Sunski
Sunski is a San Francisco-based outdoor lifestyle brand (founded 2012) that designs and sells polarized sunglasses and a recently launched SPF line, primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail partners REI, Anthropologie, and Backcountry.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sunski does
Sunski is a San Francisco-based outdoor lifestyle brand founded in 2012 that designs and sells polarized sunglasses, primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce at sunski.com supplemented by retail distribution at REI, Anthropologie, and Backcountry. Its core catalog comprises 15+ distinct sunglass SKUs organized into Alpine, Lifestyle, Premium, Guys, and Gals collections, with prices spanning $58 (Dipsea) to $170 (Strada), supported by a lifetime warranty and prescription Rx lens services. The company has recently extended into suncare with the Daily Nature Kit, a three-year-developed line of three SPF products (Sol Power SPF 50, Hot Block SPF 50, Base Camp SPF 45) developed with Korean skincare technology partners and launched in mid-2026.
The technical foundation rests on two proprietary polarized lens platforms — CR-39 for lifestyle and premium frames (Estero, Baia, Dipsea, Catalina, Miho, Bernina) and Helio for mountaineering and backcountry models (Strada, Ferrata, Tera, Treeline, Couloir) — plus an on-device virtual try-on feature called Style Booth that processes camera data locally for privacy. Manufacturing is not proprietary; the moat sits in brand positioning around sustainability, outdoor authenticity, and accessible premium pricing, evidenced by 15,000+ five-star reviews and 2025 placement in multiple 'Best Sustainable Sunglasses' buyer guides.
Sunski operates a one-time-purchase revenue model with bundle promotion (Shades + SPF at 15% off) to drive cross-category attach, free US shipping above $75, and wholesale and group sales programs as secondary channels. The company is privately held and co-founded by Tom and Michael, with no disclosed institutional funding and headcount in the 11–50 range. Customer acquisition runs through Instagram, TikTok, an affiliate program, student discounts, and the Stoke community program, indicating a capital-efficient, content-led growth posture rather than a paid-acquisition-led one.
Sunski firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sunski
- Website
- https://store.sunski.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sunski is a San Francisco-based outdoor lifestyle brand (founded 2012) that designs and sells polarized sunglasses and a recently launched SPF line, primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail partners REI, Anthropologie, and Backcountry.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sunski industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Polarized Sunglasses and Outdoor Eyewear
- NAICS
- Optical Goods Retailers (456130), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sunscreen (Face) (CRABAHAA), Sunscreen (Body) (CRABAHAB), Sun Protection Accessories (UV-protective sprays, sticks, on-the-go formats) (CRABAHAO)
Keywords
Where Sunski is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sunski business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Sunglasses Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of polarized sunglasses through e-commerce website and retail partners. One-time purchase model with lifetime warranty support.
- SPF/Suncare Products: New product line including Sol Power SPF 50 Daily Face Sunscreen ($29), Hot Block SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick ($24), and Base Camp SPF 45 Face + Body Sunscreen ($34). Expansion into suncare sector for cross-sell opportunities.
- Prescription Lenses: Prescription Rx lens services for sunglasses customers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level sunglasses (Dipsea) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range sunglasses (Estero, Tera, Tango) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium sunglasses (Strada) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SPF Suncare Products |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Sunski product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sunski designs, manufactures (via sourcing partners), and sells polarized sunglasses across 15 distinct models (ranging $58-$170) using proprietary Polarized CR-39 and Polarized Helio lens technologies. The company recently expanded into suncare with the Daily Nature Kit SPF line (Sol Power SPF 50 Daily Face Sunscreen, Hot Block SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Base Camp SPF 45 Face + Body Sunscreen), and offers prescription Rx lens services, Style Booth virtual try-on, and a lifetime warranty on all sunglasses.
Product overview
Sunski is a San Francisco-based outdoor lifestyle brand offering polarized sunglasses and suncare products. The core product portfolio consists of 15 distinct sunglasses models (Estero, Baia, Strada, Ferrata, Dipsea, Tango, Paladino, Yuba, Tera, Vallarta, Treeline, Catalina, Miho, Bernina, and Couloir) featuring either Polarized CR-39 or Polarized Helio lens technologies, ranging from $58 to $170. The company has recently expanded into suncare with the Daily Nature Kit™ containing three SPF products: Sol Power SPF 50 ($29), Hot Block SPF 50 ($24), and Base Camp SPF 45 ($34, releasing July 2026). Additional offerings include a Virtual Try-On feature (Style Booth), prescription Rx lenses, lens kits, and a lifetime warranty. The brand markets to outdoor enthusiasts with free US shipping on orders over $75 and has achieved over 15,000 five-star reviews.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Polarized Sunglasses Collection A collection of 15+ polarized sunglasses models priced from $58 to $170, segmented into Alpine, Lifestyle, Premium, Gals, and Guys collections. Flagship and new-release styles include Estero ($120, polarized CR-39, flagship square aviator), Baia ($120, polarized CR-39, vintage silhouette), Strada ($170, polarized Helio, classic mountaineering with magnetic sun shields and leather accents), Ferrata (polarized Helio, backcountry with magnetic sun shields), Dipsea ($58, everyday polarized classic), Tango ($78, polarized Helio, unisex), Tera ($98, polarized Helio, mountaineering), Treeline (polarized Helio, Alpine icon with sun shields), Couloir (polarized Helio, large rectangular Alpine), Catalina (polarized CR-39, bold cateye new release), Miho (polarized, unisex subtle cateye new release), Paladino (bold double-brow aviator new release), Yuba, Vallarta, and Bernina (polarized CR-39). Targeted at outdoor enthusiasts, lifestyle wearers, and premium buyers; sold direct via sunski.com and through REI, Anthropologie, and Backcountry retail partners, backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Daily Nature Kit SPF Suncare Line A new line of SPF/sunscreen products built around three SKUs forming the Daily Nature Kit: Sol Power SPF 50 Daily Face Sunscreen ($29), Hot Block SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick ($24), and Base Camp SPF 45 Face + Body Sunscreen ($34, releasing July 2026). Formulated with Korean skincare-derived technology and developed over a three-year R&D cycle. Targeted at outdoor enthusiasts and consumers seeking complete sun protection (eyes plus skin); sold direct via sunski.com and through REI, Anthropologie, and Backcountry, and bundled with sunglasses for 15% off.
- Prescription Rx Lenses A prescription lens service offered to Sunski sunglasses customers, enabling them to customize their frames with prescription lenses. One-time purchase add-on service ordered through the sunski.com Rx lenses collection. Targeted at vision-correcting consumers who want to combine prescription eyewear with Sunski's polarized frame designs.
- Sunglasses Lifetime Warranty A lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects on all Sunski sunglasses, included with every pair purchased. Targeted at consumers seeking long-term durability assurance and a brand-backed quality guarantee.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15,000+ five-star reviews
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sunski
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sunski technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Sunski partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- REIcoreREI serves as a key retail distribution partner for Sunski's sunglasses and new SPF product line. The partnership provides access to outdoor enthusiasts through REI's extensive retail footprint.
- AnthropologiecoreFashion lifestyle retailer Anthropologie distributes Sunski products, expanding reach to fashion-conscious consumers beyond traditional outdoor retail channels.
- BackcountrycoreBackcountry serves as a retail partner for Sunski's outdoor-focused product line, targeting serious outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sunski competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sunski social profiles
Digital presenceSunski financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sunski leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sunski funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sunski M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sunski
What does Sunski do?
Sunski designs, manufactures (via sourcing partners), and sells polarized sunglasses across 15 distinct models (ranging $58-$170) using proprietary Polarized CR-39 and Polarized Helio lens technologies. The company recently expanded into suncare with the Daily Nature Kit SPF line (Sol Power SPF 50 Daily Face Sunscreen, Hot Block SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Base Camp SPF 45 Face + Body Sunscreen), and offers prescription Rx lens services, Style Booth virtual try-on, and a lifetime warranty on all sunglasses.
Is Sunski a public or private company?
Sunski is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sunski founded?
Sunski was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sunski based?
Sunski is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sunski make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sunglasses Sales are the primary driver. The others are SPF/Suncare Products and prescription Lenses.
Does Sunski have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sunski.
What industry is Sunski in?
Sunski's product category is Polarized Sunglasses and Outdoor Eyewear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAKAB, Sunglasses (Non-Prescription), with a secondary code of CRABAHAA, Sunscreen (Face). Its NAICS code is 456130 and its SIC code is 3851.