Written by Peter Brooker in Brands on the 16th January 2017

Eyewear is a key staple of a men’s accessory draw. In my personal experience, they're most disposable and are often left by the side of a pool or behind on the 88 to Camden Town. However, if I were to have a pair of the following (see list below) I'd certainly be more prudent. I'd at least look where I'm sitting, preventing them from an untimely demise - crushed with the force of a hydraulic press between my butt-cheeks and the barcalounger. Here are the Top 5 Eyewear Brands that you should look out for in 2017.

Cab9

Possibly one of the best kept secrets of the eyewear trade are Cab9. They're a collective of snowboard instructors that have road-tested countless different brands and models of eyewear in all conditions imaginable. Cab9 have successfully fused a casual look that is at home on the mountain slopes, cruising the city streets or chilling at the beach. The frames are robust, engineered with corrosion proof hinges and of course, feature polarized lenses. Furthermore, some models feature a soft rubber finish, providing superior comfort and additional grip for active use.? Be sure to check out the Mirror-lensed Stealth's, the scratch proof Premiums and other ranges, some which have gone into sale. The biggest USP for the brand is the current pricing, all under £40.

Bailey Nelson

All Bailey Nelson sunglasses come standard with polarized lenses or you can order them with tinted prescription lenses. They make the finest hand-polished eyewear made from the best quality materials like Italian acetate and German hinges. A unique fusion of Italian finesse with the assurance of German efficiency. The anti-scratch, anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings come as standard. The sun-flecked Hamilton’s is a vintage-inspired head turner. Or if you're looking for something more classical The Bronte, with the dual acetate upper, metal fitting and bridge is dripping with French Riviera style.

Iolla

Iolla pride themselves on scouring the globe to source the finest acetate, metals and components to make very competitively priced eyewear. The carefully sourced European components and materials manufactured at their esteemed partner factory in Shenzhen are available in prescription as well as polarized. I like the look of the Burns Sun piece with a Mirror Blue tint. There are further hues of Fire Red and Grey Gradient, but this one will be the closest you get to a verisimilitude of 'Depp at the Oscars'.

KITE

KITE has grown steadily to become a company renowned for its uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship. They fuse a winning blend of German lens technology and premium bespoke Italian handmade artisanry. To make a pair of KITE glasses it requires over 30 total steps of production, including 8-days tumbling (polishing) used on each of their frames. Then it's left to the experts, 10 pairs of skilled hands and eyes developed from years of experience in Italy to add the finishing touches. Of course being a Bowie fan i'd like to highlight their distinctive, 70s-inspired, square aviator shape model. Meticulously carved out of stainless steel with custom-made metalwork, I'm sure the late-last British bastion of iconic glam, would have approved.

Woody Frames

If you're looking for something that would make an awesome Insta-shot then grab a pair of Woody Frames sunglasses. Why? Because they can float in water. How? Each pair is hand crafted from 100% all-natural Bamboo. Bamboo has the ability to grow 1 foot per day making it the best consumable resource for the environment and your pocket. They also boast 100% polarized lenses and are frenzied by beach goers, kayakers, boaters, and paddle boarders alike. From their latest capsule collection I would recommend their Sky Blue Boozers - if for no other reason, it has Booze in the title.

We feature Cab9, Bailey Nelson, Iolla, Woody Frames and KITE in our guide to the Top 5 Eyewear Brands to Know in 2017.