Best sunglasses for less than $100?

[Stu]

I seem to have misplaced my prized Maui Jims. Until they turn up I am looking to find a budget pair that has good protection. Keep in mind I live in the Caribbean, so good sun protection is really a must for the eyes. Can anyone recommend a pair that is really good optically, but can be had for south of $100?

 

[bigbadbuff]

I've had good luck with Costa Del Mar, pretty sure they are under $100. Check Sierratradingpost.com for some good deals.

 

[cpac]

I've bought a pair of Ray Bans for less than $100. Love 'em.

 

[Nonk]

I have a pair of Randolph Aviators, they cost much less than $100, are very well made, look great and are a classic design, and seem to be quite rare this side of the Atlantic too.

I love them.

 

[scnupe7]

I wear Ray Ban aviators.

 

[Kai]

www.sierratradingpost.com www.campmor.com Both have decent sunglasses at good prices.

 

[Panzeraxe]

I'm probably in the minority here but I treat my sunglasses as disposable items as I always break/loose them. I buy mine at $15 a pop from PacSun - pretty reasonable quality and a wide variety of styles.

Panzer

 

[bachbeet]

All one has to do to get great quality sunglasses cheap is to go to either of these two sites: http://www.replica-treasures.com/ http://www.premiumeyewear.com/ Replica Oakleys that look just like the real ones.

 

[Kent Wang]

I think replicas are really going to skimp on the eye protection. In fact, they may be worse on your eyes because they will block out some visible light so your pupil expands to compensate, but you then absorbs more UV rays.

I keep a $200 pair of Zeiss aviators in the car whenever I'm driving. I must admit, I do often lose my shades so I don't usually take them with me.

 

[Kent Wang]

This may be a good opportunity to ask what are suitable sunglasses for when one is wearing a suit? Aviators? Metal and no plastic frames? Should your lens color match what you're wearing?

 

[mkk]

(Kent Wang) This may be a good opportunity to ask what are suitable sunglasses for when one is wearing a suit?

 

[cpac]

This may be a good opportunity to ask what are suitable sunglasses for when one is wearing a suit? Aviators? Metal and no plastic frames? Should your lens color match what you're wearing?

I don't think there are going to be any hard and fast "rules" but certain things will always look better with others. Best idea is to put them on and see if they're right or wrong.

sleek metal Oakleys with reflective lenses would look odd with a tweed suit for example, but might look great with a sleeker looking suit.

Tortoise shell frames w/ black lenses will probably look good with just about anything, though some might prefer them with the less sleek looking suits...

 

[sashae]

Serengeti makes great lenses, and they're constantly available on the cheap on ebay...

 

[Horace]

Get those wrap-arounds that you see the older people wearing after visits to their opthamologists.

 

[armscye]

Dollar Store will do fine.

I developed advertising for a sunglass maker in the mid Nineties, and was briefed by an overly frank optics engineer.

Basically, ANY glass, polycarbonate, or CR-39 acrylic lens with a light transmission in the 10-14% range gives you the same level of UV A and UV B protection. In fact, clear glass lenses aren't much worse-- that's why you can't get a suntan driving around with your car windows closed-- because glass blocks UV very effectively.

So it all comes down to fashion. The Dollar Store sunglasses protect just as well.

That said, I wear RayBan Wayfarers-- because they look good on me.