Our Verdict
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Knockaround Fast Lanes | |||||
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| Awards | Top Pick for Timeless Style | Best Overall Cheap Sunglasses | Best Sunglasses on a Tight Budget | Best Cheap Aviators | |
| Price | $35 List Check Price at REI | $34 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $20.00 List Check Price at Amazon | $18.00 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $40 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score ![]() |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A classic design that is durable, comfortable, and can be dressed up or down | With a high quality frame and lenses, these attractive shades perform more like a far more expensive pair | With strong metal temples and excellent coverage, these wayfarer-style sunnies help anyone achieve that throwback rock-and-roll look | Featuring an all-metal frame with a slight wrap and sprung hinges, these polarized shades deliver a ton of features for their price | An upgraded style of aviators, with a more durable design and cool mirror lenses |
| Rating Categories | Knockaround Fast Lanes | Zenottic Philip | Merry's Polarized Al... | Sungait Polarized Re... | Tifosi Shwae |
| Lens Quality (30%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Style and Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Frame Quality (15%) | |||||
| Coverage (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Knockaround Fast Lanes | Zenottic Philip | Merry's Polarized Al... | Sungait Polarized Re... | Tifosi Shwae |
| Lens Tested | Aviator Green | Black Mirror | Black | Brown | Smoke Bright Blue |
| Polarized | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fit | Large | Large | Medium | Large | Medium |
| Weight | 24 g | 20 g | 22 g | 26 g | 24 g |
| UV Protection | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Visible Light Transmission (VLT) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| VLT Protection Index | Not specified | Category 3 | Category 3 | Not specified | Category 3 |
| HEV/Blue Light Protection (claim) | Not specified | None | 0% | None | 0% |
| Infrared Protection (claim) | None | None | 0% | None | 0% |
| Neutral/Contrast | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Increased contrast | Increased contrast |
| Lens Material | Polycarbonate | Tri Acetate Cellulose | Polycarbonate | Triacetate cellulose | Polycarbonate |
| Impact Resistant? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coatings and Lense Treatments | No | Anti-scratch | None | Anti-scratch | Mirror |
| Prescription Lens Compatible? | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Hinge Type | Standard | Spring Hinge | Standard | Flex/spring | Standard |
| Case Included | Microfiber drawstring bag | Microfiber pouch | Semi-rigid magnetic flip-top case and microfiber drawstring bag | Microfiber cleaning cloth, microfiber bag, repair flathead screwdriver on keychain | Microfiber drawstring bag |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Knockaround Fast Lanes are not to be underestimated. These shades may be less expensive than most, but their lens and frame quality speak for themselves. Sturdy and handsome frames surrounded quality, polarized lenses to help you both look good, and enjoy the view. These shades are some of the lighter sunglasses we've tested, which makes them rest easily on our own faces.
Likes
The quality of the Knockaround Fast Lanes feels like a much pricier option. Both the frames and the lenses held up during our testing, constructed with plastic and polycarbonate that can handle some wear and tear.
We had no glare and excellent clarity, even on sunny days. Meanwhile, the lenses had little distortion, which can help prevent eye strain, especially for all day wear.
The Knockaround Fast Lanes also feature polarized lenses, which can help filter out harsh glare from surfaces like bodies of water and snowbanks. The coverage on the lens was uniform, without any weak spots.
The Fast Lanes also showed excellent UV blocking capability. We shone a UV light at the glasses and had very little pass-through to our test card.
The frame quality also exceeded our expectations. They are lightweight, feel feathery while wearing, and the hinges put up with our day-to-day wear.
We enjoyed the style of the Knockaround Fast Lanes. The slender frames made these look sleek and contemporary, while the overall shape felt almost like an homage to Mid-century modern styles.
If you're looking for a lean and mean Wayfarer-style pair of shades, the Fast Lanes are for you. They aren't a statement piece, and will blend seamlessly with casual outfits.
Speaking to the quality of the frames, the Fast Lanes are also prescription-compatible. We found these frames comfortable, with no pressure points along our temples and nose.
The coverage was generous, especially for a less expensive pair of sunnies, which tend to be on the smaller side. The lens itself was wider than most, which is important for angled sunshine and glare from water or snow. The plastic surrounding the lens is thin, so our field of vision wasn't obstructed.
Dislikes
There wasn't much we didn't like about the Knockaround Fast Lanes, but these won't fit everyone. These particular sunglasses are best for wider faces, and may look and feel oversized on a more petite face.
Our test pair featured a gray tint, which gives a neutral contrast. This is certainly serviceable, but it doesn't enhance colors like an amber lens. Knockaround does offer this pair in a wide range of lens and frame color combos for you to pick and choose from to match your preference, but be aware that the gray won't offer the most vibrant view.
If you're looking for blue-blocking abilities, look elsewhere; these shades don't have any blue-blocking properties beyond their tint, which treats all visual wavelengths equally.
Although the frames are of excellent quality, they don't feature a bridge that is grippy or adjustable, unless you're willing to pay extra.
Should you Buy the Knockaround Fast Lanes?
The Fast Lanes are some of the best inexpensive pairs of sunglasses we've had tested. If you're after a classic pair of shades that are high-quality without the pricetag, these are worth your consideration. They are comfortable for long-duration wear, and the lenses are polarized. Narrow and petite faces should look elsewhere though.
What Other Cheap Sunglasses Should You Consider?
If the Fast Lanes are too big, look instead into the Knockaround Paso Robles, which has a narrower profile and an altogether slighter fit. They also come in a variety of fun colorways to match both your fit and your personality. The Sunski Yuba has more curves to show off than a Porsche 993. The Feidusun Polarized are more true to the Wayfarer-style look, with a blocky frame.

















