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The Best Aviator Sunglasses Offer Pilot-Level Protection

The aviator sunglasses we know today were first developed in the 1930s by Bausch & Lomb for pilots. Now, they’re everywhere — and just as advanced.

collage of three different aviator sunglasses Courtesy

By Evan Malachosky and Jacorey Moon

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This definitive guide to aviator sunglasses explores everything you need to know about America’s most iconic eyewear, including history, lens hues and the best ones to buy.

Aviator sunglasses date back to 1936, when the U.S. Armed Forces, seeking a solution to help fighter pilots deal with eye strain at higher altitudes, teamed up with third-party designers to produce eyewear that countered light. The result is one you’re likely familiar with: It featured convex tear-drop glass lenses made from G-15 tempered glass, which transmitted 15 percent of incoming light and thin metal frames.

Products in the Guide

  • Ray-Ban Aviator Classic

    Best Overall Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more
  • Randolph x Todd Snyder Aviator

    Best Upgrade Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more
  • Warby Parker Raider

    Best Size Inclusive Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more
  • American Optical General Sunglasses

    Best Military Grade Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more
  • Knockaround Mount Evans

    Best Affordable Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more
  • All Citizens Lafayette Aviators

    Best Aluminum Aviator Sunglasses

    Read more

Today, aviators are offered by countless brands. While lenses, details and price points vary widely, they all stem from the same military aesthetic — one that champions simplicity, functionality and versatility.

History of Aviator Sunglasses

The aviator sunglasses we’re familiar with today were first developed in the 1930s by Bausch & Lomb for military pilots. Prior to this, pilots wore goggles to protect their eyes in the air, where high altitudes introduced several optical dangers. Aside from the glaring sun, sub-zero temperatures also posed a threat. Tinted goggles were meant to protect pilots from both of these.

But, a major issue with these goggles was fog. Temperature differences between the air within the goggles and outside of the goggles often caused the lenses to fog up, obscuring the pilot’s view. The problem would be exacerbated if a pilot decided to doff their goggles and expose themselves to the blinding sun or the extreme cold.

Such was the case with pilot Shorty Schroeder whose eyeballs froze just minutes after he took off his goggles during a record-breaking 33,000-foot high flight. Luckily, somehow, he was able to land the plane safely. His friend, John Macready helped him out of the plane and would attempt to break his record just a month later — in the same plane, no less.

Why Are Aviator Lenses Often Green?

Macready’s flight was a success, though he found that pilot goggles were insufficient in blocking light at such high altitudes. So, he turned to Bausch & Lomb to develop a better solution. What they came up with was a lightweight metal frame with teardrop lenses which helped provide coverage when looking below. But perhaps the most vital detail was the lenses themselves. Rather than a neutral grey tint, the lenses were actually dark green. And though the style has seen countless iterations in recent decades, one detail remains consistent for many — dark green lenses. As you might guess, the color choice isn’t just cosmetic.

This particular color choice was functional as the green tint helped cut out blue light, a significant issue for pilots flying above the cloud line. Not only that, but green lenses tend to reduce glare while also improving sharpness and contrast. The sunglasses were an immediate success and made their way through the military before eventually hitting the civilian scene. Bausch & Lomb dubbed the sunnies Ray-Bans, which would go on to be its own pretty successful brand.

Eventually, American Optical earned the rights of production for the military’s standard issue shades, the U.S. Army Air Corps D-1 Sunglasses.

Learn more about Aviator sunglasses’s signature hue.

Which Face Shapes Should Wear Aviators?

Aviators flatter round-, heart- and square-shaped faces. To see what each one looks like, visit our comprehensive guide to all sunglass styles.

Round

A round face shape implies your dimensions are roughly equal up and down and across. Plus, your jawline is soft, and your cheekbones are wide.

Heart

A heart-shaped face means your cheeks and forehead are wider than your jaw, which proves pointed.

Square

The square face shape, like the round, is defined by nearly identical measurements all around — with one exception: your jawline is sharper and your sides straighter.

How to Style Aviator Sunglasses

  • Size(s): 55mm, 58mm, 62mm
  • Lens: G-15 crystal
  • Frame: Metal

The original Ray-Ban aviator is now made in Italy. It features a gold-tone metal frame, silicone nose pads and clear tips on the metal arms. Now, though, there are 12 more colors, several sizes, and the option to add polarized lenses. The bottom line is that Ray-Ban is a renowned brand known for offering good quality shades with a price to match. G-15 glass only allows 15% of light to pass through the lenses, which is also why the sunglasses have a green tint to them. Ray-Ban’s classic aviators are available in different color options, come in three sizes, and provide the classic shape that makes aviator shades iconic.

  • Size(s): 58mm
  • Lens: Mineral glass polarized lenses with anti-reflective coating and blue wave filtering
  • Frame: Metal

Made in the USA, Randolph’s sunglasses usually feature non-polarized, scratch-resistant mineral ground-glass lenses. They also have a multi-layer flash coating, a full-metal frame and adjustable silicone nose pads. Thanks to the brand’s use of vector anti-reflective technology and blue wave lens technology, these sunglasses have the capability to keep the annoying, pesky blue light waves away that can cause damage to your eyes with continuous exposure.

This edition, though, which was made in collaboration with Todd Snyder, features a 23-karat gold-plated frame, polarized anti-reflective lenses, an enamel top coat, tan lenses and Demi Amber temples.

“I’ve long admired (and worn) Randolphs because of their incredible quality, their great American backstory and the authentic cool that comes from being the go-to for generations of pilots,” he says.

  • Size(s): 51mm, 54mm, 58mm, 60mm
  • Lens: CR-39 with 100% UV protection
  • Frame: Stainless steel

Featuring scratch-resistant polarized lenses made with CR-39 composite for clarity, these aviators are one of the more affordable pairs on the market. They feature a large tear-drop lens, a straight brow bar and Akulon-coated screws for durability. Warby Parker offers these sunglasses in narrow, medium, and comprehensive size options to accommodate a full range of face types as well.

ao general sunglasses skymaster glass lensesAmazon

Best Military Grade Aviator Sunglasses

American Optical General Sunglasses

  • Size(s): 55mm, 58mm
  • Lens: Nylon with 100% UVA and UVB protection
  • Frame: Metal

American Optical’s Pilot silhouette has been a favorite of the U.S. military since 1958. It is one of the few brands still making its frames in the States. Each pair of its General sunglasses is built to military specifications using lightweight metal frames and glass lenses. AOLite nylon lenses are scratch and shatter-resistant but have less visual acuity than other options like mineral glass. These sunglasses come in three color options and has two size variations.

  • Size(s): 55mm
  • Lens: Polarized polycarbonate
  • Frame: Metal

Sometimes a cheap pair you don’t have to worry about getting stolen or sat on suits your lifestyle better. Our bet for cheap aviators is Knockaround, and its simple Mount Evans frame. They’re fully UV400 protective and impact resistant. These sunglasses tend to do better on small and medium-sized faces and feature polycarbonate lenses that are some of the most impact-resistant lenses available.

  • Size(s): 56mm
  • Lens: Polarized UV400 lenses with 100% UVA and UVB protection
  • Frame: Aluminum

All Citizens’ all-black aviators are the ideal alternative to green-lensed tortoise iterations others deem too classic. The brand uses aerospace-grade aluminum—known to help make things more durable. They come with polarized, scratch-resistant lenses and a steel case that fits in most pant pockets. So, not only are they stylish but they can handle all of the drops and falls that come with life.

  • Size(s): 59mm
  • Lens: G15 polarized crystal
  • Frame: Metal

The Benedict is Oliver Peoples’s minimalist Aviator style — and it’s quiet design speaks volumes. This Japanese-made version has thin metal arms, a thin metal frame and traditional green lenses. They’re polarized, though, and the nose pads are completely adjustable, ensuring the perfect fit.

  • Size(s): 55mm
  • Lens: Crystal with 100% UV protection, anti-smudge and hydrophobic treatments
  • Frame: Acetate

Persol has a few other Aviators with, well, let’s say some famous endorsements: Steve McQueen, to name one. But these acetate-framed ones are just as stunning. The brand uses acetate to create this pair of sunglasses — acetate tends to be slightly more comfortable than other cheaper plastic options on the market, and they tend to chip and break less. They have decorative hinges, slender arms and a high bridge nose fit. These sunglasses have 100% UV protection and anti-smudge and hydrophobic treatments— which means they block out harmful rays, stay cleaner longer, and won’t fog up as often. Each pair, along with its crystal lenses, is made in Italy.

  • Size(s): 56mm
  • Lens: Semi-flat CR-39 lenses with UV protection and anti-reflective coating
  • Frame: Stainless steel

Inspired by frames from the ‘80s, this style has a stainless steel frame, crystal brow bar and cured acetate temple time. The semi-flat nylon lenses feature UV protection and an anti-reflective coating. The brand uses CR-39 lenses, offering high visual acuity, impact resistance and light weight. They come in two color options that feel reminiscent of something you probably have pictures of your granddad wearing in decades past.

  • Size(s): One size
  • Lens: Category 3 CR-39 with 100% UVA and UVB protection
  • Frame: Stainless steel

Chimi’s updated aviators combine a sleek, modern aesthetic with features true to the original aviator sunglasses, which were green and for pilots to see more clearly in the sky. But this option comes in three color options, green, grey and purple, and employs UV-protected lenses (100% UVA and UVB protected). Since the lenses feature a Category 3 filtration level, they only allow less than 20 percent of light to penetrate them. They’re made with a super-thin stainless steel frame with anti-shatter lenses. Certain characteristics like the sunglasses’ square shape and gold touches amp up the shades’ style.

  • Size(s): 56mm
  • Lens: Polarized optical grade glass and CR-39 lenses with anti-reflection, anti-smudge and hydrophobic treatments
  • Frame: Aerospace grade titanium

Crafted in Japan, SALT.’s Columbia 56 Sunglasses are made with titanium for the frame and nose pads, with acetate inserts that define the colored lenses. They come in five color options and use polarized optical grade glass and CR-39 lenses. SALT. offers some of the best lenses on the market with anti-reflective, hydrophobic, and oleophobic treatments —meaning they repel dirt and water, reduce glare and protect from harmful rays. They’re part Top Gun, part Village People — both dignified and downright fun.

  • Size(s): 56mm
  • Lens: CR-39 with an anti-reflective treatment
  • Frame: Titanium

Handmade in Japan, Barton Perriera Javelin sunglasses are sleek and lightweight thanks to their titanium makeup. The sunglasses also have a slightly angular style towards the temple and nose bridge, adding a modern take on the classic rounded aviator silhouette. For the lenses, the brand uses CR-39 lenses and an anti-reflective coating to help prevent you from blinding yourself or someone else.

  • Sizes(s): 54mm
  • Lens: Category 3 polarized nylon
  • Frame: Acetate

Created for adventurers, the Howlin’ sunglasses silhouette from Vallon is crafted using V52 lens technology and a plastic frame. The sunglasses come in four design options — black, dark tortoise, sage and tortoise — and have a detachable strap that makes it easy to stay secure on your face or around your neck whether you’re kayaking or catching vibes by the pool. Vallon uses polarized lenses— offering 100% UV protection — and has adjustable temple tips. The brand states that this style is best for narrow faces.

  • Size(s): 55mm
  • Lens: Polarized polycarbonate
  • Frame: Metal

Quay Australia is known for creating trendy eyewear at a good value price. The brand’s High Key silhouette is an oversized aviator that’s great for both men and women. The brand uses a metal frame and polarized or standard lenses with 12 color options. They also have adjustable nose pads for added comfort. Quay offers many other unisex options like the On The Fly and Nightfall styles.

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