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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Akila Miracle Sunglasses
Loewe Wing Double Frame Sunglasses
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Matsuda M3111 Sunglasses
Crap Eyewear Spaced Ranger Sunglasses
Cartier Santos Evolution Aviator Sunglasses
