Sunglasses- who makes decent ones in 2024?

[GuigiaroBertone]

There used to be an obvious answer to this, but I find myself struggling to find a decent pair for my upcoming holidays.

Here's my (highly subjective, tongue in cheek) 2024 brand perception of the main players:

• RayBan/Oakley/Persol - owned lots and used to be good quality/value now just another overpriced Luxotica brand

• Italian "designer" (Prada/D&G/Armani/Ferrrari/ Versace) etc = more overpriced Luxotica brands & cheesy AF

• Oliver peoples/ Tom Ford heading towards the above

• Any designer/ high street/Airport "world duty free" brand tie in- e.g. Ted Baker, Jimmy choo, Marc Jacobs etc. Just naff and again paying to advertise a mid market brand

• Police/ Randolph aviators = Walt / kiddy fiddler vibes (big aviation fan, but I'm afraid it's true)

• Carrera = One trick pony/ gimmick. Cool in 2004.

• High street own brands/ Next, Reiss, Boots, Zara, Top man etc- cheap chinese st

• Polaroid - given up on life

• Fake/tourist market knock offs- as points 1-6 but cheaper and a bit pathetic

• Messy Weekend/ SunGod etc - a product of Social media hype and massive markup for what must cost just a couple of quid to make- max.

I'm just looking for a pair that are on trend (or near enough) and worth their price. I'm not looking for a status symbol / obvious branding/ bling. Price not an issue, but bear in mind that most pairs I've owned seem to go missing in a time frame that is directly proportional to their price. I've never lost a pair that cost less than a Tenner- no matter how hard I try.

[RustyMX5]

I've gone with Bolle or Bloc in the past

and Ray-Ban and Oakley

[Super Sonic]

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.

[GuigiaroBertone]

RustyMX5 said:

I've gone with Bolle or Bloc in the past

and Ray-Ban and Oakley

sorry- I forgot the Euro/ski rep / couldn't afford Oakleys in the 90s category

No doubts re: quality, but they do still look like they were bought from Decathlon.

[Ambleton]

My pal swears by Sungod. They're not part of the Luxotica group and appear to be actually half decent.

I'm in need of a new pair of sunglasses having broken my raybans so will have a mooch around and see what they have that I like the look of.

[The Hofff]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-reinforcer-fire-...

Just the right price range me for me!

[GuigiaroBertone]

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.

I remember their adverts in Car/ Performance car magazine circa 1990.

Although I don't doubt the quality, unfortunately that's put them in the Randolph aviator/ Police category for me.

[Spare tyre]

At lemans a few years back someone purchased some Lidl or aldi sunglasses, they were so got about 5 others got the same, they still wear them now, best bit is they are so cheap it’s not the end of the world when you sit on them

[GuigiaroBertone]

Ambleton said:

My pal swears by Sungod. They're not part of the Luxotica group and appear to be actually half decent.

I'm in need of a new pair of sunglasses having broken my raybans so will have a mooch around and see what they have that I like the look of.

I'v enot tried a pair in person, but looking closely at the website they seem to be a marketing phenomenon/ brand exercise. I'll try and find a pair in person.

[CountyAFC]

Randolph Engineering are head and shoulders above everything else in my experience.

[joropug]

I really rate Shady Rays.

The glasses are good quality, if you break them, or they fail or go missing, for the price of postage you can claim a free replacement.

I’ve used this twice after lenses got damaged, have about 6 pairs.

You can also have a flutter at a random pair of polarised glasses for about £15 when you order another pair, I’ve been lucky and had 3 decent ones out of it.

You can usually find a decent discount code online too.

[vixen1700]

Bought a pair Maui Jim a couple of years back but I find myself just wearing my prescription Hugo Boss pair from Specsavers the majority of the time.

Found an old pair of Ray Bans doing a bit of clearing round the house dating back to around 1993 which have quite a Jack Nicholson vibe about them. Will clean them up for the Summer.

[Badda]

Maui Jim are good.

Persol are better.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Persol or Randolph (USA) Engineering for me.

[GuigiaroBertone]

Badda said:

Maui Jim are good.

Persol are better.

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.

[GuigiaroBertone]

CountyAFC said:

Randolph Engineering are head and shoulders above everything else in my experience.

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.

[GuigiaroBertone]

joropug said:

I really rate Shady Rays.

The glasses are good quality, if you break them, or they fail or go missing, for the price of postage you can claim a free replacement.

I’ve used this twice after lenses got damaged, have about 6 pairs.

You can also have a flutter at a random pair of polarised glasses for about £15 when you order another pair, I’ve been lucky and had 3 decent ones out of it.

You can usually find a decent discount code online too.

I will do some research- thanks

[Square Leg]

GuigiaroBertone said:

Ambleton said:

My pal swears by Sungod. They're not part of the Luxotica group and appear to be actually half decent.

I'm in need of a new pair of sunglasses having broken my raybans so will have a mooch around and see what they have that I like the look of.

I'v enot tried a pair in person, but looking closely at the website they seem to be a marketing phenomenon/ brand exercise. I'll try and find a pair in person.

After catching a cricket ball in my face and breaking my cheekbone my 12 year old Oakley half jackets were uncomfortable.
So I bought some Sungods as the shape meant they didn’t touch the split skin.
They were a cheap temporary pair but you can see why they’re cheap.. wouldn’t bother with them again.

[dudleybloke]

The Hofff said:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-reinforcer-fire-...

Just the right price range me for me!

I use these on the bike and they are superb.

https://www.toolstation.com/dewalt-protector-safet...



I've had far more expensive ones that weren't as good plus if i do lose them its not a buge expense.

Edited by dudleybloke on Monday 24th June 17:24

[GuigiaroBertone]

Square Leg said:

After catching a cricket ball in my face

User name checks out