Spy Frazier

Field Notes: When it comes to bombproof quality and reliable but not over-the-top style, Spy is our go-to brand. With a massive range of models from urban to surf to mountain, and each pair of Spy sunglasses loaded with technology in both frame and lens, narrowing down which pair to wear is usually the hardest part. 

However, the Frazier is what Active Junky consider one of Spy’s best multi-duty sunglasses: performance oriented, but with looks that kill on the streets as well as the trail or belay station. Frazier is made from the extremely durable and lightweight Grilamid plastic, features Toric lenses, and has discrete Hytrel rubber grip pads on the nose and temples to keep it securely in place and on your face when the sweat starts to pour. 

And of course it’s endowed with Spy’s Happy Lens technology that offers 100 percent UV protection and filters all the “bad” light out of the spectrum, which has been scientifically shown to improve mood during all-day use. Its pin hinges (vs. barrel hinges) don’t loosen up over time. Retail price ranges from $100-$170 depending on the color and lens and whether or not you go polarized, which is a good idea for fishing and water sports. 

Frazier comes in eight styles, six of which are polarized. For standard frames, you can choose from Black with grey-green lenses or Matte Camo Tort with bronze lenses. Polarized models come in Black with green or light blue lenses, and Decoy or Realtree camo with bronze and green spectra lenses.

It’s also available in a few special editions such as Spy + Surfrider model, with frame and hinges made with 100 percent biodegradable Plantate. Spy partnered with Surfrider in 2013 to product the Spy + Surfrider Helm, and applied the eco-friendly materials to the newer Frazier model. For each pair purchased, Spy donates $5 to the Surfrider Foundation to help clean up oceans and beaches.

Pros: Looks awesome and packed with technology.

Cons: Nothing wrong with these Spy sunglasses, but polarized lenses are nearly twice the cost of standard.

Tester Comments: “Spy is lightweight and offers everything even the most expensive glasses out there have, from durability to high quality optics.”

Key Attribute: Optics

Best For: Everything outside, choose polarized lenses for better performance with water-related pursuits