I’m here to tell you I’ve finally found a brand that caters to those of us that want high-quality sunglasses but don’t want to give up an entire day’s earnings to get them. This is my Knockaround Sunglasses review.
For years, I’ve gotten by with the cheapest pairs of sunglasses I could find. These were usually purchased at a gas station or convenience store whenever the need arose. I was hard on them, and so it was hard for me to justify spending big on a pair that I knew I might break in a matter of days.
Article Overview
Knockaround Polarization
The first thing that I ask myself when I get a new pair of sunglasses is this: do they protect my eyes from the potentially harmful rays of the sun. I spend a lot of time outdoors, whether that’s guiding, recreating on my own, or working in the yard. As such, I want sunglasses that protect my eyes for prolonged periods of sun exposure. I also want glasses that allow me to clearly see my surroundings, instead of just being dark and dampening the colors of the environment.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “my eyes burn every time I wear them!” and 5 = “Sun? What sun?”), I’d rank the polarization of my Knockaround Sunglasses at a 5. They are amazing at blocking out the harsh light of the sun and, because I hate squinting and I live close to the equator, these sunglasses will keep me from worrying about developing crow’s feet for years to come!
Comfort
Comfort is also key when evaluating a new pair of sunglasses. Something that you’re potentially going to be wearing on your head for 10 or more hours a day has simply got to be comfortable! We’ve probably all been there with those sunglasses that looked so great when you tried them on and then gradually, as you wore them more and more, they began pressing into your temples so hard that you develop a headache within 15 minutes of putting them on now. No thanks!
On another scale of 1 to 5 (this time 1 = “totally uncomfortable” and 5 = “feel like small pillows on my temples”), I’d rate the Knockaround Sunglasses at a solid 4. One of my favorite aspects about them (when it comes to comfort) is how lightweight they are. Unlike some bigger and bulkier sunglasses I’ve had in the past, I barely know these are on when wearing them.
Durability
Durability also becomes important when you live an active, sometimes rugged lifestyle. My sunglasses have to be able to keep up with schlepping kayaks around every morning, slinging backpacks on and off, digging hugelkultur trenches in the garden, and whatever else I ask of them. (Sure, they get their fair share of walk longs on the beach, but come on, how hard is it to be sunglasses?)
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “feel like a butterfly would snap them if it landed on them” and 5 = “they could probably be run over by a small truck and still be fine”), I’d rate the durability of my Knockaround Sunglasses at a 3. Now, that’s partly because of that ridiculous scale I created, but it’s also due to their relatively lightweight. I haven’t yet broken a pair though, so that’s always a good sign given how long some of my previous pairs of sunglasses have lasted.
The Only Con
My only major complaint with the Knockaround Sunglasses would be that they aren’t great for all lighting conditions. As I mentioned above, their polarization is great, which makes them awesome for bright, sunny days at the beach.
However, I find that, because they are so polarized, you can’t really wear them when it’s only slightly sunny. Here in the Costa Rican rainy season, we have a lot of cloudy but bright days. They aren’t meant for those kinds of days.
The Right Price
Here’s really where Knockaround Sunglasses got me: these sunglasses cost just $10! That’s essentially what I’ve been paying all these years for those cheap, crappy sunglasses from the gas station. Now I no longer have to worry about over-spending and I can still get a quality, durable pair of sunglasses that actually look cool and function well.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = “got ’em at the Dollar Store” and 5 = “They were handcrafted in Europe and made entirely of gold”), I give the Knockaround Sunglasses a 2 when it comes to price. For the cost, they are some of the best sunglasses I’ve ever had. I know cheaper isn’t always better for everyone, but in this case, I have to paraphrase a famous saying: “The price is [definitely] right!”
Final Knockaround Verdict
Just to give you a conclusive summary, here are my final ratings for my Knockaround Sunglasses:
Overall: 4.5
Polarization: 5
Comfort: 4
Durability: 3
All in all, I wouldn’t say that there isn’t any major way in which Knockaround could improve their sunglasses. They are perfect for their purpose, and I’ll certainly be buying another pair (or two!) from them if they ever break in the future.
Ready for your own Knockaround Sunglasses?
At The Backpack Guide, I’m always looking for new outdoor gear to review, new trails and wildernesses to explore, and I’m always, always interested in the experiences of others in the wild.
I’d love to know if you have any experience with Knockaround Sunglasses and, if so, what you think of them. In addition, if you decide to buy a pair of Knockaround Sunglasses after reading this review, I’d love to know how you like them after a few uses!
Feel free to reach out to me directly (email below), or share your latest adventure or backpack by tagging @thebackpackguide on Instagram!
Knockaround Sunglasses sent me a pair of sunglasses free of charge in exchange for an honest, thorough review. I hope you found this review useful and I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any follow-up questions that I didn’t address. Thanks!
Get Out and #knockaround!
The Backpack Guide
Knockaround Sunglasses
Price Varies Based On Style Preference
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Sun Protection
- The Right Price
Cons
- Not Great For All Lighting Conditions
Comments
These sunglasses actually look cool! With all the sunglasses in the market it is really hard to tell which ones are worth buying. I sometimes hesitate when it comes to non branded gas station sunglasses, I am afraid they won’t be effective enough. But luckily some good quality medium range brands are emerging and Knockaround seems like a great option. Will definitely be checking it out. Thank you for a thorough post!
I appreciate this great review on the Knockaround Sunglasses and from what I can read they seem to be a real knockaround indeed.
I am looking for great sunglasses for almost 2 years and I am not, yet, 100% satisfied what I have found so far.
I am a lot in our backyard, almost the whole day in the summertime and I do need protection for my sensitive eyes.
However, I am also wearing prescription glasses and I need sunglasses who can be worn over my regular glasses.
I checked out their website but didn’t see something like this.
However, I do believe if I contact them they might be interested in creating such sunglasses?
I certainly are being interested and have saved your site.
Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks Sylvia! I would most certainly reach out to them to see if they could create something custom for you!
Hi Tucker – thanks for sharing your review of these sunglasses. I have not heard of this brand before so I was interested to see what you thought of them. I like the fact that they are lightweight but I am not sure that they would be suitable for here in the UK when we have limited sunny days. However, at the price, they are worth looking into. Do you know if they come with their own pouch or case? All the best, Diane
Author
Hi Diane! Each pair of Knockaround sunglasses does come with its own pouch. And they also arrive in a plastic container (not super environmentally friendly, but useful for added protection if you’re traveling with them!). Hope that’s helpful!
Hi Tucker, thank you for this review. I also have been buying cheap glasses that disintegrate in no time and not guaranteed to` feel comfortable. i like what I am reading about here. i live in Jamaica where the sun shines most of the time, and sun glasses is a must. I am glad I can now identify a brand that is recommended and looks good.
Author
Fortunately, Knockaround ships internationally! I hope you’ll be able to get a new pair of shades sent to Jamaica. I’ve included this link to Knockaround’s Shipping Policies to help you figure out if that’s possible. Best of luck!
Hi, when I buy sunglasses I usually get them from the dollar store. Not that I worry about breaking them, but rather that I always tend to lose them.
That, and if the style ends up not looking good on me, then I don’t feel like I lost any money that way. However you get what you pay for with those.
The dollar store shades are also not the best at blocking out the sunlight, but I noticed you gave a 5 star rating for that, so they sounds pretty good in that regard. They are a 4 in comfort, and that is true that you might have to wear them for 10 hours a day for some people.
The fact that they are lite would be good for lifeguards that gotta run fast, if they weighed to much then maybe the lifeguard would get tired faster.
Thanks
Author
Hahahaha, as a former lifeguard, I can’t say that I ever considered the weight of my sunglasses in my ability to make a “save”, but I suppose every ounce can count! Like you, I was a Dollar Store (or gas station) sunglasses-guy for years! And that’s why this review means so much to me. I truly feel that Knockaround Sunglasses are more than worth the investment and they actually perform. For my money, I don’t feel too bad about losing a $10 pair of shades that actually protects my eyes! You should definitely check out their styles if you haven’t already!
Very interesting review. I have never heard of Knockaround Sunglasses before but they are just the type of sunglasses I go for (cheap! lol). Right now I am rocking a clear-plastic sunglass that was $2 including shipping from China haha. I think I will probably upgrade to these $10 Knockaround sunglasses. They look good, look sturdy and very importantly for me you said they are lightweight and comfortable. I can’t stand heavy and uncomfortable sunglasses, bugs the heck out of me.
Author
I highly recommend doing so! And you might even opt to grab two at once so that you have a backup pair just in case. They even have the option of customizing your own pair of shades. Even their custom shades start at $10, so it’s worth looking into!
Hello my friend Tucker,
I go through a dozen pair of sunglasses at least in any given year.
Finding a comfortable one that suits all styles might be tricky.
I recognized myself in this review because I have gotten some at the Dollar Store
that were very stylish to me. But I ended up receiving so many compliments from people
that I start getting afraid to share that they were from a Dollar Store 🙂
I will certainly add the Knockaround model to my already vast collection.
Author
I can definitely relate! My tagline was usually, “Oh yeah, I picked ’em up from a gas station when my last pair broke!” I’ve enjoyed being more intentional about the shades I’m putting on my face, as I think it’s important to take care of our eyes. I know I’d like mine to keep working well for many years to come!
Its very nice of you to share this nice review about Knockaround sunglasses, I like the product and the offers it provides. It’s good to always lookout for how best sunglasses can be of help when buying a new one especially in the aspect of protection of the eyes from harmful ray of sunshine, it’s good to know that Knockaround has this. I’ll definitely get one of this as soon as possible.
Author
Be sure to check out some of their Special Releases right now! I’m sure they’ll also have some Black Friday deals coming up, so you might want to keep your eyes peeled (pun fully intended!) for those as well!
I was looking for a new pair of sunglasses, these look awesome! I live in Texas so this sun can be really harsh, you need a good pair of sunglasses for most of the year. I cannot believe these glasses are only $10! I might pick up an extra pair just in case, because I am really bad about breaking my glasses. Thank you for the review!
Author
I will usually buy two pairs at a time because I am really prone to breaking sunglasses! And that’s why I was so averse to spending money on nice shades for a long time. But these look great, perform great, and the price is right! Just for curiosity’s sake, where in Texas do you live? I used to live in Austin and my brother still lives there now!
Even though i don’t go out that much, I have about 5 to 6 sunglasses in my drawer because you hardly see me take a walk without it, my eyes crack easily at the sight of the ray of sunshine so it’s an essential for me. I’ve not had a pair of Knockaround sunglasses before, but I think it’ll be advisable to get one, I like it’s features and for the fact that polarises, I’ll take it.
Author
The price is right too! And they have a great many styles to choose from, depending on what you fancy yourself in!