Polarisation matters more than most men realise until they’ve actually worn a decent pair. Driving into low sun, spending a day on the water, sitting outside at lunch when the glare off every surface is working against you. Non-polarised lenses dim the light. Polarised lenses cut through it. The difference is real and once you’ve experienced it you won’t go back.

The problem is that most polarised options either look clinical or come loaded with branding that does the frames no favours. We’ve been looking specifically for pairs where the optics are doing their job properly and the design holds up away from the beach. Frame shape, lens colour, how they sit on an actual face rather than a product page. These are the things that separate a pair worth wearing in September from one that stays in the glovebox.

Good sunglasses complete an outfit. Bad ones undermine one that was working fine. These are the good ones.