The Best Ray-Ban Aviator Alternatives For the Classic Pilot Look


Shades at every price point.

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The Ray-Ban aviator is a classic style. It was first designed way back in 1937 and has stayed popular ever since. The design is instantly recognizable, with the large lenses designed to keep out the sun from all angles, which is essential when flying, and the thin but sturdy metal frame that ensures the glasses are durable.

But, there are many reasons why you may be looking for Ray-Ban Aviator alternatives. Sometimes it comes down to price, Ray-Bans aren’t cheap and it’s easy to get a similar style for a fraction of the price of these shades. Other times you may just be looking for something different regardless of the price. It might be that you want a pair that’s a higher quality, or simply a frame that is less commonly owned.

Whatever your reasons for wanting Ray-Ban aviator alternatives, we have your back—this article has six pairs to choose from.

Best Ray-Ban Aviator Alternatives: 5 Top Shades

J and S Military Style Aviator Sunglasses

J&S Military Style Sunglasses
J&S

If you’re looking for a decent pair of frames at the lowest possible price, then J and S Military Style Aviators sunglasses are a good option. At the time of writing these frames cost under $20 yet still come with a metal frame and polarized lenses.

The glasses have a similarly large, tear-drop style lens to Ray-Ban aviators and they are available in ten different colors, including the classic gold frame with brown lenses. They even come with a case and a one-year warranty. These aren’t the best glasses on this list, but for the price, they’re hard to beat.


Wear Me Pro Maxwell

Wear Me Pro Maxwell
Wear Me Pro

Going up a price bracket, but still far cheaper than Ray-Bans, we have Wear Me Pro Maxwell glasses. These shades have the classic aviator shape we love with a thin metal frame and polarized polycarbonate lenses with UV400 protection.

They also have a metal frame and hinges so they’re well-placed to last if you look after them. These shades come in a variety of colors including an all-black pair that I am particularly fond of.


Tomahawk Landfills

Tomahawk Landfills
Tomahawk

Tomahawk Landfills and low-to-mid-end sunglasses. At $70 at the time of writing they are less than half the price of Ray-Bans, but still cost much more than the cheaper glasses on our list. For the price, you get a good-looking stainless steel frame and polarized lenses.

The thing I like most about these glasses is the color combinations available. The silver lens, silver frame, and black lens, black frame are cool monochrome styles. Meanwhile, the silver frame and blue lens glasses are a fun way to stand out.


Warby Parker Raider

Warby Parker Raider
Warby Parker

Warby Parker Raider sunglasses bring a lot of premium features to the aviator-style at a price that is still slightly cheaper than Ray-Bans. For starters, you get a hand-polished frame finish which ensures they look fantastic.

The glasses are durable, too. The frame is made from stainless steel while the earpiece is acetate is not regular molded plastic which gives the glasses a premium feel. Meanwhile, the lenses have a scratch-resistant coating and the screws are coated with akulon.

The other great thing about these shades is the sizing choice. You can choose from both medium and large frames to get one that you know will fit.


Randolph Engineering Aviators

Randolph Engineering Concorde
Randolph Engineering

Our final pair of Ray-Ban aviator alternatives are a more premium take on the style. Randolph Engineering sunglasses are made in the U.S. from quality materials, including those made from 23k gold. The chrome lenses are the easiest to recommend as they are super durable. They also come with polarized lenses.

The brand’s regular aviator sunglasses are very popular and these have a style that is slightly more squared off than Ray-Bans. If you prefer the tear-drop style lens, then try Randolph’s Concorde frame.


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Duncan Elder

Duncan is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Boardwalk. He's a menswear writer who has spent the last 15 years developing his own sense of style, which lies at the cross-section of mid-noughties indie and Uniqlo-inspired minimalism.

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