Oakley
18 Aug
I’ve been a long-time fan of Oakley sunglasses (who hasn’t been?). I think pretty much everyone I know rides and races in Oakley sunglasses as well. I did not know that the company started out of a garage making grips for BMX and moto and only later got into optics, but I’m glad they did.
I think I got my first set of Oakley’s probably about ’94 or so: black Eye Jackets. I loved them. In ’95 I got my first set of prescription sunglasses, and of course they had to be Oakley! I can’t remember the frame name, but I am sure they are long discontinued by now. The sad part? They were “sacrificed” to the Colorado River gods and have for probably 13 or so years resided at the bottom of the Parker Strip at Big Bend. Anyone seen them?
When Justin and I got into mountain biking we picked up some cheap pairs of sunglasses along the way, but eventually decided to get some prescription lenses in early 2009, and went with Flak Jackets and Black Iridium polarized lenses. These are great for riding in Southern California’s exposed bright trail conditions. We quickly found when we traveled back east last summer for the Pro XCT Mt. Snow and Windham that they were NOT ideal for in and out of deep tree cover races on ski slopes! It was all we had at the time, and we made it through unscathed!
Earlier this year Justin took his Flak Jacket prescription glasses in for warranty and we wound up with some stellar “pimp” shades:
His were sadly destroyed in the “accident” but mine are going strong. I’ve been racing and “lifestyling” with the Enduring’s and red iridium lenses most of the year. They’ve been awesome. The lens tint/color is fairly neutral for all around riding in So Cal, and pretty much everywhere else I’ve ridden this year.
This year I’ve been lucky enough to get to test out a few different Oakley frames and lens options and have been STOKED.
At Mellow Johnny’s I got the dialed line on some lenses that are great for transition from lightly shaded to bright rocky:
I wish I knew what lens tint they were, but they are pretty awesome.
I have also used the Fire Iridium lenses and those are pretty good for bright days on the bike. From my experience with them they tend to be a little darker than the red iridium’s, but are just as sweet looking.
I have also been cruising around town with Impatient’s and really like those. A little heavy on the face (so sometimes leave indents) but good driving/hanging out shades
More recently I’ve gotten to try out the Split Jacket frames. I have to say, I’m digging the Split Jackets in training a bit more than the Enduring’s lately.
The Ice Iridium lenses seem to be slightly lighter in tint than the Red Iridium’s, but I haven’t spent much time on the trail with them.
Right now I’m checking out the Clear-Grey Transitions Solfx lenses in my Split Jacket’s.
I will admit that I was really hesitant to try these outside on a really sunny hot day where I’d be doing hill repeats on an exposed climb, BUT, I was pleasantly surprised.
They do actually seem to block out a lot of the brightness from the sun and I wasn’t left squinting or wishing I’d packed a back up pair of shades. I didn’t get any before/after shots of the glasses up close to try to compare if the lenses “transitioned” a bit darker, but the tint was pretty good and visibility was awesome given that they aren’t dark to begin with. I’ll be wearing these on the trail soon enough and will see how they go in the afternoon and early evening with exposed climbs and some shaded areas as well.
The Split Jacket’s, for me, seem to block out more sweat from my eyes than the Enduring’s, but I still was struggling a little with that. I’ve heard that the Jawbones are pretty much stellar for this, and with a slightly bigger profile all-around I can see how this is the case.
So, if you are in need of some new sunglasses for either wearing around town or for training through summer – look no further: Oakley has what you need! Check ‘em out and I know that you’ll be pleasantly surprised as well.
2012 is the year of the Dragon in Chinese astrology. For Allison, 2012 is the year of the Phoenix. After a successful 2010 that led Allison to her 1st international competition, at the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, she succumed to an injury that kept her off the bike and out of training for 2011. Missing out valuable training time, race experience, and needed results in 2011, Allison has ensured 2012 will be a year of rebirth and expanded growth and learning. She is looking forward to a solid year of training, racing, and new experiences across the country and internationally where she plans to race and promote Bikes for Boobs benefitting Mammograms in Action. She continues to ride and race with mutual support from Rock N' Road Cyclery in Orange County, as well as with her husband, Justin.
I have a 5 or 6 year old pair of “Splice” frames (black chrome frames, black iridium lenses) as my daily wear sunglasses and a 9 month old pair of Radar Paths (metallic red frames, red iridium POLARIZED lenses) for riding.
My daily set is starting to show its age, finally. lol Time to start looking for a new set! I won’t wear anything other than Oakley.
I think they do refurb’s too!! We’re going to try to take in a set of X-Metal Juliet frames this weekend for a rebuild (they’re from 01-02).
That’s a good idea, but the “black chrome” is starting to flake off. If that weren’t the case, I’d go in and see if they have some polarized lenses for them.
love all my oakleys!
Hiya Allison.
Long time reader, first time commenter…great blog! You’re living the life!
My #1 riding partner – my 12 year old son – broke his arm in 3 places on his first day of summer holidays. He’s endured 4 casts, surgery, and all of the frustration of not riding for the summer with amazing character. As a ‘treat’ for enduring so well, I asked him what his mom and I could get him as a ‘make it up to you’ present.
His choice? Oakley Jawbones. I picked him up a pair, and coincidentally got myself a pair as well, and they truly are fantastic for riding! The lenses change way easier than my half jackets, and the hydrophobic lenses are pretty impressive!
Great topic. I never gave much thought to the importance of good shades when riding, but it does help.
Cheers
acmcdonaldgp
I bet he can’t wait to get back on the bike with his new sunglasses! I got to try out Jawbones yesterday and today and am more than smitten. Ride on!!
Such awesome sunglasses! Today my glasses got sweat all down the inside. It definitely made me appreciate the Jawbones that I got to try out. Jawbones RULE for heavy sweaters (or people who are going full drooling retard trying to not get dropped by their wives)
Oakley sunglasses are expensive and there are many knockoffs too so check your Oakleys if they are original,”:
Oakley sunglasses have the best quality when it comes to those sylish sunglasses -~”
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