Oakley Sunglasses Reviews

Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses Review: Retro Styling in a Modern Frame

Oakley BXTR Sunglasses are a tribute to the vibrant skate culture of Los Angeles, particularly Baxter Street, one of the original skate spots. Oakley’s team of designers wanted to create a fresh and distinctive take on lifestyle frames.

Inspired by Oakley’s iconic Razor Blade sunglasses, the BXTR combines retro elements with modern design, allowing wearers to express their individuality. Crafted with a lightweight and durable BiO-Matter® frame material, these sunglasses offer exceptional comfort and long-lasting performance.

Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses Highlights

  • Retro-inspired design paying homage to the skate culture of Baxter Street in Los Angeles
  • Modern shield design reminiscent of Oakley’s original sport performance frames
  • BiO-Matter® frame material for lightweight comfort and durability
  • Metal trigger stems inspired by Oakley’s iconic Razor Blade sunglasses
  • Unobtainium® nose pads for a secure and slip-free grip, even when wet
  • Available with Prizm™ Lens Technology, enhancing color and contrast for improved detail perception
  • Eye-catching color combinations, such as Matte Clear Frame with Prizm Violet Lenses
  • Suitable for everyday wear and driving with good peripheral vision

Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses Review

For our review, we checked out a pair of Oakley BXTR Metal sunglasses with a Matte Clear Frame and Prizm Violet lenses. After a month of wearing these sunglasses, this frame definitely impressed us.

Oakley BXTR Metal sunglasses with a clear frame and Prizm Violet lenses with the box and microfiber bag
The Oakley BXTR frame offers a retro look with modern touches – Photo: Source

Initial Impressions, Frame, and Design

When we first saw the Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses, we were immediately drawn to their retro-inspired design. The shield lens and the modernized trigger stem brought back memories of Oakley’s iconic Razor Blade sunglasses from the past. As a fan of vintage styles, we couldn’t wait to try them on.

The frame material, made from Oakley’s BiO-Matter, felt incredibly lightweight in my hands. The Matte Clear Frame with Prizm Violet Lenses that I chose had a cool, translucent look, giving off that nostalgic ’80s vibe. The elliptical icon on the stems matched the color of the triggers, adding a nice touch of detail.

In terms of style, the BXTR sunglasses definitely make a statement. The combination of the clear frame and the bold Prizm Violet Lenses exuded a retro charm that reminded me of the vibrant colors of the ’80s. They are perfect for those who appreciate a touch of nostalgia in their fashion choices.

Metal Trigger earstems on the Oakley BXTR sunglasses
Metal trigger earstems add a stark contrast to the BiO-Matter frame – Photo: Source
Closeup view of Trigger earstems on the Oakley BXTR
Closeup shot of the trigger earstem design – Photo: Source

Prizm Lenses

The BXTR’s shield lens design offered good coverage, and we appreciated the clarity and sharpness of the Prizm Violet Lenses. The lenses feature Oakley’s Prizm technology which enhances color and contrast, allowing you to see more detail in your surroundings. However, we did notice that due to the slight wrap of the lenses, there were some minor gaps. This likely depends on the shape of your face. It didn’t significantly affect my overall experience, but it’s worth noting.

Prizm Violet Lenses in a BXTR clear frame
Prizm Violet lenses add a pop of color to the matte clear frame – Photo: Source
Rear view of Prizm Violet lenses in an Oakley BXTR pair of sunglasses
Unobtanium nose pads add grip to this frame – Photo: Source

Size, Dimensions, and Fit

Oakley BXTR sunglasses are a large frame that offers superior coverage thanks to the shield lens.

When we put the sunglasses on, we found the fit to be comfortable and secure. The trigger stems wrapped around our ears perfectly, ensuring a snug and stable fit. We took the pair out for a bike ride (and a nod to their Eyeshade ancestors) and had a great time. The unobtainium nose pads provided plenty of grips, though we were missing earsocks as the ride went on.

You can find the complete dimensions of the frame below:

  • Lens Height: 55.1 mm
  • Frame Width: 134.9 mm
  • Arm Length: 133 mm
Profile view of BXTR sunglasses showcasing the trigger earstems made of metal
The BXTR is a large-size Oakley frame that offers extra coverage thanks to its shield lens design – Photo: Source

BXTR Metal vs. Standard Models

While we reviewed the Metal BXTR, Oakley also offers a standard model made entirely out of BiO-Matter (linked here). Overall the pairs are very similar, but there are a few notable differences we’ve listed here:

  • BXTR Metal has metal trigger earstems compared to the BiO-Matter earstems on the standard model
  • The Bio-Matter BXTR features the ellipsis “O” logo on the earstems, while the metal version spells out “Oakley” in the retro font
  • BXTR Metal has grips on the earstems since they are metal, while the BiO-Matter pair does not

Our Review: Are They Worth It?

Overall, we enjoyed our Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses and would say they were worth it. The retro-inspired design, comfortable fit, and attention to detail in the frame and triggers all made us love this pair. These sunglasses offer a unique blend of old-school cool and modern functionality, making them a great choice for anyone wanting a distinctive and fashionable look.

One thing we particularly liked about the BXTR sunglasses was their versatility. While they are not specifically designed for sports, the lightweight frame and comfortable fit made them suitable for all-day wear and even light sports.

Overall, Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses offer a winning combination of retro aesthetics and modern design.

An Angled picture of Translucent clear Oakley BXTR sunglasses with Purple lenses
Photo: Source
Box and extra nose piece for BXTR sunglasses in a Matte Clear / Prizm Violet colorway
Photo: Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I purchase Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses?

Oakley BXTR Metal Sunglasses are available for purchase on Oakley’s official website (Linked here) as well as from select authorized retailers. But, if you’re looking to save, you’ll want to check out secondary markets like our Oakley Forum Exchange and eBay. You can find up to 30% off retail prices through these sites.

Are Oakley BXTR Replacement Lenses Available?

Currently, Oakley is not selling replacement lenses for the BXTR on their website or in stores. However, this isn’t uncommon for newer models. We’ve typically seen Oakley start selling replacement lenses 6-9 months after a frame’s release.

Because this frame is so new, replacement lenses aren’t even available from aftermarket suppliers, but we expect them to be soon. Most aftermarket lens makers add new models fairly quickly, so keep an eye out over the next month or two for replacements.

Are BXTR Sunglasses Good For Sports?

While the BXTR sunglasses are primarily designed as lifestyle eyewear, they can be used for certain sports like cycling or running. However, since they aren’t specifically sports frames, we wouldn’t recommend them for more intense sports like baseball, soccer, or shooting. If you’re looking for a sports frame with a similar look, we’d recommend Oakley Radar or Encoder sunglasses.

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