Men's sunglasses – I've talked about them a lot here on RMRS.
We know that the right pair of Sunglasses are not only a practical accoutrement to a man's arsenal but a potentially stylish one as well.
Today though, we're doing things a little different. Instead of a general guide, we're reviewing a specific brand of men's sunglasses that recently launched.
The brand's name? Enemy Eyewear
Now, full disclaimer here: This company was started by my good friend Aaron Marino. For this reason, this review won't be the most unbiased out there.
Nevertheless, I'll still do my best to deliver a solid and fair assessment of this new entry into men's eyewear.
Alright gentlemen, let's get started.
1. Enemy – Materials Overview
Let's talk materials first. A common material used in quality glasses is acetate.
What is this? Acetate is a synthetic filament derived from plant fibers. It's great for glasses because it's naturally durable and less likely to cause skin irritation.
Enemy men's sunglasses are proud of their acetate, which they get from a manufacturer called Mazzucchelli 1849 in Italy.
In addition to that, they use stainless steel for the hinges which make them tougher overall.
What really impresses me are the lenses themselves, which are made with Zeiss. This material is usually reserved for the highest-quality cameras and provides 100% UVB protection with greater scratch resistance.
Materials? Check – no complaints here.
2. The Designs
Enemy men's sunglasses come in three designs with two colors (black and tortoise) each. This amounts to a total of six choices.
Let's go through them!
Enemy 1 Wayfarers
I have to admit – wayfarers are not my usual style. I just don't feel like I can pull them off and they rarely fit me right. This isn't the case for the Enemy 1's. A perfect fit means that they've become an addition to my rotation. Measurements for these come in 52 mm on the lens, 19 mm on the bridge of the nose, and 145 mm on temple length.
Enemy 2 Clubmasters
The Enemy 2's are essentially classic Clubmaster sunglasses. The structure is especially important for these glasses because they come with more attached parts. As I handled it, I noticed the integrity was good – no loose screws.
I also noticed that the nose piece uses quality silicone which kept it from sliding down my nose. If you're looking for great Clubmasters, this is where you can get them. They come in measuring at 51 mm at the lens, 18 mm on the bridge, and 145 mm temple length.
Enemy 3 Aviators
Aviators are among my favorites when it comes to men's sunglasses. They have a history that sets them apart – having been designed in 1936 for fighter pilots. Slowly, they found their way to the civilian market as a staple of classic menswear.
Again, Enemy executes this design well overall. This round design features a gold frame, a double-bridged frame, and a very lightweight build. The result is a pair of sunglasses that make you feel as though they're barely there.
3. The Price Point
What really blows me away about Aaron Marino's glasses is the cost, especially against other high-end men's sunglasses.
Despite the quality, you can get them for $95!
That's insane! But how do they compare against my go-to brand, Maui Jim?
Men's sunglasses from Enemy are more than a match for older brands.
Maui's are three times more expensive than Enemy – retailing at around $300. They often boast titanium frames with Polarized2 technology. Despite all these factors gentlemen, the sheer quality Enemy brings to the table equals that of Maui – an older and established brand!
Don't even get me started on how they hold up against Ray Bans – Enemy exceeds them on all fronts.
4. The Shortcomings
Alright gents, you've heard me praise my friend's company – big surprise, right? Believe it or not, however, there is plenty of room for improvement.
Let's talk about the case. Enemy sunglasses arrive in an attractive hard case – it's just too big. If you keep your glasses inside, you can hear them clattering inside even with the cleaning cloth to muffle it. It could do with a 25% reduction in size.
Next, I want to talk about the information offered on the site. If we look at names such as Maui Jim, we get all sorts of diagrams that highlight various stats for each category. While the three basic measurements for the lenses, ridge, and temple are useful, other brands will delve even further to cover the base curve and height.
Finally, I want to talk about the glasses themselves. Sure, the product is superb but I'm still inclined slightly toward my Maui Jims.
Why? They simply match my style better. The Enemy 3's for instance use very round lenses, but I prefer my Aviators to be a little more slender.
The variety is also lacking in comparison to Ray Bans or Mau Jims. A total of six to choose from is good, but it can start to feel dull after a while. I would have loved those Aviators to be in a silver frame!
Another small gripe I have is about the brand itself. It's a badass name, so it needs to be better represented. I'd love for them to print “Enemy” on the frames!
5. The Verdict
My gripes are mainly based on personal preference. When we get down to the nitty-gritty of price and quality, Enemy Eyewear gets a 9/10 in my book.
I highly recommend them, gents. The substance you'll be getting for $95 cannot be understated.
Summary – Enemy Men's Sunglasses
Enemy Sunglasses are a fantastic new brand from my good friend Aaron Marino. They can hold their own against big brands when it comes to quality. With some finetuning and variation in products, I can see them dominating the market!
