One of the best things about aviator sunglasses for men is that even after 70 years they were created, they still continue to remain immensely popular among the general public and for good reason too. Not only do they look stylish and protect your eyes from the sun, but they are also extremely comfortable to wear.

These sunglasses were originally developed for pilots, hence their name "pilot shades," so that their eyes can be better protected agains the rays of the sun and so they can see better during their flight missions. While aviators continue to wear these sunglasses, even police officers have been spotted wearing them.

Back in 1939, Ray Ban came up with the design for his aviator sunglasses. In fact, one of the main reasons the lenses are so big is to shield the whole eyes so that light cannot reach them from any angle. This made these shades perfect for pilots as the reduced glare helped them to see better during their flights.

Immediately after they were introduced, aviator sunglasses were also made available to the general public. However, it was until recent years that these shades really caught on and start becoming extremely popular.

For example, the hit movie Top Gun featured Tom Cruise wearing aviator sunglasses and you couldn't help but to think of him as a cool dude as he rode his motorcycle. In addition, popular celebrities such as Kanye West have also been spotted wearing these shades which only made them that much more desirable.

Before you rush out to your closest store to purchase a pair of these shades, be sure to keep these factors in mind

1. What you pay is what you get

This should be fairly obvious that you get what you pay for. Finding cheap sunglasses is always esy but most of them they are extremely flimsy and may break at the slightest mishap. Expect to spend at least $50 on a quality pair of shades that will last for many years to come.

2. Polarized vs. non-polarized

Polarized lenses cost a little more but they do help in further reducing the glare from the sun. Getting a polarized lens is ideal if you are outdoors most of the time or simply for outdoor leisure.

3. Keep the brand in mind

If price is not really a factor for you, then consider getting a pair of quality brand name aviator sunglasses such as Ray Ban or Gucci as these are extremely well built. However, these can easily cost upwards of $200 but the price is well worth it.