We review every variation of Oakley Half Wire Sunglasses and compare the differences so you can know!
Table of Contents
History and Background
Oakley started making wire frame sunglasses using their exclusive five-metal alloy C-5 in 1992. For the first ten years, wire frames were almost exclusively designed as lifestyle frames including the Rx line. In the mid-2000s Oakley broke with that tradition to introduce the distinctly sporty Oakley Half Wire sunglasses.
Unfortunately, all of the Half Wire frames have now been discontinued from Oakley, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Keep reading as we review the Oakley Half Wire, Half Wire XL, and 2.0 frame and break down the differences. Plus we’ll show how you can still buy the Half wire online.
Oakley Half Wire Sunglasses Variations
Half Wire
Introduced in 2002, the Oakley Half Wire is a half-rimmed sports style made of C-5 alloy. Lightweight, with a large wrap and Unobtainium nose pads and earsocks, this is a pretty big departure from the earlier Wires frames like the C Wire.
The original Half Wire has shallow oval lenses that taper up and back. The frame is thin but thanks to the C-5 alloy, it’s also strong and flexible. The stems feature a spring hinge and are straight and sleek and the overall look is very millennial sport chic. The Half Wire, when bought new, also came with two pairs of nose pads to customize the fit.
The Half Wire lenses are made of Plutonite material providing impact resistance, UV protection, and XYZ optics for clarity. Oakley Half Wire prescription lenses were popular in the frame similar to other wire models. Plus Iridium and Polarized lens options were also available with the frame.
Half Wire XL
The Oakley Half Wire XL was introduced at the same time as its smaller sibling. With its larger size the XL is a great frame for big or wide heads.
The frame has the same construction and appearance as the original but in a larger package. In the case of the Half Wire XL that means a deeper lens, which is great if you find the Half Wire lens too shallow to provide enough coverage.
Similar to its smaller sibling the Half Wire XL has all of the traditional Oakley features including Plutonite lenses and XYZ optics for clarity. This includes polarized and iridium lens options. Unfortunately, neither the Half Wire XL or original were released with Oakley’s Prizm lenses. While we would love to see a pair of Half Wires with Prizm Ruby lenses, they were released before the Prizm era.
Half Wire 2.0
In 2008 Oakley introduced the Half Wire 2.0, with an all new design. This update featured a much squarer lens than the original release. The change in shape addresses what many people called inadequate coverage of the original lens due to its small size and outer edge taper.
The Half Wire 2.0 keeps the half-frame design of the original and adds a small screw to decrease potential loose lenses. The frame is still made of C-5 alloy for strength and flexibility, keeping the sunglasses light but durable.
Due to its square lens shape, this frame has a slightly less sporty look and more easily doubles as a lifestyle frame. But the Unobtainium nose pads still lend these sunglasses to be a great sports wire frame.
Similar to the original model, Oakley Half Wire 2.0 prescription lenses are available in addition to polarized and Iridium options. While the lens options in the 2.0 weren’t the most exciting they did bring some great colors including Ice Iridium and Bronze Polarized.
Original Colorways
We’ve included a complete list of original Oakley Half Wire colorways across all variations for your reference below.
| Colorway (Frame / Lens) | Half Wire Variation |
|---|---|
| Blue / Black Iridium | Original |
| Dark Carbon / Gold Iridium | Original |
| Red Oxide / Positive Red Iridium | Original |
| Silver / Black Iridium | Original |
| Silver / Black Iridium Polarized | Original |
| Titanium / Ice Iridium | Original |
| Titanium / Titanium Iridium | Original |
| Titanium Carbon / Black Iridium Polarized | Original |
| Carbon / Grey | XL |
| Dark Carbon / Black Iridium | XL |
| Dark Carbon / Black Iridium Polarized | XL |
| Silver / Fire Iridium | XL |
| Silver / Ice Iridium | XL |
| Titanium / Ice Iridium | XL |
| Titanium / Titanium Iridium | XL |
| Titanium Carbon / Black Iridium Polarized | XL |
| Black Chrome / Grey Polarized | 2.0 |
| Black Chrome / Tungsten Iridium | 2.0 |
| Carbon / Bronze Polarized | 2.0 |
| Dark / Ice Iridium | 2.0 |
| Light / Black Iridium | 2.0 |
| Matte Black / Black Iridium | 2.0 |
| Matte Black / Black Iridium Polarized | 2.0 |
| Matte Black Limited / Black Iridium | 2.0 |
Are replacement Half Wire lenses available?
Yes, you can find half wire replacement lenses available online from several retailers. While Oakley no longer sells replacement lenses for the Half Wire, you can still find them available from several big manufacturers. Check out our complete guide to aftermarket Oakley lenses where we compare your best options.
Where to Buy Oakley Half Wire Sunglasses?
All of the Half Wire frames are discontinued, so used is the only option. But that’s okay! There are plenty of options for buying discontinued models including our Oakley Forum Exchange areas where you can buy, sell and trade with thousands of members.
eBay also has some Half Wires of all three variations, but prices and conditions will vary. When you shop on a large re-sale site like eBay it’s important to be careful and know how to spot fake Oakleys. Check out our complete guide to buying used and discontinued Oakleys for more information.
Final Thoughts
The Half Wire is a great pair that brings a more sporty style to the wire family. This is a line that could definitely be trendy today amongst the Eye Jacket Redux and fast shades trend. Overall we’re partial to the Half Wire XL and the Half Wire 2.0 that provide deeper lenses with more coverage.
Are you a fan of the Half Wire XL, Original, or 2.0? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the comments below.
