Re-released from the ’90s the Oakley Eye Jacket Redux is O’s answer to the Fast Shades Trend emerging in pop culture.
Keep reading for our complete Oakley Eye Jacket Redux review. Plus why this frame may be more about fashion than function.
Table of Contents
History and Release
With sunglasses going retro across pop culture, brands have begun to notice.
Now deemed the “Fast Shades” trend – in lay-man terms, throwback sunglasses with purposeful edge, clunkiness, and nostalgia. This is similar to the celebrities you’ve seen wearing what appears to be your Dad sneakers.
Oakley is deciding to capitalize on this trend by introducing the Oakley Eye Jacket Redux. And if these sound familiar you’re right. The Eye Jacket Redux is actually a re-release of the popular Eye Jacket sunglasses from the 1990s.
If you’re someone who hasn’t kept your original eye jackets perfectly cleaned over the years, or you’re looking to get into the Fast Shades trend, these may be the perfect pair for you.
But be sure to read our complete review before you go running to buy a pair of these sunglasses.
Oakley Eye Jacket Redux Review
As we mentioned, the Eye Jacket is a re-release of the popular frame by the same name.
Oakley describes the pair as:
Eye Jacket™ Redux, inspired by the original Eye Jacket that revolutionized the look of sport performance eyewear, features the same bold oval silhouette that first hit the scene in 1994 updated with today’s revolutionary technologies.
Regardless of the fast shades trend, we were excited to get our hands on the Eye Jacket redux. Our review pair featured the Planet X frame colorway (a blue camo of sorts) with Positive Red Iridium lenses.
Now let’s dive into this frame.
Frame and Design
The Eye Jacket Redux similar to the original frame features a full-frame design that is comprised of O Matter material with Unobtainium nosepads and temples.
Because of this, the frame is fairly light and comfortable for everyday wear.
From first putting on this frame, it definitely feels retro. You won’t find fancy Switchlock technology or any other gimmicks with these. What you see is what you get.
The frame overall gives us nostalgia reminding us of frames like the Minute or Valve sunglasses. But what we especially love about the Eye Jacket Redux are the sharp angles that definitely give the original Eye Jacket design an update.
Lenses
Similar to the frame, the Eye Jacket Redux lenses also got an update in this re-release.
The original frame featured standard iridium and polarized lenses. But with the Eye Jacket Redux, Oakley exclusively released the frame with Prizm lenses.
We’ve already covered how we love the contrast-enhancing Prizm technology, so we won’t go into too much on those here. But regardless it’s a nice update to bring this retro frame into the decade.
However, since Oakley is likely targeting the Eye Jacket Redux at fashion-forward wearers, we’re not too sure they really care about Prizm lenses. We’ll let you be the judge on that one.
Available Colorways
Currently, Oakley offers the Eye Jacket Redux in a variety of colors starting at $146.00 (Product Link). We’ve included a complete list of the colorways below:
| Colorway (Frame / Lens) | Original Price |
|---|---|
| Chemical Red / Prizm Sapphire | $143 |
| Corten / Prizm 24K Iridium Polarized | $193 |
| Green, Orange, Pink Fade / Prizm Ruby | $143 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Black | $108 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Grey | $143 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Grey Polarized | $143 |
| Matte Black with Green Fade / Prizm Black Iridium | $186 |
| Matte Clear / Prizm Low Light | $143 |
| Matte Shocking Pink Fade / Prizm Black Iridium | $186 |
| Matte Tortoise / Prizm Tungsten Polarized | $128 |
| Orange, Pink, and Blue Fade / Prizm Black Iridium | $143 |
| Planet X / Positive Red Iridium | $153 |
| Polished White / Prizm Black Iridium | $163 |
| Silver / Prizm Black Iridium Polarized | $193 |
| Standard Issue Blackside / Prizm Black Polarized | $128 |
You can also find the Eye Jacket Redux available in a Blackside(re: Matte Black)/Prizm Black Polarized colorway exclusively through Oakley Standard Issue – the exclusive military discount program.
Final Thoughts – Are They Worth It?
This isn’t the first re-release we’ve seen in recent years, though this is much more retro than others.
Hopefully, Oakley will continue this trend of re-releasing popular retro pairs as we certainly can’t get enough.
Overall if you’re looking for a classic 90’s pair or the “Fast Shades” trend at premium quality, the Eye Jacket is right for you.
Otherwise, if you’re looking for a more modern simple frame you’ll be better off with pairs like the Holbrook or Manorburn.
Are Eye Jacket Redux Replacement Lenses Available?
Yes, Oakley offers replacement Eye Jacket Redux lenses (Direct Link), however the color choices are limited.
This is certainly not a pair that you’d expect to swap lenses regularly. So if you’re purchasing lenses, it’s likely due to damage to your originals.
But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.
And if you’re looking to save, you’ll want to also look at aftermarket suppliers where you can find replacement lenses for more than 50% off compared to Oakley. For more information check out our complete guide and comparison to Oakley replacement lenses here.
How to Replace Eye Jacket Lenses?
Replacing your lenses on the Eye Jacket is relatively easy with the right touch. Like most other full-frame Oakley’s, they use a friction grip.
To replace your lenses simply follow the 3 easy steps below:
- First, firmly grip the frame within the palm of your hand
- Lightly pull apart the frame around the lens (from the top and bottom) while using your thumbs to apply light pressure to the lens until it “pops out”
- Now with the new lens, simply reverse the process, gripping the frame and applying pressure to insert the new lens
Where to Buy Oakley Eye Jacket Redux Sunglasses?
If you’re looking to buy the Eye Jacket Redux your first stop is likely Oakley or other Luxottica outlets like SunglassHut.
This pair consistently goes on sale for 30-50% off through Oakley when they run holiday sales or offer discounts through their MVP Loyalty Program.
But if Oakley isn’t running a sale, you’re still not out of luck. You can often find new releases like the Eye Jacket for 20-30% off through aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange or eBay.
For more information on how to save, check out our guide to Never Pay Retail Again for Oakleys.
Looking for More Information?
Are you a fan of the Eye Jacket Redux? Or have a question about your Oakleys? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the thread below.
