If you're into the great outdoors, you probably already know and love Shady Rays. They perfectly nail that sweet spot of stylish, durable, and affordable polarized sunglasses that can handle anything from a beach day to a mountain hike. Plus, their lifetime replacement warranty is hard to beat.
But if you're looking to expand your collection or just want to try something with a slightly different vibe, you're in luck. We've rounded up 17 other brands that deliver amazing outdoor eyewear, whether you're looking for something ultralight for running, an eco-friendly pair, or a more fashion-forward style.
If you don't take your sunglasses (or life) too seriously, Goodr is your brand. With most pairs costing around $25 to $35, they deliver fun, vibrant designs with quirky names you'll love. They're built for active lifestyles, offering reliable glare-reducing polarized lenses perfect for running, hiking, or just hanging out.
Compared to Shady Rays' more classic sporty look, Goodr leans into a playful, bold aesthetic. They're the perfect choice when you want high-performance shades that don’t drain your wallet and show off a bit of personality. Shop now at goodr.com
Just like their name suggests, Knockaround makes durable, affordable sunglasses you can live in without worrying. Priced between $20 and $50, they offer styles from timeless classics to trendy shapes, all available with polarized lenses. Their lightweight feel makes them ideal for everyday wear and casual outdoor fun.
What makes Knockaround stand out is its huge range of colors and frequent limited-edition collaborations that you can't find anywhere else. They share Shady Rays’ value and durability but offer a bit more custom flair and variety for those who love to switch up their look.
Shop now at knockaround.com
For the eco-conscious adventurer, Sunski is a perfect match. Priced from $50 to $85, their stylish sunglasses are made from recycled plastics, so you can feel good about your purchase. They feature lightweight frames and excellent polarized lenses that make them great for hiking, beach trips, and everything in between.
Sunski offers similar outdoor performance to Shady Rays but with a strong focus on sustainability and a uniquely contemporary, often colorful aesthetic. If you're looking for gear that’s as durable as it is earth-friendly, Sunski should be at the top of your list.
Shop now at sunski.com
When your outdoor adventures are mainly on the water, Costa Del Mar is the industry standard. Their premium sunglasses, priced from $150 to $250, feature some of the best polarized lens technology in the world, designed specifically to cut through water glare for fishermen and boaters. Their frames are rugged and built to last in harsh, saltwater environments.
Costa is a definite step up in price from Shady Rays, focusing on technical, sport-specific performance over casual style. For serious water sports enthusiasts, the investment is absolutely worth it for the unmatched clarity and protection.
Shop now at costadelmar.com
Blending California cool with classic designs, Raen makes premium sunglasses that are as much a fashion statement as they are outdoor gear. With prices in the $100-$200 range, their frames are crafted from high-quality materials like acetate, giving them a luxe, substantial feel. They offer polarized lenses perfect for both city life and weekend getaways.
While Shady Rays is sporty and functional, Raen leans more into a vintage-inspired, fashion-forward vibe. If you want a pair of shades that looks just as good at brunch as it does on a scenic drive, Raen is the perfect choice.
Shop now at raen.com
Smith Optics is a go-to for athletes and serious outdoor adventurers who demand peak performance from their gear. Priced between $70 and $200, they are beloved for their ChromaPop™ lens technology, which enhances color and clarity so you see every detail on the trail, slopes, or road. Their sunglasses are built to be light, durable, and stay put during intense activity.
Like Shady Rays, Smith focuses on functionality for active lifestyles, but they pack in more advanced lens tech for specific sports like skiing and cycling. It's a fantastic brand when optical clarity is your top priority.
Shop now at smithoptics.com
Blenders brings the party with bold, colorful, and trendy sunglasses that won't break the bank. With prices landing between $25 and $70, they capture a youthful, energetic vibe perfect for music festivals, beach parties, and vibrant days out. They offer a ton of frame styles, most with polarized lenses for essential sun protection.
Blenders has a similar price point and durable feel as Shady Rays but amps up the color and trendiness. If Shady Rays is your dependable daily pair, Blenders is your fun weekend pair.
Shop now at blenderseyewear.com
Oakley is a titan in the world of high-performance eyewear, and for good reason. Famous among professional athletes, their sunglasses (priced $130 to $300+) feature cutting-edge tech, unrivaled durability, and a signature sporty-futuristic aesthetic. Oakley sunglasses aren't just for looking cool - they're engineered for intense physical activity.
Compared to Shady Rays, Oakley represents a much higher price point and a deeper focus on technical innovation. For competitive cyclists, runners, and triathletes, Oakley is an investment in pure, unfiltered performance.
Shop now at oakley.com
While it's a retailer instead of a brand, Sunglass Hut is a can't-miss destination for finding your next pair of outdoor shades. They carry a massive, curated selection of brands - from affordable sport styles to a massive range of luxury names. This can be great if you're not exactly sure what brand to look for or if you want to check out every pair in this roundup.
Think of it as the ultimate one-stop shop for brands mentioned here, like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Persol, but they have basically everyone and everything else in their shops and their online retailers as well. It's an ideal place to discover and compare different brands in person.
Shop now at sunglasshut.com
Embodying French elegance and mountain-ready performance, Vuarnet makes luxury outdoor sunglasses that are truly iconic. Prices typically range from $200-$400, reflecting their superior mineral glass lenses that offer incredible clarity and protection. Vuarnet sunglasses are timeless classics, equally at home on a ski slope or a city street.
Where Shady Rays is modern and accessible, Vuarnet offers heritage, luxury, and a sophisticated aesthetic. These are investment sunglasses for someone who appreciates timeless style and premium craftsmanship that will last for decades.
Shop now at vuarnet.com
Persol is the definition of Italian luxury and artisanal craftsmanship. Priced north of $300, their frames are known for their unmistakable silver arrow hinge and handmade acetate construction. They offer iconic, timeless styles that bring an air of effortless sophistication to any outdoor setting.
While much more expensive than Shady Rays, Persol serves a different purpose: it's for the style-conscious individual who sees sunglasses as a piece of heritage art. They are less about sporty performance and more about timeless elegance.
Shop now at persol.com
If you care about visual experience above all else, Maui Jim is the brand for you. Their premium polarized sunglasses ($200-$400) are famous for making colors look more vibrant and saturated than real life. Their advanced lens tech not only cuts glare but enhances your view, making them incredible for tropical vacations, coastal drives, and bright sunny days.
While Shady Rays provides solid polarization, Maui Jim takes it to another level with a focus on superior optical quality. They're a luxury choice for those who want to see the world in high definition.
Shop now at mauijim.com
For a purely high-fashion take on outdoor eyewear, look no further than Victoria Beckham. With price tags in the $300-$500 range, these sunglasses are all about sleek, minimalist, runway-ready designs. They are an accessory meant to make a chic statement while providing excellent sun protection for a day out.
This is obviously a world away from Shady Rays' sporty functionality, but it's an excellent choice for someone who prioritizes modern, luxurious style. These sunglasses prove that outdoor eyewear can also be exceptionally chic.
Shop now at victoriabeckham.com
Ray-Ban is a household name for a reason. Home to iconic styles like the Aviator and Wayfarer, they make timeless, reliable sunglasses priced from $150 to $250. They are the perfect mix of cool, classic, and casual, making them suitable for almost any occasion, outdoors or otherwise.
Compared to Shady Rays’ modern-sporty vibe, Ray-Ban offers more of a classic, fashion-staple aesthetic. It's the fail-safe option for a pair of shades that will quite simply never go out of style.
Shop now at ray-ban.com
Diff offers trendy, stylish sunglasses with a charitable mission at their core. Priced in the buyer-friendly $50-$80 range, their designs are bold and fashion-forward, featuring plenty of fun frames and colored lenses backed by polarized protection. Even better, every pair sold helps provide eye care to those in need.
Diff is incredibly similar to Shady Rays in both price and purpose, appealing to shoppers who want to look good and do good. The main distinction is Diff’s aesthetic, which often leans into bigger, bolder, more trend-driven silhouettes.
Shop now at diffeyewear.com
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