Sunglasses- who makes decent ones in 2024?
Discussion
GuigiaroBertone said:
I had some lovely Persols years ago and also rated Maui Jims
Unfortunately both are now owned by mega- corporations and made in the same factories as all their other brands. Prices hiked massively, but quality not worth the increase in price- in 2024 you're paying for a brand.
Maui Jim were only bought ~18 months ago, and from what I have heard haven't suffered yet. (I've heard it suggested that the frames have actually improved, and their lenses were very good anyway)Unfortunately both are now owned by mega- corporations and made in the same factories as all their other brands. Prices hiked massively, but quality not worth the increase in price- in 2024 you're paying for a brand.
If you want to ensure quality, why not but a good optical frame and get it glazed with some decent lenses from Zeiss (or whoever you prefer). Customise to your hearts content
The Hofff said:
Haha! Not doubting the quality/price ratio & I have worn similar clear ones on the bike on overcast days- clear Oakleys are no better...but I did spec "Holiday" and "vaguely on trend"
How about https://mosevic.com
Definitely not a mega corp, made by a chap in a Cornish shed.
Not sure about 'on trend' but seems to pop up in my YouTube feed quite frequently.
Definitely not a mega corp, made by a chap in a Cornish shed.
Not sure about 'on trend' but seems to pop up in my YouTube feed quite frequently.
egomeister said:
Maui Jim were only bought ~18 months ago, and from what I have heard haven't suffered yet. (I've heard it suggested that the frames have actually improved, and their lenses were very good anyway)
If you want to ensure quality, why not but a good optical frame and get it glazed with some decent lenses from Zeiss (or whoever you prefer). Customise to your hearts content
That's a solid idea to get the perfect pair, but opticians seriously know how to markup and as I mentioned- expensive eyewear has a half life in inverse proportion to cost. If you want to ensure quality, why not but a good optical frame and get it glazed with some decent lenses from Zeiss (or whoever you prefer). Customise to your hearts content
I have a history of destroying sunglasses. I wore my flying glasses (RayBan Aviators) while skiing and in a ski-lift someone shoved themselves into the lift when it was already full, causing the sharp edge of one of my skis that I was holding vertically to hit one of the lenses. Wrecked.
I had another pair of nice sunglasses that I lost somewhere.
Now I just buy cheapies from Boots - no more than £20-30 max. They do the job just fine, you can't tell what brand they are, and when I break a hinge or sit on them or lose them, it's no great loss. I replaced the lens on my aviators, but they stay in my flying bag now. They're actually great glasses for flying but I think they look a bit naff for general use.
I had another pair of nice sunglasses that I lost somewhere.
Now I just buy cheapies from Boots - no more than £20-30 max. They do the job just fine, you can't tell what brand they are, and when I break a hinge or sit on them or lose them, it's no great loss. I replaced the lens on my aviators, but they stay in my flying bag now. They're actually great glasses for flying but I think they look a bit naff for general use.
Super Sonic said:
Have had a pair of Serengeti for 4-5 yes now, v light, v comfy excellent visibility not a scratch on the plastic lenses. Highly recommend. Not the cheapest but worth it.
These. Really excellent, and have been for decades now. Also Hobie have real integrity IME, if you can find them & the styles suit.
I just get them from Primark and also I bought multiple pairs of genuine Ray Ban copies, two for 15 Euros when I was in Lanzarote last year. That way I don't care when I lose them or I break them.
My partner had a pair of Tiffany ones that she left in a taxi and also has a pair of Channel ones that she is too frightened to wear. Feeling the quality of the Channel ones they honestly feel no better than the cheap ones in TK Maxx.
She took now wears a cheap pair she bought abroad for 8 Euros when she desperately needed some.
I have compared my aviator copies with a real pair in Sunglasses Hut and I honestly cannot see why they cost 30 times more.
My partner had a pair of Tiffany ones that she left in a taxi and also has a pair of Channel ones that she is too frightened to wear. Feeling the quality of the Channel ones they honestly feel no better than the cheap ones in TK Maxx.
She took now wears a cheap pair she bought abroad for 8 Euros when she desperately needed some.
I have compared my aviator copies with a real pair in Sunglasses Hut and I honestly cannot see why they cost 30 times more.
GuigiaroBertone said:
Radec said:
How about Moscot?
How much!!!?? With sunglasses it seems it's only possible to pick two out of the following three criteria:
- Quality
- Style
- Price
If you want to support someone closer to home there's Cubitts or for more exclusivity (£££) Banton Frameworks
Edited by Radec on Monday 24th June 17:51
GuigiaroBertone said:
I remember when they were £60 for a pair! I don't think quality has also increased fourfold.
Also see my subjective brand perception comments above.
Maybe acceptable if one actually is a military pilot. Otherwise a bit Nick Adderley.
Bit harsh, speaking as a Randolph/ Serengeti owner. I like to think there is an an F22 Raptor pilot out there striding across the apron in slow motion, wearing his Randolph’s, thinking ‘Cool, I look like some old duffer on Pistonheads’.Also see my subjective brand perception comments above.
Maybe acceptable if one actually is a military pilot. Otherwise a bit Nick Adderley.
Where do B+L Raybans sit on your cool wall btw?
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I just get them from Primark and also I bought multiple pairs of genuine Ray Ban copies, two for 15 Euros when I was in Lanzarote last year.
You were done, they are £1 a pair in their UK stores.ThingsBehindTheSun said:
That way I don't care when I lose them or I break them.
Exactly, and equally good quality to lots of others sold for many multiple times the price.GuigiaroBertone said:
egomeister said:
Maui Jim were only bought ~18 months ago, and from what I have heard haven't suffered yet. (I've heard it suggested that the frames have actually improved, and their lenses were very good anyway)
If you want to ensure quality, why not but a good optical frame and get it glazed with some decent lenses from Zeiss (or whoever you prefer). Customise to your hearts content
That's a solid idea to get the perfect pair, but opticians seriously know how to markup and as I mentioned- expensive eyewear has a half life in inverse proportion to cost. If you want to ensure quality, why not but a good optical frame and get it glazed with some decent lenses from Zeiss (or whoever you prefer). Customise to your hearts content
I would give Maui Jim a look though as I think they are still decent and despite sharing your big corp / Lux hate, Kering seem to do a much better job with their brands. I'd have probably gone with them if it wasn't for being right at the extent of what they offer with prescription
I was sold a pair of Maui Jim's in Hawaii many years ago. One of the few times I took a salespersons recommendation but they were right, the lenses really do make the Hawaiian landscape look better. (Although any polarised lens would probably suffice). The lenses are excellent but can't comment on recent quality. Shame I dropped them, cracked the frame and smashed a lens.
The only thing I look for now is genuine UV protection as that's half the point of wearing sun glasses. If you're an indoors sun glass wearer to look cool, then cheap copies would suffice.
The only thing I look for now is genuine UV protection as that's half the point of wearing sun glasses. If you're an indoors sun glass wearer to look cool, then cheap copies would suffice.
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