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Looking for men's sunglasses? We selected 14 pairs to test side-by-side, spanning a full range of technologies and prices. We put them through their paces on snowshoe adventures and beach days, midday beer garden hangouts, and westward drives at sunset. We checked their fit across face shapes and sizes, scrutinized their construction, and asked a full panel of our friends to judge their comfort and style. From international vacations to neighborhood dog walks, these shades saw it all. Whether you're after the coolest glasses around, the pair that can do it all, or the budget-friendly option you'll still love to wear, we're here to help you find the perfect pair.
Fit: Medium | Protection: Polarized, 100% UV, 12% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Incredible lenses
Very secure-fitting
Excellent coverage
REASONS TO AVOID
Sporty look isn't for everyone
Expensive
The Kaenon Burnet Mid sunglasses can truly do it all, and they're some of our favorites to wear. We've tested both grey and brown lenses, and both are outstanding. They offer top-notch clarity, superb color rendition, and heightened contrast without distorting reality. They also have almost zero back reflections, which is an impressive feat. The mid-size we tested offers a secure fit on most average-sized heads, gripping comfortably with a protective, face-hugging wrap. If you've got a larger head, the Burnet also comes in an XL version.
The worst thing we can say about these glasses is that their rectangular lenses look a bit sporty. That said, they're still not the most sporty-looking shades we tested, and our panel of testers all liked their look. They're on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but in this case, the extra dough buys you a really great pair of shades.
Though maybe a bit sporty for some, we loved the look of the Burnet Mid for all types of activities.
Fit: Medium | Protection: Polarized, 100% UV, 12% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Solid performance in all metrics
Neat style
Comfortable to wear
REASONS TO AVOID
Just okay coverage
May slip when sweaty
We love the cool detailing on the Camp Eyewear Trail, which upgrades them from just another pair of wayfarers to glasses we were excited to put on and wear outside. They have solid all-around performance, with comfortable, crisp lenses and only a hint of blue to enhance contrast. They're very smooth and glossy, with an excellent shape that was comfortable and pleasing to wear for all our testers of varying head sizes. They'd be easy to love even without the wooden bows, but with them, they're just plain fun, and the wood helps keep them from sliding during casual use.
However, the lack of any rubber sections can be problematic when you're hot and sweaty — they just don't stay put quite as well as some others we tested. The Trail also have the standard coverage flaws of just about every pair of modern wayfarers, with medium-sized lenses and a fairly flat frame that allows sunlight in the sides, bottom, and — depending on where you wear them on your face — over the top. Despite these relatively minor drawbacks, there's still so much to love about these unique, budget-friendly glasses, and we recommend them.
The Camp Eyewear Trail are easy to wear, easy to love, and easy on the wallet.
Fit: Large | Protection: Polarized, 100% UV, 12% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Good coverage
Lightweight and comfortable
Secure fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Smaller than expected
Rubber pads could be cleaner cut
The Native Eyewear Wells are an affordable pair of sunnies capable of making an easy style transition between trail running in the morning and meeting someone for drinks in the afternoon. They're lightweight and slightly sporty without looking totally out of place paired with a polo shirt and khaki shorts. Their plastic frames are comfortable and secure thanks to their strategic rubbery pads at the nose and behind the ears. Larger lenses and a good base curve offer coverage without drowning narrower faces. To add to the list of reasons we love these sunnies, they're also one of the most affordable sets of shades in this lineup.
For being advertised as a "large" fit, the Wells are smaller than we expected. Across our team of variably sized and shaped faces, they're best fitted on averaged-sized heads and are a bit tight on wider faces. The inserted rubbery pads in the bows and nose do the job, but they're not the cleanest fit. However, after having had and worn these glasses regularly for several years now, these irregularities haven't gotten any worse. All in all, if you want one pair of sunglasses that look just as natural in the woods as in the city, these more budget-friendly frames are a great fit.
The Native Wells slide right into the space between your favorite outdoor playground and a relaxing afternoon around town.
Fit: Medium | Protection: Polarized, 100% UV, 10% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Great for bright light and high glare
Secure, comfortable fit
Excellent coverage
REASONS TO AVOID
Very sporty vibe
Expensive
If you're the kind of person who spends a ton of time out on the water, the Costa del Mar Rinconcito is a fantastic pair of sunglasses to consider. These seriously impressive lenses are darker than average, with total polarization and 100% blue light blockage. They are one of very few shades we tested that have nearly no reflection on the backs of the lenses. Small rubber pads embedded in the nose pads and backs of the bows keep them securely attached to your face as you water ski — or even downhill ski. They have just the right amount of curvature to add extra coverage to these medium-large lenses where you need it most.
On the other hand, if you prefer to own just one pair of sunglasses that you can wear everywhere, the Rinconcito might give you pause. These high-performance shades are some of the sportiest-looking models we tested. If that's your vibe, then there's no problem. But if you want some sunglasses you could style at a black tie event or blend in visiting a fashionable city, these may not be it. The less-versatile look and above-average price tag are the only two downsides to an otherwise impressive pair of glasses.
The Costa Rinconcito are a great pair of sunglasses for those who spend a lot of time around the water.
Fit: Medium | Protection: Polarized, 100% UV, 12% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Easy comfort
Secure without being tight
Great lenses with minimal glare
Stylish twist on a classic
REASONS TO AVOID
Lenses can feel a bit light
No hard case included
Not the boldest style
The Kaenon Rockaway are great pair of well-balanced shades. They are secure without feeling tight, providing enough comfort to forget you're wearing them — which is exactly what you want. They have excellent lenses and solid coverage that allows for minimal glare on the backsides of the lenses. Our testing team all loved the feeling of wearing the Rockaway and felt they brought a touch of added style to a classic frame shape. They stayed put on sweaty runs and looked good during backyard barbecues, making them a fantastic all-day companion.
Though the lenses we tested have a protective VLT of 12%, they felt a bit lighter than many others in the same ballpark. Not enough that we felt we had to squint on bright days, but these lenses are noticeably brighter when looking into the sunset than many others with a similar VLT. While other Kaenon glasses we tested came with a good quality zippered hard case, the Rockaway includes only a microfiber drawstring bag. And while we like the look of these shades, they aren't exactly pushing the mold when it comes to stylishness. Still, the Rockaway performed well in all our driving, hanging out, and lifestyle tests, proving to be a comfortable fan favorite — all for a great price.
Fit: Medium | Protection: Not Polarized, 100% UV, 15% VLT
REASONS TO BUY
Classic, versatile style
Look great on everyone
Robust and sturdy
REASONS TO AVOID
Slant leaves the top open
Heavy
The Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic has truly never gone out of style, looking as great today as when they debuted in 1952. We found them attractive on every face and with every style, giving off that cool-as-a-cucumber laidback vibe that so many of us love. They work just as well with board shorts as they do with a polo shirt — even a lot of women love these glasses. Though no sunglasses are truly unbreakable, these are hefty and robust, lending a serious level of credibility to their durability — backed up by an almost unheard of seven barrel hinges on each side.
This beefiness does come with a cost — the Original Wayfarer are heavy. Don't get us wrong, they're very comfortable to wear, with glossy smooth frames that feel great — as long as you don't mind their heftier weight. Made in the OG of wayfarer style, they have a very exaggerated forward slant to the lenses, which looks cool but leaves a pronounced gap over the tops of the lenses, lessening their coverage. But if you've got your heart set on this look, we don't think you'll be disappointed with the performance of these classic shades.
It's hard to feel anything other than OG cool in the Ray-Ban Original Wayfarers.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
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We love a great pair of shades for bright days and active endeavors - and enjoying a beer afterward.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Why You Should Trust Us
We sifted through hundreds of pairs of the best men's and unisex sunglasses to choose the most promising models spotlighted here. After purchasing them, we put them through a robust testing regimen, which started with wearing them incessantly. We went on snowshoe hikes and neighborhood walks, ran errands, and relaxed at outdoor cafes. We put them to the test driving, hiking, walking, and more, comparing their fit across face sizes and putting their lenses side by side to tease apart the differences.
Our sunglasses testing was divided across five key metrics:
Lens Quality (30% of overall score weighting)
Comfort (25% weighting)
Style and Versatility (20% weighting)
Frame Quality (15% weighting)
Coverage (10% weighting)
This review is spearheaded by our consultant, Bradley Nichols, and Senior Review Editor, Maggie Nichols. Bradley has been an outdoor adventurer for years, living and recreating in Reno, Nevada, one of the sunniest places in the United States. From hitting the slopes in the winter to backpacking in the summer, Brad always keeps his eyes protected and comfortable wherever he roams. Maggie has been leading backcountry trips for over 15 years, in some blindingly bright environments, from kayaking the Caribbean and snorkeling the Galapagos to rafting the American West and backpacking the Sierra Nevadas. As a glasses-wearer since the young age of four, Maggie is a self-professed "glasses junkie," demanding a lot from her eyewear. She and Brad enlisted the help and critical eyes of a slew of friends, family, and coworkers to test and rate these shades.
Spying high value items like these CAMP Trail sunglasses.
Now that you've found your perfect shades, get out there and go on an adventure!
Checking coverage in some exceptionally bright conditions.
We test sunglasses in as many seasons and conditions as we can find.
Analysis and Test Results
We demand a lot from our sunglasses and think you should too. To test every pair, we assessed their competence and performance across five metrics. While the combination of these weighted ratings gives each pair their overall score, in what follows, we break down the metrics and discuss which pairs perform best and why.
Value
When it comes to sunglasses, like many types of gear, a higher price typically means better performance. However, this relationship is far from perfect, and we found several lower-priced pairs that buck this trend, offering exceptional value. The Camp Eyewear Trail is one such pair with terrific value. Great lenses in frames that feel great, these sunglasses come with a price tag lower than their impressive performance would lead us to suspect. The Native Eyewear Wells aren't far behind; with excellent protection, an impressive fit, and a sportier performance, these glasses offer a lot for your hard-earned buck. For those able to spend a bit more, we also really love the comfortable and fairly-priced Kaenon Rockaway and Tens Classic.
The CAMP Trail are well-built, feeling thick and solid.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Lens Quality
The most important aspect of any pair of glasses is the quality of their lenses; otherwise, why bother wearing them? We tested lens quality by comparing every contender side by side and ranking how well they performed in challenging lighting conditions, how they rendered colors, and how comfortable they kept our eyes after hours of direct sun exposure.
Hands down, the best lenses we tested were in the Kaenon Burnet. The Ultra Grey 12 lenses are everything we never dared to dream a grey lens could be. Not only are they crystal clear, but they're also versatile, performing equally as well in both bright and low light. They have almost no reflections off the backs of the lenses and manage to increase contrast by boosting colors in ways we normally associate with brown lenses. We tested the Kaenon Rockaway with their Brown 12 lenses which are nearly as good. They're just a touch lighter than we typically want, but they provide exceptional clarity and enhanced contrast without drastically changing the color of things.
The Kaenon Burnet have some of the best lenses of any pair we tested.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Costa del Mar Rinconcito had nearly as impressive of a performance. Their Blue Mirror lenses provide excellent clarity and true-to-life colors, with just a hint of increased blue-ish contrast. They have nearly no reflections from the backs of the lenses and do extremely well in bright lighting conditions, though not quite as well in lower light situations.
The Costa Rinconcito have great lenses that work well, with great clarity and just a touch of increased contrast.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Vuarnet Legend 03 are also some of our favorites here too, scoring near the top. Despite not being polarized, they have a dual gradient (darker on top and bottom for sun and glare, respectively), are a darker tint, and have an excellent mirror coating. The Maui Jim Lighthouse lenses are also impressive. These ridiculously lightweight glasses are some of Maui Jim's latest line of non-glass lenses, but with all the best contrast and clarity they have made themselves known for.
Even without polarization, the Vuarnet Legend 03 offer serious protection from bright light and glare.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
The Maui Jim Kawika lenses we tested, however, proved to be polarizing (pun intended). We tested their Hawaii Lava lenses, which have excellent clarity and very minimal back glare, but the top half is blue-grey while the bottom half is amber. Some of our testers didn't mind this, while others found it rather distracting. The Tens Classic and Smith Lowdown 2 both feature excellent amber lenses with a very pleasant combination of color enhancement and clarity that make them very easy to wear in the sun.
The Kawika lenses are crystal clear, but these Hawaii Lava ones we tested are two different colors - blue-grey on top and amber on the bottom - which not all of our testers loved.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Comfort
Ensuring your sunglasses are comfortable enough to wear all day is not a task we take lightly. We considered as many aspects of comfort as possible, measuring every pair and testing their balance on different-sized faces. We wore each pair for hours to see if they became tight, heavy, or uncomfortable. We noted where they touched our faces and if that changed as different people wore them.
We were very impressed by the comfort of the Kaenon Rockaway. These medium-sized glasses fit well on all our testers' heads, from those who wear XL helmets to those who wear small hats. They manage to fit securely without ever feeling tight. They're lightweight and balanced well enough that we found it easy to forget we were even wearing them. Rubbery nose pads feel great even when running, as they effectively prevent bouncing and slipping. We loved wearing these glasses from sun up to sun down.
The Rockaway fit comfortably on heads of all sizes.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
The Kaenon Burnet Mid is very comfortable, with a snug, secure fit — they also come in a larger size for wider faces. The Costa Rinconcito are impressively comfortable too, with flexible frames to accommodate varying head shapes and perfectly placed rubbery padding to keep them in place without squeezing. The Maui Jim Lighthouse stand out here for being absurdly flexible, to the point that they feel strange compared to other glasses. They're ridiculously lightweight and have very pliable bows and even nose pads that conform easily to the face. We can honestly say we've never worn another pair that felt like the Lighthouse. Most of our testers loved the feeling, though some didn't enjoy the odd sensations as much.
Though not everyone's favorite pair of sunglasses, the Maui Jim Lighthouse are almost impossibly lightweight and extremely flexible.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
The Smith Lowdown 2 fit in that casual way that we find effortless to wear all day. The Tens Classic and Camp Eyewear Trail are both modern wayfarer styles with just enough extra details that we appreciate. The matte frames and near-perfect shape of the Tens Classic make them well-suited to most shapes and sizes of faces. The Camp Trail have a glossy finish and wooden bows that both look good and feel surprisingly comfortable to wear for long periods.
The Smith Lowdown 2 have color-enhancing ChromaPop lenses and a fit and feel we can wear all day.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Maui Jim Kawika are more comfortable than we anticipated for their style. Though heavy-looking across the brow, these shades are well-balanced and rest close to the face. The adjustable nose pads are comfortable without being intrusive. The Dragon Burgee LL are an easy-to-like pair of sunglasses that are solidly pleasant and lightweight, if not particularly outstanding.
The Dragon Burgee offer a slightly different take on a classic style, spiced up further by a gradient or even a bold pattern.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Style and Versatility
Though style is subjective, some sunglasses look good on many people and in various situations, while others seem to fit only a few or have limited applications. We asked as many folks as we could wrangle up to tell us how they liked the look of every pair. We also considered how well they work in different scenarios, from lounging in the hammock to hiking in the local hills.
If style is your number one priority, it's hard to go wrong with the timeless look of the Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer. These classics have been practically unchanged since they were first introduced in the 1950s. They seem to look good on everyone — no matter the gender, age, or style — and have an appearance that goes with many outfits and situations.
We tested the best and coolest, like the Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
For anyone who's a huge fan of the classic wayfarer vibe, the Ray-Ban Aviators bring that to life. Their thin metal frames and oversized, slightly triangular lenses remain a time-honored and well-loved look for a reason. The Maui Jim Kawika are a bit more specific in their look, but many of our testing team also loved their vibe. The red mirror coating of the Hawaii Lava lenses we tested gave off a distinctly beachy impression. Their heavy brow with thin metal rims and the metal bridge were fondly described as "nerdy chic" by one member of our testing team.
If you love aviators, then these classics from Ray-Ban may be calling your name.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
The Camp Trail earns high marks for style, too, with their mostly-wooden bows and excellent take on a modern wayfarer style. Not far behind are the Tens Classic, with a universally appealing matte finish and near-perfect proportions for faces of all sizes and shapes. If you're looking to match the level of your sunglasses style to that of your new tailored vest or pressed polos on your European vacation, the Vuarnet Legend 03 are the perfect pair, always on point with premier wardrobe choices. For mixing outdoor and activity performance with style, the Smith Lowdown, Native Eyewear Wells, and Oakley Holbrook Polarized are all solid options.
We found it difficult to not enjoy the look of the Tens Classic on all kinds of faces.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Frame Quality
Since no one wants something that's just going to break or fall apart after a few months, we scrutinized every frame. We looked into construction materials and inspected hinges. We checked the fit of the lenses and the overall flexibility of each model. We also scoured the internet for recurring complaints from other users to see if we could replicate their issues.
Two glasses stand out here for their beefy and durable frames: the Kaenon Burnet Mid and Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer. Both are thick and feel strong and sturdy in hand, with wide hinges and very solid builds. Though slightly less burly, the more flexible Costa Rinconcito also stands out. The Rinconcito feel durable despite slightly thinner frames. They have rubbery, well-attached pads and flexible spring hinges that accommodate overextension. The Kaenon Rockaway isn't quite as beefy as the Burnet Mid but is still built solidly with good quality, durable materials.
No worries about durability here, in the Kaenon Burnet Mid.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Vuarnet Legend 03 also features solid construction that doesn't loosen with regular wear and has just the right level of flex to be adaptable. The Maui Jim Kawika may look delicate, but every thin metal component we tested proved sturdy and strong. Unlike some models with adjustable nose pads, we weren't left worried that we would snap the Kawika's right off.
All the Kawika components seem solid and sturdy - even the little metal arms holding the nose pads.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
The Camp Eyewear Trail frames are thick and solid, with treated wood making up a portion of the bows around a stabilizing metal skeleton. They also boast some of our favorite over-extendable hinges, both in their exaggerated beefy build and with their ideal pressure that's both comfortable and secure. The Tens Classic and Smith Lowdown 2 are also built well, with sturdy frames that have a small amount of give. The Classic have regular hinges that feel solid, while the Lowdown 2's autolocking hinges that putting them on even easier.
The wooden bows of the Camp Eyewear Trail proved NOT to be a weak point during our testing.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Coverage
Leaving large gaps around the edges of lenses can completely defeat the purpose of wearing sunglasses in the first place. We tested coverage across various face sizes and shapes to see which ones keep you covered and which ones don't quite cut it. We also tested how well they stay put once you start sweating on a hot summer day.
Models with the most coverage combine large lenses, face-hugging curves, and a close-fitting frame. We found the best, most consistent coverage from the Kaenon Burnet Mid, Costa Rinconcito, and Vuarnet Legend 03. All three of these sunglasses have large, rectangular lenses in frames that wear comfortably close to the face, nearly sealing edge gaps without any of them being full wraparound models. The Native Eyewear Wells, Oakley Holbrook Polarized, and Kaenon Rockaway aren't far behind, with their larger-than-average lenses and decently face-hugging base curves. These models are simply a bit smaller than the previous three, therefore providing a bit less coverage.
The Kaenon Burnet Mid offer excellent coverage without feeling like you're wearing goggles.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Modern wayfarer-style sunglasses like the Tens Classic and Camp Eyewear Trail — and even the not-quite-a-wayfarer, Dragon Burgee LL — provide pretty good coverage, with wider frames and medium lenses, though they leave obvious gaps around their edges because of their flatter shapes. The Smith Lowdown 2 are about on par with wayfarers for coverage, falling somewhere between the lens shape of sportier glasses but with a slightly flatter fit like wayfarers.
In a sea of sunglasses, we can help you find the ones you're looking for.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Conclusion
We know there are a ton of sunglasses out there to choose from, so we've spent months — in some cases, years — wearing, testing, and comparing the ones in our lineup to help you find an ideal pair for your lifestyle and your budget. Now go out and soak up some vitamin D!
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
