Oakley SI Ballistic Shocktube Sunglasses are purpose built for those on the frontline, but do they stand up to test?
Table of Contents
Background
As with any Oakley Standard Issue product, there are retailers who sell the Oakley SI Ballistic Shocktube online. Pricing starts at $180 and goes up to $210. Of course, direct from the SI site would be cheaper if you qualify.
Keep reading for our complete Oakley Ballistic Shocktube review.
Oakley SI Ballistic Shocktube Review
Product Link: https://www.oakleysi.com/en-us/product/888392182890
First Impressions
I’m thrilled to find this does in fact use Pit Boss 2/Twenty XX nosebombs. So I immediately swapped a set in. The fit is generally snug, as you’d expect. But it’s pretty cool as this follows suit with the M Frame Alpha in ditching the earsocks.
So far it seems the details in the stem were really just there, to be there.
Frame and Design
I just got my pair in, and so I definitely wanted to touch on the supposed polished black pair. As listed on some distributor’s websites, and shown in these pics, it’s actually matte black. Plus it comes with a microfiber bag and bolt tool.
The SI Shocktube offers a full-frame design comprised of lightweight O Matter material. This frame meets MIL PRF 32432 standards which means military and law enforcement can use the pair on duty. And this was one of our favorite Oakley military sunglasses too.
The Shocktube design is similar to the Jawbone and Racing Jacket. Featuring thin earstems, the frame is designed to be compatible with military helmets and headgear.
Per the Oakley SI product page:
DESCRIPTION
Forged with protection, shaped with industrial style, and built for speed, SI Shocktube brings ballistic capability to new levels. Fully compliant with the ballistic and optical standards of MIL PRF 32432, SI Shocktube is composed of an upper and lower jaw to maximize impact protection. Simple lens exchange with an included hex-key, the product allows the user to swap lenses seamlessly. An Unobtainium™ nosepiece and thin ear stems makes SI Shocktube adaptable for the active needs of Military, Law Enforcement, or recreational shooting.
• Plutonite® Lenses offer top UV Protection filtering 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm
• Patented High Definition Optics® (HDO®) provides superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision at every angle
• Three-Point Fit holds lenses in precise optical alignment while eliminating pressure points common with frames that hook the ears
• O-Matter™ stress-resistant frame material is both lightweight and durable for all-day comfort and protection
Size and Dimensions
The Oakley Shocktube is a medium to large size frame which should fit well on most faces. We’ve included the size and dimensions below for your reference:
- Lens Height: 41mm
- Lens Width: 62mm
- Bridge: 17mm
- Earstems: 132mm
- Frame Width: 141mm
Shocktube Lenses
Lens size is more or less the same, with the corners squared more to effectively open more viewing area. I can’t really say it’s a major player for bigger faces. The closest comparison I have is the PB2. Both the resting height and angle are similar, and I guess that’s also due to the use of the same nosebombs.
One thing really (and literally) sticking out to me about the Shocktube is how the bolt area/back corner hits my cheeks/temple. The frame is a bit thicker than the Jawbone, and I assume with functional reason. But man I’d really like to take a file to that area to round it out because I can imagine that really digging in upon impact. But that’s just my own face. Now, this may ultimately be a non-issue for others. But I’d recommend trying them on first if you can.
I have not disassembled this pair. Literally just got my hands on it within about an hour of this post so I really don’t want to live out a potential spinning bolt nightmare off the bat. There’s that, and I have no lenses to swap in any way. Because the Shocktube has a dedicated design, I don’t see myself exploring custom cuts. It just takes away from the original intentions of the pair.
Colorways
Currently, Oakley offers the following SKUs/Colorways through Standard Issue:
- OO9329-01 Matte Black /Grey
- OO9329-02 Matte Black/TR22 (Prizm)
- OO9329-03 Matte Black/TR45 Titanium Iridium (Prizm) (Not shown on SI site)
- OO9329-04 Terrain Tan/Grey
- OO9329-05 Matte Black+Red Icon/Black Iridium (listed as Polished Black frame)
Final Thoughts
For the money (at retail), this likely isn’t the first option, given accessibility to try it on and little lens options. I really believe some edges need to be chamfered to make it feel more finished as well. For shooters, there really is no reason to take this over the M-Alpha and other sport pairs, but if you want a somewhat subtle pair that meets ballistic fragmentation standards, this would be it.
I really just got this for that novelty (and I mean no disrespect to people who actually need this level of protection), and because it compliments my Jawbone of similar silhouette and colorway. More of a “remix” than an upgrade for the civilian customer, like when the Batman costume gets reintroduced (save for the nipples version).
Note: This post was originally posted by member Ventruck, and has been adapted for this article with additional details added. Credit to member Ventruck for his amazing review.
