Oakley worth the money?

[cr500taco]

Hopefully, this isn't a re-post, but I didn't see any posts that answered my question.

I want to get another pair of sunglasses for riding with interchangeable lenses. I have seen from going through the threads that Oakley is popular amongst other riders for riding. I have a pair of Oakley's for normal wear and I do like them, but they are not interchangeable. I have seen quite a few interchangeable sunglasses for around $60, like Tifosi or Serfas that come with a few lenses. Oakley starts out at at least $120 and most come with one set of lenses. Are Oakley's worth spending the extra money and getting a couple of sets of different lenses (i.e one clear and one for cloudy days) or just stick with something like Tifosi or Serfas?

[Deep Thought]

I've had glasses from all three of those brands you mentioned, plus some from Smith.

My Oakley Half jackets and my Smith Piv-Locks have been noticeably more robust than the ones I had from Tifosi and Serfas. The Serfas and Tifosi glasses were certainly a great product for the price, but the Half Jackets and the Piv-Locks both just feel better on my face. I give a slight edge to the Piv-Lock, though, because I sometimes have trouble with the nose pieces coming off on my Oakleys.

To me personally, it is worth the extra money for Oakleys, but more so for Smiths.

[Significant Otter]

I have two pairs of Oakley glasses, one pair of Costas and one pair of Ray-Bans. The Costas are by far the clearest, sharpest and overall best casual sunglasses I've owned. I use them for fishing, golf, driving and generally wearing around. Same with the Ray-Bans (sidenote - Ray-Ban makes a good product, but Costa Del Mar really knocks it out of the park). Neither of those sunglasses are any good at all for riding because they are not impact resistant. The lenses in both pairs are made of glass and could shatter in an impact.

With that said, my Oakley M Frames are the best riding glasses I have owned. They are very clear, fully cover both my eyes and have the impact resistance necessary for mountain biking and other hazardous activities. I use them as safety glasses all the time. They've survived tons of wrecks and I've been extremely thankful to be wearing them after more than one run in with a hidden branch or other calamity. A grinding disc on my Dremel shattered at 10,000rpm once and threw a big piece right at my face, just below my left eye. If I hadn't been wearing my M Frames I doubt I'd have a left eye. I lost them out the car window one time at 50mph. Went back and picked them up, lens was scratched to hell but totally intact. Same with the frame. I ordered a new lens, threw it in the frame and I still wear them every ride.

I use the G30 golf lens in my M Frames and I think it's the best lens for mountain biking. It's dark enough to block out the Texas summer sun but still light enough that I keep wearing them til just a hair before sunset in the trees.

They are expensive, and without a doubt overpriced. However, buying Oakley is buying a quality, US made product backed by a solid warranty and the knowledge that just about anything flying at your face will get stopped by that "plastic" lens. They're comfortable and do not slide off your face during intense activity or in a wreck. They are worth the money.

[Varaxis]

This thread is probably gonna get ugly. There are a few outspoken Oakley haters out there.

Oakleys are expensive. You are paying for vanity, but some find value in it. It's all up to the individual and their values.

I like my Oakleys. If I were broke and needed to buy food for a week, my Oakleys were be pretty far down the list on things I'd sell to get some quick cash.

I've tried Rudy Project, Bolle, Uvex, Smith, Ryder's, Tifosi, and even those junky sunglass offers you find in magazines... Oakleys just seem to be better in so many ways. I also like their warranty service.

I've gone through 4 Oakleys. My first pair, Full metal Jacket, was stolen. My second pair I kind of grew out of the style (one of the wire frames) and gave away/traded to a friend. My 3rd pair I still have, but use for low light after getting my 4th pair (Half Jackets). And I just recently got a set of Split Jackets since I simply wanted a new style and to get Asian Fit, which now I find works on my face for running, without needing to push it back up on my face. Never gonna buy non-Asian fit again.

[canuck_tacoma]

Smith's are good too. Personally, I love my Radars......super light, fit perfect, choice of lense sizes, etc.

I second the G30's for MTBing. I have G20 Iridiums for Road Riding. VR28's aren't bad, seem to emphazise the sun a bit too much when it's low.

[MikeBurnsie]

I use the M frames and have a few pair of lenses to swap out. Spend a little more and buy right the first time.

[Le Duke]

Oakley makes the best ballistic grade lenses, and frames, available.

If I trust them to stop shrapnel from blinding me, I can surely trust them to keep a twig or kicked-up rock from doing the same.

[ubergeek]

Oakley makes the best ballistic grade lenses, and frames, available.

If I trust them to stop shrapnel from blinding me, I can surely trust them to keep a twig or kicked-up rock from doing the same.

This is it. I used split jackets for every thing from mountain biking to the range. Have clear and dark smoke lenses.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Le Duke]

My CSM got a couple of us PLs to try the orange tinted lenses for shooting. Not sure why, but that sh!t works. On both pop-up and moving target ranges, I feel like my aquisition is faster.

They work very well for riding in the woods, too.

[Corbinworks]

Oakley makes the best ballistic grade lenses.

I have to say I am so disaffiliated with mine..@ $220, Used less then a year, started to show spots on the lenses witch turned in to large circles that do not come off, I sent back to Oakley and they told me it was user error, Said I must have cleaned them with something that was to harsh...

[HarryCallahan]

I have to say I am so disaffiliated with mine..@ $220, Used less then a year, started to show spots on the lenses witch turned in to large circles that do not come off, I sent back to Oakley and they told me it was user error, Said I must have cleaned them with something that was to harsh...

Well... they could be right about it being something you cleaned them with, or accidently got on the lenses and then spread around as you cleaned them. On the other hand, seems like they could have told you that and still replaced the lenses as a goodwill gesture.

[westin]

I purchased a pair of Oakleys couple years back. Was also given some nice interchangeable lens Smiths. My riding is either all-day in the blazing sun or long rides under tree cover through sunny sections and back into cover.

I tried photochromatic but none change fast enough for my needs; they also don't block out a lot of sun nor let in enough often times.

Then I tried some Scattante and Tifossi (sp?) from Performance bike. A few fit my face and did the job at around $25 on sale.

But the best bang for the buck are safety glasses from Home Depot. Some scream "HGTV Home Remodel" but some look just like bicycle glasses. I find myself riding clear lens glasses about 90% of the time these days. At $10 it's good piece of mind knowing I don't have to worry about $150+ glasses.

Having said all that my casual non-biking sunglasses are Ray Ban or Maui Jim. The quality really is obvious.

[bballr4567]

I've worn nothing but Oakleys for almost six years now. I get the military service ones with the subdued O and for a cheaper price still. I wear Flak Jacket XLJs as the lense shape fits my face perfectly. I'd go and try on the many different lense styles and see what fits. The interlocking lenses are not going to fall out either.

[cr500taco]

I've had glasses from all three of those brands you mentioned, plus some from Smith.

My Oakley Half jackets and my Smith Piv-Locks have been noticeably more robust than the ones I had from Tifosi and Serfas. The Serfas and Tifosi glasses were certainly a great product for the price, but the Half Jackets and the Piv-Locks both just feel better on my face. I give a slight edge to the Piv-Lock, though, because I sometimes have trouble with the nose pieces coming off on my Oakleys.

To me personally, it is worth the extra money for Oakleys, but more so for Smiths.

Thanks, I might take a look at Smiths. I had the Sliders before and they worked well for me.

[cr500taco]

I have two pairs of Oakley glasses, one pair of Costas and one pair of Ray-Bans. The Costas are by far the clearest, sharpest and overall best casual sunglasses I've owned. I use them for fishing, golf, driving and generally wearing around. Same with the Ray-Bans (sidenote - Ray-Ban makes a good product, but Costa Del Mar really knocks it out of the park). Neither of those sunglasses are any good at all for riding because they are not impact resistant. The lenses in both pairs are made of glass and could shatter in an impact.

With that said, my Oakley M Frames are the best riding glasses I have owned. They are very clear, fully cover both my eyes and have the impact resistance necessary for mountain biking and other hazardous activities. I use them as safety glasses all the time. They've survived tons of wrecks and I've been extremely thankful to be wearing them after more than one run in with a hidden branch or other calamity. A grinding disc on my Dremel shattered at 10,000rpm once and threw a big piece right at my face, just below my left eye. If I hadn't been wearing my M Frames I doubt I'd have a left eye. I lost them out the car window one time at 50mph. Went back and picked them up, lens was scratched to hell but totally intact. Same with the frame. I ordered a new lens, threw it in the frame and I still wear them every ride.

I use the G30 golf lens in my M Frames and I think it's the best lens for mountain biking. It's dark enough to block out the Texas summer sun but still light enough that I keep wearing them til just a hair before sunset in the trees.

They are expensive, and without a doubt overpriced. However, buying Oakley is buying a quality, US made product backed by a solid warranty and the knowledge that just about anything flying at your face will get stopped by that "plastic" lens. They're comfortable and do not slide off your face during intense activity or in a wreck. They are worth the money.

That's good to know about the strength of the Oakley lenses. I want to get a clear lens for night riding for eye protection.

[cr500taco]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Money is a little tight right now, so I think that I am going to give the cheaper ones a try at first, before I get the Oakley. Once I get Oakley's. I can always use the other lenses with the cheaper glasses for cloudy and night riding until I get the other Oakley lenses, then just save the cheaper pair for a back up set.

[arthropraxis]

I have had several styles of Oakley's. The metal frame models were great, my last set lasted 15 years before one of my children sat on them. If you clean them with the microfiber bag that comes with them you won't have any scratches. I had a set of Jackets that I used for outdooor activities. They broke across the bridge taking them off, so not a fan of the plastic models.

[mazspeed]

Oakley makes the best ballistic grade lenses, and frames, available.

If I trust them to stop shrapnel from blinding me, I can surely trust them to keep a twig or kicked-up rock from doing the same.

How do you figure?

As far as uv protection oakley is among the lower brands in that respect. Maui jim and ray ban lens are much better for this. As far as riding, since most have a unique style, whatever fits best, wear it.

[JChasse]

I don't think Oakleys are worth the coin unless you've got disposable $. I've owned a bunch of Oakleys (I've actually got 3 pairs right now - long story), and I think Rudy Projects have better optics for a bunch less money.

[NYrr496]

Wiley X | Tactical Technology - Changeable Series Frames

I wear prescription lenses. I tried to get Oakleys and found out a few things... They are VERY expensive, most of the styles I like are only available to the military and a freind of mine with very bad eyes would have had to pay almost triple what I was going to pay for mine.

I have a few pair of Wiley X and have nothing but good things to say about them.

[Le Duke]

How do you figure?

As far as uv protection oakley is among the lower brands in that respect. Maui jim and ray ban lens are much better for this. As far as riding, since most have a unique style, whatever fits best, wear it.

Note the key word: ballistic.

Neither Maui Jim nor Ray Ban make them.

[bluedirt]

I've found with Oakley that the cheap goggles don't hold up so well. Its worth the bit of extra coin to get the mid to higher range goggles.

[mazspeed]

Note the key word: ballistic.

Neither Maui Jim nor Ray Ban make them.

Yeah, you never know when you're going to get shot in the eye whie riding. I would rather take the better coatings, and better UV protection of Maui Jim and Ray Ban's over the Oakleys.

[MartinS]

Oakleys are super nice but...
I guess I have a bit of an issue on price, I was once sponsored by Oakley and was shocked/amazed by the vast quantity of stuff they gave out to sponsored riders and I can't help but feel that that sponsorship costs the consumer. I used to get a box full of glasses and goggles (sponsorship wasn't for biking) twice a year plus another 2 boxes of soft goods and I was a low guy on the sponsorship totem. I knew guys sponsored by Smith who got 1/4 of the stuff I did. I still have boxes of M frame and goggle lenses un-opened that are 10 - 15 years old. I've also witnessed first hand the piles of glasses that they dole out at world cups etc. (Here's a good tip, if a world cup race goes on near you and the conditions are rainy/muddy go and walk the course asap after the race is over, you'll get yourself a couple of free pairs of Oakleys if you look in the bushes along the trail on a climbing section.) Many of the other company riders seem to be a bit more careful with their glasses...
Regardless, they are great glasses, fit is fantastic as is eye coverage and protection. You are getting some of the best eyewear technology out there, but at a price that is definitely higher than it should be.
Personally, since the money now comes from my pocket, not yours, I ride with Smiths.

[cr500taco]

a lot of good tips.

Thanks