Sunpro didn't come out of nowhere. It grew out of iPOP, an affordable eyewear brand that JB built from scratch back in 2009. iPOP found a real audience online, and after more than a decade running it, JB knew the market inside out â what Kiwis actually wanted, what they were willing to pay, and where most brands were falling short.
That knowledge is what Sunpro is built on. JB spent years travelling to manufacturers in the Far East, building direct relationships and learning what separates a well-made frame from a cheap one. When he launched Sunpro, the goal was straightforward: bring genuinely good sunglasses to New Zealand without the ridiculous markups you see from big eyewear labels.
The price point sits around $40â$45 because that's where we think the sweet spot is â high enough to invest in decent materials, low enough that anyone can grab a pair without overthinking it. These aren't service station sunnies. But they're not pretending to be something they're not either.
What goes into each pair
Most of our frames are built with inner core wire temples â the metal running through the arms â which means you can bend them to fit your face properly without snapping them. Hinges are solid, lenses are polycarbonate, and the whole range carries UV400 protection, which blocks the full spectrum of harmful UV light. Around 90% of the range is polarised, cutting glare off water, roads and wet surfaces. Our men's polarised sunglasses use laminated lenses for extra durability and clarity.
Every pair ships with a soft microfibre case â the design on it was inspired by the mountains of the South Island, which felt right for a brand based in Nelson. It doubles as a lens cloth, so it's actually useful rather than just packaging.
All Sunpro sunglasses meet the AS/NZS 1067.1:2016 standard and comply with both US and EU safety requirements. Most of our lenses sit at category 3 â the right balance of UV blocking and visibility for everyday NZ conditions.
We're based in Nelson, ship nationwide with NZ Post, and offer free delivery on orders over $60. If something's not right, we'll sort it â 30-day returns, no drama.