Released in 2019, the Oakley Gibston sunglasses are a no-frills performance lifestyle frame with the best Oakley technology. Keep reading for our complete Oakley Gibston review to find out how this frame stands up to everyday life.
Table of Contents
Oakley Gibston Sunglasses Review
Frame and Design
We got our hands on a pair of Polished Clear Gibston sunglasses with Sapphire Iridium Lenses. And overall we were not disappointed. But this pair still might not be for everyone. Keep reading to find out why.
First, the Gibston sunglasses feature a full-frame rectangular design, with a large wrap. The outside lower corners of the frame feature distinct angles giving the edges added height. This design is basic and definitely won’t turn any heads walking down the street, which has its pros and cons.
Oakley markets the sunglasses as “hat compatible”, but we haven’t had too many issues in this department in the past. Overall we’d chalk that “feature” up to smart marketing more than the next great thing.
The Gibston frame itself is made of O Matter material. O-Matter is Oakley’s proprietary nylon plastic that’s flexible, durable, and lightweight. But unlike sport pairs like the Fast Jacket, the Gibston doesn’t have any Unobtainium nose pads or earsocks.
These Unobtainium pieces usually provide grip to keep your sunglasses on your face when wet or sweaty. We wore the Gibston for an entire day and honestly didn’t miss the Unobtainium. But, we also weren’t doing any running or sports. If you’re already a fan of the Gascan, Fuel Cell, or other lifestyle frames that lack Unobtainium you should be fine here.
Size and Dimensions
The Gibston is best for small or medium-sized heads and faces. Oakley considers the frame to be a men’s small or medium and a women’s medium. We’ve included the size and dimensions below for reference.
- Frame Width: 130 mm
- Lens Width: 60 mm
- Lens Height: 38 mm
- Bridge: 17 mm
- Temple Length: 132 mm
For more information check out our complete Oakley Sunglasses Size guide!
Lenses
Oakley Gibston lenses are made of Plutonite material. This proprietary Oakley material provides excellent impact resistance and clarity. Plutonite also offers protection from damaging UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, and blue light. Plus the Gibston lenses are available with Prizm options.
Oakley Prizm lenses provide unparalleled contrast enhancement and clarity. This technology was originally designed for sports. But over the last few years, Oakley has rolled out Prizm lenses for almost every frame.
We reviewed a pair of Gibston sunglasses featuring Prizm Sapphire Iridium lenses. Prizm Sapphire is designed specifically for bright light conditions. And they definitely live up to the hype. The lenses not only filter out light but also increase contrast and enhance color. The result is a rich, detailed visual field.
Keep reading to for every Gibston colorway and how you can get prescription lenses in your sunglasses!
Available Colorways
The Gibston (Product Link) is currently available in 6 colorways, all featuring Prizm lenses. We’ve listed the available colorways below for reference:
| Colorways (Frame / Lens) | Original Price |
|---|---|
| Black Ink / Prizm Ruby Iridium Polarized | $172 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Black | $142 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Jade | $142 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Sapphire Polarized | $172 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Violet Polarized | $172 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Black Polarized | $172 |
| Polished Black / Prizm Grey | $122 |
| Polished Clear / Prizm Sapphire Iridium | $143 |
| Polished Rootbeer / Prizm Bronze | $122 |
| Olive Ink / Prizm Tungsten | $142 |
Are Prescription Gibston Lenses Available?
Yes, prescription Gibston lenses are available through Oakley or your local eye doctor. And this frame is actually deep enough to fit progressive lenses. You can even have Prizm prescription lenses made if you order through Oakley. For more information check out our complete Oakley Prescription Sunglasses and Glasses guide.
Are Replacement Gibston Lenses Available?
It’s a bit complicated. Currently, Oakley doesn’t sell replacement lenses for the Gibston. Unfortunately, this seems to be a new trend with the latest Oakley releases. And it’s unclear if Oakley plans to release replacement lenses but don’t worry you still have options.
Luckily aftermarket Gibston lenses are available from several lens suppliers online. Plus these lenses often less than half as much as Oakley’s authentic lenses. Be sure to also check out our complete Oakley replacement lens guide for our comparison of your top options!
Where to Buy Oakley Gibston Sunglasses?
Currently, the Gibston is available directly through Oakley (Product Link) starting at $142. If you can find an Oakley sale you can often get 20-30% off this price too!
But there are still plenty of other options to save too. Since the Gibston is a current frame you can usually find them discounted on aftermarket sites. With a few minutes of searching, we found new Gibstons for $95, almost 40% off! Your best options to save are sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange areas and eBay. For full details, be sure to read our guide to Never Pay Retail For Oakleys Again!
Final Thoughts
The Gibston is a high-quality, simple frame with excellent coverage and protection. You won’t find any crazy disruptive design like the OTT or Kato. But if you’re looking for something you can wear every day with a basic design, this may be it. And the contrast-enhancing Prizm lenses make this frame that much better.
Overall, We’d recommend this frame for anyone wanting a quality, classic, simple pair of sunglasses. And if you’re a fan of the Gibston, be sure to also check out the Drop Point sunglasses. Featuring a similar design, both are great options for basic frames.
Are you a fan of the Oakley Gibston? Or have a question? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the thread below!
