Waterhaul Towan Sunglasses

£59

Waterhaul are a company dedicated to turning waste marine plastic pollution into purposeful products in an effort to clean our oceans and protect our ecosystems. Across its product ranges, Waterhaul recovers and recycles marine plastics, taking things such as nets, ropes and lines that can be lethal to marine life and turning them into polymers that can be used across the frames of its eyewear ranges.

With a great purpose behind the company, we were super excited to put the Towan Sunglasses, from Waterhaul’s new Coastline range, to the test. The style is a classic rectangular shape, with the pair we tested out coming in a lovely raw grey-green frame with grey lenses. The frame shape and style is a great all-rounder that is sure to be a fan favourite, with the shape making it a versatile option for a whole range of head shapes. I have quite a large head, so I found this style was great for me, offering a good width across the lightweight frame, which ensured they didn’t dig in too much at the sides. However, if you find they don’t sit as comfortably as you’d like, the frame can actually be heated up with a hair dryer, allowing you to gently bend out the arms for a better and more personalised fit. Overall, I really liked the overall look and feel of the Towan Sunglasses and found the mix of the light frame and darker lenses added a really nice finish to my outfit.

The lenses within the Towan Sunglasses are polarised Polycarbonate+ lenses, which help to cut down on glare and deliver a clear view. The lenses have an anti-scratch coating on the outside and an anti-reflection coating on the inside of the lens to help reduce reflections so you can go about your adventure without distractions. I love that the lenses have a high level of UV protection with UV400+, which is perfect for protecting your eyes whilst you’re out in the sun. This makes the Towan Sunglasses perfect for summer adventures, including hiking, kayaking, and even skiing, to cut down on glare and keep your eyes shaded from the sun.

The frames of the Towan Sunglasses are super interesting, especially the sage/grey pair we got to try, because this colour comes from the original pigments of the fishing nets that have been recycled. As mentioned, Waterhaul recycles marine plastics and turns them into sunglasses frames, and so for the Towan frames, they are made from 100% Traceable Marine Plastic™, and so the frame colour depends on the source plastic that is used to create them. I think this is a great idea as it really highlights the use of recycled plastic in their design. Plus, as an added great touch, you can actually see where the waste plastic was recovered from by scanning the included QR code with each pair, providing a real example of how each pair is helping the environment. For Waterhaul, protecting the UK’s coastline is a key aspect of its operations, and so by purchasing a pair from their collections, you are also supporting the removal of marine plastic from beaches, helping to deliver a cleaner and better marine landscape for wildlife.

Ultimately, the Waterhaul Towan Sunglasses are an excellent pair that are super comfortable to wear, come in a nice natural colourway to give a nod to the recycled nature of the frame, and are designed to keep your eyes shaded all summer long. I love that they’re also available for such an affordable price point and even come with Waterhaul’s Circular Lifetime Warranty, which ensures that broken frames can be repaired or replaced free of charge, forever. This means that for the cost of one pair of sunglasses, you are effectively getting a pair for life, and when they are no longer functional, they will be returned into Waterhaul’s recycling process to produce no excess waste!

If you’re looking for a new pair of sunglasses for the summer, be sure to check out the range of sunglasses from Waterhaul for a pair that looks great and is part of a mission to clean up coastal areas.

Pros:

• Comfortable and lightweight design ideal for a range of head sizes and shapes
• Frame made from recycled and traceable marine plastic
• Polarised UV400 lenses for clear vision, no glare and eye protection
• Affordable price point – and comes with a lifetime guarantee for repairing and replacing should they get broken