Shade in Style: Astral sunglasses by Rudy Project

It has been just over a month since I first ripped open a package containing the Astral Sunglasses from the Rudy Project. I’m a runner who has to have a pair of sunglasses on regardless of the light and weather conditions. Sunny? Sunglasses. Rainy? Sunglasses. Almost dark out? Yep, pack those sunglasses! I’ve ran in the Astral’s, walked in them, and now I am ready to tell you my thoughts.

First, and most important, the lenses. Yes, I wear sunglasses nearly all the time I am outdoors. It’s why I desire to have a bunch of pairs at the ready. There is a pair in the house, in the garage, and in both family cars. Sometimes I even have one in my running bag just in case. My eyes are becoming more sensitive as I get older.

Sunglasses can be pretty pricey nowadays – especially for quality. Sure, you can find cheap knock offs, but if they don’t fit right and the lenses are crap, then it doesn’t really matter right. At $190, the Astral’s are not exactly inexpensive, but they do provide a lot of quality and technology for the price point.

Our test pair came with Multilaser Blue lenses and a White Matte frame.  I love the blue coloring; it is very vibrant, but do not make everything look blue. This is great, as I initially thought, from looking at them, that I would be seeing everything in a Cookie Monster hue. Not at all. The sun stays out, I don’t have to squint, and the “color” is crisp and neutral. These lenses are definitely the “go to” for 80% of all activities. There are other colorways available – some flashier and some more subdued.

Comfort is huge in my book – if sunglasses aren’t comfy – I’m just not willing to spend that much time with them. The Astral’s feature an adjustable nose pad, so you can get a customized fit that you desire. Whether you need a tighter or looser grip and fit on your nose – this allows for that. There is also rubber coating near the side of the head to keep them locked in and secure on your face.

The lenses in the provide a larger face coverage area by design. They are rimless and just look sporty. As a part of their running collection, they come with those wraparound frames, ergonomically engineered and ventilated lenses as well.

So overall, the Astral’ are s a really nice pair of sunglasses. They are also relatively sustainable with frames are made of Rilsan Clear, a bio-plastic derived from 45 percent castor oil grown by certified farmers in India.

Rudy Project has eyewear for a ton of active sports, so check all the collections out.