After rumors first surfaced back in July, Oakley’s all-new surf-inspired Hydra sunglasses just hit store shelves. Inspired by the original Oakley Razor Blades, the Hydra brings an aggressive retro design to the sunglasses lineup.
Keep reading as we review everything to know about the new Oakley Hydra sunglasses.
Table of Contents
Oakley Hydra Highlights
- Design inspired by the original Oakley Razor Blades
- Made of Lightweight BiO-Matter frame material
- 3-point fit for all-day comfort
- Available with contrast-enhancing Prizm lenses
Oakley Hydra Sunglasses Review
Design and Styling
The first thing you’ll notice about the new Hydra sunglasses is their design. Inspired by the original Razor Blades, the Hydra features a semi-rimless cylindrical lens shape with an aggressive yet retro look.
To us, the Hydra almost looks like a combination of the Razor Blade and Radar sunglasses. One of our favorite design elements on these sunglasses is the earstems. While not a copy of the classic trigger stems, Oakley is calling it a modern take on that design. All we know is they look fantastic!
You’ll also notice Oakley’s B1B logo on the earstems, adding to this frame’s retro styling. This is one of our favorite Oakley logos, so we love to see it make an appearance on a retro-inspired frame.
Frame and Lens Material
One of the most interesting features of the Hydra is the frame material itself. Oakley Hydra sunglasses are made of lightweight BiO-Matter frame material. BiO-Matter is Oakley’s newest frame material, based on the original O-Matter formula but made from bio-based materials that have a 56% bio-based carbon content. This makes the Hydra not only lightweight but also environmentally friendly.
In addition to the BiO-Matter frame, the Hydra also features Oakley’s 3-point fit system. This system ensures a comfortable and secure fit for all-day wear.
The Hydra’s lenses are made of standard Plutonite material that provides durability, impact resistance and clarity.
Prizm Lenses
Like all modern Oakleys, these sunglasses come with Prizm lenses. These lenses are designed to enhance color, contrast, and detail. This makes them ideal for any activity, whether you’re surfing, biking, or just hanging out at the beach.
We’ve already reviewed Prizm lenses pretty extensively, so we won’t talk about them too much here, but we do love the colors available in the Hydra. Currently, you can find some of our favorite lenses, such as Prizm Sapphire, Prizm Violet, and Prizm Tungsten.
Available Colorways
Currently, Oakley Hydra sunglasses (Linked here) are available in five different colorways, which we’ve listed below. And all of these options come with Oakley’s signature Prizm lenses, which are designed to enhance color, contrast, and detail.
- Trans Artic Surf / Prizm Sapphire
- Black Ink / Prizm Black
- Crystal Black / Prizm Violet
- Neon Orange / Prizm Sapphire
- Rootbeer / Prizm Tungsten
And for any keen-eyed readers, no, that’s not a misspelling of Artic. Oakley has named the color “Artic.”
Size and Dimensions
The Hydra is classified as an extra-large frame size by Oakley, but it is slightly smaller than other large frames like the Sutro. Still, this frame will work best for people with bigger heads or if you’re looking for maximum coverage.
We’ve included the full dimensions below for reference:
Oakley Hydra Dimensions
- Lens Height: 52.7mm
- Arm Length: 135mm
- Frame Width: 137mm
- Nose Bridge: 37mm
Bottom Line
We’re excited by the Oakley Hydra, especially with some awesome colorways available. If you’re looking to make a statement, check out the Trans Artic Surf frame that offers a translucent cyan color.
Regardless, with its retro design and Prizm lenses, the Hydra is sure to turn heads. And, with its lightweight BiO-Matter frame and comfortable 3-point fit, you can wear them all day!
What are your thoughts on the new Oakley Hydra sunglasses? Let us know in the comments below!
