Released in the Fall of 2020, Oakley Sutro Lite Sunglasses are a semi-rimless version of the popular style Sutro sunglasses. And packed with innovation and a greater field of view, these sunglasses take the Sutro family to the next level. But since the original Sutro was either a pair people liked or didn’t, we were curious to finally get our hands on the Sutro Lite and see how they compare.
Keep reading for our complete Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses review and everything to know about this pair.
And if you’re looking for more Sutro info, check out our comparison of the Sutro vs. Sutro Lite vs. Sutro S.
Table of Contents
Oakley Sutro Lite Highlights
- Large semi-rimless frame with a shield lens for maximum visibility and improved ventilation
- Made of O Matter frame material that is lightweight and durable for all day comfort
- Unobtainium nosepads and discreet earsocks provide increased comfort and grip with sweat and water
- Impact-resistant Plutonite lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays plus harmful blue light up to 400nm
- Available with Oakley Prizm Lens Technology that provides contrast and color-enhancing built for every environment
Now let’s jump into our review!
Oakley Sutro Lite Sunglasses Review
Our Sunglasses
For our review, we tried a pair of Matte Black Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses with Prizm Road lenses (Product Link), and we may actually like these more than the original Sutro! Now, let’s explain why.
Frame, Design and Initial Impressions
Our first impression of the Sutro Lite was that this is a big frame! This shouldn’t be a surprise if you’re familiar with the original Sutro sunglasses. But from our measurements (full dimensions below), the Sutro Lite is actually slightly bigger!
But despite its size, the Sutro Lite’s semi-rimless design looks a bit more casual and modern than its full-frame brother. And this design also makes the Sutro Lite even more functional for cyclists thanks to the increased field of view and downward visibility, similar to the old school Oakley Razor Blades.
Oakley also added Unobtainium padding to the inside of the earstems. This increases grip compared to the original Sutro. But it’s important to know these aren’t full earsocks.
Instead, they’re integrated into the insides of the earstems. This means from the outside; it appears there are no earsocks similar to lifestyle frames like the Gascan. And while we didn’t see any major difference in grip from these earsocks, they were a bit less comfortable than the full earsocks found on sports pairs like Oakley Radars.
Overall, Oakley definitely upgraded the Sutro lite frame to focus more on cycling while still giving it a lightweight and versatile look.
Prizm Shield Lens
Our sunglasses featured Oakley Prizm Road lenses, which are designed for cycling and running on pavement. Since we already reviewed the Prizm Road lens, we won’t go into full details here. But the large shield lens on the Sutro Lite definitely performed!
The single visor lens in the Sutro Lite sunglasses provides fantastic visibility with minimal blind spots. And clearly, the world agrees based on Oakley releasing more and more large lens models like the Kato and Encoder.
And that’s precisely what the Sutro Lite delivers. This is a high-wrap shield lens meaning it “wraps” around your face and should cover well below your eyes, even for people with larger heads. We found these sunglasses to have plenty of coverage with no issues!
Plus, all of the Sutro Lite colorways (listed below) feature Prizm Lenses! Oakley’s has made a huge push on Prizm Lenses, with the contrast-enhancing lens technology becoming the standard for most models. And we’re definitely not complaining!
Overall, we’d say the Sutro Lite lenses are pretty similar to the rest of the Sutro family. The biggest enhancement is the half-rim design that increases visibility. And for most people, this will likely come down to personal preference.
Now let’s talk about the size of this frame!
Size and Dimensions
As we mentioned above, Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses are a large frame! So they will naturally look best on people with larger heads or faces. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t rock them! It will all depend on your preference and the look you’re going for. On smaller heads, this frame will definitely have an oversized look but can still be stylish.
We’ve listed the complete dimensions below for reference:
- Overall Width: 139mm
- Overall Length: 145mm
- Height: 60mm
- Temple Length: 138mm
- Visor Lens Width: 139mm
- Lens Height: 58mm
Available Colorways
The current Sutro lineup is available with 12 colorways, including various Prizm lenses, that we’ve included below. Plus, the frame is now a part of the Oakley Custom Program.
| Colorway (Frame / Lens) | Price |
|---|---|
| Matte Black / Prizm Road | $189.00 |
| Matte White / Prizm Road | $189.00 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Road Jade | $189.00 |
| Matte Carbon / Prizm Trail Torch | $189.00 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Black | $189.00 |
| Matte Navy / Prizm Sapphire | $189.00 |
| Matte Carbon / Prizm 24K | $189.00 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Tungsten | $189.00 |
| Matte Black / Prizm Sapphire | $189.00 |
| Matte Carbon / Prizm Snow Sapphire | $189.00 |
| Matte White / Prizm Ruby | $189.00 |
| Matte White / Prizm Sapphire | $189.00 |
You can also find the latest listing here: Oakley Direct Link.
Sutro Lite vs. Sutro
Along with the size, the biggest difference between the Sutro and Sutro Lite is the design. With a semi-rimless frame, the Sutro Lite is the slimmer brother of the Sutro. But the differences don’t stop there.
Check out the full details and comparison of the Sutro Lite and Sutro in the Oakley Pro Tips video below:
Final Thoughts – Are They Worth It?
The Sutro Lite is an exciting spin from Oakley, turning a fashion/lifestyle pair (the Sutro) into sports pair. And while the Sutro was built with cyclists in mind, it really found its place in fashion more than sports. But with the improvements to the Sutro Lite, Oakley seems to be geared towards the “daily life of urban cyclists,” that they advertise towards.
Overall, we love the lighter design of this frame and the integrated Unobtainium padding on the earstems. All of these features help the Sutro Lite be more versatile on and off the bike.
We’d recommend the Sutro Lite for anyone who likes an oversized pair of sunglasses that makes a statement, whether you are a cyclist or not. Other than that, if you’re looking for a true cycling pair of sunglasses built for athletes, you’ll be better off with the Radar, Kato, or M Frame.
Are Replacement Sutro Lite Lenses Available?
Yes, replacement Sutro Lite lenses are available directly through Oakley (Product Link), along with a variety of aftermarket manufacturers.
These aftermarket lenses are usually 50%+ cheaper than authentic Oakley lenses, but you’ll want to confirm the quality first! For more information, check out our comparison of the Best Oakley Replacement Lenses.
How to Change Sutro Lite Lenses?
Changing lenses in the Sutro Lite is easy, thanks to the O Matter frame. The frame connects directly in the nosepiece and at the temples.
To swap lenses, simply follow the 3 steps below:
- Push the nosepiece inward releasing the lens from nose
- Gripping the frame in your palm, remove the lens from the corners where they meet the temples releasing the lens
- Simply reverse the process to insert your new lens, pushing the nosepiece inward and releasing it around the lens
For a visual guide, check out the video below:
Where to Buy Sutro Lite Sunglasses?
If you’re looking to buy a pair of Sutro Lite sunglasses, your first stop is likely Oakley (Product Link) or other related Luxottica brands (SunglassHut, etc.). But unless there’s an Oakley sale or you have a discount, you may be overpaying.
And for current pairs like the Sutro Lite, you can often save 20-30% off on aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange and eBay. For more information, check out our full guide to Never Pay Retail For Oakleys Again!
Looking for More?
Do you prefer the Sutro or Sutro Lite? Or have a question about these sunglasses? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the comments below!
