Learn what Oakley Low Bridge Fit is, how they compare to standard frames and why it’s all Science!
What is Oakley Low Bridge (Asian) Fit?
You may have seen Oakley Low Bridge fit (Previously known as Asian or Asia Fit) on the Oakley website and wondered what exactly it is? Well, it’s actually not that complicated:
Oakley Low Bridge Fit versions of sunglasses are adapted to be more comfortable for people with high cheekbones, a flatter nose, and a shorter distance between the nose and ears.
These traits are commonly found in Asian people versus other races, hence the previous name for these sunglasses – Asian Fit. However, in an effort to be more inclusive, Oakley recently renamed this style to Low Bridge fit.
Keep reading as we break down exactly how Oakley Low Bridge Fit compares to Standard fit and the frame-specific differences!
Asia vs. Asian Fit vs. Low Bridge Fit – Which is Right?
Originally, Oakley used the term “Asia Fit” and Not “Asian Fit,” but it was commonly referred to as Asian Fit amongst wearers.
According to Wade Cleveland, the firm’s eyewear business unit manager, Oakley has received several complaints about the moniker Asian fit, primarily via customer letters. “A long time ago, we tried to use the term ‘alternative fit,’ and that turned out to be worse,” he says.
Now it seems the company has reversed course and officially renamed this style to “Low Bridge” fit across their lineup. You’ll no longer find any references to Asian fit on Oakley’s website.
Oakley Low Bridge Fit vs. Standard Fit Sunglasses
Oakley Low Bridge fit compared to Standard fit will vary from frame to frame (more on that below). But generally, Low Bridge fit will modify one or many parts of your sunglasses, including:
- Larger Nose Pads – Low Bridge fit nosepads are longer and larger than the standard parts. This provides additional surface area and grip for sitting on a flatter nose.
- Increased Earstem Wrap / Curve– Some Low Bridge fit earstems may be longer and/or feature an increased frame wrap or curve to better grip your face (we’ve highlighted these pairs below)
- Shorter Lenses – To accommodate higher cheekbones, some Low Bridge fit Oakleys feature shorter lenses compared to the standard frame.
- Different Colorways / Lens Colors – While not directly related to fit, there are several Low Bridge Fit frames that feature unique colorways or lens tints. Ruben Suarez suggests that the lighter lens colors of Low Bridge Fit appear because, in Asia, it’s disrespectful not to be able to see one’s eyes.
Keep reading as we review the top frame-specific differences between Oakley Low Bridge Fit and Standard Fit models.
Which Frames Have Exclusive Differences?
As we mentioned above Low Bridge fit differences vary from frame to frame. This means some of the older Low Bridge Fit styles actually have a different frame geometry, so beware when swapping lenses without checking! If the frame angles are slightly different, they’ll likely need different lenses due to the XYZ optics positioning.
Low Bridge fit Oakleys will typically just have different-sized nosepieces, but it does vary from model to model. After 2005, Oakley released different size sports nosepieces for Low Bridge fit as well.
Low Bridge Fit Oakleys With Exclusive Differences (besides Nosepieces)
Some pairs of Low Bridge Fit Oakleys have differences beyond the standard larger nosepiece; these pairs include:
- A-Frame – Has different frame geometry at the bridge
- Badman – Has a different geometry, and Lenses are not interchangeable. Asian Fit Badman also has a base curvature of 6 vs. standard fit base curve of 8.75
- Fives Squared – Asia Fit lenses will fit in normal frames (albeit slightly looser), but not vice versa, they have a different frame geometry
- Fives Squared 3.0 – Has a different frame geometry
- Flak 1.0 – Frame curvature is flatter than a standard fit
- Flak 2.0 – Frame is a different size/curvature
- Flak Draft – Frame is a different size. The Asia Fit lenses are longer where it fits into the frame. Meaning Asia fit lenses won’t fit into a regular Flak Draft, and regular lenses are loose in a Flak Draft Asia Fit.
- Flak Jackets – Available in different colorways
- Frogskins – Features a deeper nose bridge and different colorway available. Additionally, the earstems are also shorter.
- Garage Rock – Has a different frame geometry
- Gascans – Has a different frame geometry and the lenses are have a different Base Curve . The lenses are much shorter than standard Gascans, so they won’t fit. Nosepiece is deeper and flatter. Some of the different models were: brown smoke/gold clear, dark olive/black clear gradient, polished white/warm grey.
- Goggles – Typically have an extra pad at the nose region.
- Grapevine – Has a different frame geometry. Also, Asia Fit lenses are smaller so can’t be swapped.
- Hatchet Wires – Available in different colorways and has a different nosepiece.
- Holbrook – Lenses are interchangeable but note that the frame sizes were different across generations. They also had different color combos per the guide here.
- Jupiter – Has a different frame geometry
- Jupiter Squared – Features a larger nosepiece
- M2 – Has a higher cut edge of the lens to accommodate higher cheekbones
- PitBoss II – Nosepads different and can substitute on the Badman/Madman frames too! Quick tip – Nosepieces can be flipped upside down on the normal pairs to make them “Asia Fit”! Check out Linegear Japan’s overview here of different sized notepads for the Madman.
- Pit Bull – Has thicker molded irremovable nosepiece
- Radars – Frame is slightly wider
- Radar – EV Asia Fit lenses are Shorter than normal fit lenses. They also sit Wider on the head as well as having the larger nosepiece and lenses are not as tall.
- Riddle – Has different frame geometry. Lenses are not interchangeable. AF Riddle lenses are smaller (tony2win, O-review.com)
- Straightlink – A flatter frame as well as different nosepieces
- Straight Jacket – has thicker molded irremovable nosepiece
- Unknowns – have different colorways (Dan, O-review.com) but lenses are interchangeable (Icon208, O-review.com)
- Wisdom – Has a different frame geometry
Low Bridge Fit Oakleys With Larger Nosepiece(s)
Unlike the pairs above, many Oakley frames are the same across Standard and Low Bridge fit, with just a larger nosepiece being the only difference. We’ve highlighted these frames below:
- EV Zero
- Fast Jackets
- Flak 2.0
- Half Jacket
- Jawbreaker
- Pitbull
- Racing Jacket
- Radarlock
- Romeo 2
- Scalpels
- Script
- Spike – Has a thicker nose pad with a longer adjustment wire (unchangeable)
- Split Jacket
- Splice – Lenses are interchangeable
- Straight Jackets, New
- Wind Jacket
What frames are the Best Fits For Asian Faces?
Good: Big Square Wire, Crosshair, Half Jacket, Dartboard, Mainlink (with Triggerman Low Bridge nosepieces), Minute, Monster dog, (Pro) M-frame, Racing Jacket, Juliet, Penny Straight Jacket (It’s good for a wide head), Twenty (XX), Unknown (Asia Fit), and Warden
Bad: Frogskins (normal), Gascan, Mars, Plate, Riddle (Asia Fit) Teaspoon, most Wires pairs like the Wire Tap 2.0 and C Wire
Editors Note: This post has been adapted from Asia Fit / Low Bridge Fit Guru and Member Cacatman’s original post here.