1FatBikeRider

Ive been wearing a pair polarized "Juliets" for a few years now and LOVE them. Thinking about getting the "Jawbones" just for riding.

ravenmore

You guys are making me miss my flack jackets I lost a while back on a photo shoot.

GP

Clarity.

In the past 10 years I've used Smiths, Tifosis, Spys and a few others. Two years ago they had Oakley Radars on Bonktown for $60. I bought 2 pair. I'm still using the first. The clarity is noticably better than on the Tifosis and Smiths. I clean the Oakleys with napkins, toilet paper, jerseys, whatever I have. They haven't scratched.

chasmm

I'm a big fan of the Flak Jacket XLJs, and have several pairs. I bought the first pair for my son and then tried them for cycling, and fell in love with them. I'll admit that I haven't tried the Jawbones, Radar Paths or Split Jackets...mainly because they look (IMHO) goofy if you're not in the middle of some sport. At least with the Flak Jackets they're not so "out there" that they look out of place for casual wear.

The optical clarity of the lens is amazing, and the HDO water "magic" really does work. Sweat, rain, etc. seem to just roll off the lens without having to wipe them off. The XLJ lens shape provides enough coverage for me. They do seem prone to fogging, but that's a very temporary situation.

Now, if someone were to give me a pair of Jawbones...I might sing a different tune.

gbs

yeah man, I had Tifosi Logics too but when the time came for me to RMA them (ear piece fell off during a ride) I picked up a pair of Oakley Radars. Huge difference IMO, at least in fit and comfort. The Logics would hurt my ears/nose and I'd find myself adjusting them often whereas I don't even notice that I have the Radars on.

2ndGen

Thanks to everybody who contributed something positive to this thread.
I think I've made my decision. I'll let you guys know tomorrow.

pbd

I ride with Pro M-Frames, and love them. I didn't buy them for cycling, I've had them for years using them as shooting glasses for clay target shooting. Some of the best optics and protection available anywhere, and with style too.

One day I was putting on my regular sunglasses to go for a ride when I realized that I have several M-frames and a dozen lenses sitting in case waiting for the next time I go shooting, why not wear them biking too? And haven't worn anything else on the bike since.

For lenses, definitely vented, and for colors I like plain old clear at night, then orange tints work best for me in intermediate light, like persimmon in low light and VR28 in between (orange-tint still, but darker than persimmon). For bright sun, whichever iridium sunglass lens you like (I like black iridium and red iridium).

Also, if you like yellow or persimmon, then look into some colors that many people LOVE, including me: the "high-intensity" colors. High-intensity persimmon is AWESOME for me. If you like yellow tints better than orange in low-light conditions, then check out high-intensity yellow/high-intensity blue (which is still a yellow lens, but with a blue iridium coating). The high-intensity lenses all differ from their namesake counterparts by the addition of an iridium coating that, for me and many others, enhances contrast and somehow seems to make things even brighter than with a standard lens. They're awesome.

Cue

I'm going to be a heretic and say Oakley's are way overrated. This is coming from someone who own 3 Oakleys (with 5 accessory lenses), 1 Smith, 2 Tifosi, and 1 Rudy Project. It's just sunglasses, I just can't see myself getting overly excited about sunglasses.

iam7head

experience of owning 2 pairs of oakley:

first pair was a wireframe in bronze, the side rubber piece melts itself after a few year of very light usage, never sit under the sun all that much.

second pair was a gascan model in matte black, the coating wears off after about a year. It was peeling on the wear part(where your face meets the plastic), the side emblem fell off completely. Very disappointed with the "made in USA" quality. Have to call corporate oakley to get it fixed after couple tries at the stores and local service reps.

Basically if your glasses is out of warranty they will charge you a fixed amount to have your glasses checked out, something like 40-50 bucks. They will charge that even if it's a known defect. Couple complaint to the corporate they finally waived it off, after a month later they replaced the glasses. I never even wear it that much to begin.

My 4 years old rayban held up much better for not much more money consider it wear the avatar and wayfarer way more than the oakley.

NicholasThierry

My father has owned the M-Frame since it was released years ago, passed it on to me, it's still good as new. I'm not a fan of closed frame lenses because they feel too hot on my face, they can get fogged (not as badly as you'd think), and most of them just dont feel comfortable on my face. I can vouch for Oakley in quality, they've fallen off my face while riding, splattered some bugs, and our replacement lens warranty from their factory outlets have made the frame worthwhile.

I do not believe the product is overrated, I believe the product speaks for itself.

wanlogan

Half jackets are awesome. Wearing xlj g40 lenses.

2ndGen

Totally kidding!

Actually, I greatly appreciate opposing opinions.
I like to make a decision with as much info as possible.
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences.

Yotsko

Split jackets = awesome

Brimstone_

I picked up a set of lenses for my Oakley Flak Jackets off eBay from a company called Samvette and I was very surprised at the quality. They were polarized XLJs and so far have been great. I have had them for about a week and my winning bid was $27. Lots of options from the seller are always available. Something to think about if you go that route.

Here is a link to one of their auctions:

https://cgi.ebay.com/SE-OCEAN-BLUE-PO...item3a6500c0f9

2ndGen

Thanks. Actually going to have my company's insurance cover them for me.

runningDoc

they're like helmets... for your EYES!

Goku

I love my jawbones. Love em! In fact I have 2 pairs...

Cue

The Jawbones were ugly the 1st time I saw them, and they're still ugly.

Miller2

You better have a big face if you want to look good in the Jawbones! I had a pair of Split Jackets (smaller sized Jawbone) and they were still goofy looking on me. They fit well and coverage was great but when I'd look left over my shoulder the bottom part of the frame completely blocked my view of the lane behind me. Sold them and got Flak Jackets and am very happy with the fit, look and coverage.

tmass

I have Radar's for riding...I like the Max coverage. I then have split jacket for daily and driving.......Oakley's are great.

roadiejorge 

If you're going to shell out cash on sunglasses then get some photochromic lenses, you'll thank me later. For a long time I had sunglasses with the multiple lenses which is ok if you only ride when the sun is out, but since I ride during daylight and evening hours not having to change lenses is a big plus.

androidtt

Rode on the wheel of a rider in the group yesterday morning and a rock flung up and chipped my Oakley lens. Saved my eye some pain! (Although there is a chip now )

save10

Well I've had my jawbones for 3 weeks and I love them. The main reason I got them was the ease of changing lenses. I have/had tifosi Pave's (perfectly functional), but I am too incompetent to change the lenses and I actually broke the frame trying to change them.

There is an Oakley store by where I live and so I was able to mix and match different combos until I got the colors I wanted. gloss red w/ gloss white jaw and black screw. Matches my team kit.

Accordion

No doubt. I only wear mine on the bike but that's still 15-20 hours a week. I figure with a skin-tight spandex jersey, shorts, black clipless shoes and a helmet that makes my head look like a diseased mushroom I really could care less about how my sunglasses look.

guadzilla

This. I own a pair of Jawbones and while I really like the ease of changing lenses, I dont like the fact that
(a) the lenses tends to scratch very easily
(b) when I turn my head to look behind me, the edge of the frame blocks my peripheral view. A big fail for glasses designed for cycling.

As for Oakley clarity - it is nice but to be honest, I dont notice it that much when I am on the bike and have sweat and such on my glasses. For casual wear, I like my Serengetis a whole lot more than Oakleys. That being said, I just ordered a pair of Split Jackets to wear for when I go running or kite-surfing.