Going for a quick run at Costco before heading to the beach? No surfing checklist is complete without a good pair of sunglasses! You may not be aware yet, but they do more than just completing your summer look.Â
According to the Specialty Eye Institute, UV rays increase the risk of developing cataracts, eye cancer, and macular degeneration — and one way to avoid them is by wearing sunglasses. Aside from that, sunglasses act as eye shields from small debris like dirt and sand. They also decrease sun glares, giving you a better vision during sunny days.
Top 7 Best Costco SunglassesÂ
In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive walk-through on how you can choose the right Costco sunglasses for your needs. We’ll cover anything you need to know including other buyer’s experiences and common disadvantages you should look out for. Here are our best sunglasses in a nutshell:Â
- Ray-Ban Metal Round Sunglasses — Our Top Pick
- Kirkland Signature Dark Gunmetal Polarized Sunglasses — Best Budget
- Oakley Holbrook Polarized Square Sunglasses — Best High End
- Maui Jim Hot Sands Rectangular Sunglasses — Best Skin Protection
- Hobie Venice Shiny Black Polarized Sunglasses — Best in Comfort
- Michael Kors Chelsea Aviator Sunglasses — Best For Women
- RIVBOS Kids Sunglasses for Girls Boys with Strap — Best for Kids
#1: Ray-Ban Metal Round Sunglasses — Our Top Pick
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Metallic frame
- 100% UV protection coating
- Evolve photochromic lenses
- Lens width: 47mm, 50mm, 53mm
A sunglasses guide isn’t complete without the iconic brand Ray-Ban — the status symbol of style and luxury when it comes to eyewear. Inspired by the pop culture and style of the 1960s, the Metal Round Sunglasses are one of the most popular shades worn by musicians and celebrities worldwide.Â
So what makes Ray-Ban’s products phenomenal? First, let’s talk about the lenses of the Metal Round sunglasses that feature Evolve Photochromatic, a technology that gradually changes the color of the lenses within minutes of being exposed to UV rays. The lenses turn from light to dark when outside, and then back to their original color when indoors. With this innovative feature, your eyes will easily adjust to light and reduce eye strain.
These sunglasses combine style and practicality. They come in multiple frames, lens colors, and various treatments such as polarized, gradient, and mirrored. Each pair is also made with metallic frames and polarized lenses coated with UV protection.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Offered in different frames and lenses | May not fit faces with a round shape |
Comes with a Ray-Ban case | |
Quality-made | |
Unisex |
#2: Kirkland Signature Dark Gunmetal Polarized Sunglasses — Best Budget
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Metallic frame
- Polycarbonate lens
- 100% UV protection coating
If you’re looking for affordable sunglasses with the same quality as the ones from luxury brands, then this pair’s for you. (Some users even claim that these sunglasses’ quality is on par with Ray-Ban and Maui Jim’s!) With their awesome specifications, you’d be surprised that the Kirkland Signature Sunglasses from Costco only retails at $30 a pair.Â
These men’s sunglasses are made from metal frame material and polycarbonate lenses with UV protective coating. The polarized lenses also have a gray tint that reduces light glares, perfect for driving and for sunny days at the beach.Â
Since they’re cheap, you don’t have to constantly worry about scratching or breaking them by accident. They’re lightweight and very comfortable as well, which makes them great for daily wear.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Lightweight and durable | Has plastic smell on the nose pads |
Good for everyday use | |
Cheap |
#3: Oakley Holbrook Polarized Square Sunglasses — Best High End
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Plastic frame
- Polycarbonate lens
- 100% UV protection coating
- Lens width: 55mm, 57 mm
The ‘you get what you pay for’ statement rings true with the Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses. Each pair has a hefty price tag of $193, and it’s because of the special features these sunglasses come with.Â
The Holbrook’s frame is made from Lightweight O-Matter material that’s comfortable to use every day. The sunglasses also come with a three-point fit that holds and protects the lenses in case of high-velocity impacts. With this feature, these sunglasses can withstand breakage and deformations. In fact, they’re so durable that they can also be used as surfing sunglasses. Â
They also have Plutonite lenses with UV protection that block harmful blue light, UVA, UVB, and UVC. Each pair comes with Prizm Lens Technology that improves color, so even if you’re wearing tinted lenses, you can still see colors vividly. These sunglasses can block 99% of glare, and with the patented HDO (High Definition Optics), you get a clear vision at every angle.
But what’s the catch with these kinds of sunglasses? Well, aside from them being expensive, we think that it’s unfortunate that this pair only comes in men’s.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Every purchase comes with a Micro bag | Only comes in men’s style |
Designed for outdoor adventure | Expensive |
Has Prizm Lens Technology | |
Highly durable |
#4: Maui Jim Hot Sands Rectangular Sunglasses — Best Skin Protection
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Nylon frame
- Composite lens
- UV Protection Coating
- Lens width: 71 mm
From the award-winning brand that has earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation, comes the Maui Jim Hot Sands. These sunglasses, albeit the most expensive on this list, have outstanding features and quality that make them worth every penny.Â
The Maui Jim Hot Sands Rectangular Sunglasses have PolarizedPlus2 lenses with the highest light reduction that prevents sun glares while enhancing color and contrast. Each pair also comes with a bi-gradient, neutral grey mirror at its top and bottom to allow the eyes to relax when it’s too bright outside.Â
These stylish sunglasses are made from durable polycarbonate and nylon frames. They’re lightweight and comfortable, and the lenses are scratch-resistant and shatter-free.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Durable and scratch-resistant | Very expensive |
Has UV protection | |
Comfortable |
#5: Hobie Venice Shiny Black Polarized Sunglasses — Best in Comfort
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Grilamid TR-90 frame
- Polycarbonate lens
- 100 % UV ProtectionÂ
The Hobie Venice Black Polarized Sunglasses are yet again, another great pair you can find at Costco. This product is a fan-favorite among other users and has great feedback when it comes to comfortability and durability.Â
These sunglasses have UV protective coating and polarized lenses. They come with a copper tint that decreases sun glares; and although they’re darker than other sunglasses, the Hobie Venice still gives crisp vision and good color contrast.Â
According to one user, the only downside with these sunglasses is the thick frames on the side that blocks peripheral vision.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Durable and sturdy | Slightly thick frame |
Sleek design | |
Cheap |
#6: Michael Kors Chelsea Aviator Polarized Sunglasses — Best For Women
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Metal frame
- Plastic lens
- 100 % UV Protection
- Lens width: 59 mm
The Michael Kors Chelsea Sunglasses come in a classy and elegant aviator silhouette for stylish women on the beach. The frame is made from metal while the lenses are from plastic that’s coated with 100% UV protection. These shades also feature polarized lenses that keep everything crisp and clear during sunny days.Â
Every purchase of the Chelsea sunglasses comes with a case included so you can bring them wherever you go, without having to worry about scratching or breaking them. They’re comfortable to use for everyday wear and will suit every face shape, too. Before we forget, these sunglasses are also $50 cheaper when you purchase them from Amazon!Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Cheaper than the ones in the store | Thin metal frame |
Suitable for any face shape | |
Stylish and elegant | |
Lightweight |
#7: RIVBOS Kids Sunglasses for Girls Boys with Strap — Best for Kids
Specifications:Â
- Polarized
- Rubber frame
- Photochromatic lens
- UV Protection coating
- For ages 3+
Eye protection is important whatever your age is. That’s why to end this list, we’ve picked the best Costco sunglasses for kids, too! These cute RIVBOS Kids Sunglasses have various styles and colors that can be worn by both girls and boys.Â
Each pair of these sunglasses come with photochromic, polarized lenses that reduce sun glare and brightness level. These also have 100% UV protection coating that blocks UVA, UVB, and harmful blue lights.Â
These sunglasses are also made from a hypoallergenic, food-grade rubber material that’s safe for kids to wear. They’re bendable and shock-resistant, so it prevents breakage even when handled by the most active kids. They even have a lifetime warranty for this product and a money-back guarantee, which is definitely a win on our books! Finally, the Rivbos sunglasses have a unique neck strap that holds the shades in place and prevents it from slipping off.Â
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Has Lifetime Breakage Warranty and 30-days Money Back Guarantee | Comes in one size only |
Made from hypoallergenic materials | |
Durable and flexible | |
Cheap |
Buyer’s Guide: What You Should Look for When Buying Sunglasses
Sunglasses come in various shapes, colors, and specs. With such a wide array of choices at Costco, it may be hard to choose which one works best for you. That’s why we’ve created a quick summary of the things you should look for before purchasing your own pair.Â
UV Protection
The main purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from the sun, that’s why they must have UV or Ultraviolet rays protective coatings on the lenses. This prevents your eyes from degenerating or developing eye conditions, even if you stay for longer hours under the sun.Â
Polarized
Most people don’t put much thought into getting polarized sunglasses because they think polarization serves the same purpose as UV coatings. Polarization, on the contrary, protects your eyes in a different way. Polarized lenses enhance color contrast and reduce the sun’s glare from the sand and water reflections, hence reducing eye strain and squinting.Â
Lens color
The lenses of sunglasses also have different colors and tints that serve different purposes.Â
- Black/Grey – reduces glare and has the highest light reduction.Â
- Brown – has high color contrast that’s good for everyday use.Â
- Yellow/Gold – good for low-light, hazy, and foggy conditions.Â
- Green – neutralizes colors and reduces the brightness of the sun.
- Red/Pink – suitable for low-light conditions and reduces eye fatigue.
Eye coverage
When it comes to sunglasses, style is important; however, it’s more essential that you choose sunglasses that will fully cover your eyes for maximum protection. In this case, having a pair with oversized lenses will work better than ones with small lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of wearing sunglasses?
Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun — provided that they have UV protection coating and polarized lenses that reduce the light reflections bouncing off from sand and water. With a good pair of sunglasses, you put less strain on your eyes and decrease the risk of developing certain eye conditions.Â
Q: Is it safe to use sunglasses while swimming?
Similar to contact lenses, we don’t recommend swimming with sunglasses on. They’re prone to breakage and pieces of the lens might get into your eyes in case they shatter underwater. Aside from that, the saltwater or chlorine from the pool may affect the frame material and the polarization of the lenses if they’re soaked for too long.Â
Q: Which Costco sunglasses are best for the beach?
Costco offers a wide variety of sunglasses for men, women, and kids. When choosing beach sunglasses, pick the scratch-resistant ones as they’re less prone to having scratches from the sand. Aside from that, choose sunglasses with UV protection and polarized lenses to protect your eyes.
Q: How can I protect my sunglasses from scratches?
Nowadays, manufacturers offer sunglasses that have a scratch-free coating for added protection. If your sunglasses don’t have this feature, you can keep your pair safe by keeping them inside a case when not in use. You must also avoid wearing it over the head or hanging it over your shirt to prevent them from falling and breaking.Â
G’day, my name is Luke and I’m the proud Founder of Surf Hungry. I am a former xxx athlete. I’ve worked in the surf industry and lived at many of xxx’s best surf spots, sparking a life-long love of the ocean and a passion for surf sports which also rubbed off on my two young sons! I am also lucky to spend a lot of ocean-time in my favorite second home,xxx. In addition to SurfHungry I have founded several other websites in my areas of passion, namely xxx and am also a regular xxx.