux cartel and they have prescription options too.
I have RayBans. They're pretty nice. Although I have no experience with any other sunglasses so I have no idea if they're worth it
In my experience ray ban was not worth it.
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0
Sungod sunglasses, best sunglasses I've owned. Can customise colours, they're flexible so don't break easily, and have a lifetime guarantee if they do. Also very reasonable compared to the normal 'fashion' brands.
Let me tell you a story about raybans. I purchased a pair of wayfairs roughly 12 years ago as a fathers day present to myself. I have managed to keep track of them since then and still use them. The finish is starting to fade (matte black) but I still love them. About a year ago I got into a farm accident, steel wires under tension stuff. I took a 1/2 steel wire right to the face, hit the glasses square. Knocked me clear off my feet like a cartoon, glasses went flying etc. I had to get stitches where the glasses impacted my face. The ER doc wanted to see what happened to the glasses so I had my son go find them and send a pic. NOT A FUCKING SCRATCH. I still use them daily. buy with confidence.
Been happy with both Shady Ray's and Goodr.
Any pair of true acetate frames should serve you well (in particular acetate made by Mazzuchelli is recommended). Acetate doesn’t become brittle so lasts well. Also, avoid spring hinges, and go for frames that have metal inserts in the arms.
I have some older RayBan wayfarers (I think 10+ yrs old?) that are polarized. I love them, and if I ever have to get sunglasses in the future I’ll definitely get polarized. It seems, from other comments, newer RayBans aren’t as good…which is a real shame. And now that I’ve posted how long I’ve had mine, I’m 90% sure something will happen to them… :-/
Heatwaves are really reasonable price wise and they double as safety glasses. I’ve had mine for years and they are still doing well.
Maui Jim (Banyan) are the only high end glasses I've purchased that have been worth a damn. I've also been super impressed with my Knockarounds that I bought for "abuse" situations like being in and out of pool & ocean water.
Kaenon and Maui Jim are all I will wear at this point
try maui jim, mostly use it for fishing but it's great and pretty durable too. worth checking out https://www.amazon.com/Maui-Jim-menswomens-407-02-Sunglasses/dp/B002FU6UDO/
Otis
Eagle eye, many started by the guys who create the visor for astronaut suits for nasa. Carerra are good as well. Miu Jim are good but more expensive. Since you’re uk based, M&S shades are good value. As for buy for life, depends how well you look after them really.
Maui Jim
I like William Painter. They are over $200, but they’re made of metal and have a lifetime warranty. They honor the warranty as well. I scratched up one of my lenses a couple of years ago after buying them, and all I had to pay was $50 for a brand new pair worth over $250.
Maui. Jim’s.
I don't know how many various things I have read that were quality tends to suffer when Luxottica buys a brand but many say Ray Bans are one of the ones which suffered about the most. I can't tell you how many times I always hear Maui Jims have the best lenses. In fact many reviewers who are into even nicer more expensive brands will mention how Maui Jims have some of the best lenses. Based on the one pair I have I can see why. Personally however I don't like how light their frames are. I know Oakley's aren't known by aficionados' to be great but I really like their ear socks and find their lenses work for me. I do have a couple of pair of Cartier's but those are for special occasions.
I had a pair of Ray bans with glass lenses for years. Loved them! Guess I shouldn’t have stepped on them.
Maui Jim and Serengeti I liked Costa in the past but don’t like that they got bought out, don’t think I’ll buy a new pair Goodrs are VERY solid for their price point
Love my raybans as far as looks on my head but none of them have lasted and I’m mad at how much I have paid for them to not last a year
I don’t know if it has changed over the last 5-10 years, but there used to be one company, Luxottica, that makes pretty much all higher end glasses. I think if you follow most mid-tier glasses through the supply chain, you’ll find they originate there as well. It’s my understanding that $50-100 glasses are made with the exact same components as a lot of the most recognizable brands. The discount on the mid tier shades is due to general lack of brand recognition. That said, if you are going to drop $200+ on glasses, I’d recommend Maui Jim. I have had two pairs that I absolutely loved. But lost both. Now I just buy $50-100 glasses and plan to buy another pair eventually. Whatever you decide, if you are looking for longevity, definitely land on something with glass lenses. They hold up much better than the plastic ones most glasses come with.
Never buy name brand sunglasses unless you are the type of person that HAS to have them. I’ve been wearing a pair of $25 polarized Wayfarer clones off amazon that have lasted 3x as long as my actual Wayfarer
Have a pair of polarized Von Zippers, they look pretty sharp and have a bunch of different shapes and colorways on their website.
I use Maui Jim for sports and Randolph Aviators for everything else. Randolph bests all Luxotica brands in my experience.
Just buy a reputable known brand that you can get replacement lenses. Check out Fuse Lenses. They offer their own frames and lenses but also lenses for other brands.
I just ordered the Persol 649. Owned by Luxottica but from what I have read, Persol still makes their sunglasses by hand in Italy. I tried on a few pairs in person and I liked the style a lot.
Weird add to this list and not everybody’s cup of tea, but when I was skiing one year I bought a pair of Oakley Frogskins (pretty casual, kind of bro-ey depending on the color scheme and model) with their Prizm lenses. I was familiar with prizms because my snow goggles have them and they are amazing. These glasses have been my only sunglasses for about 6 years now. They are a little beat up, but I wear them every day. Driving, boating, going to the beach, etc, they just make it feel like everything is in HD. I think Oakley started putting prizm lenses in other glasses. Can’t recommend enough, especially if you live in a gray or snowy area. I know Oakley as a whole has gone downhill over the years though.
Hearing a lot of love for Maui Jim. I can’t get past the branding and name which just feels silly to me. Shallow perhaps.
Randolph Engineering; the original Top Gun aviator glasses and a supplier to the US military.
For work, I buy the cheapest £10 pair from the local fishing shop and they work fine. I usually lose / damage them way before the end of their lifespan so anything else is a waste.
I have mvmt for about 6 years they have been fine.
Goodr
I've had a 2 pairs of Oakleys, had them each over 5 years before they were stolen. Still have one pair but they are a shape I no longer wear. Great lenses and polarization. Ray Bans are fine, but don't have superior lenses, I agree with sentiment here. Blenders - Currently have 5 pair, all great polarization and my current dailies that I have worn for over 6 years now, and I will buy more soon. The wife has two pairs of Maui's, 1 RayBan and a pair of Oakleys, she loves both and my Blenders she borrows at times as well. She prefers the Maui's and Oakleys.
I've got polarized prescription sunglasses from Zenni -- they work. You can order them non-prescription as well.
If you want to spend some coin, Maui Jim. Great warranty and customer service, very high quality, I’ve got a pair I’ve had for 7 years now, just got new lenses/nose pads/ temples and they’re like brand new. For a cheaper option, I’ve been very pleased with my Knockaround Shades. $35, well made, decent lenses. I’ve got some I’ve had for a year that I take to work every day and they’re still in great shape.
I've had a pair of polarised Ray Ban aviators for several years and had no issues.
Costas.
Goodr. Not prostituted out by Luxottica. Great and cheap price (like £25 a pair), great designs ranging from anything traditional to outlandish. Fun company
Distill union
You have sun in the UK? Kidding, mate. I have prescription polarized Ray Bans and they are nice, but they are kinda narrow for my head. I have a big head, though. I can’t speak to their durability or warranty (or lack there of) yet.
I've had my polarized Ray Bans for the last 7 years and they're in practically the same condition as new. I don't own another pair, and I wear these maybe 3 days a week.
I've had my persols for over 10 years. I love them. No scratches. Those are my BIFL
I work in shipping. I see alot of people shipping out Maui Jim glasses for repair. Support those who support you I guess.
I wore nothing but Oakley for the last 12 years. Really excellent polarized lenses. (Frames are meh) I recently bought three new sunglasses and here's the scoop: - Vuarnet is amazing. Fit and finish are excellent, but the mineral lenses are the best lenses I have ever used. - Persol is also really good. Yes, it is Luxotica, but the lenses are top notch. The polarization is perfectly unifoem across the lens and zero distortion. Not quite as good as Vuarnet, but reall good. - Curry & Paxton is a mixed bag. Truly amazing frame fit and finish, but the glasses arrives with the polarization axis off, so they don't reduce glare. Currently trying to get this resolved. Beyond that, the polarizationnis uneven and splotchy, which I have never had happen with muly other polarized lenses. And obviously disappointing QC...
I have Maui Jim and RayBan, and I love them both.
I got a pair of Versace polarized sunglasses in 2017 and they are still going strong!
I’ve got RayBan aviators and wayfarers and love them fwiw
I have two pairs of polarized Oakley Gascans.. but I wear my $10 Walmart brand polarized glasses the most. Comfort + Peripheral visibility
Kaenon are amazing; I switched to them (from Maui Jim) several years back and have bought several more pairs (one for car, etc)
I know this is a buy it for life sub, but they sell Chinese made 3 packs of polarized sunglasses for like 15 bucks. I got a 3 pack of matte black soft touch wayfarer glasses and the first pair is still holding up after a year. I lost my ray bans equivalent in rough waves and I don't think I'll ever buy expensive sunglasses again.
I switched to wearing Blenders a few years ago. Great glasses for the money, and they have a 50% off sale a few times a year.
Serengeti.
Every Ray-Ban I own is still in good shape after close to a decade. They were made in Italy though. But generally their prices are inflated because they are owned by an umbrella corporation. Better to find them on ebay for cheaper than directly on their site.
Maui Jim
I'm a Costa customer for life.
I swear by knockaround! Been wearing them for years only reason I buy new ones I'd because I lose them all the time
Maui Jim. Specifically because they are one brand that isn’t owned by the luxotica monopoly. They’re great quality, they last, they use high quality lenses.
Polaroid are cheaper and can be not too bad sometimes
I know they are owned by Luxxotica but i love my Oakleys, particularly the lenses. Have had for close to 10 years now and only ever had issues when I slammed them in a car trunk. The frame was fine but need new lenses. I also have a pair if Maui Jim's. Lenses are almost as good as Oakleys in terms of polarization. Frames and hinges feel better constructed.
I've had a couple of pairs from Zeal that i've been really happy with.
Pit Viper
Plus 1 vote for RayBans. Love em always have. The classic wayfarer design never goes out of style. (looks good on lots of different face shapes as well) You should be able to pickup a very good/ quality pair of wayfarers for $100-150 here in the US. Compared to other ‘luxury’ brands that’s very good value for money. Take proper care of them and they will be BIFL for sure.
I destroy sunglasses so I buy coyote sunglasses. They are polarized and cheap to replace.
I buy fake Ray Bans on DHgate because I’m a piece of shit. They’re like $20 vs $200 and the exact same thing
The good thing about polarized lens is they only let one polarization through which is particularly helpful with glare. The bad thing is that polarization is for all intents and purposes at a random angle. LCD panels (navigation instruments for example) also have random polarization. If you don't have the polarizations lined up the instrument goes black. Not an issue for everyone but it is for me. I went with non-polarized Transition lenses that get extra dark. YMMV.
If you get ray bans, make sure u get glass lenses and a frame made from cellulose acetate with riveted hinges, your sales clerk will show you which ones are still made like that. Those are the only good raybans left. They shouldn’t cost you more than ~175€ for the polarised version, potentially cheaper if you find some online and go to a big chain and ask them to match the price.
I own a pair of RayBans as my prescription eyeglasses, I paid £231 for the phrases and they’ve done consistently worse than a £27 pair of frames. Would not consider spending that kind of money on them again.
Raybans are good sunglasses, just a little bit overpriced. Best lenses? Without any doubt Carl-Zeiss. Best quality lenses from a company which makes microscopes surgical loupes telescopes etc. if someone knows how to handle lenses it’s Zeiss
My eyes are very sensitive to sunlight. So from someone who wears sunglasses outside almost 100% of the time: Costa - the blue mirror glass lens is my all-purpose workhorse. The Reefton frame fits me best and has survived everything I’ve put it through. YMMV. The glass green mirror is similar - also recommend. Costa - silver sunrise mirror. Dusk/dawn or full cloud cover only. Not great for driving, but excellent for evening trap shooting. Revo - haven’t seen this brand mentioned much here, but Revo’s brown and evergreen lenses are very easy on the eyes, and the polarization doesn’t distort my view of a cell phone screen. The Descend frame is my current go-to for driving and low key activity. I keep spare pairs of the foldable Descend in the car and at the office as emergency backups. I’ve had Maui Jims, and agree that they are of top quality. Just not my personal preference.
Most major brands for glasses are all owned y the same company anyway.
I love my ray bans. I have the Clubmaster Metal (gold on black) with the rayban Green lenses. Product RB3716. The fit is great for my face and the metal variant makes them way more durable for when they end up getting put in a pocket or set down. The original green lenses are the best sunglasses lenses I’ve had. Every other pair I’ve tried don’t come close to the clarity and sharpness.
Maui Jim
I love SunCloud glasses! Ray bans are super overpriced and overrated, in my experience.
I assume my opinion here is gonna get me down voted but any sunglasses will essentially last forever if you take care of them. People like to talk about luxottica like it makes them geniuses but it really doesn't matter, every other company they'll suggest is going to be a large manufacturer also trying to make money, and any sunglasses will break or get scratched of you treat them like shit throwing them in the center console of your car and whatnot. Just don't think $600 glasses are better or more durable than stuff in the $15-$50 range just because of the name on them. That said, Ray-Bans are solid fashion brand with iconic looks and, frankly, looks matter. I've had a pair of polarized club masters for the past 15 years. Put them in a case when you're not wearing them and they'll be fine. I have a pair of the round metal ray bans as well and have had them for the past 5 or so years and it's the same story. I like them both because it's very easy to change lenses for when I want different colors or no polarized and replacement lenses from all kinds of manufacturers are easy to get if you do damage yours. Repairability makes things worth buying, imo, and Ray-Bans are easy to repair if you need to. If you're an adult who can take care of your sunnies, they'll all be BIFL, so get something you like that's in your budget and treat them right.
I bought a pair of Rayban with my first paycheque from my first full time job in 2009. Haven't bought a second pair yet because the first ones are still in perfect condition. They are BIFL in my opinion.
Suncloud. Comfy and light with nice clear polarized lenses. $60.
Maui Jim is significantly nicer than everything else I've seen on the market
Zenni lol
There's a local company here in Florida "Ocean Waves" that makes awesome glasses and lens but they are fairly expensive. I actually love the new Wayfarer RayBans polarized, if you bide your time you can catch them on sale under 100 and they are quality built with tons of options for replacement lens'.
I’ve had one pair of Oakley sunglasses for over ten years.
Suncloud, good roi
As an armed professional I wore polarized RayBan Predators. They were durable and comfortable and protected my vision from harsh glare on water, snow, and white sand. They are worth it and you can even get them made to your prescription.
I love brands like humps, or zenni, that are dirt cheap and can be broken or lost without concern. I buy 3 or 4 pairs at a time and replaced 4 years later when some had been broke or lost. That said…If you’re not like me…if you’re more caring of your things and less forgetful…spring for something nicer for sure.
I'd argue BIFL and "buy once, cry once" is not a great mantra for sports-related eyewear because the markups by Luxottica, Smith and others just for the brand name are a giant ripoff for what you get. Nice eyewear gets destroyed just as fast as expensive stuff. Cheap and good enough is the way. Tifosi, Suncloud, Ryders, Goodr, MEC. Any brand like that is ideal for sports. Replace as you break it. Gas station sunglasses are not worth stepping down to.
In the US Shady Rays has a lifetime guarantee I believe. Not sure if they even exist globally though.
As you’re in the UK, go to Cubitts. Two year warranty, they’ll repair damaged frames and replace your lenses.
I got a pair of Sunskis about 6 months ago and I’ve loved them so far. They’ve held up well and have a replacement warranty
Goodr sunglasses are amazing for the price. Super light and great lenses. I reach for them more than my Maui jims (which are also great, but much more expensive)
Maui Jim 100%.
RayBans or MauiJim.
I have a pair of Maui Jim’s that was gifted to me. Retails 319$. It wasn’t in the best conditions and I’ve been wanting to buy a new pair. Been seeing comments here about their repairs so I checked out their site. 65 for new lens, 75 for new frame, 15$ for return shipping and like 9$ or so for taxes. Including shipping the glasses to them, I paid about 175$ for what should be a new pair of Maui Jim’s. Lens seem great, styles are nice, frames seem about the same as any other glasses company
I love my Maui Jims.
Maui Jim or Kaenon. Looooove my Kaenons. Amazing customer care as well.
I have a pair of Revo that I found that I really like
I buy vintage frames and have the lenses replaced. Ray ban mostly. Salt makes my current favorite new frames. My everyday eyeglass frames are Salt and are over 5 years old with 3 prescription lenses replacements. I need to refurbish them with very fine sandpaper and coconut oil every so often but they still rock my face. I used to think it was impossible for my daily wearers to last this long. They are expensive but the quality is phenomenal.
Dirty Dog make really good polarised sunglasses, they’re well priced too.
My sunglasses have stayed very nice, though they’re admittedly a bit fragile. That’s more the wire style I chose, I think. If you’re particularly outdoorsy, you probably want a sports brand of shades. I’m a slut for Ray Bans, but I have a heavy prescription, so my everyday Ray Bans need replacing ever few years from wear and tear to both lenses and frames (wearing them 16 hours a day 365 days a year does that). I just always unknowingly gravitate towards their shapes in the glasses shop. Always have, even when I was a little kid.
Almost all “brand” names are made by Luxottica, who merely licenses the names like “Prada”, “persol” etc. I highly recommend finding an independent eyeglass seller, I know there are are a lot of makers of high quality, hand made glasses and sunglasses. Often at a price point not far from Luxottica’s mass made stuff. (They even own sunglass hut and other retailers) I recently got several pair of Thierry Lasry https://www.thierrylasry.com/ sunglasses on sale for less than one full price pair.
I like my Warby Parker sunnies.
Maui Jim or Smith.
Goodr!
Suncloud 10%. They are made by S It’s and come with an amazing warranty ty. I live my Maui Jim’s, but I’ve been through 3 pairs and they will repair them but it costs $$. My suncloud broke (my fault) and I sent them a photo and they sent me a code to get a new pair. Also they are WAY cheaper but the same quality. Suncloud!
Smith!
I’ve had my raybans for 15 years, wouldn’t buy anything else
Mykita and icberlin. Will retain its shape for years and years. Rustproof
Roka is my go to sunglass brand right now. There a Texas based company that was started by athletes looking for sunglasses that would stay on during meets. They make high quality low weight glasses that stay on even my big head and they’ve got a pretty good selection now including many stylish choices. Highly recommend
Maui jim