Our Mission
Make the best sunglasses on earth for outdoor adventure. Inspire our community to live in balance with nature. Raise the bar for sustainable sunglasses.
Our Philosophy
Bask
Respect
Defend
Our Values
Our Sustainability
SuperLight
We didn’t just find this stuff. We invented it. SuperLight is a revolutionary recycled polymer that transforms post-industrial scrap plastic into a material that we use for all of our sunglasses frames. It is now the bedrock of our sustainability efforts and a huge point of pride.
RPET
The textiles we use in our accessories and carry products are made from durable solution-dyed recycled polyester (RPET). Color is added early in manufacturing by dyeing the thread before weaving, reducing water waste and making it one of the most sustainable textiles in the world.
Cardboard!
Our one-of-a-kind recycled packaging is completely free of single use plastic. Innovative origami folds made from recycled cardboard protect our frames in transit in lieu of the standard plastic polybag still found in most eyewear packaging.
As proud 10+ year members of 1% for for the Planet, Sunski donates one percent of sales (not profit!) to environmental charities each year. Since we started back in 2012, we’ve donated over $250,000 and we’re not stopping anytime soon.
As a certified Climate Neutral brand, each year Sunski measures our emissions, reduces them wherever possible (e.g. our recycled frames), and compensates for the whatever remains with eligible verified carbon and energy credits.
Our Story
Salsaboys
Tom and Michael went to college together and graduated during a recession. Their plan to survive? Make a special bowl for chips and salsa.
What?
What?
Down Under
2009 | After graduating college, Tom goes on an extended surf trip to Australia with a tent and surfboard. Along the way he acquires some curious souvenirs: a few pairs of radical Aussie shades leftover from the 80s.
Enter: Salsabol
2010 | With the sunglasses stowed away in the closet, Tom and Michael embark on an entirely separate business to produce the Salsabol - the bowl with a lip so you don’t spill your dip. Why? “Because someone had to do it.” - Michael
Hi Mom! (Pt.1)
2011 | Michael heads to Philly and moves in with Tom’s family. House is very small. Mom cooks lots of pasta. Salsabols are packed and shipped from the basement. Sleeping quarters are cramped.
Hi Mom! (Pt.2)
2011 | At night, Tom and Michael are trapped in Tom’s childhood bedroom by Michael’s air mattress blocking the door.
Kickstarter
July 2012 | Costs skyrocket after two years of pursuing salsa glory. Tom and Michael run out of money [Ed. Note- Not true, we had $273]. They launch a last ditch survival effort on Kickstarter to bring back Tom’s vintage Australian surf trip shades. Somehow it works.
Go Sunski Go
2014 | Tom and Michael suddenly and accidentally own a sunglasses company. Slowly but surely, they start to develop new designs and the foundation for a small business. A daring few join them on the journey and the Sunski team is born.
Onwards
Sunski has grown into a team of fifteen wonderful humans. We celebrate the pure joy of being outside with plenty of wacky adventures and sun worship. Ten years on, we’re loving every minute onboard this crazy train.
Activism
Sunski x
Earth Guardians
During Fall 2023, we partnered with Earth Guardians to support their Indigenous Youth Leadership Training. This program helps youth leaders hone their leadership skills, build community and engage in social and environmental justice.
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Sunski x
Venture Out
In Summer 2023, we proudly supported Venture Out, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a fun and supportive space for the LGBTQ+ community to experience the outdoors.
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Sunski x
Earth Guardians
In summer 2022, we donated $5 per pair sold to Earth Guardians in support of their work ahead of COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference.
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Treelines for
Firefighters
During the fire season of 2021, we donated over 1,000 pairs of our award-winning Treelines to wildland firefighters in California.
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2020 Election:
Sunrise Movement
We donated $5 to the Sunrise Movement for every pair sold in the 45 days leading up to the 2020 Election.
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PPE for
Frontline Workers
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we manufactured and donated 2,000 pairs of safety goggles.
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Radical Humans
Robert Watts
Emily Krauss
Peter Walters
Dez Taylor-Douglas
Matt Chappell
Designer. Adventure Athlete. Community Cultivator. Take the road less traveled with Matt.
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Hello there from our
Founders
Somehow, 2022 marks the 10-Year anniversary of Sunski’s Kickstarter campaign and the beginning of this incredible adventure in sunglasses. The earliest dream of Sunski was to work and play on Nature’s schedule. After all these years, we’re still doing our best to live that dream.
Above all, we feel immense gratitude to our amazing customers for giving Sunski the chance to become their favorite sunglasses company. All of us at Sunski put our heart and soul into this small business everyday to earn that chance.
Here’s to the next decade of living life outside. Thank you!
