We review everything to know about the Oakley Oil Rig I and Oil Rig II Sunglasses!
Table of Contents
Background and History
Oakley Oil Rigs sunglasses are the original frame where fashion meets function. Released in early 2008, Oakley capitalized on a pop culture obsessed with Hollywood.
American rapper, singer, and songwriter, T-Pain worked with Oakley to create his very own signature Oil Rigs.
Eventually even creating the T-Pain signature series Oil Rig featuring a white frame and black Iridium lenses.
Following the initial release, Oakley quickly followed up with the Oil Rig II frame less than 9 months after.
Keep reading for our full Oakley Oil Rig review. Plus answers to your top questions!
Oakley Oil Rig Sunglasses Review
Frame and Deisgn
Both the Oakley Oil Rig I and II frame are made out of Oakley’s lightweight O Matter material. The frames on these frames are full-rimmed, meaning they surround the entire lens as compared to half-rimmed frames such as the Half Jacket and Radar.
These are definitely a large frame for large faces with the full width measuring around 132mm.
Another key element you’ll notice is the lack of Unobtainium. Neither Oil Rig frame features any rubber elements such as earsocks and nose pads.
This means you may not find these as comfortable as some other Oakleys such as sport pairs.
However, this isn’t uncommon for Oakley lifestyle pairs such as the Gascan and Holbrook.
Additionally, the Oil Rig does feature interchangeable icons on the earstems. This is an easy and quick customization you can make to your Oakleys without blowing the bank.
Lenses
Oakley Oil Rig lenses feature a single visor lens that stretches across the frame. And like almost all modern Oakleys, the lens is made of impact-resistant Plutonite.
Unfortunately, you won’t find any of Oakley’s latest technology such as Prizm Lenses in these sunglasses. And since this is a proprietary technology you won’t find them in the aftermarket either. But there are still plenty of options.
But even without Prizm, Oil Rig polarized and Iridium lenses are still available.
Plus you can easily replace the lenses and even replace lenses between the Oil Rig I and Oil Rig II frames.
Size and Dimensions
The Oil Rig is a large Oakley frame thats great for big and wide heads. We’ve included the Oil Rig dimensions below for reference:
- Frame Width: 130mm
- Temple Length: 129mm
- Lens Width: 128m
- Lens Height: 40mm
Original Colorways
The Oil Rig I sunglasses were available in 14 colorways starting at $115. While the Oil Rig II sunglasses were sold in 19 colorways starting at $115.
We’ve listed the complete list of colors below for reference.
| Oil Rig I Colorway (Frame / Lens) | Original Price |
|---|---|
| Brown Smoke / Tungsten Iridium | $125 |
| Grey Smoke / Black Iridium | $125 |
| Polished Black / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Polished Black / G40 Black Gradient | $125 |
| Polished Black / Ruby Iridium | $135 |
| Polished Black / Warm Grey | $115 |
| Polished Black and Ghost Text / Black Iridium | $125 |
| Polished Clear / Chrome Iridium | $135 |
| Polished Rootbeer / Bronze Polarized | $195 |
| Polished White / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Polished White / Grey | $135 |
| Shadow Camo / Grey Polarized | $195 |
| White Text / Ruby Iridium | $135 |
| White and Black Text w/ Grey | $115 |
| Oil Rig II Colorway (Frame / Lens) | Original Price |
|---|---|
| Brown Smoke / Tungsten Iridium | $125 |
| Frost Blue and Silver History Text / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Matte Black / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Matte Clear / Ice Iridium | $125 |
| Matte Clear and Black History Text / Black Iridium | $125 |
| Polished Black / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Polished Black / Black Iridium Polarized | $200 |
| Polished Black / Emerald Iridium | $140 |
| Polished Black / Ice Iridium Polarized | $200 |
| Polished Black / Ruby Iridium | $140 |
| Polished Black / Warm Grey | $115 |
| Polished Black and Silver Ghost Text / Black Iridium | $125 |
| Polished Clear / Chrome Iridium | $125 |
| Polished Rootbeer / Bronze Polarized | $195 |
| Polished White / Black Iridium | $135 |
| Shadow Camo / Grey Polarized | $195 |
| White with Text / Grey | $115 |
Are Oakley Oil Rig Replacement Lenses Available?
Yes, replacement Oil Rig lenses are available through Oakley’s website starting at $70.
But if you’re looking to save, you’re not out of luck.
Luckily you can find several aftermarket lens suppliers with plenty of colors available. And they often are available starting at just $15.
For a complete comparison of your best options check out our full Oakley Replacement Lens guide.
Oil Rig I vs. Oil Rig II Sunglasses
As we mentioned above, the Oakley Oil Rig I and II sunglasses are very similar, but there are some key differences. Both sunglasses feature a large visor-like lens that is interchangeable between pairs.
They also feature similar but slightly different earstems. While the general shape across both pairs is the same. You’ll notice the Oil Rig II features the “Castle” O Icon, compared to the Oil Rig I’s standard O Icon.
While fairly minor this change does make a difference and gives the Oil Rig II a more aggressive styling compared to the original.
It also makes the Oil Rig II more difficult to fake which we’ll talk about in the next section.
How to Tell If Your Oil Rigs Are Real?
Like most Oakleys the Oil Rig sunglasses are a popular frame with a high price tag, meaning that unfortunately people will fake them.
Fortunately, there are several ways to determine if a pair of sunglasses are real or fake which we’ve covered in our How to Spot Fake Oakleys Guide.
Where to Buy Oil Rig Sunglasses?
Oakley Oil Rig sunglasses can be purchased from a variety of different retailers. Of course, you can purchase them directly from the Oakley website, but currently only limited colorways are available.
If you’re looking for additional colors or to save on a pair you’ll want to check out aftermarket sites such as eBay or the Exchange areas here with over 300K posts!
Final Thoughts – Are They Worth It?
The Oil Rigs are an iconic pair. And while they’re definitely not for everyone, if you’re looking for a large visor frame and lens, this is definitely on the list.
These sunglasses have paved the way for generations of new frames that follow such as the Sutro and Kato. Now the question is, can we ever expect an Oil Rig III?
Only time will tell, but we are definitely a fan of the Oil Rig sunglasses for anyone who likes a big frame.
Have a question?
Do you love the Oil Rig or have a question? Let us know your thoughts or questions on these sunglasses in the thread below!
