It’s a tale as old as time: You buy a great-looking pair of sunglasses, but after you wear them for a while, your head feels like it’s being crushed in a vise. The folks at Detour Sunglasses felt your (literal) pain, which is why they introduced their XL collection. We tested a few pairs to see if they lived up to the hype. How do they really fit a big guy’s head? Read our review below.
Sunglasses that fit (and don’t break the bank)
Detour Sunglasses launched back in 2012 with a simple goal: prove that high-quality shades don’t have to cost a fortune. From there, they set out to create sunglasses that work for a wide range of lifestyles. The Detour XL Collection furthers that mission by offering options to an often-overlooked audience: those of us with big ol’ heads. The best part? You’re not paying extra for the extra room. Most pairs cost between $42 and $52.
Sizes, specs, and styles
Chris Venturini, owner of Detour Sunglasses tells us that the first pair of Detour XL sunglasses was built out of necessity. “Our first XL frame was our Big Kahuna model, and we made it because someone we wanted to work with on a marketing campaign had a larger head and wanted something that fit comfortably, so we designed this frame for him.” Chris gave a few pairs to friends who had struggled to find sunglasses that fit, and they loved them. That’s when he knew he was onto something a lot of people needed.
The Detour XL Collection features wider frames with longer temples to accommodate larger heads. Almost all XL frames are made with spring hinges that adjust to your face shape for all-day comfort and a better fit. “We used a handful of guys to get the fitment down. [We wanted to make sunglasses] that helped guys with bigger heads look like they were wearing a normal pair of sunglasses,” says Venturini. “After we started getting them in the hands of customers, we took all the feedback seriously and made changes we knew were beneficial.”
Does the Detour XL Collection really fit big heads?
We’ve heard from the company, but how do Detour’s XL sunglasses actually fit? We put them to the test on my large head (for reference, I wear extra-large frames: 56-19-150). I tried six styles from the XL collection and found that all of them fit me comfortably. They fit my head well and were roomy without being too big. I was impressed by how lightweight the sunglasses felt when I was wearing them, which is nice when you’re out in the hot sun all day.
The sunglasses stayed in place as I moved around – walking, biking, and playing frisbee. I didn’t have to keep pushing them back into place, and I never had any concerns with them falling off when I lunged to catch the frisbee. There was no extra pressure behind my ears from any of the sunglasses, and as you can see from the photos, the fit just looks right, which isn’t always the case with sunglasses for large heads.
From a construction and durability standpoint, the glasses feel solid. The hinges seem like they will stand up to daily use and the material the sunglasses are made from feels premium. A few pairs feature a soft, rubberized finish, which looks and feels great.
Style-wise, Detour understood the assignment. Big guys (or folks with big heads) want fun, stylish options like everyone else. The six styles I tested run the spectrum from classically cool to modern and in-your-face, and they all looked great. There’s something for everyone here.
My three favorites are:
The Big Kahuna XL Sunglasses
The Big Kahuna was the first XL frame Detour made for a reason. The frame is versatile and works well on a lot of face shapes. The matte black rubberized finish I tested is silky smooth to the touch, and feels just as good when you’ve got them on. Stylish, comfortable, and built for bigger heads—they check all the boxes.
Tidal Wave XL Sunglasses
If bold’s your vibe, Detour’s Tidal Wave XL has you covered. With a massive single lens and retro flair, these shades are impossible to miss.
Cabana XL Sunglasses
The Cabana XL delivers classic style and all-day comfort in a frame that’s built for larger heads. With clean lines, a square silhouette, and thick arms for extra durability, these sunglasses are perfect for everyday wear.
Detour XL hats for large heads
Detour’s XL Collection doesn’t just stop at sunglasses – you’ll also find hats that fit big heads. I tried on the Grey Leather Patch Snapback Hat and only had to loosen it by two snaps. If you struggle to find a hat that will fit, do yourself a favor and check out all of Detour’s XL snapbacks.
Shop the Detour XL Collection for yourself
Detour Sunglasses had big guys in mind when they made their XL Collection. With a wide variety of stylish sunglasses for large heads, there’s something for everyone at a pricepoint that won’t break the bank. See the full collection of XL sunglasses and hats at their website.
