Suns Out: Shades In. Innovation On.

When you think of the word innovation do you picture sunglasses? After reviewing the top ten innovative sunglasses of 2019 you may change your mind on what innovation can bring to the market of shades. Sunglasses are not a new thing- but their innovative twists can refresh how you view the next pair of shades you wear. While not all innovations are equal, they all have their place in pushing the sunglass game forward and paving a way for new methods to reinvent some of the hottest products men wear. The top 10 innovative sunglasses of 2019 are sure to impress.

#10. Blue Phoenix

To kick off our most innovative list for 2019 we found Blenders Blue Phoenix shades as a cool new take on lenses. These shades combine a classic shape with “infinity pool” lenses for something truly different. 

These shades also sport a strong polycarbonate frame that effortlessly matches the bright blue of the lenses, creating something that looks like nothing we have ever seen. 

Innovation: Infinity Pool Lens

Price Point: $42

#9. 100% S2

The 100% S2 shades are designed for everyday sports performance. The cool feature here is that they feature a rimless cylindrical shield lens that provides a clear view for 360-degree visibility. 

The S2 features a 5.5 base for an improved fit than its predecessor and the ultra-grip rubber nose with temple pads helps with a stable grip. The HYDROILO lens coating helps to resist oils and water while providing you some pretty clear vision. The 100% S2 is available in HiPER lenses to maximize color and contrast. 

Innovation: Lens gives you 360 degree visibility 

Price Point: $155

#8. Barrier Reef by Maui Jim

Barrier Reef shades from Maui Jim are known for their “beach themed” sunglass inspiration. The Barrier Reef line of sunglasses have our inspiration now too. What sets them apart are the lens materials used. Each pair is made from super thin glass that provides the absolute crispest optics.

These lenses are in fact 20-32% thinner and lighter than standard glass, and offers the best scratch and solvent resistance. The ultimate wrap style features upscale lens and frame color options and give versatility for outdoor enthusiasts.

Innovation: Super thin glass reducing lenses

Price Point: Starts at $229

#7: Pescador by Costa

The Pescador shades by Costa are designed to be worn anywhere there is sun. What makes these innovative are that each pair of sunglasses include frames made entirely from recycled fishing nets. Place high-end glass lenses into the frames and these are beyond epic. This upgrade renders less scratch potential on the lenses, and also helps the environment.

The lenses are Costa's patented 580 Lightwave glass, and they offer full 400-nm UV protection while selectively filtering out high energy visible light (blue light) and yellow light to cut haze and offer better crispness. These are ultra-lightweight, feature sturdy double-jointed metal hinges, and as an added bonus: they float!

Innovation: Frames made from fishnets and light filtering for better eye protection

Price Point: Ranges from $199- $219

#6. The Anchor Collection

The Anchor Bamboo sunglass are one of our favorite innovative products for the way in which they help the environment with every pair made.  Specs are lightweight, eco-friendly frames, made with 60-75% recycled & reprocessed content.  The content includes wood, bamboo, metal, and even plastics. Taking old waste and recycling it is pretty cool.

The lenses are 100% UVA + UVB protective and each pair includes a woven drawstring case and cleaning cloth.  As their motto says: Look Good, Do Good, Feel Good. Oh, and for every pair sold, they donate a pair of corrective glasses to a person in need via a charity organization that they partner with.

Innovation: Recycling waste to make new frames

Price Point: $50

#5. The Hook by William Painter

What would make a pretty innovate frame construction material? How about aerospace grade titanium. These sunglasses are made from the same materials used in Fighter Jets; it is extremely strong, but also deceptively light.

The Hook provides the ultimate comfort and durability and with their lifetime guarantee, you never have to worry about taking them along for the adventure. As an added bonus the shades double as a bottle opener! We can’t decide what’s more innovative: the titanium or the bottle opener. Either way these shades are out of this world.

Innovation: Titanium frames

Price Point: $185

#4.  Lowdown

The Lowdown Shades by Smith may not seem all that innovative on the surface. Let us tell you why we chose them. Let’s say you want to wear shades out on a hike. These lenses (ChromaPop) selectively filter out confusing parts of the light-wave spectrum.

The result of this technology allows items such as leaves on a trail to be more crisp and turn them to neon green and the rocks/dips on terrain are more pronounced so you reduce the chance of stumbling. These lenses in a way can save you from a fall, tripping on uneven terrain, and create a more pronounced look. See- we know what’s up. 

Innovation: Lens technology for terrain identification

Price Point: $169- $199

#3. Radar Pace Bluetooth

How does a personal trainer in your ear sound? Oakley developed a handy pair of shades that provides that experience. Radar Pace is a real-time voice activated coaching system that creates a unique training program, tracks your performance and coaches you in the moment. Personal performance data including heart rate, power output, speed, cadence, distance and time are all monitored as if a coach was right there with you.

Radar Pace adjusts your training zones as you improve and gives you personalized coaching that adapts dynamically to your abilities. Analyzes data by using ANT+™ or Bluetooth® and with integration with top performance apps, there is no reason you can’t create personalized program of fitness tracking.

Innovation: Integrates with bluetooth for fitness data tracking

Price Point: $299

#2. Bose Frames Alto

Our second to the top choice for integrated shades are the Bose Frames Alto. With its classic angular shape and commanding lenses, Bose Frames Alto remixes the most iconic sunglass silhouette in history and integrates them in with Bose sound.

The Bose audio provides some amazing sound while wearing the lightweight nylon rim shades. Now you can enjoy some epic beats while simply throwing on your shades and heading out the door. Bose Frames are designed for sun and sound and with 99% of UV Rays blocked, you can enjoy the sunny days and beats even more.

Innovation: Integrated Bose Audio inside frames

Price Point: $199.95

#1: Reckless Magnetic Glasses by KORE

Our number one most innovative pair of sunglasses for 2019 has to go to KORE Essentials and their Reckless Wayfarers. These glasses are very high-quality and best of all they have new technology that allows them to be locked onto a shirt collar or sleeve. While KORE just dropped these glasses (not literally because they have magnets to prevent that), they immediately grabbed our attention.

They solved the problem many of us have with dropping shades when bending over or when trying to store them on our shirt.  These have hidden, safe smart magnets that lock the arms together and keep them secure.  The frames and lenses are definitely superior to most and the locking feature can't be beat. While these frames may weigh slightly more than others- 1 ounce to be exact- the extra weight is intended to create a stronger and more sturdy frame for an active lifestyle and high use.

We found these wraparound frames to be one of the coolest looking, durable, and strongest pair of shades on the market in 2019.

Innovation: Smart locking magnets for securing to shirt or sleeve.

Price Point: $149

Styles, colors, fits and frames will all change from year to year. In 2019 we have seen some cool new upgrades and some redo versions of the classics. If one thing can be said about 2019 is that the shade game is stronger than ever and the upgrades and new finds are even stronger.