Shooter Model: Fear and Loathing from Ray-Ban

Aviator sunglasses are an icon of the Ray-Ban brand: made of metal, thermoplastic, or carbon, with glass or polycarbonate lenses, mirrored, polarized, colorful, large or small... These are just some of the many variations.

One such variation is their enhanced version, the Shooter model.

A real hunt

In 1938, a year after the classic Aviators were introduced, Ray-Ban launched the production of new sunglasses called Shooter, which literally translates as "shooter."



The signature feature of this model is the circle on the bridge, designed as a cigarette holder. According to the designers, this feature was intended for hunters, allowing them to fix their cigarette in the glasses and free their hands for shooting.

Originally, the Shooters came with two lens options: the classic gray-green G-15 and Kalichrome. The latter had a pale yellow tint (due to potassium chromate) and was designed for cloudy or foggy weather. These features, which increase contrast without losing image clarity, made the Shooter popular among pilots, drivers, and athletes.

Hunter S. Thompson's contribution

Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and writer who founded the Gonzo style (where the author is directly involved in the events they write about).

He is best known as the author of the acclaimed novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," written in 1971. The main character of the novel, Raoul Duke, is a prototype of Thompson himself, who loved wearing Ray-Ban Shooter sunglasses.

Naturally, Johnny Depp, who portrays Duke in the film adaptation of the novel ("Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," 1998), also wears Shooter glasses, just like Hunter S. Thompson.

Amber continuation

In 2012, the company Luxottica (the brand owner) celebrated its 75th anniversary by releasing a limited series of sunglasses with Ambermatic lenses: Aviator, Aviator with curved temples, Outdoorsman, and of course, Shooter.

This version is interesting because the lens is adaptive, meaning it changes its color saturation when exposed to light and UV rays. In cloudy weather, it will be amber-yellow (light transmission: 65%), and in brighter light, it turns dark brown or gray (light transmission: 15%).

You can read more about the Ambermatic lens in our other article.

No matter how exotic Ray-Ban Shooter glasses may seem, their story continues, making new turns. And you, yes you!, can be a part of it too!