Search
Close this search box.
Square Top Mountain, Wind River Range, WY

Beat the Sun: 8 of the Best Sunglasses Made in America

Welcome to American Gear Guide’s list of the best sunglasses available. These sunglasses are precision made in the USA using the highest quality lenses with frame designs that set trends around the world.

American Optical: Original Aviators

The AO Original Pilot sunglasses are the true original aviators. These high quality classics have been issued to millions of U.S. soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen since 1958. Still as stylish as ever, the AO Pilots are one of the finest examples of aviators made and though they’re nearly identical to Randolph Aviators, the AO’s cost significantly less. Last observed price range: $200 – 270

Arc Iris Sunglasses

At Arc Iris, precision cut hardwood frames and Zeiss lenses combine to produce unique high end sunglasses. I was incredibly impressed with the look, feel, and clarity of Arc Iris sunglasses at the Outdoor Retailer Expo. These sunglasses are simply works of art.
​Last observed prices: $255 and up

Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses

Some of Oakley’s top sunglasses are still made in the USA, including the calm and cool Holbrooks, which are often on sale with most retailers. These sunglasses sport Oakley’s impact resistant and polarized Plutonite lenses which filter 100% UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light up to 400nm. The Holbrook’s stress resistant O-Matter frames are both lightweight and durable. Oakley makes a variety of colors and lenses available to suit your style.
Last observed price range: $100 – 200

Smith Chamber Elite

Smith’s Elite line is all made in the USA. If you’re looking for stylish sunglasses that offer serious impact protection then the Smith Chamber Elite is the superior choice. These top rated sunglasses meet US Military Spec MIL-PRF-31013, ANSI Z87.1 impact protection standards. They also block out 100% of harmful UVA, UVB, and UVC light.
Last observed price range: ~ $80

Shwood - The Original Wood Sunglasses

Shwood handcrafts domestic hardwoods into a variety of classy and timeless sunglasses. Their Carl Zeiss lenses provide superb optical clarity while the design and craftsmanship are truly top notch.
Last observed price range: $149 – 250

Liquid Eyewear Gasket

Gasket sunglasses have a strong hingeless aluminum frame that’s durable and comfortable for high performance sports but still good looking for casual wear. The fit and finish of Liquid Eyewear is top notch.
Last observed price range: $99 and up

Randolph Aviators

Randolph Aviators are excellent sunglasses. While AO held the original military aviator contract, Randolph now holds the current honors… If you think it’s worth the extra money to own the current issue sunglasses then I suppose Randolph Aviators are for you. Randolph Engineering does offer more style and sizing options than AO.
Last observed price range: $229-389 (depending on model)

Gatorz Eyewear

Gatorz produces premium quality aluminum framed sunglasses for extreme sports and tactical use. The Marauder is one of their most popular models and another fine example of precision American manufacturing.
Last observed price range: ~ $160

Note on Brands No Longer Made in the USA:

Some eyewear brands that used to be made in the USA have unfortunately been bought out by multi-national corporations like EssilorLuxottica which now owns Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Costa. Oakley still produces some sunglasses in the USA, but also makes some models in a variety of other countries, Ray-Ban has models made in China and some made in Italy, while Costa now sources their parts in China and assembles them in the USA. The “savings” in costs from exploiting unethically low wage labor, non-existent labor rights, and little to no environmental safeguards have not been passed on to you the consumer; they charge ever higher prices to exploit ignorance.

Popular Pages:

My search for the best American-made phone cases and screen protectors has ended in success. Here are the results.

Only our favorite gear, the top American made equipment that earns our Editor’s Choice and Best Buy Awards.

Find the highest quality survival preparation equipment to take on any emergency.

Here you’ll find a lineup of the best headlamps made in the USA for camping, backpacking, running, hiking, biking, fishing, and all things in the dark. ​

Whether you’re looking for adventure sandals, flip flops for the beach or fashionable sandals for a hot summer night on the town, you’ll find awesome and affordable American made men’s and women’s sandals.

​Want the best hiking, backpacking, or work boots made in the USA for Men and Women? Here they are!

Your guide to the best water bottles, reservoirs, and hydration systems you can find.

Looking for the lightest, highest-quality, weatherproof tents available? You should look here.

My personal recommendations for the top ten EDC folding knives made in the USA. If you’re looking for men’s gift ideas, this isn’t a bad place to start.

Discover the best sleeping bags in the world, which happen to be made in Seattle, WA and San Jose, CA, USA.

The top performing water filters for backpacking and international travel.

Nothing but the lightest, the comfiest, and the most durable camping mattresses available.

Recommendations to find the best American made axes.

Find the most reliable, best engineered flashlights available.

Leatherman makes the world’s best multi-tools. I’m familiar with Gerber, Sog, and Victorinox multi-tools but none compare to Leatherman tools…
My recommendations for the best American made backpacking stoves.

Looking for the top sunglasses made in the USA? You’ve come to the right place.

My picks for the top ultralight backpacking gear. 

You can follow American Gear Guide on InstagramFacebook, or Pinterest.

PLEASE! I NEED HELP TO KEEP RUNNING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT’S EASY AND FREE FOR YOU TO HELP OUT! 
Sharing the best locally made gear is a passion project close to my heart and if I’ve helped you find some cool US made gear then please consider helping my site going and growing. Running this site costs me a lot of cash to use secure and speedy web servers, purchase new gear, and to contribute my personal time and effort. Thus, I need your help to cover my costs and continue providing quality free information on the latest American-made gear.
It’s easy and free to help out.

If you ever want to purchase ANYTHING from AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse… even for dog food or toothpaste, then you can help me without costing you a single penny. If you use my links to make a purchase within 24 hrs then I will receive a tiny credit that will help my site pay its dues and continue running. So all I ask is that if you find the free info here useful and you need to make a purchase at Amazon, REI, etc. then please use the links on this site. This costs you nothing extra but will help provide myself and this website a dollar or two to help keep on trucking.

You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse.

 
Another way you can help is by donating any amount you choose, even $1. If you would like to donate to this site, you can use the paypal donate button below or you can do so by following the DonorBox link here (includes options for PayPal and Google Pay) and enter the donation amount of your choice. I provide this website’s information for free without annoying ads or membership fees so any donation is incredibly helpful. Thank you!