Gear Patrol

Finally the brightness of summer is on its way. Now, for the harsh reality: you’ve had plenty of time during the last five months of gray to forget where you left your last set of sunglasses. If you’re in need of a new pair, the beloved aviator never goes out of style, pairs well with everything from a suit to board shorts, and just looks damn good. Read on for the five best aviators for summer 2013.

The charitable and on-trend team at Warby Parker have partnered with The Standard hotel to create a limited edition pair of their Winston shades in a classic striped ale colorway. Blending 60s styling with a dose of modern confidence, they’re a steal for $95, even if your days by the pool are still months away. Plus, they ship with a special orange lens cloth designed by artist Jeff Canham that we know you’ll lose in a week. Like all Warby specs, purchasing this pair will also send a pair of optical glasses to someone in need. Look for them at The Standard hotels in the company’s new “Readery” kiosks (also developed in collaboration with Warby Parker) or purchase them directly online via the link below.

Whether credit goes to Don Draper or not, there’s no denying the current popularity of aviator sunglasses. And while there is no shortage of brands to choose from, if you want the original, there’s only one choice: American Optical. The US military started issuing AO Aviator sunglasses to its pilots, sailors and soldiers way back…

Looking to make your extended weekend celebration extra memorable? Well, our editors have culled through our latest posts to help provide some last minute inspiration for your Memorial Day weekend, whether the festivities are at your place, or elsewhere. You can thank us by throwing another burger on the grill. Two slices of cheese, please….

Ugh. Another pair of sunglasses. Really? Well, until you actually try on the Bolle Rainier, like we did, you wouldn’t know that they are supremely comfortable and have what Bolle calls Thermogrip technology to keep the specs on your face. Consider them like tropical frog fingers for your face, providing a great fit and allowing…

Protective eyewear dates back to prehistoric times when Inuit people created snow goggles out of flattened walrus ivory. The accessory, before it was an accessory, also made its way through the ancient Roman and Chinese cultures as unique visual tools. It wasn’t until the early-1900s when tinted eyewear stepped unto the style scene, thanks in…

GoPro may be the leading provider of tag-a-long video equipment when crazy adventures call, but that doesn’t mean their solution is the only way to let your body be the camera man. Pivothead is peddling a new line of video recording eyewear. At the moment, four styles of glasses are available, all of which look…

Need proof that the fashion world is cyclical? The fact that esteemed eyewear brand Persol reintroduced clip-ons last year is all the evidence you should need. While traditionally synonymous with bad taste, the PO 3007 V and 3002 V frames make a strikingly good case for the design’s revival, especially considering their price and convenience…

Sunglasses aren’t just for the summer vacation months, especially when you’re driving. And it’s not just about looking good, though you should certainly avoid ill-fitting and overly trendy sunspecs, for personal dignity reasons, naturally. For a masculine look with some of the best optics around, look no farther than the Serengeti Riano ($219). We got…

Our latest viewfinder comes courtesy of the esteemed sunglass makers at Randolph Engineering. After touring their factory last year, we were certainly impressed with the hard work and craftsmanship that went into every pair of glasses Randolph makes. The Sound of Sight is essentially an artful highlight reel of this process.

If you live an active lifestyle (note: intently watching the Ironman Triathlon while downing a bucket of chicken doesn’t count), you know how important optics are. Poor vision can be the difference between finishing in one piece or ending up on a gurney. Case in point, the Oakley Fast Jacket ($220), which is designed by…

Built with a heavy dose of human power, Randolph Engineering has been producing honest, premium quality eyewear, frame after frame at their family owned factory in Massachusetts. We’ve spent time with Randolph’s quintessential Aviators, but this time around we walked away even more impressed having had the opportunity to do an inadvertent test of the…

Even if casual Fridays aren’t a tradition in your office, putting on a pair of Maui Jim Aloha Friday ($220-$300) will show the world what you’d rather be doing. Both the frames and lens treatments are saltwater safe, so if you do manage to swap that corner office for a patch of sand, you’re good…

Wireframe sunglasses are a departure for Electric Visual, a company who has built a reputation for their snow goggles and nylon framed sunglasses. The departure has been a good one, neither ill-conceived or hurried. The frames are well-built with hinges that flex, just so, to avoid the obnoxious flimsy feeling and offer 100% UV protection….

There are hundreds of brands out there making Wayfarer-like pairs of shades, and at first glance the Activist Eyewear 10.01 ($450) may seem like just another imitator. Look closer though and you’ll notice details you won’t find on other specs. Before we dive into the specifics though, let’s first make it clear that Activist Eyewear…

These Oliver Peoples Daddy B ($325) shades may seem familiar because they have graced the face of more than a few celebrities including Jay-Z. That’s because thanks to their slightly oversized Mod shape, these classics standout with a 70s-retro flare that translates into classic cool. Note worthy details include options for CR-39 Polarized or Photochromic…

Lately, it seems everybody and their brother is wearing aviators and for good reason, they look great on your face (yes, even yours). While Ray-Bans are facing near-ubiquity, and options like the Randolph Engineering’s military-approved versions we reviewed are fantastic, something a little more unique never hurts. JRS, over at the excellent blog Red Clay…

Almost everyone has owned a pair of aviators (thank you 2001), and when they realized they were unoriginal, they then bought Ray-Ban Wayfarers (circa 2006). Now you can’t turn around without seeing some variation on the theme – colored rims, lenses, brands, etc. This summer we’ve found a remedy: the Ray-Ban Clubmaster ($145). The iconic…

Taking a step away from the more traditional colored shades out there, the Electric Hoodlum Acetate Color Series ($85) is a funky new limited edition collection that should appeal to eccentric/fashion focused folks in the audience (and not just those of you in Brooklyn). Despite their simple appearance though, don’t mistake them for the run…

Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer sunglasses have achieved more than any sunglasses style the world has ever seen. They have been worn by too many famous people to count, on the streets, films, and magazines. As many potential buyers have discovered though, just because they are immediately recognizable by everyone doesn’t mean they look good on everyone. If…

Swedish brand Cheap Monday consistently releases great style-oriented clothes and accessories that everyone can afford to pick up on a whim, and these newly released Night Watch sunglasses are no exception. Part of the brand’s new Clairvoyant Collection, the Night Watch frame mimics the same classic look of the Rayban Wayfarer with some slightly harder…

Despite originally being a snow goggle company, the designers at Anon have skillfully captured the look of none other than JFK himself in these aptly named “Kennedy” glasses, while still keeping a bit of the boarder influence. Sold in 6 different frame colors, ranging from garish to classic, whatever pair you choose will still include…

Just because the heat and glare of the summer sun are gone, doesn’t mean the sunglasses are too. In fact, there’s no better time than when you’re scouting fall foliage or a sunrise/sunset drive, especially with the low fall/winter sun. Of course, if you’re having trouble finding a suitable frame for your face, follow our…

Two weeks of wearing the Bollé Kickbacks and we’re already hooked. We at Gear Patrol are firm believers that men should broaden their horizons and find situation-appropriate products. Case in point: wearing sportier sunglasses for more active situations. There’s no rule that says a man can’t have a collection of sunglasses at his disposal. If…

Sunglasses are the quintessential male style accessory. Much like a watch, a great pair of sunglasses can be the piece de resistance to a well assembled wardrobe. The trick is finding a pair that accommodates your face shape, as well as making a personal style statement. I may have found just the pair.

Now that the age old questions has been settled (you know, the one about which sunglasses look best covering your wacky mug), it’s high time that you slough off those discount store shades in favor of a more robust pair. By robust, I mean high quality and stylish to boot. I love companies that make…

By Gear Patrol Reader Zach Warner One of my favorite discoveries on Gear Patrol was when I scrolled to the bottom of the site and saw the little hidden statement that said “Resolution #1: Don’t Be A Douchebag.” That might’ve been the day that I decided to make this site one of my daily visits,…

Sunglass lenses come in a myriad of configurations. If you’re serious about your eye protection though, you can’t beat the polarized variety. Polarized lenses are made to filter out the glare that normal lenses let right in. This is particularly useful to combat the glare from surfaces like snow, water, and glass. Unless your name…

The fall driving season is nearly upon us. You know what that means: annoying glare and blind spots. Upgrade your sunglasses with something that can do more than just look cool. Here’s a question: what do your sunglasses do? They probably look good, they fight off some glare and maybe even protect you from UV…

By Guest Writer Mark Arevalo On your face, or on my grill (as shown here), the Maui Jim Peahis are sharp. As a guy that reads GP you must know the importance of eye protection. You probably own a pair of stylish sunglasses already that compliment your facial features. I trust you don’t have a…