A GOOD pair of sunglasses is one of the most effortless, low-risk yet cost-effective accessories a guy can own to change up his look. On any occasion, the right pair of shades can protect your eyes from UV rays, but also give your outfit a boost of badass style.
Consider yourself an athletic type? You’ll need performance shades to keep up with those intense activities. Got some business meetings or dinner parties down the road? Let a classic pair of aviator sunglasses elevate your finest attire. Going somewhere sunny for your PTO? Then be sure to pack a pair of polarized sunglasses. The crux is, no matter where you find yourself, you can’t (and shouldn’t) avoid upgrading your eyewear with the best sunglasses for men.
We curated the 36 best sunglasses for all types of wearers below, from the best sunglasses brands. In every budget and style, from affordable everyday shades to high-end flexers, there's bound to be a pair of sunnies here for you.
A simple, lightweight, modern Wayfarer design with a durable construction is all any guy's sunglasses game needs. When you consider the value of these bad boys, the Weekenders are a classic styling option that's all too easy to re-up on when you need a fresh pair of shades. They come in a wide array of colors and only cost you $35 for a polarized pair. Yeah, these shades are good.
While you can't go wrong with really any Oakley shades, these new gender-neutral HSTN sunglasses stand out from the pack and are made to handle all types of physical activity. A lightweight O-Matter frame means they’ll sit comfortably on your face, while its circular lens and throwback Razor Blades-inspired trigger stem means you can bank on them drawing more eyes in your direction—in the best way—than your average pair of shades.
VALLON offers several timeless European-style frames for less than $120. Howlin' is an aviator that invokes some big 1970s energy. As far as specs go, they're handcrafted from premium acetate (meaning they're very hardwearing) and equipped with a detachable head strap and polarized lenses.
Co-signed by Jamie Foxx himself, this uber-affordable yet uber-sexy pair of aviators are classic and sassy in one. With lenses that simultaneously block blue light and provide optical clarity, these shades are also great for reading.
Over the past couple of years, Garrett Leight has slowly set the standard in what a timeless pair of shades should exhibit. No matter what style you choose, you can expect a durable lightweight design that's going to leave you looking cool, calm, and collected. This Bio Charcoal pair of Ruskin Sun's will gain you subtle IFYKY respect.
Wayfarer is a classic shape that was first introduced in the 50s and achieved cult status in the 80s, courtesy of so many stars wearing them—Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, George Micael, and Madonna, to name a few. Now, with a few stylish design tweaks, the classic Wayfarer style is donning a modern look that's worthy of your attention.
When you’re enjoying the breathtaking views of nature while hiking up a mountain, it’s possible that pollution and your carbon footprint might cross your mind. Do yourself (and nature) a favor with these polarized shades made of recyclable materials. They come with a lifetime warranty, so you’ll never have to think about shopping for another pair of sunglasses again—and that’s a good thing, right?
You’re one of a kind, so shouldn’t your sunglasses follow suit? Each lightweight wood-based Woodies frame is unique, with polarized lenses and comfortable, ultra-durable fit to boot. And now that you’ve got surefire structure and durability out of the way, a clear option with blue lenses will assist with delivering on the personality front (if that sunglasses combo isn’t your vibe, don’t worry—the brand offers 50+ different other pairs of sunglasses for you to sport year round).
It’s the small details, like the hinges and end pieces that situate the temples above the lenses so that they look like they're floating, that give these scratch-resistant, impact-resistant sunglasses a major boost of style without you having to opt for a wild-looking pair of shades.
Very few sunglasses styles can be dubbed iconic, but the iconic Top Gun tear-drop style has been (and will continue to be) a classic worthy of any guy’s mug. Plus, they're polarized and offer 100% UV protection.
Don’t let your cool shades weigh you down. With ThinOptics ultra-lightweight aviator frames, you’ll barely remember you’re even wearing sunglasses. To protect these feather-weight champs, the brand provides a thin, durable aluminum case, eliminating any bulk to your pockets.
A winner of our Outdoor Awards, Ombraz replaced traditional sunglasses arms with a strong Japanese nylon cord that wraps around the entire head. The result is a pair of shades that are lightweight and capable of staying still on your head all types of activity in all types of weather. They're also reasonably affordable—only $150 for a polarized pair that you customize.
If you're looking for a stylish pair of shades that you won't have to worry about damaging, then look to Zenni. They offer what seems like an endless amount of styles, with most of them costing under $30. We think this square silhouette is good-looking—especially for wearing at the beach or at a ballgame.
If these sunglasses were good enough for Steve McQueen, they’re good enough for us. These classic foldable frames from Persol were originally introduced in the ‘60s, but look just as stylish for the modern man of today.
If you’re ready to lay down some major cash on a pair of designer aviator glasses, Tom Ford’s sunglasses have that tasteful, je ne sais quoi look with a dashing brow bar that are best for enduring style. Really, with this on your face, you’ll look anything but ordinary.
Distinctly shaped sunglasses aren’t always the easiest to pull off. But with the right prerequisites—jawlines, cheekbones, square face, etc.—they can really pop off. Now lighter yet tougher than ever, if you’ve got the right stuff, then certainly don’t miss the Abstract.
A pair of outdoor shades needs to offer an unobstructed panoramic view so you can stay tuned while hiking, cycling, surfing, or just wilding out, like these for instance. Providing HD colors to your eyes through its polarized NASA lenses, these lightweight sunnies are meant for all your alfresco adventures.
Vintage-inspired round sunglasses are a trendy option that’s great for guys with any shape of the face. Peter Millar riffs on that with UV 400 protection and a keyhole bridge that won’t press on your nose, meaning these shades can let you daily sun-blazing in style and comfort.
Designed for manual work, these sunglasses live up to the hostile demands of traveling the ocean, fishing in the wild, working in an oil factory, or even outdoor shooting. They’re in fact safety-rated and engineered to cut glare while amping up details so you can clearly see what’s going on at hand or around you.
The added acetate brow bar in these stylish vintage sunglasses can be the perfect finishing touch to all your fits. With anti-reflective lenses and skull temples that provide comfort behind the ear, they’re also quite wearable every day.
Bernd Fischer is a freelance writer based in London covering style for Men’s Health. Before relocating to the United Kingdom, Bernd was a Content Editor at GQ Middle East in Dubai, having previously served in the same role at GQ South Africa in Cape Town. He has written for Paper, The Manual, Mic, Splinter, and the South African editions of Glamour and House & Garden. Bernd is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School in New York.
Maverick Li is the Style & Commerce Editor of Men’s Health, where he covers clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.