Top 5 Sunglass Brands Made In The USA

Sunglasses are everywhere, gas stations, airport kiosks, online shops, you name it. But when you actually care about quality and want to know where your shades come from, the choices narrow down fast. For those of us who value long lasting gear and want to support American made companies, finding sunglasses that are truly made in the USA is a lot tougher than it may seem. But there are a few standout companies doing things the right way, cutting, assembling, and finishing their products right here in the U.S. Whether you're into timeless aviators, durable tactical frames, or customizable lenses, there’s an American made brand for you. 

Why It’s Hard To Find USA Made Sunglasses

You might assume that buying American made sunglasses is as easy as checking the label. Not quite. A lot of eyewear companies use phrases like “designed in the USA” or “American owned,” but that doesn’t mean the product itself is manufactured here. Many frames are made overseas and just shipped to the U.S. ready for sale. If keeping your purchase local is important to you, whether for ethical reasons or quality control, you have to do a little digging. 

Top 5 Sunglass Brands Made In The USA

1. American Optical

American Optical has deep roots in the eyewear industry. Founded in 1833, it’s one of the oldest eyewear manufacturers in the country, and arguably the world. Their frames were worn by U.S. military personnel throughout the 20th century, including astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission. Yeah, these are the shades that literally went to the moon. Even today, American Optical manufactures their sunglasses in Illinois, where skilled technicians craft each pair. Their most iconic frame is the Original Pilot, which hasn’t changed much since its military debut and still looks just as sharp now as it did in the '60s.

2. AO Sunwear

Not to be confused with the original American Optical, AO Sunwear is a more modern spinoff that focuses on reestablishing that old school American eyewear heritage. As the original brand changed ownership over the years, some of its production moved abroad. AO Sunwear is part of a newer movement to bring everything back to the U.S, and they’re doing a solid job of it. Their frames are produced with attention to detail and their styles are rooted in tradition, aviators, square shapes, and navigators, but updated for modern comfort and fit. 

3. Randolph Engineering

Randolph is another brand with a deep military background. Founded in Massachusetts in 1973, Randolph Engineering started out making military aviators for the U.S. Department of Defense, and they still do. In fact, every pair of Randolph sunglasses is handmade in over 200 steps by  their technicians. That’s a level of precision that’s hard to beat. Their signature frames are built for performance and durability, but they don’t skimp on style either. You’ll find sleek, minimalist designs with a polished finish, and lenses that hold up to wear and tear. 

4. Gatorz Eyewear

Based in Yuma, Arizona, Gatorz is the go to brand for tactical sunglasses. Originally designed for Navy SEALs and other special operations forces, Gatorz shades are made with aluminum frames that mold to your face and stand up to extreme conditions. Think skydiving, shooting, high speed riding, or anything where other sunglasses might fall off or break. They’re especially popular in the motorsports and action sports communities. Gatorz has a more aggressive style than some of the other brands on this list, but if you’re looking for sunglasses that perform under pressure, these are hard to beat.

5. Fuse Lenses

And finally, yep, we’re putting ourselves on the list. At Fuse Lenses, we handcraft every lens in our Florida lab. We started over a decade ago and have turned into a company focused on giving people high quality, affordable lenses without having to replace their whole frames. Today, we offer lens replacements for hundreds of brands and frame styles, along with our own lineup of sunglasses. Whether you're looking for polarized lenses, color enhancing AMP options, or prescription lenses, we cut, tint, and test them all right here in the U.S. 

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Summary

• American Optical is a good choice for a military style sunglass made in the USA

• AO Sunwear is a modern brand with a classic style, all made in the U.S.

• Randolph engineering’s frames are built to last

• Gatorz are made in the USA for extreme conditions

• Fuse Lenses makes high quality lenses out of our Florida lab

It can be hard to find USA made shades, but it’s worth it once you find them. From legendary names like AO and Randolph to modern innovators like Gatorz and Fuse, these brands are putting American eyewear back on the map. So if you're ready to invest in your next pair of shades, consider going with something made a little closer to home.