Ray-Ban

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Ray-Ban

51 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  I have a $100 REI Gift Card. Should I get Darn Tough socks or Maui Jim sunglasses?

  Have always loved electric .. I will add Ray Ban sunglasses are pretty good too

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• #2Dec 29, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Ray-Ban Balorama. Timeless heritage design, comfortable, built to last. I've had the same pair for 8 years. Minor scratches on the lenses. Get the polarized model. You won't be disappointed.

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• #3Dec 29, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I have had my rayban new wayfarer since 2013, and they’re still good

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• #4Dec 29, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Ray-Ban? I’m on year eight with my new wayfarer’s. The longest I’ve owned a pair of sunglasses, like x4. Only incident: Wife knocked over a water bottle, which landed square on the frame and cracked the lens….$50 later, brand new (lens replacement). Theory is, buy nice, treat ‘em well. All of my other sunglasses were cheap, and they either didn’t last or I didn’t take care of them. I take care of my Ray-Bans.

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• #5Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Ray Ban and call it a day.

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• #6Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I like my Ray-Bans. Most of my friends who have owned them have had them going on 20 years.

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• #7Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I have a pair of Ray Ban Justin frames that I’ve had for five or six years. I’ve replaced the lenses a couple times. The coating has come off the frames and they look less than wonderful, but they are comfortable and good for my job. I need durable lightweight frames that I can put on and take off a hundred times a day. These have held up pretty well for that, and third party lenses are cheap. Maybe I wouldn’t buy another pair but six years for beater glasses is great.

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• #8Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I've had the same two pairs of Raybans for 20 years now. I have had to replace the lenses and the sides though. Fuse lenses is great for replacing lenses on name brand sunglasses. You can also buy Fuse sunglasses and replace the lenses on their own sunglasses too.

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• #9Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I rolled with a single pair of Ray-Bans for years until my kids came along. The glasses didn’t last long after that. They were replaced with MauiJims / a flurry of Costco sales and I grew tired of them being destroyed. On a lark, I picked up a pair of the dark safety glasses from Harbor Freight, and while they are hardly stylish, if they get destroyed, I’m out $2 instead of $200. But, they will likely be long-lasting.

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• #10Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Vote for Ray Ban Wayfarers, I have had 1 pair for over 15 years no issues

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• #11Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Before I got my prescription glasses I used a Ray Ban aviator sunglasses. They lasted more than a decade and the good thing is that like Swatch, any good authorized dealer can repair a broken or lost part. Luxocticca is a huge brand, some people don't like it. I think that they got there by good marketing skills and a good product. But TBH, any brand by them or the number two, Safilo (Hugo Boss, Careers, Tommy, etc) would be great. But first, before looking for brands, look for what looks and feels good. Once you got your style in place it would be easier to find appropriate glasses.

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• #12Dec 26, 2025

  I’m in Spain for the holidays, what are some BIFL/quality items I can get here that I can’t get in the US?

  Products from other seasons. It’s quite a luxury outlet: Gucci, Armani, Carolina Herrera, etc. There’s also Swatch, North Face, Le Creuset, Ray Ban. There’s a website, check it out!

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• #13Dec 19, 2025

  Best sunglasses to buy for life?

  My personal fav. top 5 sunglasses brands in India. Lenskart Ray-Ban Voyage Project shades Oakley

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• #14Dec 7, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  Got a pair of polarized prescription Ray-Bans a couple years ago and I'll say that's probably my pick too, and not just for driving💯

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• #15Dec 6, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  This. Sunglasses are not bought for like because I lose or smash them. I switched to cheapo polarized sunglasses after I smashed my last pair of raybans. Ironically the cheap ones have lasted the longest.

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• #16Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  I think this is the difference between BIFL and BIFV (buy it for value). I've had several Goodrs over the years and a handful of RayBans. Nothing at all has ever compared to the quality of RayBans but unfortunately life gets in between. My daughter kicked me in the face last time I wore mine and they are unrecoverably damaged. So I'm back to my $25 Goodrs. I've lost pairs, scratched pairs, driven over pairs and I'll buy them again. I don't think I'll spend another $250+ on RayBans when I can buy 6 more pairs of Goodrs for the same price even if they are less quality.

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• #17Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  A gal bought me some Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses in 1993. I wore them until I started needing prescription lenses in 2010. I still have them, but the lenses need replacing (due to my careless handling).

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• #18Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  I just went through this! I have sensitive eyes and need glasses anytime the sun is out. I like Goodr for everyday use I just have the black ones. I do put them in their silky little bag which fits in my small purse. They are nonslip and can go on the top of my head and feel fine. I also have RayBan classics which I baby. I keep them in a hard case and use more selectively. This is my third pair and I’ve learned the hard way what happens when you just throw them in your purse or wear on your head. I dropped them too many times to count and they loosen or get scratched. I do have that little screw driver to tighten but still a little care goes a long way.

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• #19Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  I’ve had ray bans for years and sunglasses hut has always adjusted them for free when they were crooked, etc.

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• #20Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  You might want to check out **Knockaround Premiums** or **Goodr** sunglasses. Both are well-known for being durable and affordable, and they hold up better than most fashion brands. Knockaround has a more classic street style look, while Goodr is slightly sportier and designed to handle rough use. If you want something that feels more timeless, **Ray-Ban Wayfarer** or **Persol PO0649** are solid long-term picks — pricier, but proven to last.

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• #21Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  Ray-Ban Wayfarers, the real ones not the Amazon fakes. Mine are like 6 years old, dropped a hundred times, hinges still tight, lenses barely scratched

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• #22Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  Ray-Ban Caravan.

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• #23Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  Rayban Aviator

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• #24Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  Ray Ban, Kate Spade, Maui Jim, Gucci, all held up really well. Recently purchased $25 dollar super lightweight goodr!

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• #25Oct 2, 2025

  Which moment made you switch to the "buy it for life" mindset?

  I take care of things really well. I had a pair of $35 sunglasses from Walmart all though high school and college. My grandad had a pair of Ray Bans Aviators that he bought new in the 70s; and that inspired me. After my first paycheck at my first big boy job, I bought a pair for $200. I’ve had them 11 years now. They may not last forever, but now I’m okay with spending money on something I know that will.

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• #26Oct 2, 2025

  Glasses. UK/EU. Timeless and Classic shape.

  Oliver Goldsmith, Ray ban makes frames, check out Vintage Optical too.

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• #27Sep 4, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  RayBan.

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• #28Sep 4, 2025

  Looking to buy some sunglasses that will be around for a long time

  Agreed for your Opinion for Rayban. Recently I am in the tour of India around tamilnadu there I lost my sunglasses you know in tamil nadu especially I am in Chennai. Here climate is very hot. Here I am looking to buy sunglasses I found store called Specsmakers when I went to the store I find so many collection of sunglasess, power sunglasses and polarized sunglasses with wide range eyeglass collection.

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• #29Sep 2, 2025

  Do we value things more when we pay more for them?

  That’s me. I used to leave sunglasses everywhere. I just lost my first pair of raybans after 10 years, and I’m very upset.

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• #30Jul 3, 2025

  High quality polarized glass lens sunglasses?

  11 years ago, I bought my husband glass lens Ray Bans that are polarized. He still loves and uses them. 

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• #31Jul 1, 2025

  High quality polarized glass lens sunglasses?

  I had a pair of glass lens Costas for 13 years before a rogue wave at the beach took them. I replaced them with Maui Jim's (also glass lens) and they seem comparable, I have 3 years on the new glasses. I also ended up with a pair of glass lens Ray Bans that I use for driving, I've only had them for 9 months but they seem ok so far.

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• #32Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  I have a pair of rayban sunglasses that are 15 years old, have been through a lot and have never cracked, broken, etc

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• #33Jun 7, 2025

  What’s your BIFL that a dog chewed on and you still use it?

  Tortoise Ray Ban Wayfarers.

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• #34May 10, 2025

  What are some items under $500 you’ve made so far that changed your life?

  A pair of Polarized Ray-Ban new wayfarers. Over 20 years old, seen too much, seemingly indestructible, and never out of style.

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• #35May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  I have a lot of these. Here are some: * Casio G-Shock wristwatches * Raspberry Pi computers * Sony bluetooth headphones * Steinway pianos * Savotta bags * Barbour jackets * Sterkowski hats * Lezyne air pumps * Mavic wheels * Shimano derailleurs * Logitech mice * Cordura fabrics * Fisher pens * YKK zippers * ThinkPad laptops * Metrix oscilloscopes * The United States Playing Card Company decks * Ray Ban sunglasses * Anker powerbanks * Yamaha guitars * Samsung TVs * Victorinox multitools * Olight flashlights * Montblanc fountain pens * La Sportiva shoes * Playstation consoles * GNU software

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• #36May 6, 2025

  Any suggestions for high-quality polarized sunglasses that don’t have a huge markup just because of the brand?

  Never had them, but I like your point. If a product is cheaper and it won't last, it isn't better. I bought a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses in 1993. I abused them, dropped them often, rode a bike a ton in them, sweated in them, basically wore them each day until I lost them the week after this past Xmas in 2024. They were a tad over 31 years old. I'd say they were dirt cheap considering I wore and used them for over 31 years, dropping them countless times, not babying them etc. I mean I quit using the case they came in after like a year or so. I'd just toss them in my backpack naked, with the other things I had in there. They took all my abuse. Hell, I'd still be wearing except for the fact I lost them. I had many close calls over the years, left them at places, went back and found them, but not that time. Even back in 1993 those glasses were over $100 but they were a super cheap pair of sun glasses considering I had over 3 decades of hard use with them.

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• #37May 6, 2025

  What’s something you’ve had so long it feels like it’s legally part of your family

  When my husband and I started dating he gave me a pair of ray ban aviators he had bought for himself but they didn’t fit his nose. That was seven years ago and they are the only sunglasses I own

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• #38May 6, 2025

  Any suggestions for high-quality polarized sunglasses that don’t have a huge markup just because of the brand?

  this. the lenses in them in raybans are very good

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• #39May 5, 2025

  Any suggestions for high-quality polarized sunglasses that don’t have a huge markup just because of the brand?

  I’ve had RayBans in the past and they are great, but I am unfortunately not good at keeping track of them :/ I have already “donated” at least 2 pairs to the community.

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• #40May 5, 2025

  Any suggestions for high-quality polarized sunglasses that don’t have a huge markup just because of the brand?

  Go to Walmart. My wife is a 31-year Optician with them. They have off brands just as good as the big names. A lot of people like Rayban, but my wife will tell you their quality dropped in 1999 when Bausch & Lomb sold the name to Luxottica.

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• #41May 5, 2025

  Any suggestions for high-quality polarized sunglasses that don’t have a huge markup just because of the brand?

  i know you don't want huge markup but there is a huge difference in lens quality with Maui Jim or RayBan polarized lenses than the cheaper ones. RayBan in particular does extremely good polarization and i will pay the higher prices everytime for them for daily wear. for other things, like outdoor activities such as golf i will do some cheaper ones just so i won't get upset if i lose or break them

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• #42May 5, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  I have a few pairs of Rayban Wayfarers that I love and are over 10 years old. As long as you dont lose them they are great. I think that can kind of go for any of the bigger brands, you can replace the lenses if they ever scratch or break on most of them. Either from the main manufacturer (luxotica usually) or 3rd party. Whatever you do, do not get knock arounds, or any of the other "affordable" sunglasses brands. Their usually cheaply made, with a spray on UV tint that will rub off easily and you usually cannot replace the lenses. So you are creating a lot more waste and spending about the same amount of money as you would for a second hand pair from a bigger brand.

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• #43May 5, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  I used to buy cheap sunglasses and then have to replace them in a few months or a year. I got tired of it and finally bought some Ray Ban New Wayfarer's. I bought them back in 2015 and they still look brand new.

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• #44May 5, 2025

  Bodycam for daily use

  Get those rayban glasses with cameras in em, seem to work well cause I’ve seen many videos on them by them

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• #45May 4, 2025

  Will it be worth it to pay $75 to polarize my ray ban lens?

  I did do it lol. They aren’t bad at all. Definitely worth it

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• #46May 4, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  Ray Ban Aviators

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• #47May 3, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  Rayban aviators. Classic. Timeless.

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• #48May 2, 2025

  What’s something you bought once and never had to replace?

  I still have my jean jacket, with a lot of leather on from it Guess that I bought back in 1984 in high school. Guess was a new company, only came out in 1983, we had no idea what the company was going to be like, if it would be good, last etc. This jacket is heavy, it's lined, it's tough, the leather is still great over 40 years later, I wear it every year, often. The leather is red, but faded to a light red now and for a long time. I bought a pair of Ray-ban sunglasses in 1993 and I wouldn't have had to replace them, but I lost them the week after this last Xmas. They were still great and I did NOT baby them. I wore them daily, rode on bicycles a ton with them, sweating a lot, dropped them so many time in the 30 plus years I owned them. I had to replace them but not due to them wearing out or breaking, only because I lost them. I wore them doing yard work, cutting the grass, hiking, in the car driving. Didn't matter, they were my daily sunglasses and I wore them whatever I was doing. They were still going strong after more than 30 years. I have two nice leather bags, one is all veg tanned leather and the other is chromium tanned but both will outlast me, easily.

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• #49Apr 5, 2025

  What is a BIFL item/product you recommend?

  I have the briggs and Riley Baseline carryon, medium roller (getting the Large/XL means you will be over the 50lb domestic (US) weight limit), and a cabin 2-wheel underseat roller. Great bags, although the wife wanted Away (seem nice so far, but not my preference). Tom Bihn backpacks. Took a week long trip to the tropics and the bag is a little unorthodox but it can hold a lot of stuff. And you have a variety of fabrics to select. Bose over hear headphones - great for travel and mine have lasted for awhile. For life is somewhat limited but its an electronic item that has a little tech, its a tradeoff. Sonicare toothbrush - It is like 10 years old on the original battery. Teeth are life. Agree with the Leatherman Wave+, good tool doesn't really excel at any one thing, but useful to have. Cookware: DeBuyer carbon steel country fry pan. I prefer this over cast iron. Demeyere Atlantis Fry pan - great steel fry pan. Allclad copper core (functionally similar to the d3 but I like the appearance of the copper line that shows through and I don't worry about cleaning it). I have watches. Mechanical ones are nice but as the old joke goes if you have to pick a watch to wear for the rest of your life what would you choose and no you can't choose your g-shock. NiMH batteries - where possible get rid of alkaline even if they are cheaper. They will leak and ruin your day and maybe even the device they are in. I choose Eneloops, the normal not the pro variant. Skip the LION batteries for now as they are 3.7v and require a voltage regulator to go to 1.5v, but if you need the 1.5v instead of 1.2v for the device meaning the NiMH won't work then the normal 1.6v lithium batteries would work. High quality LED lights - CRI should be 90+. They are a long term consumable but higher quality light is better. Knipex and Klein for tools. Knipex makes my favorite generalist pliers/wrenches. Klien makes great hand tools, I prefer the MiUSA options and use their linesmans for random things. Klien also makes a bottle opener, Wera does too and they are somewhat comfortable to hold. Clothes that don't have spandex. Spandex and elastic fail. I have had Patagonia fleece for 30 years and it still works. Randolph sunglasses - I just like them. Ray Ban 4140, they have spring hinges which means I can wear my spouse's and they have had theirs for 15 years although I had to buy new aftermarket lenses. Also discovered a french brand Cartel that also uses spring hinges, but don't know enough about this brand. Miele Washer and Dryer - gets rid of the vent ducting behind and they are solid if a little quirky. They canister vacuum is great. Converted the in-laws to this brand and they just went from the upright to the canister.

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• #50Mar 8, 2025

  Sunglasses - Polarised with glass/scratch resistant lenses?

  For non-prescription, Costco has many Maui Jim sunglasses for less than $125. Many of them are glass lenses (SuperThin glass in Maui speak). I don’t think you can get a better deal than that if you like any of the designs they sell. With Rayban, the classic ones are glass lenses (aviator, wayfarer etc.). You can sometimes find them for less than $150 at third party vendors like Jomashop.

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• #51Mar 3, 2025

  Where Does "Buy It for Life" Not Make Sense?

  Any “trendy” clothing or accessories. For example, I have used the same pair of Ray Bans for 10+ years and they are in a timeless style so they were worth the investment. If there is an item that is trendy and probably going to be “out of style” a year from now, I won’t spend over $20 on it. Things that will quickly become outdated aren’t worth buying for life.

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