The overall verdict
The Oakley racing jackets are fantastic sunglasses with a huge selection of lenses available to cover any possible situation. These glasses stay put and have a great way of eliminating the fogging up of the lenses. We used these in all different kinds of weather and we never had any issue with fogging up. They are also brilliant at reducing glare.
Full test review
Oakley was started by James Jannard in 1975 out of his garage with an initial investment of $300. Since those early beginnings in the mid seventies, Oakley has developed in a world renowned manufacturer of sports performance equipment and lifestyle pieces.
But Oakley are probably best known for their high performance sport visors, ski goggles and high performance sunglasses
It is the latter one we got to test over the summer, a pair of custom Oakley Racing Jackets. Oakley has a wide range of colours and models of each of it's sunglasses, but for people who still can't find what they are looking for, there is the "Custom" option.
It allows you to pick the colour of the frame, earsocks, jawbone (I explain later in the review what this actually is) and Oakley logo's.
And the main item, you can select 2 sets of lenses. And it is these lenses which made Oakley famous.
Oakley has invested so much in development (the 600 patents speak for itself) that all their high performace glasses are filled to the rim with technology
Let's just look at the lenses alone:
The technology and design which went into the development of Oakleys lenses has resulted in some of the best lenses in the world and the reason who so many top athletes choose Oakley performance glasses.
First, there is the Oakley HDO (High Defitnition Optics) lenses which gives the wearer total safety and unrivaled clarity and truer accurate vision.
The second part is HD polarized, which eliminates glare. How many of us have been on our wet roads cycling when the sun breaks through the clouds and creates this sun glare. The Oakley lenses eliminate this issue and allow you the concentrate on the road rather than being blinded by glare.
And then there is safety, Oakley has been testing and manufacturing these lenses to withstand high mass, high velocity impact. The lenses are made from Plutonite (not to be mixed up with Kryptonite), Oakleys durable lens material. And i must state clearly that the technology goes on and on, so rather than me trying to explain it, just take a look at Oakley's website (http://ie.oakley.com/en/technology/eyewear).
So what you get is the Oakley sunglass case (vault) which is very sturdy and will protect your glasses with it's dear life. The case is black with a huge Oakley logo on the top. When you open it, you find enough space to put your Oakley Racing Jackets and 2 additional pair of lenses in it.
Then there is also the Oakley cleaning cloth which doubles up as a pouch. In this case, it is the custom version which you get with the custom versions of the glasses.
The beauty is in the Racing Jackets themselves. They are fitted with a hinged jawbone which easily allows you to change the lenses. All what is needed is to lift the nose bridge on the inside of the glasses and hey presto,... the jawbone opens up and allows you to change the lenses.
So the big question is, how do these glasses perform. Well, i tried them out in sunny Sligo this summer (yes, the sun shines in Sligo as well) and i must say, i was well impressed by their performance.
First of all, these are bulletproof. I have looked after them and kept them in the case when not in use, but not a single scratch has appeared on the lenses. As for the earsocks, they keep the glasses on your head. Just like they are glued on.
Then the ability to change out the lenses is great too. You can change to a different lens to suit the current light conditions.
Another thing to note on these glasses is their ability to eliminate fogging. There is noting worse than heading out in the wild open and your glasses fogging up because you are working out to much. These glasses have vent holes on the side of the lens which give enough venting that even during the hardest workout session, your vision stays for 100% clear.
That being said, these glasses fit perfectly around your face and don't leave much space for critters or dirt to get in.
For me, these are some of the best performance glasses i have ever worn and it will be the ones I will keep wearing through all seasons going forward.
But Oakley are probably best known for their high performance sport visors, ski goggles and high performance sunglasses
It is the latter one we got to test over the summer, a pair of custom Oakley Racing Jackets. Oakley has a wide range of colours and models of each of it's sunglasses, but for people who still can't find what they are looking for, there is the "Custom" option.
It allows you to pick the colour of the frame, earsocks, jawbone (I explain later in the review what this actually is) and Oakley logo's.
And the main item, you can select 2 sets of lenses. And it is these lenses which made Oakley famous.
Oakley has invested so much in development (the 600 patents speak for itself) that all their high performace glasses are filled to the rim with technology
Let's just look at the lenses alone:
The technology and design which went into the development of Oakleys lenses has resulted in some of the best lenses in the world and the reason who so many top athletes choose Oakley performance glasses.
First, there is the Oakley HDO (High Defitnition Optics) lenses which gives the wearer total safety and unrivaled clarity and truer accurate vision.
The second part is HD polarized, which eliminates glare. How many of us have been on our wet roads cycling when the sun breaks through the clouds and creates this sun glare. The Oakley lenses eliminate this issue and allow you the concentrate on the road rather than being blinded by glare.
And then there is safety, Oakley has been testing and manufacturing these lenses to withstand high mass, high velocity impact. The lenses are made from Plutonite (not to be mixed up with Kryptonite), Oakleys durable lens material. And i must state clearly that the technology goes on and on, so rather than me trying to explain it, just take a look at Oakley's website (http://ie.oakley.com/en/technology/eyewear).
So what you get is the Oakley sunglass case (vault) which is very sturdy and will protect your glasses with it's dear life. The case is black with a huge Oakley logo on the top. When you open it, you find enough space to put your Oakley Racing Jackets and 2 additional pair of lenses in it.
Then there is also the Oakley cleaning cloth which doubles up as a pouch. In this case, it is the custom version which you get with the custom versions of the glasses.
The beauty is in the Racing Jackets themselves. They are fitted with a hinged jawbone which easily allows you to change the lenses. All what is needed is to lift the nose bridge on the inside of the glasses and hey presto,... the jawbone opens up and allows you to change the lenses.
So the big question is, how do these glasses perform. Well, i tried them out in sunny Sligo this summer (yes, the sun shines in Sligo as well) and i must say, i was well impressed by their performance.
First of all, these are bulletproof. I have looked after them and kept them in the case when not in use, but not a single scratch has appeared on the lenses. As for the earsocks, they keep the glasses on your head. Just like they are glued on.
Then the ability to change out the lenses is great too. You can change to a different lens to suit the current light conditions.
Another thing to note on these glasses is their ability to eliminate fogging. There is noting worse than heading out in the wild open and your glasses fogging up because you are working out to much. These glasses have vent holes on the side of the lens which give enough venting that even during the hardest workout session, your vision stays for 100% clear.
That being said, these glasses fit perfectly around your face and don't leave much space for critters or dirt to get in.
For me, these are some of the best performance glasses i have ever worn and it will be the ones I will keep wearing through all seasons going forward.
How we tested it
We have been using the Oakley racing jackets over a timeframe of 8 months in all conditions. From overcast days to bright sunny days, different lens types werenused during the test period.
The Oakley racing jackets were used during driving, cycling, running and normal day-to-day wear.
The Oakley racing jackets were used during driving, cycling, running and normal day-to-day wear.