[Closed] Tell me about Oakleys then

Polarised lenses reduce glare off flat surfaces, like on the road when its wet and the sun is low and shines on it and blinds you. I have polarised oakleys and they aren't as good as the polarised smith glasses i had before.

You can get rub on stuff that helps with fogging, not sure if it works, my oakleys don't have the special coating.

There is a good online supplier which always gives a discount, can't remember the bloody name though, i'll get back to you on that.

discount place is [url= http://www.steptoes.co.uk ]here[/url]

I have had a pair of Half Jackets for about 5 years and they are still as good as new with constant use. They are worth the money for the base models. Never owned anything "Iridium" so can't comment on them. Having said that I now only use the oakleys for driving/off bike activities as I succumbed to the temptaion of a set of Spesh Light reactive ones. They are cheaper and just as sturdy. The light reactive lenses work really well for in and out the trees stuff.
BTW Oakleys still fog like any other lenses

I rub candlewax on the inside of the lens, that works well. (Obviously you have to rub it on then wipe away the worst of it - I believe this is an old motorbiking tip). A bit of washing up liquid also works but if the inside of the lens gets wet it starts to foam up!!!

Don't get sun cream on the lenses - buggers them.

I got some prescription Oakleys when I decided that my riding would benefit from being able to see properly. Best "upgrade" I ever made. I got the transition lenses for daytime use and expected to also buy some clear lenses for night riding. However, the transitions have been just fine for night riding as well.

1) Yes.
2) No. But they do fog less than most glasses.
3) Reduces reflections and glare and increases contrast and clarity.
4) Yes. More or less. Reactive lenses are always a compromise though.
5) Steptoes is alright. Loads of online surf shops too.

I can't compare them to much with other glasses cuz they're more or less the only brand I've used for the past 20 years. Which is prolly recommendation enough.

Also, their warranty/after sales service is really good and quick and generous too if you ever have any probs/smash them up by driving over them in an estate car full of bikes...

1) Are Oakleys any good?
I have been persuaded into at least 20 pairs in as many years. So... I reckon yeah.

2) Will expensive lenses allow me to ride into horizontal rain without fogging or getting caked in water?
No. I have the hydrophobic lenses and the $30 kit and it makes very little difference

3) Whats the point of polarised?
[url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographic_filter#Polarizer ]Total magic[/url]; imagine there are a load of louvre blinds over the lens which only let light in from a certain angle.
They basically cut down the total ammount of light coming in, but let you see as sharp in lower light than purely tinting does. They also work really well with reflections; try looking at car windscreens and tilting your head side to side, you'll see the effect.
A word of warning though - if you are planning on looking at a LCD screen (GPS, digital compass, laptop, stopwatch, iPhone etc) be warned that the polarizing filters clash so you can, at some angles, see nothing!

4) Do the variable lenses actually work?
Donno!

5) Rec me an online supplier (Google suggests Steptoes to be cheap)
I have only ever got them from actual shops that have stock that I can try and inspect the actual glasses I am getting. Also; you can custom order them in the Oakley stores now.

Oakleys: great. They make everything in the world look wonderful and pristine - I call it Oakley-vision.

One problem though.

After purchasing 6 pairs over the years and variously (1) losing them in the sea, (2) breaking the arms off, (3) snapping the lenses in two. I decided that perhaps sunglasses at £100 a pop are really not the best thing for me.

Sunglasses will just get trashed - and all too soon, despite trying to treat them so, so carefuly - you'll eventually 'just put them in a soft pocket for a few minutes' and forget that they are there. With my my last pair, a week after I had bought them I they were resting on top of my head for a few moments as I looked over a suspension walking bridge - I scratched the iridium on the steel cable above my head and had to live with that for a few years, until they eventually snapped in two.

Oh the happy joy of Oakley ownership..

Enjoy..

1. Another Oakley fan here. I've gone through a fair few pairs until I've arrived at my current favourites for cycling: the Radar Paths. I've had Flak and 1/2 Jackets, both XLJ. I prefer the Radars because I've found they don't fog and I like the single piece lens - they also offer better 'fit' around my eyes so I don't get a breeze / debris creeping underneath. So yes, I think they're good.

As for suggestions as to what lens to go for I'd recommend the G20 / G30's (-/+ iridium coatings) as a good all-rounder; I wear G20s and they're great from dawn until dusk although you might want something darker for really bright and sunny days. They're a good middle ground though. Hi-res yellows are good for the winter. I've found that some of the iridium lenses are a little too dark for everyday use even though they look good!

Oakley customer service is another reason for slurging serious cash on their sunglasses. Do a search on the forum and there was a recent example of paint flaking on someone's frames and they got a brand new pair by return post.

2. My Radars don't seem to fog and they're pretty good with the rain but then they're brand new (less than 2 weeks old) so maybe the coating will wear? No complaints thus far and all my Oakleys have been better in this regard than my previous cheapies.

3. Polarized cut down reflection - better explained ^^ - really good for driving. The lenses are even more expensive though...

4. No idea as never tried them.

5. Another Steptoes fan here. I can also suggest a kosher Ebay seller whose prices undercut Steptoes if you're interested. Generally speaking ebay is awash with fakes of varying quality so I'd say steer clear but these people are fast and come recommended...

I've been using Oakleys for 10+ years. Haven't really tried many other brands so no idea if they're any better, but the lenses do seem to be pretty resistant to scratches. Customer service is indeed excellent. I sat on a pair of Eye Jackets, twice, and bust both arms off. Sent them to Oakley, came back a short while later with new arms & re-done logos...as new basically...for free.

Currently in the market for a new pair for biking & I quite like the look of the new Jawbone... [url= http://jayprasuhn.blogspot.com/2009/02/tested-oakley-jawbone.html ]review[/url]

Only got around to buying Radars a few months ago after having a variety of cheap glasses before then, they're noticeably better in terms of fogging (which is what I was mostly after). They're more comfy to although that might be a more personal thing. I wouldn't say I was bowled over by lens clarity, they're good for sure but then I hadn't noticed any defects on cheaper lenses. Are they worth it? Tricky one - they're stupid money for what they are (especially if you getting into buying additional lens) but given they rarely mist on me I don't regret buying them.

There are always limitations with wrap-around frames. The main problem with curving a prescription sunglass lens is that the edges of the lenses tend to be distorted. This is why many of the high street shops don't do them! Simply because you can not create a cheap curved lens, which for them means very low profit margins.

The quick answer is 'yes' you can get prescription wrap-around sunglasses, but you should pay the extra bit of money and get a pair designed to combat the side distortion.

So who does these?

1) Oakley prescription sunglasses, perfect for full wrap-around sunglasses. These are even becoming popular with clear Oakley lenses for everyday wear, creating a cool wrap-around feel.

Good lenses to look out for, all weather VR28 Black iridium Polarised, great for cloudy to bright sunshine days.

Check out http://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/Oakley-Sunglasses.html

2) Maui Jim prescription sunglasses, another great brand that make everything themselves. For a great looking pair check out MJ405 (or any of the sport range) plus they do all your traditional shapes as well. This is a great brand if the Oakley Brand is a little bit to sporty for you.

If you want that all weather lenses that you can wear on cloudy days go for a bronze lens (all Maui Jim sunglasses are polarised)

Check out http://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/Maui-Jim-Sunglasses.html or http://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/Maui-Jim-Sport.html

Best glasses I've used for cycling were/are Rudy Project Rydons. Nice shape, adjustable, weight next to nothing, can get all the lens options as with Oakleys without having to pay for that marketing campaign...

Nowt wrong with Oakley, just found them not to my taste for off road.

Used Oakley for 15 years, prescription and normal and very curved lens. Online not always the best solution.

Speak to James at rxsport.co.uk get custom builds a lot cheaper than oakley.co.uk

I run old old Oakley Sub-zero arms, the ones that just attached to the edge of the frames, and a standard Heater in Persimmon.

they are flying debris proof, never come off, and no matter how far forward/down i tilt me field of view there's nothing across the top of the lens to obscure my vision.

Unfortunately old sub-zero arms are now like rocking horse shit.

I've used nothing but Oakley for the last 12 years. Currently have some full metal straight jackets (bought in '97, kept because they fit perfectly inside my motorbike helmet) a pair of half jackets for riding, with black iridium and light blue iridium - which is a yellow lens - lenses, some juliets for general wear (live in my van most of the time) and I bought a pair of dartboards a year ago. I also have Oakly reading glasses.

They do fog up, but clear quickly when you're moving, frames are nice and strong, although when they do break the service from Oakly is second to none, I broke my first pair when they were three years old, returned to Oakly and were back with me just over a week later with new frame and arms.