Persol

The Reddit community broadly views Persol as one of the best sunglass brands available, consistently praising their Italian craftsmanship, glass lenses, and long-term durability. The main caveat running through discussions is Luxottica's 1995 acquisition, with some users noting a quality decline in recent years while others insist Persol has maintained its standards better than other Luxottica-owned brands. Overall sentiment skews strongly positive, with many users reporting pairs lasting 10–20 years.

Persol earns a strong community reputation for durability and lens quality — with many users logging 10–20 year lifespans — but Luxottica ownership and reports of declining quality in the most recent years introduce enough uncertainty to warrant caution, particularly for buyers seeking older or classic models.

Persol earns consistent praise for handmade Italian construction, high-quality glass (crystal) lenses, and classic designs that hold up for decades. Among Luxottica-owned brands, the community widely considers them the standout for build quality.

• Glass (crystal) lenses praised for clarity, scratch resistance, and UV protection
• Frames handmade in Italy using quality acetate and steel reinforcement
• Multiple users report pairs lasting 15–20 years with daily wear
• Meflecto stem system and flexible arms cited as durability features
• Considered best-in-class among Luxottica brands, unlike Ray-Ban or Oakley
• Timeless, classic designs described as iconic and understated

The most consistent criticism is Luxottica ownership and a perceived quality decline in recent years, with some long-time fans noting post-acquisition and recent manufacturing changes. A few users also note the frames can be heavy and are not ideal for water or active sports.

• Luxottica acquisition raised concerns about long-term quality trajectory
• Some users note noticeable quality decline in the past two years
• Pre-1995 models considered superior by longtime owners
• Frames described as heavier than competitors, not ideal for active use
• High price point requires careful ownership to justify the investment

One highly upvoted commenter noted that among all of Luxottica's holdings, Persol appears to be the only brand that has genuinely maintained its quality standards.

A sunglasses collector with over 60 pairs said Persol produces some of the best lenses they have experienced, ranking them alongside Revo at the top.

A user who has owned a pair since around 2013 pointed out that Persol was already Luxottica-owned by then, yet their glasses are still going strong — suggesting the ownership concern may be overstated for this brand specifically.

One commenter who described getting 15 years out of a pair through two toddlers, multiple moves, and heavy travel said the build quality was genuinely exceptional, only replacing them when the frame finally broke.