Buying Oakley sunglasses can be overwhelming at first. But, since the company’s start, it’s always focused on technology and innovation.
The result is a lot of patents, technology, and terms that may be unfamiliar to first-time buyers.
But it doesn’t need to be hard! Follow along as we review everything to know when buying Oakley sunglasses.
Table of Contents
What to Look for When Buying Oakley Sunglasses?
When you’re buying Oakleys, there are four key elements when choosing the pair that’s right for you:
- Frame material
- Features
- Lenses
- Size
We’ll detail each of these key elements in the sections below, plus all the best options available for you.
Frame Material
There are four main Oakley frame materials ranging in popularity. While most frames are made of either O Matter or C-5 Alloy, you’ll still come across some X-Metal and titanium.
O Matter
O Matter is Oakley’s patented nylon-infused plastic frame material. This material is used in sport-performance and lifestyle frames because the plastic is lightweight, durable, and flexible.
We love O Matter because it doesn’t become brittle in heat or cold. And the flexibility makes it very resistant to impact.
You can read more in our full What is Oakley O Matter Guide.
Titanium
Titanium is a lightweight and strong frame material. While it isn’t a metal that Oakley uses often, it does pop up regularly in wire frame sunglasses like the.
Current titanium styles include the Savitar, Coldfuse, and other high-end lifestyle frames.
C-5 Alloy
C-5 Alloy is a proprietary, primarily aluminum material composed of five different metals. The result is a robust and flexible metal that is durable even in a thin metal frame. And as you’d likely guess, this material is common in many Oakley metal frames like the Holbrook Metal and Wire Tap 2.0.
X-Metal
X-Metal is a titanium alloy previously used in Oakley frames (excluding the recent $14,000 MUZM X-Metal release). This material was common in the 90s and early 2000s and used on some of Oakley’s most popular styles like the Juliet and Romeo.
X-Metal is a lightweight and strong material that can withstand the weight of a car! It allowed Oakley to create some of the strongest and thinnest frames in its history.
Read more about this crazy material in our complete Oakley X-Metal guide.
Which Oakley Frame Material is Best?
Oakley doesn’t make a bad frame material—they’re all high quality. But which material is best for you depends on style preferences and how you intend to use your sunglasses.
But, If you’re looking for everyday or sport-performance sunglasses, O Matter is usually your best bet.
Based on the sheer number of sport performance frames that use the patented plastic and its incredible versatility, it’s the most popular sport frame material.
If you prefer a more upscale, less casual look, metal frames of C-5 alloy or titanium usually look more sophisticated.
Keep reading as we review the best features when buying Oakley sunglasses.
Oakley Features & Technology
You’re going to want to look at more than frame material when choosing a pair of Oakleys. And the brand has no shortage of new and innovative technology in their sunglasses.
Some, like the Latch’s integrated clothing clip or the Split Shot’s detachable leash, are frame specific. Others like Switchlock technology are used across many frames.
We’ll detail the most common Oakley features to know when buying your sunglasses in the below sections.
Unobtainium
Unobtainium is a proprietary rubber material designed to increase grip and decrease slip.
This fantastic, rubbery material was developed early in Oakley’s history to keep motorcycle grips from becoming slippery. Now it’s commonly used on sunglass nose pieces and earstems.
When Unobtainium gets wet, it also gets stickier and tackier, keeping sweaty sunglasses from sliding down your nose.
If you’re running, golfing, or just about any other activity, you’ll want Unobtainium on your Oakleys.
Switchlock Technology
Switchlock technology allows you to change your lenses with the push of a button.
This mechanism typically locks in lenses through a latch or jaw that can quickly be released. This makes swapping replacement lenses even easier than previous friction fits.
We’d recommend Switchlock for cycling and similar sports since you’ll want to swap your lenses to best fit your environment and weather.
You’ll find Switchlock available on frames such as the Radarlock, Fast Jacket, and Jawbreaker.
You can read more in our complete Oakley Switchlock guide.
Three-Point Fit
Three-Point Fit is a frame shape patent that provides the perfect fit.
Sunglasses with a Three-Point Fit do not have stems that rest on your ears. Instead, sunglasses are balanced from the nose bridge and the stems that sit firmly on the sides of your head. This helps to eliminate ear fatigue and keep your glasses perfectly aligned.
ACE Fit
The Oakley ACE Fit is similar to the Three-Point Fit but more commonly found on lifestyle frames.
ACE fit stems can be adjusted to hug your head and provide a perfect fit by simply bending the frame. While this can be done on other sunglasses, ACE fit is specifically designed to allow these movements.
You’ll find ACE fit available across a variety of sunglasses and eyeglasses.
Oakley Lenses
Oakley lenses lead the industry in innovation and protection for your eyes.
But what are the best Oakley lenses? Don’t worry we’ll break down everything you need to know.
What are Oakley Lenses Made of?
All Oakley lenses are made of patented Plutonite material. Plutonite is a polycarbonate that is designed to be highly impact-resistant.
This material also blocks 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays as well as blue light up to 400nm.
What Are Prizm Lenses?
Prizm is a relatively new lens technology that filters light to enhance contrast, color, and detail. Oakley makes Prizm lenses for specific sports as well as for everyday wear.
Prizm Sport lenses are designed to enhance the detail of a specific environment, such as fishing on the water or skiing in the snow.
Prizm Everyday lenses enhance your day-to-day environment to give it a more vibrant, natural look.
Whether Prizm Sport or Everyday, you want these lenses when buying Oakleys. Luckily almost all of the latest Oakley releases include a variety of Prizm lenses available.
Read more about these lenses in our Complete Oakley Prizm Lenses Guide.
Prizm vs. Prizm Polarized—Which is Better?
Without polarization, Prizm lenses already do a great job blocking out glare. But if you’re looking for even further protection, Oakley does make Prizm Polarized lenses. These lenses even further reduce these annoying and potentially dangerous horizontal reflected rays.
Deciding between Prizm and Prizm Polarized isn’t a matter of which is better; it’s a matter of which you prefer. Some people want polarized lenses all the time. Some want them only in high-glare environments like the roadway or water.
Still, other people find that polarization interferes with depth perception and makes digital screens challenging to see. This is why some Oakley Prizm sports lenses aren’t even offered with polarization.
Plus, don’t forget to check out our complete guide to Prizm vs. Polarized Lenses.
Oakleys Size
Now that you’ve discovered what to look for in your frame and lenses, it’s time to find the right size!
While every Oakley frame differs in size, generally, they can be classified in 3 buckets: XL, XS, and standard size.
XS Oakleys
Oakley’s XS sunglasses (like the Flak XS) are usually made for kids, but adults with small heads or faces may find that they fit perfectly.
These smaller frames are narrower and often have decreased lens height and shorter stems. Similarly, the lenses are scaled down to fit the smaller frame.
You can also find more smaller frames in our Guide to Sunglasses for Small Heads.
XL Oakleys
As you’d likely guess, XL Oakleys are made for people with large heads or faces or anyone who likes a larger fit.
XL frames are usually wider overall and have wider lenses and longer earstems. And along those lines, the lenses are also scaled to the size of the frame.
You can read more about XL Oakleys and larger sized frames in our Guide to Sunglasses for Big Heads.
Low Bridge (Asian) Fit
While not a specific size, Asian fit is designed to help Oakleys fit better on faces with people with high cheekbones, a flatter nose, and a shorter distance between the nose and ears
The name derives from the fact that these facial traits are common in countries on and around the Asian continent.
You can also read more about the science behind Low Bridge Fit in our complete guide.
Standard Oakleys
Standard fit for Oakleys is a little tricky. They do not have a single size that they refer to as standard. As a result, the standard size in one frame may be completely different from that in another.
But this size generally refers to any frame that isn’t an XS, XL, or other special sizes.
So how do you choose? First, try them on if you can.
If you can’t try them on, find a pair of sunglasses that is a good fit for your face and measure them (lens width and height, bridge width, and stem length are the most commonly available measurements).
Once you know your general size, it will be easier to choose a pair of Oakleys that will be comfortable.
There is a great-fitting pair of Oakleys out there for every face, large or small.
The Best Oakley Sunglasses for Everyone
The best Oakley sunglasses for you will depend on the size of your face and what sports or activities you’re wearing them for.
But it doesn’t need to be hard.
We’ve included our top guides for all of the Best Oakleys below:
- The Best Oakleys Sunglasses of This Year
- Top Oakley Sunglasses for Driving
- The Best Oakley Eyeglasses and Frames
Where to Buy Oakley Sunglasses?
When buying Oakleys, your first stop is likely the brand’s website or an authorized retailer. But unless there’s a seasonal or black Friday sale, you’re likely to pay full price.
Want to find out how to save 20-30% on new Oakleys?
Aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange or eBay have big discounts on new sunglasses. Check out our Guide to Never Paying Retail for Oakleys Again for more.
Looking for more?
Still have a question about buying Oakleys? Or want to share your latest purchase? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the thread below!
