Every man loves to wear a pair of sunglasses once the summer rolls around. It is one of those accessories that look alpha male and really add to a man’s confidence.
However, you need to get the right pair.
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Aviator sunglasses are a particular style of glasses that were originally developed for pilots. Over the years, they developed, and now they are some of the most popular sunglasses in the world. Their design is distinctive, with dark, large lenses and “bullet hole” metal frames.
The design itself was an attempt to cover pilots’ eyes completely, preventing any light from impairing their skills.
In this article, we will be giving our recommendations for the 10 best aviator sunglasses for men. These recommendations will be sandwiched between a discussion on some purchasing tips that will be sure to shape your decision making and some advice on how to wear aviators and look good doing it. We will finish off by looking at how aviators differ from other types of sunglasses.
1. RAY-BAN RB3025 METAL AVIATOR SUNGLASSES
It almost feels like a cop-out choosing to include Ray-Bans in a list of the best aviator sunglasses of 2019. However, the quality that they consistently provide etches them as one of the first names on any sunglasses list, and unsurprisingly ours is no different.
They are one of the most iconic sunglass models in the entire world. Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses are a timeless model that every man longs for at least once in his life. They look sleek, come in multiple color options and, to be honest, just make you fall in love.
It must be noted, however, that these sunglasses are non-polarized. For many people, they won’t see the difference. There’s not a huge amount of discrepancy between them, but some people will prefer to go with polarized anyway, just to be safe. If you are one of them, then perhaps stay away from these.
In terms of accessories, these come with a free eyewear care kit – including warranty, cleaning cloth and case. For maintenance of your aviators, this is great, and just another reason why buying Ray-Bans is a great idea. Getting a warranty with your purchase shows that they care about what service they are providing and feel like it will be worth your purchase.
PROS ?
- Iconic style – designer aviator sunglasses
- Look great
- Come with a full warranty and eyewear care kit
- Lots of Colour Options
CONS ❌
- Expensive option
2. MERRY’S UNISEX POLARIZED ALUMINIUM SUNGLASSES VINTAGE SUNGLASSES FOR MEN S8286
These budget sunglasses are an excellent option for the majority of men who just want a pair of aviators to tide them over for the summer months. Coming with a metal frame and composite lenses, they look great and come in a vintage design.
There are plenty of reasons why these are worth more than the money that you are paying, and the first comes in the form of polarized lenses. Having polarized lenses gives you an extra layer of protection against glare and scattered light, increasing comfort.
MERRY’s have even described their sunglasses as suiting any face shape. This eliminates any worries that you may not be able to wear them.
Another thing that really drew us towards these were customer reviews. With over 2,500 reviews at the time of writing this article, the overwhelming majority are entirely positive. Having that many people happy with their purchase is only indicative of their quality, and we feel that you would not be disappointed with the purchase.
PROS ?
- Excellent budget option
- Polarized lenses
- Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
CONS ❌
- Some complaints about durability over the long-term, but to be expected at this price point
These aviator sunglasses are built based off of the classic, original pilot eyewear style. They look authentic and original whilst still modern, thanks to the silver frame.
Looking at the lenses, you can choose from 7 colors, including some that are polarized. Again, if you are someone who looks to buy polarized glasses, then you will not be disappointed by the options here. If you are not bothered, then you can save a bit of money by selecting the ones that are non-polarized.
On the off-chance that one of you reading this is a genuine pilot, Air Force or otherwise, then you’ll be impressed to know that many Air Force test pilots completely love these American Optical glasses and recommend them for others. Even if you are not a pilot, that should give you an indication of the quality.
PROS ?
- Great and solid sunglasses
- Nice, modern style
- Both polarized and non-polarized options
CONS ❌
- They are heavy sunglasses
4. GOBIGER AVIATOR SUNGLASSES FOR MEN 100% UV PROTECTION GOGGLE ALLOY FRAME WITH CASE
For those of you looking for good, solid protection against the sun, these aviator sunglasses claim to block 100% of all UVA and UVB radiation. This is key to protecting your eyesight against long-term UV damage, and you’ll be more than pleased that you looked after your eyes in the future.
The glasses themselves are made from high-quality metal that is reinforced and durable enough for long-term use. This makes them perfect for any climate and weather condition, plus any activity, like walking, shopping, skiing, and general travelling.
PROS ?
- Full protection against UVA and UVB light
- Durable material
- Many color options
CONS ❌
- The frame bends quite easily
5. RAY-BAN MEN’S RB3502 POLARIZED AVIATOR SUNGLASSES
Making its return to this list, Ray-Ban has a slightly more expensive version that does provide you with polarized lenses. Having these polarized lenses will protect your eyes just that little bit more against glare. If you are driving often then these are absolutely perfect for you. The more that you drive with a glare in your eyes, the more dangerous it is.
Other than that, the lenses in these sunglasses are prescription ready, meaning that you can take them into your optician and get them sorted to match your regular prescription glasses. This immediately signifies how durable they are and how long they should be able to last you if treated correctly.
PROS ?
- Iconic Ray-Ban style aviator
- Polarized lenses
- Prescription ready
CONS ❌
- Quite expensive for what you get
The designer options don’t stop at Ray-Ban. Another great option for many sunglass enthusiasts has to be Oakley. They provide similar quality to Ray-Ban at a similar price point.
The Oakley aviator design is reminiscent of the classic pilot design, but they have altered the frame to be made from lightweight C-5 alloy, providing the user with excellent comfort.
The lenses themselves are fully polarized and give 100% UV protection. This double protective layer means that you’ll be keeping your eyes healthy at all times, which is worth the money in itself.
PROS ?
- An alternative designer aviator sunglass
- Excellent lightweight alloy design
- 100% UV protection and polarized lenses
CONS ❌
- Out of many budget ranges
7. J+S PREMIUM MILITARY STYLE CLASSIC AVIATOR SUNGLASSES, POLARIZED, 100% UV PROTECTION
Grabbing yourselves an alternative to designer brands is an attractive option, especially if you’re at a budget price point. These aviator sunglasses come with all of the advantages of a designer pair, yet with the bonus of saving a whole lot of money.
These sunglasses come with a high-quality metallic allow frame that is ultra-lightweight yet durable. The legs are spring-loaded, and the silicon nose pads allow maximum comfort and flexibility.
The lenses themselves come with a specialized multi-layer lens formulated to block out over 99% of all glare. Not only that, but you have the bonus of a 400UV rating, giving you protection against at least 99% of all UVA and UVB radiation.
All purchases from J+S sunglasses come with a 1-year warranty on frames and lenses, so it’s essentially a free hit at a good investment.
PROS ?
- Designer quality at a fraction of the cost
- 1-year warranty
CONS ❌
- Not massively comfortable
8. SERENGETI LARGE AVIATOR SUNGLASSES
If you’ve got a reasonable budget, and you’re perhaps looking for the best aviator sunglasses under $100, then you may be able to stop looking.
These Serengeti aviator sunglasses come in the classic timeless and sleek design but have a feel that has been fully updated with modern technology and premium materials.
Impressively, all of the lenses come with photochromic technology, meaning that they automatically adjust throughout the day to let in more/less light when needed.
Many of the reviewers are completely in love with these sunglasses, and we see no reason why we should doubt their opinions.
PROS ?
- They are built to last
- Come with photochromic technology
- All-rounders, from walking to riding motorbikes
CONS ❌
- Quite a large nosepiece fit
9. LUENX MEN AVIATOR SUNGLASSES POLARIZED – UV 400 PROTECTION WITH CASE 60MM CLASSIC STYLE
These sunglasses take a unique approach to their manufacturing process in that they have tried really hard to be as friendly to humans as possible. The durable and shatterproof frame is made with antioxidant plating and has been anti-allergy tested.
A great little feature to these sunglasses is the skin-friendly nose pad. As you’ll all have seen hundreds of times before, wearing glasses can leave marks either side of your nose that look like you’ve had it clamped in a vice. The material chosen on these sunglasses completely evades this problem, and it enables you to wear them for hours on end without worrying.
The lenses are polarized and have 100% UV400 eye protection – a welcome bonus on any budget sunglasses.
PROS ?
- Completely skin friendly – harmless to skin
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Full UVA and UVB protection as well as polarized lens
CONS ❌
- They can bend out of shape over time
10. WPF RETRO POLARIZED SUNGLASSES AVIATOR SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
If you are hunting around for a fully retro, vintage-style pilot aviator, then this could be your ideal purchase.
The metal frame with bayonet temples is sturdy. It is made to be durable, and the bayonets are held in place with bump metal blockers to prevent you from having that annoying realization that you’ve lost one in transit.
The manufacturers have made sure to use skin-friendly nose pads. For anyone with blackheads or general skin issues like eczema, this could be perfect. The glasses are also environmentally friendly, so no one has to feel bad about the potential consequences that their buying habits have caused.
PROS ?
- Great retro design and style
- Solid and sturdy design
- Environmentally and skin friendly
CONS ❌
- Lenses can scratch easily if not looked after well
Bonus
CARRERA 33/S AVIATOR SUNGLASSES
Carrera is a pioneering Italian brand that made their name producing sunglasses, so these are of the highest quality.
The style of the sunglasses is modern, and they look especially sharp. We can picture almost any face shape looking great in these glasses, and it is easy to see why.
The composite frame and lens give the glasses a bit of extra oomph, and they are included to prevent them from breaking easily due to a flimsy frame. Instead, they should be able to withstand quite a bit of trauma.
A case is included, which is always an added bonus. However, if you’re looking for anti-glare, polarized technology, you will not be finding it here.
PROS ?
- Great mid-price option
- Composite frames
- 100% UV protection
CONS ❌
- Non-polarized lenses are surprising, particularly for the price
BOTTOM LINE
As a mid-point item, this pair of aviator sunglasses sits between many of the budget options and a designer option like Ray-Ban. The style is excellent, but there are some clear areas in which they lack the next level of production.
