Oakley SI Ballistic Crosshair Review: A Closer Look

[Rustpot]

Oakley SI Ballistic Crosshair Sunglasses are a wireframe design that feel like they can stand up to anything! I’ve been waiting to get my hands on one of these Oakley SI Ballistic Crosshairs for a little while. So my love of items in this vein is no secret. And true to form, these things feel like they can stop a bullet.
Keep reading as we review this latest military release from Oakley and how it stands up to the world!

Oakley Ballistic Crosshair Highlights

Ultra-lightweight C-5 alloy frame material that is durable enough for the field
Wireframe design that can be worn on-duty and off-duty
Unobtainium earsocks and nose pads for increased comfort and added grip even when sweaty or wet
Surpasses ANSI Z87.1 industrial safety standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact protection
Meets or exceeds MIL PRF 31013 ballistic fragmentation impact standards
XYZ...

Continue reading...

 

[OpinionatedOakley]

Excellent review.

Those hinges are awesome. I'm tired of the flimsy spring hinges on wire models.

Price is $130, which is double the price of other SI wire offerings, though there is only the Tightrope at the moment.

 

[moeman]

Glad you like them!

 

[Ventruck]

I was literally going to make a thread asking about this because I was thinking about one of the Crosshairs near future (so like, full price for the SI). Thank god you exist

Also had the same reservations about the lens choice for the SI (though I understand the reasoning too), but the functional factor and thicker aesthetic are what draw me in. Sure enough I'm not gonna be involved with ballistics but it just seems so Oakley to be "overbuilt". So much more of an inspiring pair to think about.

Now I was wondering, how do the nose sizes compare? I assume the SI doesn't have much give for adjustment, and I'm on the narrow side. I can't tell the comparison 100% from the pics.

 

[Rustpot]

Yes, they can be adjusted. It'll be a bit more difficult, and they're supported in two places.

 

[steveocubed]

I was literally going to make a thread asking about this because I was thinking about one of the Crosshairs near future (so like, full price for the SI). Thank god you exist

Also had the same reservations about the lens choice for the SI (though I understand the reasoning too), but the functional factor and thicker aesthetic are what draw me in. Sure enough I'm not gonna be involved with ballistics but it just seems so Oakley to be "overbuilt". So much more of an inspiring pair to think about.

Now I was wondering, how do the nose sizes compare? I assume the SI doesn't have much give for adjustment, and I'm on the narrow side. I can't tell the comparison 100% from the pics.

I'm on the narrow side as well and just like Rustpot said, they're actually supported in two places so it's pretty hard to actually adjust them. They do tend to sit a little lower on my face than my other crosshairs but is still one of my top 3 favorite crosshairs to wear (and I have a lot of crosshairs haha) so yeah still definitely worth it and able to pull off with a narrower nosebridge, albeit not ideally.

 

[Ventruck]

I'm on the narrow side as well and just like Rustpot said, they're actually supported in two places so it's pretty hard to actually adjust them. They do tend to sit a little lower on my face than my other crosshairs but is still one of my top 3 favorite crosshairs to wear (and I have a lot of crosshairs haha) so yeah still definitely worth it and able to pull off with a narrower nosebridge, albeit not ideally.

Cool. I figure the protection from an unexpected IED would make it worth it.

The pads also look replaceable by snapping in/out. Maybe I can inquire with O about thicker ones if adjustment doesn't work out.

 

[Captiva]

My gosh these things hurt when you lose a nose pad. Any idea where to get a replacement set online? TIA

 

[digi7alph0enix]

My gosh these things hurt when you lose a nose pad. Any idea where to get a replacement set online? TIA

Call the Oakley warranty department. They've been known to give out rubber for free if you get the right rep on the phone. Even if they don't give it to you for free it will probably only be $10 or so.

 

[Aaron Crawford]

Thanks for the great review! Hey what model of Oakley crosshair were you comparing the military version to in your pictures? Looked like the crosshair originals just wanted to check.