By clicking on the product links in this article, we may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Sponsorships and affiliate commissions help support our research so we can help you find the best products. Read the full affiliate disclosure here.
You've seen Top Gun—sunglasses have become as much about fashion and style as they are about protecting your eyes. Who hasn't wondered if they look as cool as Tom Cruise in a pair of aviators? And these days, the best sunglasses for men come in all kinds of shapes and designs with pairs to match any style, whether it's for sports, work, spending time at the beach, or any other outdoor activity.
The Best Sunglasses for Men - Our Top Picks
- Best Sunglasses for Men Overall: CAMP Eyewear Trail Polarized Sunglasses
- Best Polarized Sunglasses for Men: Costa Del Mar Reefton
- Best Aviator Sunglasses for Men: Ray Ban Classic Aviators
- Best Designer Sunglasses for Men: Maui Jim Kawika Square Sunglasses
- Best Sports Sunglasses for Men: Oakley Gascan Sunglasses
- Best Budget Sunglasses for Men: MEETSUN Polarized Sunglasses
- Best Running Sunglasses for Men: Knockaround Premium Sport
- Best Prescription Sunglasses for Men: Spy Optic Montana
- Best Sunglasses for Men with Large Heads: Tifosi Swank XL Blackout
- Best Travel Sunglasses for Men: Foldies Classic Sunglasses
But the style is the easy part. Finding a pair that is as functional as it is stylish can be difficult because not all sunglasses actually protect your eyes the way they should. That’s why we put together a list of the best men's sunglasses that are stylish but also functional. We'll talk about frame lens colors, frame materials, and UV protection as well as looks so that you don't have to choose between looking good and making sure your eyes are protected.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Best Sunglasses for Men Overall - CAMP Eyewear Trail Polarized Sunglasses
SPECS
- Frame material: Plant-Based Bio Plastic
- UV-protection: 100%
The best sunglasses for men need to look good, feel good, and give you as much UV protection as possible. You want to be able to wear these sunglasses all day without irritation and for different occasions whether you're on the beach, exercising, or otherwise occupied.
The CAMP trail sunglasses strike the balance you're looking for. With impact-resistant, polarized lenses that protect your eyes from glare and medium width, these sunglasses also have adjustable temple tips that keep you comfortable for extended periods of time.
What We Like
- Aesthetically-pleasing but still functional
- Adjustable fit
- Bio-Plastic reduces environmental footprint
What We Don't Like
- Only a few color options
- Hinge springs might get loose
BUY: CAMP Eyewear Trail Polarized Sunglasses
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Men - Costa Del Mar Reefton
SPECS
- Frame material: Co-Injected Nylon
- UV-protection: 100%
Non-polarized sunglasses may have a low price tag, but they pose a danger to your eyes because they don't protect you from UV rays. To make sure you're protected, we recommend Costa Del Mar Reefton sunglasses.
Costa is a high-quality eyewear brand which means they're not cheap. But, if you’re looking for a high-quality pair that will protect your eyes, they’re worth it. Costa's patented glass lenses are scratch-resistant and offer full UV and blue light protection.
What We Like
- Glass lenses
- Full UV and blue light protection
- Very durable frames
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Could be too narrow for larger heads
Best Aviator Sunglasses for Men - Ray Ban Classic Aviators
SPECS
- Frame material: Metal
- UV-protection: 100%
Aviator sunglasses are a classic style, and whether you've seen Top Gun or not, you've more than likely seen a pair or two with this style before. And while you can find a lot of knockoffs out there that mimic the style, Ray Ban Classic Aviators are the real deal.
Authentic Ray Bans have polarized lenses made of glass that are scratch-resistant. Some lens styles even have a moisture-wicking component to make sure your vision is always clear. Ray Bans also have durable metal frames that can withstand a lot of wear and tear (not that you should be throwing your sunglasses around but still).
What We Like
- Durable, metal frames
- Classic look
- Moisture-wicking lens options
What We Don't Like
- Won't compliment all face shapes
- Not all lens options are moisture-wicking
Best Designer Sunglasses for Men - Maui Jim Kawika Square Sunglasses
SPECS
- Frame material: Lightweight, Injected Nylon
- UV-protection: 100%
Wearing sunglasses is primarily about eye protection, but there's nothing wrong with wanting something that looks good too. Maui Jim Kawika are stylish sunglasses with unique frames and innovative lenses.
The Kawika frames have a retro feel and are one of Maui Jim's original styles. These sunglasses also feature an adjustable bridge for comfort and a protective coating on the temple that reflects the sun from the surrounding skin.
What We Like
- Retro design
- Adjustable bridge
- Unique lens colors
What We Don't Like
- Short arm length
- Frames might be too heavy for some
BUY: Maui Jim Kawika Square Sunglasses
Best Sports Sunglasses for Men - Oakley Gascan Sunglasses
SPECS
- Frame material: Patented O Matter
- UV-protection: 100%
Oakley is one of, if not the, top brand in sports sunglasses. From the design of the frames and arms to the tech used in the lenses, Oakley Gascan is a pair of shades that you'll love if you're looking for sunglasses that stand up to your outdoor activities.
Oakley has a couple of different patented lens styles, but the Gascan is Prizm Jade polarized. Basically, the Prizm technology promotes clearer vision by reducing certain colors and enhancing others so harmful light is filtered and beneficial light is not. Plus, these sunglasses are built with Oakley's O Matter material which is sweat-resistant, flexible, and durable.
What We Like
- O Matter frame material
- Prizm lenses
- Snug, comfortable fit
What We Don't Like
- Only 1 color option
- No accessories included
Best Budget Sunglasses for Men - MEETSUN Polarized Sunglasses
SPECS
- Frame material: Plastic
- UV-protection: 100%
Sunglasses can be expensive, and it can feel hard to justify the cost when there are cheap options all over the internet and easily available in stores. We want to reiterate that most of the time, cheap sunglasses don't protect your eyes but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to break the bank to get good protection.
MEETSUN polarized sunglasses have polycarbonate lenses which just means they're durable, and the frames are a strong, lightweight plastic. These sunglasses don't have a flashy design, but they're sleek and give you 100% UV protection.
What We Like
- Budget-friendly
- 100% UV-protection
- Multiple lens color options
What We Don't Like
- Plastic arms are durable, but could be uncomfortable
- The nose pads are also plastic
BUY: MEETSUN Polarized Sunglasses
Best Running Sunglasses for Men - Knockaround Premium Sport
SPECS
- Frame material: Polycarbonate
- UV-protection: 100%
Finding a good pair of running sunglasses can be tough. You need the fit to be just right because any distraction or discomfort will affect your running performance. If you've struggled to find the right fit, we recommend the Knockaround Premium Sport sunglasses.
The Knockarounds have a rubberized bridge pad to keep it from slipping, and the arms are a medium width so you'll have security without uncomfortable squeezing around your temples or over your ears. The lenses on these sunglasses are also anti-glare and scratch-resistant polycarbonate for durability.
What We Like
- No-slip design
- Multiple, stylish color options
- Very lightweight frames and arms
What We Don't Like
- Some reviews say the folding join screw comes loose easily
- Lens could fog up with excessive sweat
BUY: Knockaround Premium Sport
Best Prescription Sunglasses for Men - Spy Optic Montana
SPECS
- Frame material: Grilamid
- UV-protection: 100%
Most of the premium brand sunglasses have a prescription option, but you typically have to pay a significant amount extra. Then there is Spy Optic. Spy Optic allows you to build custom sunglasses for an affordable price.
We really like the Montana model for prescription sunglasses because it has larger lenses so you won't have to worry about open spots in your peripheral vision. These glasses also have a clean, matte finish that looks classic and timeless.
What We Like
- Large lenses
- Matte finish
- Optional polarization upgrades
What We Don't Like
- Some reviews say the frame and arms scratch easily
- Bigger lenses are typically less durable
Best Sunglasses for Men With Large Heads - Tifosi Swank XL Blackout
SPECS
- Frame material: Grilamid
- UV-protection: 100%
If you have a larger head then you've probably felt the pressure of sunglasses that are too tight. When the temple and arms squeeze your head, it can cause headaches and discomfort that make it tough to keep glasses on. If that sounds like you, there's no need to keep suffering.
The Tifosi Swank XL Blackout sunglasses are made with large heads in mind. The frame and arms are made from Grilamid which is a flexible material, plus they’re spaced further apart than typical sunglasses to avoid squeezing.
What We Like
- Anti-slip nose pads
- Internal hinge that won't catch on hair
- Coated in Tifosi glide tech for easy placement
What We Don't Like
- Short arms
- Some reviews report an internal reflection from the lens
Best Travel Sunglasses for Men - Foldies Classic Sunglasses
SPECS
- Frame material: Polycarbonate
- UV-protection: 100%
Do you travel often? If so, you know the value of being able to pack light and compact. Sometimes standard sunglasses cases can be difficult to access or open, and they take up much-needed space in your bag. Let us introduce you to Foldies.
Foldies Classic sunglasses hinge at multiple points so you can fold them up into a small, compact square about the size of one of the lenses. These glasses also come with a leather carrying case that can fit in your pocket. And don't worry, you won't have to sacrifice UV protection.
What We Like
- Small, compact size for traveling
- Shatterproof lenses
- 2-year replacement warranty
What We Don't Like
- Not as durable as regular sunglasses
- Some frame colors are transparent and let light in
BUY: Foldies Classic Sunglasses
What to Look for in Sunglasses for Men
Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Lenses
The primary purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes. Polarized lenses block UV rays and certain colors of light that are harmful to your eyes. Non-polarized lenses keep your eyes from squinting, but the UV and light still cause them strain because it is not being blocked.
We recommend opting for polarized sunglasses, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Whether you're hanging out at the beach, fishing, working, or exercising, a pair of good, polarized sunglasses are a worthwhile investment.
Shape
Part of selecting the right shape for your sunglasses is style and what makes you feel comfortable. Some sunglasses fit better on certain face shapes so make sure you try on different shapes to see what works best for you, even if that means visiting a local sunglass store.
Lens Color
Lens color matters beyond aesthetics. Different tint colors block and enhance different light colors. Blue-tinted lenses usually enhance the clarity in your vision in very bright places where light is reflecting (like sand on the beach). Red and yellow tinted lenses are better for low-light environments while red also blocks blue light from LED screens.
FAQs About Sunglasses for Men
Are polarized sunglasses worth it?
Absolutely. Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that can cause eye strain and long-term negative effects on your vision.
What style of sunglasses are in for men in 2022?
Men's sunglasses come in many shapes and styles. You can't go wrong with a classic style like aviators, but there are also plenty of other designs to choose from.
What sunglass shape is best for round faces?
When you're looking for the right-shaped sunglasses for your face, think about choosing the opposite of your face shape. So for round faces, you might want square or rectangular-shaped sunglasses to add more structure to your shape.