HOBIE SUNGLASSES 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Sunglasses 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Hobie
Interviewee: Dylan Coates – Marketing Manager

How was the sunglasses market overall in 2024?
The sunglass market continues to be strong. More than ever, customers are looking for value and the Hobie® Eyewear collection is perfectly positioned in that sweet spot where value and premium quality intersect.

What new trends have you seen for sunglasses in board sports for 2025?
Lifestyle shapes that tend to be a little larger or chunkier are still trending in this market. Hobie® Eyewear offers styles such as Cove Float, Coastal Float, Maywood and Blockhead that have been very popular with the board sport consumers.

Which segment of your 2025 offering do you expect to sell best and why?
Our strongest and easiest story to communicate continues to be our Floating Collection. It solves a problem that most everyone has run into and our floating styles, unlike other floating options out there, maintain the appealing aesthetics of styles that are non-floating.

What new frame shapes and colours are in your 2025 offer?
We have taken our already popular Cove style and converted it to a floating version called Cove Float. We’ve also added several new online exclusive colors such as black to wood grain fade and a crystal blue. For women, we’ve introduced Mya which has a slightly oversized but appealing soft cat eye shape. The of the more popular colors for Mya has been the satin crystal grey frame with a pink mirror.

Which lens technologies from your 2025 offer are most in demand?
The sunglass category of Hobie® Eyewear continues to be an all-polarized collection which is imperative for anyone on or near the water. We have also introduced a new bio-based polarized lens which is partially derived for castor oil. This lens can be found in our new kayak plastic frame called Hull Float.

Have you introduced any new lens colours and tints in your 2025 offering?
No new lens colors in particular this year other than the addition of the new bio-based polarized lenses found in Hull Float.

Any noteworthy sustainable practices in your production and shipping processes this year?
This year, we are excited to launch our new Hull Float style. It’s the first of it’s kind frame made of upcycled kayak plastic. This frame has been paired with bio-based lenses and the hard case is made of the same kayak plastic as the frame. This style also comes with a recycled microfiber case for storage and cleaning and it’s shipped is a recycled box.

What are your marketing stories?
Quality & affordable sunglasses with a Lifetime Warranty. Our Floating Collection, and the addition of Hull Float, the first ever sunglasses made from 100% upcycled Hobie® kayak plastic.

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
With specialized eyewear fixtures, and in-store GWP promotions for those who qualify.

Key Products:

Hull Float:
Hobie’s Hull Float sunglasses are crafted for eco-conscious anglers. Made from 100-percent upcycled Hobie Kayak scrap plastic, they minimize waste while maximizing durability. Bio-based polarized lenses enhance clarity and reduce glare. Designed to float, they ensure easy retrieval on the water. A portion of proceeds supports the FishAmerica Foundation, reinforcing Hobie Eyewear’s commitment to sustainability, conservation and protecting aquatic environments.

HULL

Cove Float:
Cove Float by Hobie Eyewear is designed for water adventurers, featuring ultra-light, floatable frames for worry-free wear. Polarized nylon lenses with HydroClean™ 360° coating provide crystal-clear vision, glare reduction, and 100% UV protection. Co-molded Megol rubber ensures a secure fit, while heat-resistant, highly durable materials make Cove Float the perfect companion for any outdoor excursion.

COVE

Mya:
Designed for adventure and style, the Hobie Eyewear Mya women’s sunglasses offer polarized polycarbonate lensesfor crisp, glare-free vision. The lightweight TR-90 frame and co-molded Megol rubber provide all-day comfort, while HydroClean™ coating ensures clarity. With 100% UV protection, Mya is built for the water, the road, and everywhere in between. Stay bold, stay protected!

MYA