Combining tactical with lifestyle, the Oakley Det Cord Sunglasses offer superior ballistic protection with a relaxed look similar to the ever-popular Gascan.
Keep reading for our full Oakley Det Cord review and options available to see how this pair is worth every penny for those who need the protection!
Table of Contents
Oakley Det Cord Sunglasses Review
Our Gear
We tried a pair of Oakley Standard Issue (SI) Infinite Hero Ballistic Det Cord sunglasses in Matte Black with Prizm Grey lenses for our review. And while we thought they would be an upgraded version of the Fuel Cell, we were actually impressed.
Keep reading for the full review.
Det Cord Highlights
- Full-frame lightweight O Matter frame material design that provides all-day comfort
- Thin stem technology that provides comms-compatible ear stems so you can stay connected in the field
- Meets MIL-SPEC MIL PRF 32432 and exceeds ANSI Z87.1 (2015) to provide high-mass and high-velocity impact protection
- Unobtainium nosepiece for maximum grip even when wet or sweaty
- Impact-resistant lenses made of Plutonite lens material that are scratch resistant and block 100% of UV rays (UVA, UVB and UVC)
- Available with Clear and Prizm contrast-enhancing lens options in a variety of tints
- 8.75 Base lens geometry with High Definition Optics (HDO) for superior clarity and accurate vision
- Made in the USA as a part of Oakley’s Industrial Collection
Frame and Design
Starting with its frame, the Oakley Det Cord features a full-frame O Matter design that honestly looks incredibly similar to the popular Fuel Cell. Both feature full rim designs with wide earstems, but there are some critical differences to the Det Cord.
First, the Det Cord differs from other top Military glasses that typically feature a shield-style design like the M Frame. And what truly separates the Det Cord is its ballistic classification meeting MIL-SPEC standards in addition to some pairs meeting ANSI Z87.1 Safety Standards.
This also means the frame and lenses qualify as official safety glasses for most occupations as well.
Comms Compatible Earstems
While the Det Cord’s earstems are similar to the Gascan or Fuel Cell in design, they’re built explicitly for comms compatibility with military packages. This means you won’t have any issue wearing earpieces connected to Joint Tactical Radio Systems in the field.
And the earstems, like the frame, are made of lightweight O-Matter material, so you won’t have any issues with grip, even when wet or sweaty.
Similar to most Standard Issue pairs, the colorways available are very functional. Currently, the Det Cord is available in Matte Black or Desert Tan frame colors.
Impact-Resistant Lenses
Since the Oakley Det Cord is built for aggressive environments and covert capabilities at its core, it’s no surprise its lenses deliver too.
First, the Oakley Det Cord Lenses are fully compliant with the ballistic and optical standards of MIL PRF32432 and ANSI Z87.1. These standards state that the lenses can protect your eyes from small projectiles or fragments.
And thanks to these designations, the Det Cord Sunglasses are on the U.S military Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL).
Luckily we didn’t need to try this feature of the Det Cord, but Oakley is known as an innovator in eyewear protection, so we have no doubts about its performance!
Anti-Fogging Coating and Prizm Lenses
Oakley also touts these lenses to include an anti-fogging coating, but you’ll still need to clean them during active use to keep them in ideal condition. Since we don’t typically see a big fogging issue with our Fuel Cells, we didn’t notice the feature much in the Det Cord.
Currently, Oakley Det Cord lenses are available in pretty standard colors like Clear, Grey, and Prizm Grey. As we mentioned above, our review pair featured Prizm Grey lenses which we enjoyed. We won’t cover too much Prizm technology since we’ve covered it in our complete in-depth guide here.
But overall, we had a great time with this lens. And you can easily swap lenses in the Det Cord thanks to the friction fit lenses. This means if you’re using these as safety glasses, you can quickly change between Prizm Grey for outdoors and Clear lenses for indoors.
Size and Dimensions
The Oakley Det Cord is a medium to large frame. That means it will likely have a slightly oversized look on average size heads, while on larger size heads, it will have a more standard look.
We’ve included the full size and dimensions below for reference:
- Lens Height: 41.3mm
- Lens Width: 60.8mm
- Bridge: 18mm
- Temple Length: 135mm
- Frame Width: 130mm
Our Review – Are They Worth It?
Yes, we’d recommend the Oakley Det Cord for Military, LEO, or anyone needing a durable pair of safety glasses. While we described the Gascan as an interesting relationship, the Det Cord’s design and features make this piece of eyewear a home run!
We had a great time at the range with the Det Cord and had no problem wearing them down the street after without looking like law enforcement from a mile away. This frame is light, comfortable, and just plain works.
All around, the Det Cord is a winner and worth the investment if you’re looking for sunglasses that are durable, lightweight, and can transition from on-duty to off.
Oakley Det Cord vs. Gascan vs. Fuel Cell – What’s the Difference?
As we mentioned many times in our review, the Oakley Det Cord is very similar to the Oakley Gascan and Fuel Cell. So when we saw this frame, our first thought was – Is this the military version of the Fuel Cell?
And while all three pairs do feature very similar designs, we’ve highlighted some key differences below.
Overall, the Gascan is the smallest of the three, with the Fuel Cell and Det Cord being similar sizes. However, what really separates the Det Cord apart is designation as safety glasses and military features like comms compatibility. And while Oakley SI versions of the Gascan and Fuel Cell introduce some of these features, the Det Cord is the complete package.
Check out the graphic below to see the differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Buy Oakley Det Cord Sunglasses?
You can buy Oakley Det Cord sunglasses through Oakley.com and Oakley Standard Issue, O’s exclusive military discount program. However, the colors/options available through each site will vary.
Oakley’s public website offers the Industrial Det Cord Safety Glasses and Det Cord PPE, which feature clear lenses. While through Oakley SI, there are a variety of colorways and lenses available, including Desert and Black frames with Prizm Grey, Grey, and Clear lenses.
So what should you do? Especially if you don’t qualify for Oakley SI? Well, you’re not out of luck.
You can still find the Oakley SI Det Cords through several retailers online and in-store, though inventory will vary. Ours is even available on Amazon direct from Oakley. If you’re having trouble buying the version of the Det Cord you need, you’ll want to check out aftermarket areas such as the OakleyForum.com exchange areas, where you can find rare, sold out or discounted Oakleys.
Read more in our complete guide to buying Oakley sunglasses.
Where to Buy Oakley Det Cord Replacement Lenses?
Currently, you can’t buy Det Cord replacement lenses from Oakley or Oakley SI. While it’s not completely surprising since the brand has moved away from offering replacement lenses for every frame, we would expect it for such utility sunglasses.
But you’re not out of luck. You can still buy Det Cord replacement lenses through various aftermarket suppliers. However, you’ll want to inspect the quality and specifications of the lenses since they can vary wildly on the aftermarket and may not meet ANSI/MIL-SPEC or other industrial standards.
For more information, check out our comparison of the best Oakley replacement lenses.
Are Prescription Det Cord Lenses Available?
Unfortunately, prescription Det Cord lenses are not available through Oakley or Oakley SI. But you’re not completely out of luck.
Since the Det Cord has a fairly standard 8.75 base lens curve geometry, some prescription eyewear websites or even your local eye doctor may be able to cut prescription lenses.
From a quick search, we found several websites offering Det Cord glasses for prescriptions ranging from +4.00 to -6.00. And most offered Polycarbonate lenses with anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare and your eyes.
Have a Question?
Are you looking for answers about the Oakley Det Cord sunglasses? Or are you thinking of getting a pair? Then, join the most extensive online Oakley forum and let us know below!
