Randolph

Randolph is an independent, family-owned eyewear maker in Randolph, Massachusetts. It has made sunglasses there since 1973 and has supplied aviators to the US military since 1978.

Three generations in, a frame still passes through more than 200 production steps in that town south of Boston, most of them by hand. An Aviator in matte black with Cobalt lenses costs $275. The same Aviator in 23k white gold costs $395.

Behind the brand

Randolph was founded in 1973 by Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski, two Polish immigrants and master machinists who set up shop in Randolph, just south of Boston. Waszkiewicz had served as a navigator in Britain’s Royal Air Force.

The company is still family owned and independent. In 2023 it marked its 50th year of continuous manufacturing.

Built for US fighter pilots

In 1978 Randolph began producing the HGU-4/P Aviator for US fighter pilots, at first as a subcontractor. By 1982 the military was contracting with Randolph directly. Every pair is built to MIL-S-25948J, a military specification that runs to 20 pages.

By 2000 Randolph frames were in service with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and NASA. In 1993 the company also began sponsoring the aerobatics pilot Sean Tucker.

The bayonet temple comes from the same brief. It makes the frame easy to take off over a helmet or headgear, and it keeps pressure points to a minimum.

How a pair of Randolphs is made

Every Randolph frame goes through more than 200 production stages in the Massachusetts factory, and most of them are done by hand. The company uses US and imported components. Tanury Industries in Rhode Island electroplates the precious metals, and Rampart Coatings in Florida applies the Cerakote finishes.

Metal frames are made of Monel and stainless steel. The acetate frames are made from a cellulose-based material.

There are two lens families. SkyTec is mineral glass, known for its scratch resistance. SkyForce is nylon and weighs 40 percent less than glass.

For our hands-on Randolph sunglasses review, we tested the Elinor Fusion, the Concorde and the Aviator, and found them a bit pricier than Ray-Bans. Our tester’s Randolphs were still going strong four years on. The SkyTec glass resists scratches but will shatter on hard impact: our tester’s Aviators broke on a marble floor, and Randolph replaced the pair. Our tester’s Elinors, with SkyForce nylon lenses, have survived repeated drops onto concrete.

What Randolph sunglasses cost

An Aviator in matte black with Cobalt lenses costs $275. The Amelia in 22k satin rose gold with Slate lenses costs $315, and the Aviator in 23k white gold with Cobalt lenses costs $395.

Non-prescription pairs carry a three-year warranty that covers lens coating and frame finish defects. The solder joints are covered for the life of the frame, and each pair gets one free tune-up within its first year. Frames can also be laser engraved.

Who Randolph is for

Randolph suits the person who wants one pair of sunglasses for years. The Aviator is the natural first pair, since it is the frame Randolph built for military pilots. If glass makes you nervous, pick a SkyForce lens.

For more frames from other makers, see our guides to the best sunglasses for men and the best sunglasses for women.