Featured Image: Gabe Rovick | Sex Appeal: Damian Quigley
These days, the options for sunglasses can be overwhelming. Everywhere you turn, there are cheap knock offs and overstated claims that can lead you into a trap. How do you even know which shades to trust, or what exactly you want? There, there, dear reader, it’s okay. We here at FREESKIER understand your complaints and troubles in the wide world of vision. That’s why we’re here to help.
We’ve compiled our Top 10 favorite lifestyle sunglasses currently on the market, listed below in no particular order. From wide frame shades meant for all year-round to the slim stylish glasses that will turn heads on any main street, we’ve got you covered. But before you dive in, here are three thoughts to keep in mind when searching for your next pair of sunnies.
Price can be misleading. Don’t just trust a pair because they’re expensive, and don’t knock some because they’re cheaper. Do your homework and see what they’re made out of. You might be surprised.
Fit is as important as the lens. If it doesn’t feel good on your face, you’ll never want to wear them! Don’t just pick the most outstanding, scientific lens for its own sake. Make sure the frame is comfortable and will stay on your face. Many of the companies below offer virtual sizing. Give it a whirl.
Branch out. It can be easy to roll with the plain black sunglasses, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But… give the wild ones a try. You might be surprised by how damn free you feel.
Native Eyewear – Targhee Square
Founded right before the turn of the century, Native Eyewear has excelled at making affordable, well-rounded products over the last two decades. The Targhee Square shades are our pick of the litter for their offerings this summer. The polarized polycarbonate, 100% UV Protective lens makes any sight a visual masterpiece, and the Hypoallergenic Cushinol will keep these shades gripped to your nose from downtown to the summit. These are a “regular fit” according to Native, but keep in mind that they are currently offered in an XL frame exclusively. With free returns, six color options and a guaranteed Warranty and Returns program, there’s no downside to the Targhee Square.
Costa – Paunch
Costa is well known for making some of the best fly fishing sunnies on the planet, but you don’t have to be an angler to enjoy their products. The Paunch is one of our favorites for multiple reasons. The customizable frame and lens pairing lets you pick the combination you want, taking into account style and performance from various materials. Choose between three colors and different variations of glass and polycarbonate polarized lenses. And no matter which you choose, if you do find yourself on the water, you’ll appreciate that all Costa lenses have 100% UV blockage and 100% polarization which kills reflective glare. The Costa 580 lens tech goes the extra mile and filters out harsh yellow and ultraviolet blue light, so your eyes will be as relaxed as they’ve ever been. The Paunch provides a laid-back look that performs at the top of its class.
Vuarnet – Ice Round
It’s time to empty the piggy bank. Perhaps the most lavish item on this site, the Ice Round sunglasses from Vuarnet aren’t for the faint of heart. While the price might seem intense, these shades are no scam. Vuarnet has put true craftsmenship expertise into making some of the finest products on the market. The Ice Rounds take inspiration from the shades worn by mountain explorers of the early 19th and 20th centuries. An adjustable bio nylon frame is combined with removable side shields to form this magnificent creation of sun-shielding expertise. The temple tip is adjustable to ensure the fit is as ideal as possible. The lenses are forged of mineral glass with scratch-resistant coating and shock proofing.
Glade Optics – Freestone
Glade Optics describes the Freestone as their most versatile shade. This larger-fitting option boasts a great blend of comfortable fit and performance features. Their signature Reveal Photochromic lens technology offers a huge selling point, as companies can often sell this similar technology for higher prices. The Reveal lens, optional in two out of the five available Freestone models, adjusts as the light changes, becoming more tinted and polarized as the light increases. If you’re not sure what the weather holds, this is an incredible feature, and it guarantees that you won’t have to bring an extra pair of glasses with you. They are also compatible with Glade’s proprietary retainer system, which attach from the back of the arms and hang down behind your head to ensure you don’t lose your shades during unexpected turbulence. And if these don’t sound like the right fit, check out Glade’s sunglass finder to be expertly fitted from the comfort of your home.
Carve – Kubix
Trendy. Incognito. Fashionable. Neo from the Matrix… (almost). If these keywords speak to you, then you’ve found the right selection. We present to you, the Kubix from Carve. They look like someone took a wind tunnel and tossed in Hulk Hogan with a dash of sunshine and style. That is to say, they are immaculate. You’ll be as aerodynamic on the slopes as you’ll be turning heads in the bar. It’s the perfect combo. And before you ask, yes, these baddies are indeed polarized. They are as functional as they are sleek. They only come in matte black, which is perfect, because anything else would be too much. It’s the Edna Mode of sunglasses. Don’t over think it. You know you want them, and at $59.99, it’s practically a no brainer.
Pit Viper – The Mohawker Clawdia
This is Glen Plake’s signature sunglass model. Yes, you read that right. Glen Plake has a signature pair of shades. Need we say more? The Clawdia is a newer line of sunnies from Pit Viper which debuted within the last year. This specific model, aptly titled The Mohawker, is a testament to all things Plake. The first thing you notice is the eccentric, eye-catching frame. For a man who’s spent more days rocking neon colors and a mohawk than anyone else, it’s a perfect fit. Next, look to the lens. You’ll find a Smoke Reverse Fade lens, which is meant to keep your eyes shielded as UV rays bounce off the snow or water at your feet, while retaining vision at long distances up head. If you’re out and about, the no-slip-grip rubberized touch points will keep The Mohawker glued to your face, metaphorically of course. Oh, and did we mention the tie-down retainers and cloth are included?
Shady Rays – Allure
The Allure from Shady Rays packs a lot into a little. It’s small frame is complete with metal temples that add durability without any weight. You’ll hardly even know they’re on your face. There are seven mesmerizing styles to choose from, one of which comes with the option for Colorush Polarization, Shady Rays’s best performing lens. The other six are all offered with Pro and Original polarized lens’s. No matter which you pick, you’ll be getting a production you can trust. 100% UV protection, shatter-resistant and salt water resistant, this is the perfect combination for summer days basking near Poseidon’s playground, AKA the ocean.
Sunski – Vallarta
Sometimes you need to bring it back to the basics. Refine the process and it usually turns out for the best. That’s exactly what Sunski did when they created the Vallarta. This is perhaps the best bang for your buck on this list, which is saying something. We’d recommend this model for someone who is looking for a smaller fit around their face. The frame is stylish yet durable, with geometric accents in the upper left and right of each eye making it stand out when compared to other circular frames. It’s made out of recycled plastic, so you can rest easy knowing your purchase is helping a bigger cause. The lenses are polarized and shaded uniquely depending on which ever of the four color selections you pick. Not too much, not too little, the Vallarta is the happy medium of sunnies.
Revo – Zinger II
Revo makes some of the best eyewear you can find, and they’ve been refining their craft since 1985. In fact, they created polarized NASA technology sunglasses back in the 80’s, which was not just some phony promotional propaganda. They were actually crafted with shielding used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to protect satellites from solar damage. So if you’re seeking a tool used by the best of the best, look no further. While the Zinger II does not use the same NASA tag line, the lenses are up to par, utilizing Revo’s Graphite lens. It’s a polarized gray-based, silver flash mirror coated lens that creates brilliant color definition and contrast. The medium fit will go well with most face sizes, but we’d recommended it for those seeking a more compact look. Trusted in all seasons, the Zinger II is a timeless classic.
SHRED – Stomp Polarized
For a clean look in a dependable product, the Stomp Polarized from SHRED is your go-to purchase. As the old saying goes, if it’s good enough for founder and Olympic Gold Medalist Ted Ligety, it’s probably good enough for you. But don’t take that as a low blow. Ligety has made sure that SHRED makes some of the best damn eye protection on the planet. The Stomp features their signature Contrast Boosting Lens (CBL) technology, which is a huge bonus for someone who wants one pair of sunglasses that they can wear during any activity. The discrete labeling keeps a low profile without announcing too much. High quality at a price that won’t break the bank, it doesn’t get much better.
