AbsoluteZ3RO

First, I know many of you will think $220 for sunglasses is too much. I don't care. I'm not interested in "this other brand that is jut as good for less money".

I'm interested in getting either the Oakley Radarlock path or the racing jacket. I've tried on the radarlocks and liked them, but I'm interested in thoughts of the racing jackets, which I haven't tried on yet. I think they look a little less "cycle specific" which is a good thing even though I will never wear these for anything but cycling/running.

Thoughts?

sleepykitty

I had a similar decision making scenario as you 2 years ago. I was torn between the Radar XL and the Jawbone (renamed as Racing Jacket because some bluetooth company sued Oakley and won).

Loved the coverage that the Radar provided, especially above the nose level. Since road riding makes your upper body lean over, I figured the extra coverage would come in handy. I loved the fact that the Radars are half-framed. You tend not to notice it on your face. It just disappears when I'm riding.

Tried the Jawbone (Racing Jacket), didn't like the full coverage, felt I was wearing a mask. My cheek kept rubbing onto the bottom part of the frame. Just a minor annoyance.

BoSoxYacht

I own both models, and find the Radarlock Path to be the superior one for road cycling.

It's easier to wipe sweat from your eyes with Radarlocks, and there's no blind spot when turning to check for traffic. Radarlocks are also easier to clean while riding.

David Broon 

I love my racing jackets, but have never tried the radars.

Clipped_in

^^^^^This

cvall91

Ignoring the fact that I own "replica" models, here's my review. I first had a pair similar to the Radarlock (idk if that's the model I bought but they look the same). After riding them for about a year, I bought some Jawbones (same as Racing Jacket?). My first week of riding with them, I regretted buying them. Everything was fine build and material wise, but they were not what I expected. They had a huge blind spot on the bottom side of the glasses which I was not used to. With my other glasses, looking back even slightly was easy and could see everything. With the new ones, I have to make an extra effort to turn my head even further just to see directly behind me. Apart from that blind spot was also looking down at my GPS. Never really paid much attention to how little I tilted my head down until I bought the Jawbones. Again, it's an extra effort and have to tilt my head down further because of the thick bottom rim. After about 2 weeks though, I got used to them and really do like them. I like how they look and even though I've only changed them once, the quick lens thing is a plus. Great looking glasses, but you just have to get used to the thick bottom rim.

BoSoxYacht

Out of curiosity, do genuine Oakley lenses work with your counterfeit Oakleys, and are they counterfeit Radars or Radarlocks?

BoSoxYacht

Racing jackets and Jawbones use the same lenses, but the frames were changed slightly when Oakley was forced to change the name due to copyright infringement.

David Broon 

I have very low cheekbones, and I find they fir my face perfectly. Try both on. See if one gives you blind spots.

cvall91

I don't know actually..... I haven't tried to see. And just checked and they are the Radars. They don't have the little ridges or gaps on the lenses like the Radarlocks. I think they do because my friend owns a genuine pair and fake pair of Jawbones and he told me he switches the lenses between them.

BoSoxYacht

The main difference between Radars and Radarlocks is the way you swap lenses. Radarlocks use a little lever that opens the frame to change lenses. With Radars you slightly bend the frame and pull the lens out.

I have seen counterfeit Radars, but not Radarlocks.

tniu

I have both the radar and the jackets. The frameless lower half of the radar is fantastic for cycling, but the jackets seem to have better visibility at the top when in the drops.

Clipped_in

That was a key selling point for me, and I believe it was a major design consideration by Oakley.

BoSoxYacht

I've never noticed any difference in the drops, but I keep my head tilted pretty upright.

AbsoluteZ3RO

What lenses do you guys use/recommend

BoSoxYacht

That all depends on your area.

Here in the SW, the darkest lenses work well most of the time. At night I use a clear lens.

Clipped_in

Here in Utah I run the irridium red polarized--like!

bhe

I went with the Radarlocks--they seem to fit my head better (they seem to grip better; I don't feel like they will ever slip off my head).

BoSoxYacht

Oakley just discontinued a few Radarlock color combos, so Oakley Vaults(outlet stores) are discounting them to $179. White with jade iridium & blood orange with fire iridium are the ones I remember off the top of my head.

I like the jade iridium lens, but the fire iridium seems to have a strange gradient tint that bothers me.

AbsoluteZ3RO

Do you find that you use the fact that the lenses are easier to change out? I'm assuming I'd use the dark lenses about 80+ percent during April - October. Nov - March I'm guessing it would be more likely that I would use something like the persimmon, but honestly, I'm not sure.

I guess my point is that I see myself changing the lenses, but I'm not sure how often I would change them. Perhaps with it being really easy, I'd change more often. Do you change them a lot?

BoSoxYacht

I use ice iridium(10% light transmission) most days, but I use a clear lens for night riding. If I only had one pair of glasses, I'd be changing the lens twice a day.

Clipped_in

I don't change them much. Mostly very early and late in the season when I have to commute in the dark. Other than that, I just leave it alone and ride.

Biscayne05

For Radarlock Path owners:

Can I buy aftermarket inserts and use them? Or does Oakley have their own inserts?

I know Oakley does prescription on those glasses but they embed them onto the glasses itself...and they also cost too much.

BoSoxYacht

Not that I'm aware off. I would look into Rudy Project sunglasses,