Cheers to 20 Years
“ HEY! IT'S ACE FROM KNOCKAROUND!
2025 marks our 20th anniversary! It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since I started this whole operation in a small art studio on the campus of UC-San Diego.
What began as a simple idea has grown into a global community that values creativity and adventure. Thanks to your support, we've expanded from a quirky sunglasses company run by an art student to a full-blown, global eyewear brand.
Your support—whether it was an order for your first pair a few months ago or your 80th—have shaped our journey. This anniversary year, we're excited to celebrate with Limited Edition re-releases, cool collaborations, and lots of fun.
Here's to 20 years—Cheers!"
-Adam “Ace” Moyer, Founder
Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
July 2005
Knockaround was Founded
Knockaround began in a small art studio on the campus of UC-San Diego, where our Founder, Adam "Ace" Moyer, was a graduate art student. (The sunglasses are in those plastic bins in the background!)
July 2008
One-Car Garage
After getting his second art degree, Ace realizes he has more momentum with Knockaround than he does in making art for a living. (The garage was usually more organized than this…)
January 2010
Our First “Legit” HQ
Knockaround finally moves into its first dedicated office and warehouse space: 1000 square feet in National City, CA.
June 2010
Snoop Dogg!
Snoop Dogg becomes the first major celebrity to rock a pair of Knockarounds. The first, but not the last: Natalie Portman, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Alba, John Legend, and John Mayer to name a few.
October 2010
The First “Limited Edition”
Knockaround releases its first Limited Edition: 20 pairs of “Werewolf Premiums”. 20 pairs sold out in about 3 hours. Knockaround has launched more than 120 Limited Edition sunglasses since then.
March 2011
The Custom Shop
Knockaround launches the “CUSTOM SHOP” on its website—allowing people to design their own sunglasses. The motto, “You Design Them. We Build Them.” This was the first of its kind in the eyewear industry.
March 2014
999,998… 999,999…
Knockaround sells its one-millionth pair of sunglasses!
May 2019
Record Sell-Out Times
Knockaround continues to release Limited Edition sunglasses—about one new design a month—with a record sell-out time of 1000 pairs in less than an hour. Sashimi Premiums were a fan favorite.
April 2020
The Fight Through COVID-19
The Knockaround Warehouse Team work their tails off to continue getting orders out the door—6-feet apart! Knockaround donates thousands of protective glasses to the San Diego Fire Department.
March 2022
Tag, You're It.
After 18 years, Ace steps down as CEO and Knockaround welcomes its current CEO, Jeff Hennion.
May 2023
Major League Baseball…then NFL, NHL, and NBA
Knockaround begins producing officially-licensed sunglasses for all Major League Baseball teams, paving the way for officially-licensed partnerships with the NFL, NBA, and NHL.
November 2023
Knockaround Rx
Knockaround launches its prescription eyewear program—great looking glasses now available with top-of-the-line prescription lenses.
April 2024
Teaming Up With Icons
High-profile collaborations continue in a powerful way, as Knockaround teams up with iconic brands like Grateful Dead, Hello Kitty, Fender, Batman, and Bob Marley.
January 2025
Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR
Knockaround enters the world of golf in a big way, announcing a 5-year official partnership with the PGA TOUR.
Limited Edition Re-Releases
To all of the Limited Edition fans: mark your calendars! This year, we’re taking some of our most-loved designs from over the years and reimagining them on fresh frame styles. Nostalgia, meet newness! The next one will be out in June!
Hive Mind Paso Robles
Knocksack!
Created May 2014 - The greatest game that very few people have ever heard of, “Knocksack”, is invented at Knockaround HQ. You knew we made great sunglasses, but how about backyard party games?
The Evolution of Knockaround.com
From basic HTML to a full-on digital storefront-our website has had quite the glow-up over the years! Swipe through to see how Knockaround.com evolved from super-basic to the sleek site you know today. (But we still kinda miss those early 2000s vibes!)
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Current
From an Art Studio to a One-Car garage
Before we were shipping shades worldwide, Knockaround's global HQ was an art studio on the campus of UC-San Diego and a one-car garage. Think less Silicon Valley startup, more old furniture storage and cardboard boxes. Our founder Ace packed every pair of sunglasses by hand, dreaming big while keeping things deliberately casual and low-key—just like the shades themselves. Sometimes the best ideas really do start in a garage!
20 Years Down, 80 to go
Look how far we've come! Our new San Diego HQ might be a bit fancier than that garage, but our spirit hasn't changed one bit. We've grown from hand-packing sunglasses to shipping millions of pairs worldwide—all thanks to our amazing Knock Fans. And guess what? We're just getting started. We'll keep pushing boundaries and trying new things, bringing that same experimental energy that started it all. Here's to the next 20 years of keeping things fresh, fun, and always Knockaround!
After 20 Years, We'd Love to Know...
How Do You Knockaround?
Knockaround sunglasses are built for adventure, but we want to see where they take you! Whether you're shooting hoops, catching waves, hitting the trails, or soaking up the sun at the park, we want to know—How Do You Knockaround?
