Oakley Fuel Cell Sunglasses | Review & Guide

Introduced in 2009, the Oakley Fuel Cell is one of the most iconic Oakley styles still being produced.

The larger brother to the ever-popular Oakley Gascan the Fuel Cell is a home run for bigger faces.

Keep reading for our complete Oakley Fuel Cell review, plus everything to know about these sunglasses.

Oakley Fuel Cell Sunglasses Review

For this review, we wore a pair of Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses in Black Ink with Prizm Ruby lenses (Product Link).

This has consistently been one of our go-to pairs over the years thanks to their casual styling and shape.

Now let’s jump into our review.

Rectangular Design

Starting with the frame, you first notice the Fuel Cell’s thick-looking, rectangular design. But don’t take that in a bad way.

Instead, this design makes it a true lifestyle pair that can be worn in just about any setting. And that’s probably why this is a favorite frame amongst law enforcement officers and military alike.

Focusing on the Fuel Cell’s earstems, they offer a simple, curved, and tapered back look to ensure a snug, comfortable fit. And thanks to this frame’s curved lens geometry you have plenty of side protection for your peripheral vision.

Because of its size and rectangular shape, Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses generally look best on larger heads and people with oval or round faces. But remember it never hurts to try on a pair at the store even if you don’t fit into one of these categories.

O Matter Frame

The frame itself is made of lightweight and durable O Matter material. This nylon blend is most common on lifestyle frames like the Fuel Cell because it’s comfortable all day and can be easily cleaned.

For more information check out our full guide to Oakley O Matter frame material.

One material you won’t find on the Fuel Cell glasses – Unobtainium. Unlike sports pairs that typically have Unobtainium ear socks or nose pads for added grip, the Fuel Cell just uses the O Matter frame.

But honestly, it’s not missed on this frame. We still had no issues using our Fuel Cells for light activity and for a lifestyle frame you shouldn’t expect to be running a marathon in these.

Lenses

Oakley Fuel Cell lenses are made of the company’s impact-resistant Plutonite lens material featuring HD Optics (HDO) for clarity. This means they filter 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, plus harmful blue light up to 400nm.

The pair we reviewed featured Prizm Ruby lenses, which feature an awesome orange color plus plenty of innovation. That’s thanks to the contrast-enhancing, glare-reducing Prizm lens technology built into the lens.

We’ve already covered why we love Prizm Lens technology in our dedicated guide. But regardless, we had a great time with these lenses.

And depending on how much of a statement you want to make you can find Fuel Cell colorways with a wide range of lens options including Prizm Black and Prizm Deep Water Polarized. Plus you still have the option of Iridium and Oakley HDPolarized lenses.

Replaceable Icons

One of the unique features of this frame is the Fuel Cell’s replaceable icons. This means you can change the Oakley “O” icon on the temples of your frame.

You can easily change the icon by just simply pressing the icons in and out of the frame. They use a friction fit so you don’t need to use too much force here.

Size and Dimensions

As we mentioned earlier the Fuel Cell is a larger frame (bigger than the Gascan). We’ve included the exact specifications below so you can compare them to your favorite Oakley sunglasses:

• Frame Width: 127mm
• Temple Length: 130mm
• Bridge Height: 19mm
• Lens Height: 40.5mm
• Lens Width:  60mm

Limited and Special Editions

Since the Fuel Cells’ debut over a decade, Oakley has released countless special and limited edition Fuel Cell colorways that are a mix of art and science.

Some of our favorites include the Fuel Cell Artist series like Troy Lee and Don Pendleton and others like the Infinite Hero and Ducati.

Keep reading for our complete list of every colorway in the next section.

Colorways Available

We’ve included a complete listing of Fuel Cell sunglasses below for reference.

Final Thoughts – Our Review and Recommendation

We have worn the Fuel Cell off and on for a few years now, but for this review, we consistently wore this frame for the better part of a month. And we definitely continue to love this frame.

Despite the lack of Unobtainium, our Fuel Cells provided all-day comfort even during 10-hour days.

Overall we’d definitely recommend Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses for anyone who wants a large but casual frame for everyday life.

But if you need a sportier frame for baseball or running, you’re better going with Radar or Flak lineups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Oakley Fuel Cells Z87.1 Safety Glasses?

No, Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses do not meet ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses standards.

While the Fuel Cell’s lenses offer uncompromising protection and exceed Z87.1 impact resistance standards, the frame does not. This is typical of Oakley frames as only specifically stamped frames meet safety glasses standards.

If you’re looking for a similar style Oakley safety frame you’ll want to take a look at the Oakley Det Cord. This frame is stamped to meet ANSI standards and offers the same protective lenses made of Plutonite.

To learn more about Z87.1 compliant Oakley sunglasses check out our full guide to Oakley Safety glasses.

Can you Buy Prescription Fuel Cell Sunglasses?

Yes, you can buy prescription Oakley Fuel Cell sunglasses through Oakley’s website or your local eye doctor.

Oakley authentic prescription lenses are available for single vision and progressive prescriptions. Plus you have the option of purchasing Standard, Prizm Everyday, or Prizm Sport lenses in a variety of colors.

For more information check out our complete guide to ordering and buying Oakley prescription sunglasses and glasses.

Are Oakley Fuel Cell Replacement Lenses available?

Yes, Oakley Fuel Cell replacement lenses are currently sold directly through Oakley’s website (Product Link).

That means you can switch your old lenses for shiny new ones whenever you feel like it. And you can actually purchase a wider variety of replacement lenses than what is available in the current sunglasses options.

But if you’re looking to save on the $70+ replacement lenses from Oakley you have plenty of options.

Besides waiting for an Oakley seasonal sale, you can also purchase replacement Fuel Cell lenses from a variety of aftermarket suppliers. For a complete comparison check out our guide to the Best Oakley Replacement Lenses.

Where to Buy Oakley Fuel Cell Sunglasses?

Since the Fuel Cell is a current frame style, you can buy them directly from Oakley’s website and authorized retailers (Product Link) starting at $122 for the regular clear lenses and up to $182 for Prizm Polarized.

But if you’re looking to save you also have plenty of options. You can often save 30%+ off new Oakleys through aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange and eBay.

For more information check out our guide to Never Paying Retail Again for Oakleys. And be sure to sign up for the Oakley MVP Program where you’ll get early access to promo codes, special offers, and discounts!

Plus if you’re looking for sold-out or discontinued Fuel Cells, be sure to read our guide to buying and selling used Oakleys.

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