13 Best Aviator Sunglasses for Men in 2024, According to GQ


The best aviator sunglasses for men have always been cool, but I first became enamored with them as a kid, watching reruns of CHiPs before school. The plot lines were largely forgettable. The reflective, teardrop-shaped frames those fictional highway patrol officers swore by? Not so much. Once I moved on from spending my mornings with Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox, there were aviators again, framing the faces of Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver, Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and Robert Redford wherever he went. All of this to say: Aviators are as American as apple pie, blue jeans, and Coca-Cola—and have represented a specific brand of grownup swagger for as long as I’ve been alive.

The original aviators were created in the 1930s by Bausch & Lomb, a precursor to Ray-Ban, but these days, there are countless riffs on the silhouette that yank it into the here and now. The exact ones pilots used to wear are still a sure bet—part of the aviator’s appeal is how much of the eye it protects, making it one of the safest choices for pilots, drivers, and bikers—but there’s no shortage of high-flying designer joints, too. Below is every pair worth your time, from the age-old, genre-defining icons to the new-school, wild-style iconoclasts.


The Best Men’s Aviator Sunglasses, According to GQ


Best Aviator Sunglasses Overall: Ray-Ban RB3025 Classic Aviator Sunglasses

Ray-Ban

RB3025 Classic Aviator Sunglasses

Really, there’s no better place to start than with the brand that invented the silhouette. In 1936, these iconic sunglasses were introduced for pilots, designed with distinctive large lenses that covered the entire eye to minimize light intrusion from all angles—a critical feature for clear vision during flight. The Ray-Ban design soon soared beyond the cockpit and into pop culture, but beyond their stylish appeal, these aviators also offer 100% UV protection, and come with the classic Ray-Ban green lenses—though there’s also pink, brown, gray, blue, and other lens options should you lean a different way.

Best Budget Aviator Sunglasses: Sunski Shoreline Sunglasses

Sunski

Shoreline Sunglasses

Pros

  • Recycled materials
  • Lenses block 100% UVA wavelengths
  • $58. Fifty. Eight. Bucks!

Cons

  • Big frames = not for the faint of heart (or small of face)

You don’t need to break the bank to shield your eyes from harsh rays, either. Crafted from recyclable materials, Sunski’s more-affordable frames still feature polarized lenses that improve contrast in ultra-bright conditions, and block over 99% of UV light. The Shoreline model stands out, too, with its slightly larger, square-shaped aviator design calling to mind Hunter S. Thompson’s signature oversized yellow lenses.

Best OG Aviator Sunglasses: American Optical Original Pilot Sunglasses

American Optical

Original Pilot Sunglasses

Pros

  • As authentic as it gets
  • 100% UVA/UVB protection
  • Premium USA-made construction

Cons

  • As long as we’re nit-picking, we could do without the logo in the corner

These sunglasses made it to the moon and back. Carried by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during their historic moon landing in 1969, it’s all the proof you need that American Optical’s aviators are more than capable of handling anything Earth throws your way. Crafted specifically for American military pilots, these iconic frames feature bayonet temples specifically designed to eliminate interference with military helmets—or your favorite ’47 branded cap. But their impressive heritage is just the beginning. The frames are built to last, with scratch-resistant lenses that offer distortion-free clarity, and an anti-reflective backside coating to combat glare, even when driving into the sun. . What’s more, they’re still made in the USA today, adhering to the same rigorous military standards that have defined them for decades.

Best Air Force-Approved Aviator Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering Aviator Sunglasses

Randolph Engineering

Aviator Sunglasses

Pros

  • Unimpeachable pedigree
  • Premium USA-made construction
  • Perfectly dialed square lens shape

Cons

  • Limited inventory (though frequently restocked)

The Randolph Engineering name has been synonymous with quality eyewear since 1973. (Like American Optical above, in 1982, the brand secured a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to produce military-issue sunglasses.) Each pair is handcrafted, in a process that takes up to six weeks and involves over 200 intricate steps, taking into account comfort as much as quality, with adjustable nose pads and flexible temple arms to guarantee a fit that’s tailored to you. So confident is Randolph Engineering of its military-grade durability, in fact, that the brand backs each frame with a lifetime warranty.

Best Mood Board-Famous Aviator Sunglasses: Persol PO0649 Aviator Sunglasses

Persol

PO0649 Aviator Sunglasses

Pros

  • Ciao, bella! (Saying that aloud counts as a pro, believe us)
  • Unimpeachable pedigree
  • Includes gratis cleaning kit

Cons

  • Feels a little heavier on the face than our other winners
  • We’d recommend sticking to 52 millimeters

While Persol’s tortoise frames aren’t the classic metal frames associated with aviators, those lenses are as aviator as they come, so we’re including them here. Inspired by Turin’s elegant, swift tram drivers, and featuring the iconic glasses brand’s signature Meflecto temple technology—which ensures the glasses fit to your head, rather than putting pressure on it—these glasses offer exceptional flexibility and comfort, making them a perfect choice for all-day wear. That was at least the opinion of Marcello Mastroianni and Steve McQueen, both of whom were frequently seen in their Persol PO0649s.

Best Aviator Sunglasses for Fashion Guys: Jacques Marie Mage Aviator Sunglasses

Jacques Marie Mage

Valkyrie Aviator Acetate Sunglasses

Pros

  • Premium Japanese craftmanship
  • Swaggering oversized lenses
  • Tremendously Jeremy Strong-coded

Cons

  • Limited inventory
  • You will get stopped by the paparazzi
  • Oh, right—they’re $800

Jacques Marie Mage produces eyewear for collectors, and these bold acetate frame, aviator-style sunglasses are testament to that. Handcrafted in Japan according to a 300-step process, there’s an authority to their thick black frame, but a creative edge to their gradient lenses reminiscent of Francis Ford Coppola’s trademark on-set director’s shades. Essentially, these particular JMMs blend vintage details with state-of-the-art craftsmanship, making them a standout accessory if you can stretch to their asking price.


More Aviator Sunglasses We Love

Oliver Peoples Rivetti Aviator Titanium Sunglasses

Oliver Peoples

Rivetti Aviator Titanium Sunglasses

American Psycho’s detail-obsessed Patrick Bateman wore Oliver Peoples frames—and these, which feature an intricate engraving inspired by theArt Deco design of the Golden Gate Bridge, give you a sense of just why he did. Plus, with a double bridge and comfortable nose pads, you won’t find yourself constantly adjusting them.

Akila Miracle Sunglasses

Akila

Miracle Sunglasses

Los Angeles-based Akila eyewear uses plant-based cellulose acetate for its frames, which is much better for the planet than traditional petroleum-based plastics. Oh, and the lenses are nylon, too.

Loewe Wing Double Frame Sunglasses

Loewe

Brown Wing Double Frame Sunglasses

Port Tanger Dost Sunglasses

Port Tanger

Dost Sunglasses

If Back to the Future was filmed today and set in the year 2054, Marty McFly would rock these while riding shotgun in a Waymo. Not convinced? Port Tanger’s acetate wraparound shades are near-guaranteed to be worn by your favorite hooper this season, too.

Matsuda M3111 Sunglasses

Matsuda

M3111 Sunglasses

Matsuda’s M3111 aviators feature frames crafted from durable titanium and acetate, but the standout detail—along with the blue lenses—are the perforated side shields that add a little more style, and a little more coverage.

Crap Eyewear Spaced Ranger Sunglasses

Crap Eyewear

Spaced Ranger Sunglasses

Crap Eyewear is a brand that defies its cheeky name, offering quality, style, and a price tag that is anything but. Their Spaced Ranger aviator-style shades—reminiscent of Paul Newman’s in The Color of Money—are a collection standout. The lenses are not only large but also high-clarity, and made from biodegradable acetate and plant-based plastics.

Cartier Santos Evolution Aviator Sunglasses

Cartier

Santos Evolution Aviator Sunglasses

Cartier’s aviators feature gold and silver-tone metal with a sleek brow bar, dark gray lenses, and screws throughout that wink at the screws of the brand’s iconic Santos watch and Love bracelets—the definition of elevating a classic.



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