The days are getting longer, the sun is getting stronger and your old sunnies are probably living on borrowed time. If you're after summer sunglasses that look good, hold up outdoors and won't cost a fortune, Knockaround is a brand we're proud to stock at PAST Outdoors.

In this guide, we'll cover why we love Knockaround, what you get with every pair, and how to choose between the seven styles we've just added to our range of sunglasses in Australia.

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The story behind Knockaround

Knockaround was founded in San Diego in 2005 by Adam "Ace" Moyer, while he was a graduate art student at UC San Diego. The name comes from the cheap, hard-wearing sneakers his dad wore for yard work, the kind of "knockaround" shoes that always got the job done. Ace took that idea and applied it to sunglasses: classic, long-lasting shades that are designed to take a beating and are easy to replace if you lose or break them.

That's the philosophy we like. Great sunglasses shouldn't be precious. You should be able to chuck them in your pack, wear them on the trail, at the beach or at the pub afterwards, and not stress about them.

Why we love Knockaround at PAST Outdoors

• Polarised lenses on every pair listed here. Polarised lenses are great for cutting glare off water, roads and bright trails.
• UV400 protection. Every style in this drop has UV400 protection, which is exactly what you want in the Australian sun.
• Impact resistant lenses. They're built to handle the knocks of everyday outdoor life.
• Category 3 lenses that meet AS/NZS 1067.1:2016. These are general-purpose lenses with high sun glare reduction, rated to the Australian and New Zealand standard.
• A protective pouch in the box. It's handy for keeping them safe in your pack or glove box.
• Fair prices. Knockaround's whole approach is great products at fair prices, so you can have a spare pair in the car and another in your daypack.
• Giving back. On the pairs we checked, $0.70 from each purchase goes to environmental charities through 1% for the Planet.

Meet the new range

Mai Tais: the rounded favourite

The Mai Tais has a rounded lens shape that suits small to larger head shapes and works best on heart-shaped or square faces. The lenses are 54 mm with a 20 mm bridge and 140 mm temples. They're perfect for poolside drinks, a wander around the city or a day at the beach, and three colourways are in this drop:

• Pink Ink: glossy auburn tortoise shell frames with rose gold K logos and rose gold mirrored lenses.
• Watermelon Geode: burgundy frames with a textured watermelon geode look, rose gold K logos and fuchsia lenses.
• Glossy Turquoise / Sunset: glossy turquoise frames with white K logos and yellow sunset mirrored lenses.

  Shop Mai Tais, Glossy / Sunset

Fort Knocks: the tough aviator

If you like an aviator shape, Fort Knocks Coyote Calls is a colour-matched, desert-inspired pair with an army green exterior, amber interior and silver hardware. The polarised aviator green lenses are 54 mm with a 21 mm bridge and 139 mm temples, and the frame suits medium to larger head shapes and round, rectangular, diamond or oval faces. It's a sturdy-looking pair that works with casual or dressed-up outfits.

Shop Fort Knocks, Coyote Calls

Deja Views: the subtle cat-eye

Deja Views Poison Ivy is the understated one. It has an oversized frame with a subtle cat-eye shape in matte dark green, with silver K logos and dark green polarised lenses. The lenses are 56 mm with an 18 mm bridge and 140 mm temples, and the oversized shape suits a range of head and face shapes. Think brunch, the beach or anything in between.

Shop Deja Views, Poison Ivy

Fast Lanes: refined and comfortable

Fast Lanes has refined arms and a refined frame designed for comfort, and it suits medium to larger faces.

• Coyote Calls: army green exterior with an amber interior, army green K logos and polarised aviator green lenses. The UV400 protection is there from dawn to dusk.
• Black on Black: a matte black frame with 56 mm lenses, a 15 mm bridge and 142 mm temples. It suits round, long or rectangular, oval and diamond faces.

Shop Fast Lanes, Coyote Calls Shop Fast Lanes, Black on Black

Durable sunglasses for the trail and beyond

Knockaround sunglasses are made for everyday wear, but they're a great choice for outdoor sunglasses too. Polarised Category 3 lenses cut glare on bright trails, beaches and roads, the UV400 protection looks after your eyes, and the impact resistant lenses are made for real-life knocks. If you're after hiking sunglasses for day walks, camping trips and weekend getaways, they're an easy, affordable pick to keep in your daypack.

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Sun protection is more than sunnies

Your eyes are only one part of the picture. For proper sun protection in Australia, it pays to layer it up: sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Our guides cover the rest:

• Why UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing is essential in Australia
• Guide to UV sun-protective clothing in Australia

Which pair should you choose?

• Rounded and playful: Mai Tais, in Pink Ink, Watermelon Geode or Glossy Turquoise / Sunset.
• Classic aviator: Fort Knocks Coyote Calls.
• Subtle and oversized: Deja Views Poison Ivy.
• Comfortable all-rounder: Fast Lanes in Coyote Calls or Black on Black.

Why shop with us at PAST Outdoors

We're a family-owned Australian outdoor retailer based in Helensburgh, NSW, and we only stock brands we genuinely trust. Whether you're searching for sunglasses in NSW or anywhere else around Australia, we'll help you find a pair that suits your face, your adventures and your budget. Add a hat, some sunscreen and the right clothing, and you're ready for summer.