Whether you wear sunglasses for fishing, hiking, driving, or hanging out, they can fall off. A good solution everybody will go for is getting some floating straps for sunglasses. We wanted to do so, but we found hundreds and thousands of products in the market. Sunglasses straps, sometimes called eyewear retainer, can help keep the glasses from falling off. They can also act as part of your outfit; that’s what we found after searching hundreds of straps.
We didn’t deal with the straps as just a piece of fabric to hang our shades on our necks. Instead, there are several features we found to be useful while searching for the best strap. We were more interested in floating straps as these would keep our shades above the water if they fell off while we were canoeing, fishing, or doing any other activity in the sea. Here is a list of the 13 best products we found that solved our problems, and hopefully, they solve yours, too.
Table of contents
- COCPOK Sunglass Straps
- AOPRIE Sunglass Strap
- Fabbay Floating Eyewear Retainer
- Coolrunner floating strap
- JIM HALO Sport Eyewear Retainer
- Frienda Eyewear Retainer
- Weewooday Strap
- Chums Neoprene Classic Eyewear Retainer
- Neckz Neon Eyewear Retainer
- Chums Glassfloats Eyewear Retainer
- Ukes Sunglass Strap
- DriftFish Eyewear Retainer
- Carson Eyewear Retainer
- Our Verdict!
- How To Choose The Best Floating Straps for Sunglasses?
- What are some alternatives to sunglasses straps?
- Can shades float without a floating strap?
- What are the other names of neck straps?
COCPOK Sunglass Straps
13
Starting off the list with a cool option from CCOCPOK. These COCPOK Sunglass Straps are sold as a pack of eight straps in different bright colors. This option is perfect for us as we’re a group of friends, so we could also divide the pack and the price. The colors are all attractive, the choice was so hard though. We decided to go for the other pack of 12 pieces to get more colors. It’s still a good bargain, and the price is still affordable. You can check our lists of the best cheap sunglasses for women and the best cheap sunglasses for men to pair with these straps without paying much money.
Back to our straps, they’re made of nylon, polyester, and silicon. This combination is perfect for summer. It’s lightweight and never itches our skin. It’s also designed in a way that doesn’t scratch the sunglasses and doesn’t allow them to slip off. The straps are very easy to use. So far, we’re very satisfied with the purchase.
Pros
- The straps are cheap
- The material is practical
- The colors are so bright and attractive
Cons
- They’re a bit stiff
Buy on:
AOPRIE Sunglass Strap
12
AOPRIE Sunglass Strap is another floating neck strap for sunglasses sold in packs of different colors. It’s shorter than the previous one, and it’s advertised as a one-fits-all strap. It’s also suitable for kids, given its short length. Since we started using these straps, we never lost any of our sunglasses again. The straps will take the pair of shades and float whatever material the frames are made of.
Further, we could adjust the strap and tighten it well around our necks to keep the sunglasses very close to us. The strap is so tight that nothing of our sunglasses slipped or fell off. The tip of the strap is made of stretchable silicon to fit any frame. For bulky frames, one of our friends recommended using any emollient cream on the temples of the sunglasses to help slide the strap over. We tried this hack, and it worked! These straps are now suitable for all kinds of glasses and sunglasses.
Pros
- The straps are sold in packs
- They fit all frames
- The strap is adjustable
Cons
- They’re a bit bulky
Buy on:
Fabbay Floating Eyewear Retainer
11
Look at this Hawaiian Fabbay Floating Eyewear Retainer; the patterns are so attractive. This strap is different from the above ones in that it’s wider. It felt like a camera or a handbag strap to us. We loved the patterns the most. They’re so colorful and lovely; we would wear these straps for beach and pool days. Yet, these straps have more functions, they suit all kinds of frames, so, we could wear them while cycling, boating, fishing, or hiking.
Such sports accessories should be made of comfortable materials. Luckily, these straps are made of floating neoprene material. It feels soft on our bodies, and it’s the best floating material ever. The application of the strap is so easy. It’s kind of plug-and-play. It didn’t take us more than a few seconds to attach the strap to the sunglasses securely. We wish they were adjustable like the previous ones, but their length is okay for now.
Pros
- The patterns are so colorful and attractive
- They’re made of the best floating material
- The straps stretch to fit different frames
Cons
- The straps aren’t adjustable
Buy on:
Coolrunner floating strap
10
Coolrunner floating strap is exactly as the name suggests. We purchased this strap from Amazon, and we received two pieces of the same design. While the design is a personal preference, we believe this design is suitable for water activities. That’s what floating straps are intended for. The strap fits our fishing sunglasses, and we think it can fit any other shades. We have a list of the best sunglasses for fishing if you don’t have one yet.
Generally, we do a float test to see how these straps for sunglasses function before recommending them. We simply attach different sunglasses to the retainer and throw them beside us in the water (in the end, we don’t want to lose our precious sunglasses) to see how the retainer will float with the sunglasses. This strap did very well in the test, and we got all our sunglasses back easily. It even floats with heavy and bulky frames.
Pros
- The straps float very well
- They’re very easy to clean
- The design is cool
Cons
- The strap may be large for skinny sunglasses
Buy on:
JIM HALO Sport Eyewear Retainer
9
Best for sports. JIM HALO Sport Eyewear Retainer looks so bold. We would wear this for high-impact exercise or water sports. Unlike other cool straps, we think this one fits sportswear more than beachwear or casual outfits. Yet, the performance is the same as all the recommended straps here, and they float perfectly. In addition, this strap is super lightweight and soft. Again, this proves our belief that this strap is for sports. Another feature that adds to its suitability for sports is the durable and long-lasting material. It’s neoprene-like most floating straps, yet not all neoprene straps are durable.
After we did the floating test, we didn’t dry the strap. We left it to dry on its own. Another pro feature found here is that the strap dries out so quickly. One last thing we must mention that will appeal to athletes is that the strap is skin-friendly, whether dry or wet. It doesn’t itch at all.
Pros
- The strap is made of high-quality materials
- It’s skin-friendly
- The strap is comfortable to wear
Cons
- The strap doesn’t fit very skinny frames
Buy on:
Frienda Eyewear Retainer
8
We’re now fans of the wide eyewear retainers as they’re easier and more comfortable to use. Frienda Eyewear Retainer is one of those wide retainers. It comes in solid colors, and the pack we purchased had six different colors. We do some styling when wearing these retainers, as we have different color options. It’s similar to matching a necklace or a handbag with the outfit.
The straps passed the floating test. Also, they worked very well with most sunglasses. However, we believe that small frames with thin temples might slide off. These straps aren’t adjustable, yet they fit adults and kids. The wide length makes them more comfortable around the neck and more durable to carry bulky sunglasses. We’re so happy with the purchase, considering the price we paid for six straps at once.
Pros
- The material lasts for years
- The price is reasonable
- They’re very easy to use
Cons
- They could be longer
Buy on:
Weewooday Strap
7
The Weewooday Strap we bought wasn’t just a strap for sunglasses; it was a package of 12 pieces at a price we pay for one or two eyewear retainers. We couldn’t believe ourselves when we managed to make such a bargain. It isn’t just about the number of straps we have; it’s also about the quality and features of these straps. These are nothing different from the highest quality straps from known names like Chums and Ukes.
Further, the 12 pieces we got are all of different patterns. Every day we have something new to wear. We also made sure that the straps we were wearing had the same colors as our shades and outfits. The technique of this strap is similar to classical neoprene floating straps; it slides over the arms of the shades. The strap is stretchable enough to fit most sunglasses. However, we wish it was longer.
Pros
- The straps are sold in a package of 12 pieces
- The price is very affordable
- They fit most sunglasses
Cons
- The strap could be longer
Buy on:
Chums Neoprene Classic Eyewear Retainer
6
This Chums Neoprene Classic Eyewear Retainer is a piece of high-quality neoprene that is stitched from both sides to stretch over any sunglasses’ arms. The strap has a decent amount of stretch to fit all the frames we have. We wore these straps while doing the highest-impact exercise we could, running. The strap passed the test perfectly, and the sunglasses didn’t move a bit. We know that neoprene straps are good floaters, so even without doing the floating test, we were sure that the straps would float.
Another feature we loved a lot is the variety of patterns. Although these straps are similar to many other products on this list, wearing them was unique as the patterns were so different and stylish. We didn’t pay much to get one strap, and we plan to get more now.
Pros
- The material is high-quality and stretchable
- There are many unique patterns
- The straps are suitable for high-impact exercise
Cons
- The backside of the strap is a bit wide
Buy on:
Neckz Neon Eyewear Retainer
5
Neckz Neon Eyewear Retainer comes with a floater to ensure that all frames will float on deep and shallow water. The strap we tried had something like a bobber on the backside; this is the floater. It was the first thing that floated on the surface when we did our floating test. We were more interested to know whether this floater was capable of carrying all sunglasses, including metal ones, to the surface, and it did!
Attaching this strap to the sunglasses was a bit of a hassle. Well, it isn’t a difficult mission, but compared to other straps we tested, this one took longer time. However, look at the bright side: once the strap is attached, the sunglasses will never slip off. This is great, especially for bulky and heavy sunglasses. There are different colors to choose from, but we usually go for neon colors as these are more visible in the water.
“It fits perfect. We struggled a bit putting this on the sunglasses, but it’s totally worth it. The sunglasses became attached to the strap in a way that we will never lose them again. Best strap for the most expensive shades now.”
WOW Travel
Pros
- The strap floats with the heaviest frames
- There are many color options
- The strap fits all sunglasses
Cons
- The strap takes some time to attach to the sunglasses
Buy on:
Chums Glassfloats Eyewear Retainer
4
The Chums Glassfloats Eyewear Retainer is a good pick for those looking for a solid-colored option at the best quality possible. This strap is made of polyester. We felt it was so soft on our neck that it didn’t add weight to the shades. We would go for this strap for sports days and other high-impact activities. The material is similar to this used for sportswear, so we expect it to wick moisture away.
Moreover, the strap is suitable for most frames. We tried this on a pair of large sunglasses motorcycle riders use and another pair of casual shades for the beach. The strap has some stretch to fit all the sunglasses, so it’s very practical. It’s also adjustable around the head in case you’ll use it for sports. We watched this YouTube video from goinggeardotcom to make sure of the qualities and features of the strap before buying. Also, we would like to interest you in those lists of the best sunglasses for the beach and the best sunglasses for motorcycle riding.
Pros
- The straps are high-quality polyester
- They’re adjustable and stretchable
- They come with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- There aren’t many color options
Buy on:
Ukes Sunglass Strap
3
Best designs. One of our favorites of all time is the Ukes Sunglass Strap. If you want to look trendy, choose one of these attractive designs. We have been having these Ukes for a long time. We usually wear them on the beach with different swimwear as they look so cool. They’re functional besides being so fashionable. They’re also affordable, so we could get more of this strap to match with different beachwear.
From a functional side, the strap is 100% neoprene, which is soft and stain-resistant. We could keep our straps clean by wiping them with a damp cloth. The strap isn’t adjustable. However, its current length is acceptable for us. It’s around 20 inches, making the glasses lay just on the chest. There are many patterns that you must see before buying. Check them all here on the official website of Ukes.
Pros
- The material is lightweight and comfortable
- There are many unique patterns
- They’re high-quality straps
Cons
- They aren’t adjustable
Buy on:
DriftFish Eyewear Retainer
2
Best value for money. DriftFish Eyewear Retainer is a simple and straightforward neck strap for sunglasses that gets the job done at the best price possible. We bought a pair of this strap at an affordable price to try with different sunglasses. One of us attached the strap to metal sunglasses, and another wore plastic glasses. We did the floating test, and both sunglasses float easily.
The other feature we usually look for is the adjustability. The straps are easily adjusted around the head, and we can adjust the strap to our preferred length. Moreover, the available colors are all neon colors. These are the best for boating and other water activities where we want high visibility. Above all, the straps are waterproof and easy to clean. You can check this video from SK LIFESTYLE to see a practical, real-life review of the straps.
Pros
- The straps are lightweight but dense
- They’re easy to wipe and clean
- The price is reasonable
Cons
- They look a bit thick
Buy on:
Carson Eyewear Retainer
1
Most Comfortable. We wanted a strap that looks good, feels comfortable, and functions well. Carson Eyewear Retainer has it all to be the best-floating eyewear retainer we have tried so far. Perhaps the main feature we loved this retainer for is comfort. This strap is so comfortable to wear all day as it’s made of foam. The feeling of the strap around the neck is different from all other straps. It’s like a tiny neck pillow. And the length is just as needed.
We have some choices here to make. The strap comes in several colors, not too many, but they will fit most of our outfits. We can use the strap for most beach days and all water activities. Plus, the stretchable tip secures any kind of sunglasses. The pattern is unisex; it fits all people. Also, kids can wear these straps. Overall, the price is reasonable for the quality we got. We think this strap will last for years.
Pros
- They’re very comfortable to wear
- The colors and patterns are unisex
- The material is high-quality
Cons
- The length isn’t adjustable
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
Despite their small size, sunglasses straps should be chosen with care and mindfulness. If you’re looking for something special, check out this small list first.
- Best value for money: DriftFish Eyewear Retainer
- Best designs: Ukes Sunglass Strap
- Best for sports: JIM HALO Sport Eyewear Retainer
- Most comfortable: Carson Eyewear Retainer
How To Choose The Best Floating Straps for Sunglasses?
We know you might think that any strap will do the job. Yet, some will do the job perfectly; others are just a piece of fabric around the neck. Thus, here is our checklist to choose the best straps.
Material
Just like any piece of your outfit, straps should have a good material. Most of our recommendations are neoprene as this material is so light and floats easily. Moreover, we wanted a soft material that doesn’t irritate us while wearing. The strap usually touches our necks and ears, so we don’t want something that doesn’t always feel comfortable.
Adjustability
Here, we were concerned with two types of adjustability. First, we prefer the straps that adjust around the neck. We mainly got these straps for boating, so we wanted snug straps that never fall off. The second type of adjustability is for the shades themselves. Some straps allow for adjusting around the glasses’ frame. Thus, they can fit several shades no matter how thin or thick they are.
Design
Some people will choose solid-colored eyewear retainers to fit all types of glasses and outfits. On the other hand, some people prefer patterned ones that add an edge to the outfit. They treat the straps as a piece of accessory. For us, we would go for both; it all depends on the outfit. So, choose something that fits your style and you’re comfortable with.
What are some alternatives to sunglasses straps?
Some chains were there before the straps, but they aren’t as practical as the straps. Also, straps allow for more styles and designs.
Can shades float without a floating strap?
Some lightweight glasses can float if the frame and lenses are made of a lightweight material such as plastic.
What are the other names of neck straps?
They’re sometimes called glasses lanyards, eyewear retainers, sunglasses chains, or straps.