One of the coolest non-food companies I ran into at #ExpoWest (Natural Products Expo) last month was ICU Eyewear. I hovered all over the team like a fangirl, learning more about how they source their materials and … get this… their sunglasses and glasses all cost less than $100. In fact, they’re usually around $25!! $25, y’all! That’s like four Venti mochas for you Starbucks addicts!
[In my best Game of Thrones voice] “Summer is coming.” You have to protect your eyes. Cyberdyne does not really exist. And if life ends up being like Minority Report, we’re screwed. (Do you really want to steal someone else’s eyeballs like Tom Cruise?)
You may be familiar with ICU Eyewear because they are sold at Whole Foods. They’re also well-known for their reading glasses that are pretty much under $25. They’ve been branching out into eco-friendly materials and creating sunglasses that are affordable for all. Bonus points: ICU Eyewear was founded by a woman. Holla at yo’ girl!
ICU Eyewear – Sun Collection – Cat-Eye Two-Tone in Tortoise/Aqua – $21.95!!
ICU Eyewear – Butterfly Sunglasses – $21.95!
ICU Eyewear also has a sister company called Fisherman Eyewear. I drooled over their bamboo-framed polarized sunglasses. They retail for only $40. Dudes, you know polarized sunnies are usually priced at over $100. The team sent me home with several pairs of sunglasses to test!
ICU Eyewear/Fisherman Eyewear – Polarized Bamboo Sunnies – $40!!
The Test – Babymoon Maui
I took my pair of Butterfly sunnies, and I made The Wife wear the Bamboo sunnies on our babymoon in Maui. Both pairs did beautifully. It was hella sunny every day in Maui. We both wore our sunnies while paddleboarding on some rough waves one day. At one point, The Wife wiped out and his sunglasses FLOATED in the ocean, making it easier for the paddleboard instructor to grab them for him.
My pair of sunnies was terrific because they were big lenses and dark enough to not let the sun blind me. I love big lenses – I have a big face. My sunnies are made of recycled plastic. Their just-released Eco Collection is carbon neutral certified. Sunglasses from this line are made from at least 30% recycled product. (Both the Wife’s and my pairs are made with sustainable or renewable materials – bamboo in his, bio-based product in mine.)
Wailea, Maui with our ICU Eyewear sunnies!
The Wife dropped his bamboo-frame sunnies. Doh!
But, while shopping in Wailea, The Wife dropped his sunglasses on the concrete. The frame cracked. No matter, he still wore them. (We’ve since superglued the frame, and it’s just like new.) For $40, we didn’t freak out about the crack, and he could still wear them for the rest of the trip (which he did).
The Wife liked the fact that these were polarized lenses and made of bamboo, making them very lightweight. He also pointed out that the hinges are flexible and don’t smash into his temples, squeezing his head. The style fit him perfectly as they’re “Wayfarer”-like. I like them too.
ICU Eyewear/Fisherman Eyewear – Polarized Bamboo sunnies – $40!
Bonus Points
You want to know what the bonus is? Some of these styles can be labeled “Asian fit”! If you’re like me, you know what I’m talking about. The bottom of the sunglasses do not sit on my cheek, making a dent. They sit perfectly on the bridge of my nose. Just for this, ICU Eyewear should get 5,000 bonus points in my book.
ICU Eyewear – Cat-Eye Two-Tone Sunnies – fit my Asian “cheekbones” – $21.95!
Verdict – Take it or Leave it: (Take it!) Buy
Look, at about $25 or less, these sunglasses are totally affordable for your wallet. You can put one pair in the car, and one pair in your bag! You’ll never be without eye protection! You can buy them directly from their website, at your local Whole Foods, or Amazon
Summer is right around the corner. Why not treat yo’ self to a new stylish pair of sunnies… for less than $25?
Thank you to the ICU Eyewear team for sending me home with these sunglasses for review. They also sent me home with a pair for Spawn, which I really appreciate since kids’ eyes are so sensitive to the sun.
Disclosure: Product provided by ICU Eyewear. The above is my honest opinion and review. Post contains affiliate links.
Totes jealous. So wanted a pair — I loved them! I still keep meaning to go buy these ones I tried on…
Oh! Which style were you thinking of?
I think they were the butterfly but in a kelly green