Wooden sunglasses and bamboo sunglasses make a fashion forward statement in today’s world, and the selection of frame styles and lenses has never been more diverse. I researched a variety of wood-framed and bamboo sunglasses brands and present the best I found here. But first…
Is bamboo wood?
People often refer to bamboo as a wood, as in “bamboo wood sunglasses,” because bamboo has the same aesthetic qualities as real wood. However, bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass. In fact, it holds the world record for the fastest growing plant.
Eco-friendly and Light Weight
In addition to being Earth-friendly, both wood and bamboo sunglasses are lightweight, so they’re comfortable enough to wear all day. Not to mention, many styles float, making them the perfect accessory for having fun in the water on a sunny summer day.
Every pair is unique.
Today, you can find real wood sunglasses in cherry wood, maple, pear, and other varieties. And because every tree is different, no two pairs are exactly alike. Some designers are also making sunglasses from reclaimed wood that was previously used for flooring, skateboard decks, and other products.
Why wood and bamboo sunglasses?
Aside from the aesthetics, why should you buy sunglasses that are made with wood frames, bamboo, or other sustainable materials?
All over the world, people wear sunglasses. This year, Americans alone will buy over 200 million pairs of sunglasses. With our growing plastic pollution crisis, it only makes sense to reduce the amount of virgin plastic we buy. Purchasing sunglasses that use less virgin plastic, or none at all, is the optimal way to go.
Here are some innovative brands making cool sunglasses with wood and bamboo frames:
Wooden Sunglasses
1. Woodies Sunglasses
As the name implies, Woodies is all about wood sunglasses. Their brand has a fun retro vibe, but their materials, including polarized lenses, are all cutting edge. The company is devoted to making petrol-plastic a thing of the past.
Woodies offers a broad selection of men’s and women’s frame shapes in an impressive collection of woods, including rose wood, zebra wood, walnut, and more. They make some styles of bamboo sunglasses as well.
2. Paul Ven Designer Real Wood Sunglasses
Designer Paul Ven creates artisanal real wood sunglasses in walnut, ebony, zebra wood, oak, and maple. Paul Ven’s designed are created in London, and their Etsy page claims,
“People (especially in London and probably other big cities) who don’t have these wood sunglasses will express high levels of jealousy towards you. They’re a real head turner. So be noticed, and be cheeky as a fox.”
Every pair of Paul Vens is unique, and you can make them even more so (if that’s possible) by getting a custom message engraved inside the arm of the sunglasses.
They come with polarized, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, and ever pair has stainless steel spring hinges. And it gets better: These babies float.
3. Mitchell Made Handcrafted Wood Sunglasses
Based in Sudbury, Canada, Mitchell Made is another designer that crafts beautiful wood and bamboo sunglasses by hand. Their styles are unique, but with a vintage feel. Mitchell Made ships their sunglasses with a faux leather case.
4. Blue Planet Beechwood Arm Sunglasses
A socially conscious eyewear company, Blue Planet’s brand means a lot more than quality eyewear. Based in Santa Barbara, California, they create sunglasses and corrective eyewear with a variety of sustainable materials, including wood, bamboo, recycled metal, and recycled plastic. You can see their recycled styles in my post about recycled sunglasses.
With every pair of glasses Blue Planet sells, they donate a pair of glasses to a person in need through their charitable partners. To date, they’ve improved the sight for over 400,000 visually impaired people around the world.
Here’s a video featuring Lisa Lawenda, a VP at Blue Planet, and Matt Weinstein, the company’s brand manager, talking about Blue Planet’s Visualize Change program, which helps restore sight for people around the world:
Buy on Blue Planet >>
5. Zoni Wear Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Wood Sunglasses
With handmade wooden sunglasses, watches, and other accessories, Zoni Wear designs beautiful, unique products in their workshop in Plymouth, New Hampshire. They’ll custom engrave your sunglasses to make them all your own or the perfect gift. They have a beautiful selection unique lens styles too, so you’ll stand out from the crowd in your Zonis!
6. Winkwood Eyewear Wooden Sunglasses
Winkwood wooden sunglasses are made in Melbourne, Australia. Their sunglasses are made with reclaimed skateboard wood, zebra wood, vera wood, cherry wood, aluminum, and other materials.
7. SixtySix Sustainable Wood Sunglasses
SixtySix handcrafts their wooden sunglasses from sustainably sourced ebony, Plus, their shades have top of the line polarized lenses. The environmentally conscious company plants 20 trees for every pair of sunglasses they sell. In addition, they ship their products in sustainable or recycled packaging. They are also a carbon-neutral company.
Buy on SixtySix >
8. Ray-Ban Clubhouse Wood Sunglasses
Famous for their wayfarers and aviators, Ray-Ban has come out with these cool Clubhouse Wood Round Sunglasses. The lenses have a special UV protection coating. And there’s a rubber lining inside the wood frames for extra comfort.
9. Mr. Woodini Ecological Wood Sunglasses
Mr. Woodini hand makes their chic, eco-friendly sunglasses with wood and recycled materials. Their brand was born out of a desire to be innovative and refreshing, while integrating environmental consciousness into their designs. All of their wood sunglasses incorporate high-quality lenses that have 400UV protection, complying with sunny Australia’s strictest standards.
Visit their Etsy store to see their variety of styles that will looks great on anyone. All of their sunglasses come in eco-friendly packaging, and with Etsy’s commitment to offset CO2 for all of their artisans’ shipping, you can’t go wrong with these cool shades.
10. Wear Joplins Designer Wood Framed Sunglasses
Made in Lisbon, Portugal, Wear Joplins’ cool rounded lens wood sunglasses definitely remind me of Janice Joplin’s iconic round sunglasses.
11. SLYK Socially Conscious Sunglasses
SLYK makes stylish socially-conscious sunglasses in maple wood, bamboo, and other eco-friendly materials. The company also makes other accessories.
Founder Josh Fitzmaurice started designing products when he was recovering from a life-threatening neurological illness. Looking for a creative outlet as he was healing, he turned to product design.
SLYK donates a portion of their proceeds to the nonprofits One Tree Planted, which plants a tree for every product SLYK sells, and Calmer Choice, a mental healthy charity.
Buy on SLYK >
12. Woodeer Wooden Cat Eye Sunglasses
Who says Cat Woman can’t be eco-chic? The sleek wooden cat eye sunglasses are made with walnut wood in Riga, Latvia. Woodeer makes a variety of other frames shapes, as well as other accessories, like watches, with all-natural wood.
13. Retro ’70s Wooden Aviators
If you love 70s-style aviators, check out these cool frames by Catch a Fire Shop. They have polarized lenses and the frames are 100% made by hand.
14. Wooden Waves Sunglasses
Wooden Waves makes a variety of styles of sunglasses that have their own unique look. Made with sustainable red camphor burl, walnut, and more, these sunglasses will definitely draw compliments when you’re out and about!
15. 4est Shades Wooden Frame Sunglasses
Handmade with natural maple and cherry wood, 4est Shades sunglasses have look all their own. The company also make styles in bamboo.
All of their eco-friendly sunglasses are polarized to provide the UV protection you’d expect from any top brand. Plus, their high-quality wooden and bamboo sunglasses are super durable. Every pair comes with an engraved bamboo case and a microfiber cloth for upkeep and safekeeping. Eco-conscious in both product and practice, 4est Shades plants two trees for every pair of sunglasses they sell.
16. Woodzee Wood Sunglasses
Designed in California, Woodzees were inspired by a love of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Pacific Ocean. The company offers both polarized and non-polarized lenses. And some of the frames are made with recycled wood from sources like French oak wine barrels and skateboards.
Buy on Woodzee >>
17. Rainbow Stripe Wooden Sunglasses
Get read to party in these colorful striped wooden sunglasses with mirrored frames. Pelican Sunwear makes these shades with 100% natural wood. Even with polarized lenses, you can’t beat the price.
18. Walnut Wood Sunglasses
Known for their cool wood watches, Botanica Watches has come out with a line of stylish wood-framed sunglasses. Made with eco-friendly walnut and zebra wood frames, these sunglasses also have polarized lenses.
19. Customized Wood Sunglasses
If you’ve got a party coming up and want to give your guests a fun, eco-friendly gift, check out the selection of custom wood and bamboo sunglasses offered by Etsy artisans. A number of companies, like My Personal Memories, will engrave names and slogans on the arms of the sunglasses.
20. More Skateboard Wood Sunglasses
To check out some cool sunglasses made with reclaimed skateboard wood, check out my post on recycled sunglasses.
Bamboo Sunglasses
21. Polyrama Natural Bamboo Sunglasses
These stylish attention-getters have natural bamboo arms and faux tortoise shell lens frames. Plus the lenses offer 100% UV400 protection. Polyrama offers a few other colors and styles.
22. Takemoto Bamboo Sunglasses
These hip bamboo sunglasses are handmade by Takemoto Huang. If you live the style, you can also add prescription lenses. An added treat: they come in a handmade wooden box.
23. Wise Owl Eco Goods Bamboo Sunglasses
Wise Owl Eco Goods makes affordable sunglasses with 100% bamboo frames. In addition, their sunglasses also have polarized lenses that offer UV 400 protection.
Thank you!