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Rudder

Rudder

Made for the days you'd rather spend outside.
Matte Black / G-15
Regular price $49.99
Regular price $49.99 Sale price
SAVE Sold out
 
Matte Black / G-15
Matte Black / G-15
Matte Black / Red Mirror
Matte Black / Red Mirror
Matte Black / Green Mirror
Matte Black / Green Mirror
Matte Black / Blue Mirror
Matte Black / Blue Mirror
Matte Black / Silver Mirror
Matte Black / Silver Mirror
Matte Crystal / Blue Mirror
Matte Crystal / Blue Mirror
Matte Crystal / Green Mirror
Matte Crystal / Green Mirror
Matte Translucent Grey / G-15
Matte Translucent Grey / G-15
Matte Translucent Grey / Silver Mirror
Matte Translucent Grey / Silver Mirror
One-Time ReplacementLife happens. We’ll replace your sunglasses once, for any reason. Just cover $18 shipping and handling.
Premium Lens CoatingsScratch-resistant, anti-reflective, and saltwater-resistant for clearer vision and lasting performance.
Lightweight ComfortAt just 20 grams, our flexible TR90 frames are built for all-day wear, with durable metal hinges.
Free Shipping & 60-Day Returns60 days to make sure you love them. If they’re not right for you, send them back.

Two pairs, $10 off. Most people end up with two — a G-15 for bright days, a mirror for the water. Any two colorways; the discount applies at checkout.

Rudder

Regular price $49.99
Regular price $49.99 Sale price
SAVE Sold out
View full details

Which lens?

The color on the outside isn’t always the color you’re looking through. Here’s the easiest way to think about it.

Green-grey

This is the most neutral tint we make. Colors look like themselves, and it works well across changing light. It’s the tint in our G-15 lens, and it’s also underneath the Red and Silver Mirrors.

Brown

The Blue and Green Mirrors have a brown tint underneath. That’s what you’re looking through. It’s a warmer picture than the green-grey, with a little more contrast — edges and detail stand out. It’s what a lot of people reach for on the water or behind the wheel.

Mirrors

The mirror is a coating on the front of the lens, not the tint you’re looking through. It reflects more light before it reaches your eyes, which makes it useful in bright conditions like open water or snow at midday. The tradeoff is that a mirrored lens is darker when the light drops. If you’re out from bright sun into lower light, start with the non-mirrored G-15.

Whichever one you choose, every Black Sail lens is polarized and UV400. Polarization cuts reflected glare off water, roads and snow.

None of them is better than the others. It comes down to where and when you’ll wear them.

The details

The numbers, what’s in the box, and how to look after them.

Fit

57-18-135 · 146mm across

Weight

20 grams

Light enough that you stop noticing them.

Frame

TR90 with metal hinges

Light and durable.

Lens

Polarized · UV400

Cuts glare off water, roads and snow. Blocks 100% of UVA and UVB.

Coatings

Scratch · Glare · Salt

Scratch-resistant. Anti-reflective on the back, so sun behind you doesn’t bounce into your eyes. A salt guard on the front protects mirrored lenses from salt spray.

In the box

Folding hard case, soft case, cloth

The folding hard case is the one that lives in a glovebox.

The full details

Fit

Lens width 57mm, bridge 18mm, arms 135mm, and 146mm across the front. The fastest way to know if they’ll fit is to compare these numbers with the ones printed on the inside of the arm of a pair you already like.

Weight

20 grams. Light enough to wear all day without pressure on your nose or behind your ears.

Frame

The frame is TR90, a lightweight nylon-based material used in sports and performance eyewear. It’s light, durable and comfortable against your face. The hinges are metal, because the hinge is the part that works every time you open and close them.

Lens

Every lens is polarized, which cuts the reflected glare that bounces off water, roads, snow and car hoods. Every lens is also UV400, which blocks 100% of UVA and UVB light. That’s the same on every colorway — the color you pick changes the look and the tint, not the protection.

Coatings

The coatings do three jobs. A scratch-resistant coating helps the lens hold up to everyday use. An anti-reflective coating on the back stops sunlight from behind you bouncing off the inside of the lens and into your eyes. A salt guard on the front protects the mirror finish on mirrored lenses from salt spray.

In the box

A folding hard case, a soft case and a cleaning cloth. The folding hard case is the one that lives in a glovebox; the soft case is for a pocket or bag.

What those numbers mean

Rudder frame shape: 57 millimeter lens, 18 millimeter bridge, 135 millimeter temple
  • 57Lens width
  • 18Bridge
  • 135Temple

Not sure about the size? The three numbers are lens width, bridge width and arm length, all in millimeters. Check the numbers printed inside a pair you already own and compare. It’s more useful than guessing from a size chart.

How it fits

These run on the larger side — 57mm lenses, 146mm across the front. If sunglasses usually feel small on you, lenses stopping short of your brow or arms pinching at the sides, start here. At 20 grams, they're light for a frame this size.

Keep the lenses clear. Water and the cleaning cloth are all you need. Sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer and household cleaners can damage lens coatings, so keep them off the lenses.

Questions? Email hello@blacksaileyewear.com. It’s one of us on the other end, and we answer every email.

Everybody loses sunglasses

Left on a boat. Sat on in the truck. Over the side, gone. It’s the reason people talk themselves into a gas station pair instead of something they actually like wearing.

That’s why every pair includes one replacement, for any reason. Lost, run over, dropped in the lake — you don’t have to explain what happened. Cover $18 shipping and handling and we’ll send you a new pair.

And if the problem is ours, that’s different. The lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects for as long as you own them. Send us a few photos and we’ll take a look.

Customer reviews

4.3
Based on 48 reviews

Most of these were first posted on Amazon. We’ve brought them here, low ratings included.

Showing all 48 reviews

Birog

These sunglasses are terrific. They have similar qualities to much more expensive brands, do a great job cutting out sun glare and the clarity is excellent! They are comfortable to wear and have a classic style. I have not worn them long enough to verify that they are scratch and shatter resistant but they have a lifetime warranty. There is both a zipper case and a soft cloth case. Definitely recommend if you want a good pair of sunglasses but don’t want to pay premium prices.

Reviewed on Amazon

Boat World

I was looking for a less expensive, but quality everyday pair of polarized sunglasses. I’m in the boat business and I’m on the water every single day so a good pair of polarized glasses is very important. I came across these randomly, and after reading about them, I decided to give them a shot.

First impression was great. Their packaging really stands out and the glasses appear to be a really nice quality. I predominately wear Maui Jim’s and I’m really surprised by the clarity on these glasses in comparison. They were very comfortable and stayed on with no problems at all. Out on the water, they did a fantastic job at cutting the glare and gave great visibility.

Will definitely be ordering another pair to try the different lens colors and will be looking forward to new styles hopefully in the future.

Reviewed on Amazon

Adrienne Casteen

I stumbled upon these and decided to give them a try. So far I am very impressed. The presentation when I opened the case was very impressive, You can tell that they have focused on quality, they included a soft case, hard case, and also a cleaning cloth. The lenses seem to be as good if not better than what I have in my Oakley and Ray-Bans, they even have anti-reflective coating which you usually only see on very high end sunglasses, and the frames are just as comfortable. If you are thinking about trying these take my word you won’t be disappointed. They are ever bit as good or better than others 3 to 4 times the price!

Reviewed on Amazon

Kristin Avila

Packaging is sleek and attractive, of gift giving quality. Comes with protective hard case, soft drawstring storage bag, and lens cloth in addition to the glasses. I got the polarized black frame black lens you see in my photos but may grab a few pairs in other colors. I do feel like they are a bit big on my face to be flattering, but they fit comfortably and provide ample coverage top/bottom/sides in my field of view.

Reviewed on Amazon

*SlimKatie*

These frames give me a Cali surfer vibe! They are lightweight and keep the son out of your eyes! They are a thick but light weight sunglasses

Reviewed on Amazon

Andrew Willing

Sunglasses are hard to evaluate, except in Tiers. I would say these are Tier 2 sunglasses, with moderately-expensive pricing and yet with performance expectations near Tier 1 sunglasses. Tier 1 would be major brand-names such as Oakley or Rayban, and come with major pricetags (mostly for the name). Tier 3 would be no-name sunglasses, with bargain-basement pricetags. I've picked up noname sunglasses off Amazon for about $8, and for that price, they well exceeded any expectations. Tier 3 sunglasses can be great, with some minor misses on quality, especially in the lenses/optics, and limited colors & styles. Tier 4 sunglasses might be those $1 or free sunglasses you'd give to your young child just for fun.

At $50, I expect a lot more performance from these, and they largely deliver. The lenses/optics are polarized, and provide good sun protection and clear vision even in near-direct sunlight; in this way, they're a step above Tier 3 sunglasses. I prefer to wear these over the high-quality Tier 3 sunglasses I own, specifically for the quality optics/lenses. The frames, themselves, straddle a pleasant middle-ground between soft-touch plastic and hard/cheap plastic; they feel just right. There appear to be fewer available styles than I'd expect at this price point, but they are all interesting and fashionable.

The accessories are fair. I've had better pouches and cleaning cloths from Tier 3 sunglasses offerings. I don't know what I'm going to do with this elaborate box. I'm sure I paid for it with the $50 pricetag, but it offers little long-term value. If you're like me, you'll *want* to save it since it looks nice and since you paid (a lot) for it, but eventually it'll gather dust on some shelf and wind up in the trash being unused for years. I'd prefer to be more environmentally conscious, and perhaps have saved a few bucks, and done without the fancy box.

The major differentiator between these Tier 2 sunglasses and the $8 Tier 3 pair is the warranty. I didn't see it listed on Amazon, but I found on their website that Black Sail apparently offers a lifetime warranty as a one-time replacement.

Reviewed on Amazon

JLangley

I like how comfortable these sunglasses are, and how high-quality that material of the frames and lenses are. The polarized UV lenses give a clear high definition view outdoors. I wish the lenses were darker and more mirrored though, so you can't see through them, and I wish the frames were a bit bigger because they look a little bit smile on my face. I was worried that the logo on the side would be to a parent, but it's actually pretty subtle.

Reviewed on Amazon

Bill Thomas

Great look and a good fit. Classic wayfarer design. Super light weight. I use these primarily for golf and they work well. Because of their light weight, I'm not sure about the durability but only time will tell.

Reviewed on Amazon

StraightShot Reviews

These have held up well compared to what I expected. The polarization is good and they feel comfortable to wear for long periods outside. One thing I like is the warranty they offer — from what I saw, if you damage, lose, or break them they will replace them, which gives some peace of mind. I haven’t had to use it yet, but it’s nice knowing it’s there. Overall these work well for fishing, hunting, or other outdoor activities.

Reviewed on Amazon

Paul

I bought these Black Sail polarized sunglasses for a recent trip to Cancún, and they were absolutely perfect!. These shades never left my face. The polarization made a huge difference cutting through the glare off the ocean and bright sand, and my eyes felt relaxed even after hours in the sun.

Not only do they perform incredibly well, but they also look great — I got several compliments on the sleek design. Lightweight, durable, and super comfortable to wear all day. These are now my go-to sunglasses for day to day wear. Highly recommeded!

Reviewed on Amazon

Adrienne Casteen

My husband and I were very impressed with the Black Sail Rudders. My husband wants a pair for every vehicle we own. You can't beat the price for the level of quality. The attention to detail and quality of the product is amazing. So often when you order something online you are disappointed but, not with Black Sail top notch for sure.

Reviewed on Amazon

Koger

These glasses are seriously top-notch quality and that is immediately apparent even the packaging is done well with great attention to detail. They are very good looking and the color on the lenses is vibrant and definitely catches the eye. The clear plastic frames are a nice touch and go great with casual wear easily matching up with just about any outfit. The polarization is done extremely well and impressed me more than some glasses that have costed me three time as much. I have worn these for months now and they have held together perfectly. For the price you won't find a better pair of sunglasses and I would order these again without a second thought!

Reviewed on Amazon

J G

Black Sail is a brand I knew nothing about till I got these glasses. The model I got are called “Rudder”. Very clever sticking with the nautical names.

The glasses are lightweight yet comfortable and sturdy. The polarized lenses are great. They come in a nice foldable carrying box, a soft carrying bag, and cleaning cloth.

Overall, I really like these glasses and I highly recommend them.

Reviewed on Amazon

Amanda Lynn

I truly like these sunglasses they will keep your eyes protected from the sun with the polarization that is in each lens. They are very well made and come with a cleaning cloth, as well as a soft case and a hard case to keep the protected from the elements or even from being sat on accidentally. If they are in that hard case when not in use they should last a long long time. I definitely would recommend these.

Reviewed on Amazon

Amazon Customer

These glasses are very stylish looking. The one thing that struck me right away after opening is the case they came in. It is coated with a velvet type fabric. The box has an invisible magnetic closure, and when opened, unfolds completely to lay flat. It is very nice. The glasses fit well, and are the perfect size for a woman's face. They might be a bit small for a wider face or for a man.

Reviewed on Amazon

writergal

I love these new sunglasses. The lenses are polarized and they come with a case. There are four different frame/lens combinations you can purchase and I selected the black frame with the red polarized lens. They are also uni-sex and my young adult son has been asking me, "are you sure you don't want to give me those sunglasses?" Trust me, I'm sure! These sunglasses are mine!

Reviewed on Amazon

Austin

I'm an Oakley guy but after years of losing or breaking $150+ sunglasses I always keep a few spare not Oakley on hand for the beach, amusement parks and other places where there's a good chance of them getting messed up or disappearing. These are actually great. The clarity and color is perfect and the feel is great. They are light without feeling cheap and I think they look great. I'll be keeping these in the same category as my oakleys and only wearing them while driving or other occasions where I'm sure they'll stay safe.

Reviewed on Amazon

LarryV

I liked these as soon as I took them out of the nice hard-sided holder they are in. They are very sturdy and fit perfectly. Not too tight and not too loose in the temple area. They stay up well without slipping down my nose. I love the color of the lens and the polarization works perfectly to give you clear images without the glare. Great pair of sunglasses that should last you a long time. Very happy with my purchase.

Reviewed on Amazon

Rachael Wybourn

Bought them as a gift for my boyfriend and he loves them. He says they are well worth the money and work well against the sun. I liked how the sunglasses came with a cloth case, along with a warranty for a one time fix or replacement.

Reviewed on Amazon

M. Smith

Upon receiving, I first noticed the sturdy and convenient carrying case which can fold flat when not in use.

Glasses are lightweight, fit comfortably and stay in place while I’m wearing them and also provide full protection. Color options also make me want to collect multiple pairs!

Reviewed on Amazon

Brian Anthony

I was very impressed with my purchase from Black Sail. High quality sunglasses at half the cost of their competitors. Solid frames with heavy duty hinges , not cheap throw aways. Delivery was super fast. Already ordered a different style for myself.

Reviewed on Amazon

Grammy6

These sunglasses earned the seal of approval from my teenage grandson so that’s a high recommendation. They look sharp on and come with a hard cover, a soft cover and a cleaning cloth. The lenses are dark enough to keep the sun at bay but not too dark.

Reviewed on Amazon

Cliff Smith

These are really great sunglasses, not sure about the scratch resistance yet but love the look and protection they have. Definitely would recommend and they have a good price and warranty. Can't go wrong.

Reviewed on Amazon

David G.

Great sunglasses. The lenses are distortion free and look great.

The weight is nice and doesn't feel like they're going to blow away.

The arms are thick and sturdy. Comes in a nice box and has a bag to store them in. I'm very happy with these!

Reviewed on Amazon

BAnthony

Great shades for the price. I especially like the solid frame and sturdy hinges. I've paid twice as much for glasses of this quality. Highly recommend.

luis galvez

Muy buenos lentes calidad peso y material y con una vicion que no lo esperaba muy nítida y muy buen polaroid

Reviewed on Amazon

Ryan Smith

I’m very satisfied with my purchase! Very quick to get the product to me. I liked all the different lens and frame colors that they had to offer. Sunglasses feel great and look great to wear.

Reviewed on Amazon

HEWilson

Filters the glare without changing color.

Reviewed on Amazon

Brady

Love these glasses, great quality and clarity!

Reviewed on Amazon

randy martin

Cool glasses

Reviewed on Amazon

TE

HE LOVES THEM

Reviewed on Amazon

Amazon Customer

Muy buen producto

Reviewed on Amazon

aidan

I love this. High quality and amazing brand.

Reviewed on Amazon

JSIrons

Eliminates glare. All day comfort.

Reviewed on Amazon

Kenton

Nice sunglasses

Reviewed on Amazon

Spider mom

I like the fit . They look good on me but also on my hubby too . Good sun protection .

Reviewed on Amazon

Michael G.

well made, fit's well

Reviewed on Amazon

Gear Scene

I ordered the black with red mirror lenses and received the clear with blue lenses. I was not offered an exchange for the correct pair ordered.

The clear with blue is not my aesthetic, but may be yours.

The glasses are lightweight and the lenses have good clarity without dimming too much.

The fit is quite nice. I do not like the large logo on the stems. Something more minimalist would be preferred.

Response from Black SailGear Scene, we're sorry you got a different pair than the one you ordered. You should have been offered an exchange. If you'd still like the black frame with red mirror lenses, email us at hello@blacksaileyewear.com and we'll make it right. Thanks for the feedback on the logo, too.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

jonathan wolfe

These feel very nice on the face. The polarization works perfectly, no noticable distortion.

They're super light weight, especially if you're used to metal glasses with glass lenses. Big difference. I really like them.

That being said, they're all plastic (except the hinges) so I don't know where the price comes from. Maybe this is a well known brand that I'm not aware of.

If the price seems right to you, they're really great glasses and have replaced my old pair.

Reviewed on Amazon

Lori

Love the view through the brown tint lens. However, when you close the glasses the ear piece rubs on the lens, scratching it. Furthermore, for $50, spring loaded ear pieces should be included. Bending these the wrong way or opening them too far will probably damage them.

These issues may not bother you, but these are going right back for a refund.

Response from Black SailLori, we're glad you enjoyed the brown lenses, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with the Rudder. We understand they weren't the right pair for you, and we appreciate the feedback on both the fit and the hinges.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

TeaForecast

I like the presentation of the glasses, they are classic in style and the matte finish is attractive. They look pretty nice compared to a lot of "cheap" sunglasses and come in a good carrying case that will likely outlast the glasses themselves as a useful item. The clarity of the lenses is pretty good and the tint is dark enough for bright, full sun. Comfort is also there. The only issue I have is that the fit and finish of the lenses is not tight. That makes me all but certain that at some time or another, the lens will pop out or it will simply scratch itself up from wear. These are shades that basically only cover the front, not much side protection from any kind of wind, dust, or light. That is inherent to this style and isn't really a detractor, per se, so I only give these a knock for being slightly less well put together than expected and that in contrast with the value offered. In short, they look good and do what they say, but I rank them on the lower end of acceptable for my use. They do have a one-time replacement warranty included, so that might sway you if they are more to your liking.

Response from Black SailTeaForecast, thank you for taking the time to give us such a detailed review. We're glad you liked the look, comfort and clarity of the sunglasses. We also appreciate you pointing out your concern with the fit of the lenses.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

STEVE S

Not the quality I expected for the price. More like gas station gladses

Response from Black SailSteve, we're sorry the Rudder didn't meet your expectations. We appreciate you giving Black Sail a try and taking the time to share your feedback.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

Andrew Weflen

worn for barely two months, lens are so scratched you can barely see out of them. I'm not hard on these and keep them in a case when not in use, and are only used for driving and boating.

Response from Black SailAndrew, that's frustrating, especially when you've been keeping them in the case. We'd like to see what's going on, so if you still have them, email a few photos to hello@blacksaileyewear.com. Whatever caused it, we'll help you get back into a good pair.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

larry D.

They're better fit for smaller face and head maybe for a child

Response from Black SailLarry, we appreciate the feedback. It sounds like the Rudder just wasn't the right fit for you. If you're ever unsure about which frame to try, reach out to us. We're always happy to help you find a pair that fits right.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

tom

Product didn't match photos

Response from Black SailTom, we're sorry the sunglasses weren't what you expected from the photos. We'd like to know what looked different so we can check it on our end. If you're willing to tell us more, you can reach us anytime at hello@blacksaileyewear.com.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

lab mania

These glasses are more like the free ones you can get from advertisers or events.

Reminded me of the old 3D glasses you got for the movies.

Don’t waste your time on these

Response from Black SailWe're sorry the Rudder wasn't what you were looking for. We know every pair isn't going to be the right fit for everyone, but we appreciate you giving Black Sail a try and sharing your opinion.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

Phillip

I don't care for these sunglasses

Response from Black SailPhillip, we understand. Not every pair is going to be right for everyone. We appreciate you giving Black Sail a try.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

piper lowe

After a few months , these glasses starting losing coating all the way around lenses .

Response from Black SailPiper, we're sorry to hear you're having trouble with the lenses. If you still have the sunglasses, send us a couple pictures at hello@blacksaileyewear.com and we'll take a look. Whether it turns out to be a defect or something that happened along the way, we'll help you get it sorted out.
— Shawn & Brandon, Black Sail Eyewear

Reviewed on Amazon

Questions we get asked

When will I get them?

Most orders leave us in 1–3 business days, and then it’s however long the mail takes to reach you. Once yours ships, we’ll email the tracking so you can follow it the rest of the way.

What if they’re not right for me?

You’ve got 60 days from the day they’re delivered. Try them on, take them outside and see what you think.

If they’re not right, send them back in like-new shape with the hard case, soft case and cloth. You cover the return shipping and we’ll refund you when they get back to us.

What if they break, or I lose them?

Every pair comes with one replacement for any reason. Lost, sat on, dropped in the lake — you just pay $18 to cover shipping and handling and we’ll send you a new pair.

If it’s a manufacturing defect, the lifetime warranty covers it. Send us a few photos and we’ll take a look.

Will the Rudder fit me?

The Rudder runs on the larger side — 57mm lenses and 146mm across the front. Check the numbers printed inside a pair you already own and compare them to 57-18-135.

If your current sunglasses feel small or pinch at the sides, the Rudder is a good place to start. If they're not right when they arrive, you've got 60 days.

How do I look after them?

Keep it simple. Water and the cleaning cloth are all you need.

Sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer and household cleaners can damage the lens coatings, so keep them off the lenses.