Oakley Prescription Sunglasses

simonp123

I'm fed up with getting grit, mud and flies in my eyes, so I have decided I have to bite the bullet and get some riding glasses rather than just wearing my normal ones. I am a little limited though as only a couple of companies will do my prescription with Oakley looking the best of them.
The 2 frames that I best liked when I tried them were the Straight Jackets (interestingly not listed by Oakley as "sports" glasses) and the Jawbones. I think the Jawbones were my favourite, but I have seen some mention of them being quite bad for steaming up, anyone any comments on that?
I am also thinking of going for Transition lenses as it would cost an arm and a leg to get both clear and tinted lenses. My concern is how clear they will go as I would also like to use them for night riding. Again any experiences with these would be appreciated.

I am thinking of going to RX Sport as they are quoting prices £90 cheaper than my local optician (who are oddly quoting considerably over the Oakley RRP :roll: ) anyone used them?

Greer_

I can't recommend a lens (or comment on the actual oakleys) but I can say that a transition lens probably isn't the best for mountain biking. If you're going from sunlight into a forest, the lens won't 'change colour' quickly enough to allow you to get accustomed to the darker surroundings. I find a green tinted lens works great for me as it reduces glare - other people swear by different coloured lenses, so you may be best finding which suits you - green/orange/clear/dark....

JasonRwmb

I bought a pair of Jawbones a couple of weeks ago. They have Oakley's clear black iridium transition lens.

Firstly on the fogging, they are pretty good, but the design of the frame does restrict airflow. The only problem I have had was on a wet ride with a temp of about 4 degrees, where they were misting up. When I picked up speed on the downhills they cleared. I also have a pair of Radars which are better for not misting up, but I have found even these can when sweating and riding slowly in the rain. I am yet to find a pair of riding glasses that I can't steam up, but the Radars are the best so far. It is very easy to change the lens on the Jawbones.

The Oakley clear black iridium tint is very good. It goes clear enough for night riding, yet is dark enough for riding in the sun. It doesn't go as dark as some others tints, but for general off road riding it is great. For a road ride on a sunny day I would probably wear the Radars with a dark lense.

If you are buying prescription lenses then they probably won't be the Oakley transition ones, so may not go light enough for night riding. Worth checking before you buy.

Anonymous

Thought of trying contacts?

Opens you up to so many more options, and you can also get cheaper stuff that'll do the job just as well and you won't mind smashing them up frequently . Or at least the trendy stuff will be a bit cheaper without prescription lenses :P

sniper68

I wanted Oakleys but due to the strength/type of my prescription couldn't get them so went with these:
http://www.optilabs.com/site/prods.php?pfid=0,8,11,18
I bought Sprints with gold lenses(4 years old now) and now use Cobras with Transitions.The Transitions change very quickly and I've never had any problems go in and out of Forests etc.
I paid £120 for mine but there was an offer on 8)

JasonRwmb wrote:

If you are buying prescription lenses then they probably won't be the Oakley transition ones, so may not go light enough for night riding. Worth checking before you buy.

I have Oakley everyday glasses and the Lenses are supplied by Vision Express BUT was told by VE that with the sun-glasses Oakley will only supply them with Oakley lenses :roll:

oodboo

I've got some prescription radars with the persimmion (yellow) lenses. I find them a bit dark for night commuting, never tried off road at night with them and I don't think I would. They can steam up when I stop but clear pretty quickly when I get going again.

simonp123

deadkenny wrote:

Thought of trying contacts?

Opens you up to so many more options, and you can also get cheaper stuff that'll do the job just as well and you won't mind smashing them up frequently . Or at least the trendy stuff will be a bit cheaper without prescription lenses :P

Not an option I'm afraid. I have tried on many occasions but in the end the optician advised that I wasn't suitable for them due to "greast tears". I get so much protein build-up in so little time taht they just don't work for me. I'm afraid I'm stuck with the prescription glasses.

Busdriver Dave

I am in the same boat as you in that I can't wear contacts. I have used RXsport several times and cannot recommend them highly enough. If you ever need to call them up they are exceptionally helpful on the phone too. I won't buy sunglasses anywhere else now.

Dave

simonp123

I've just spotted that a company called Balnce Optics (who claim to be an authorised Oakley dealer) are doing the Jawbone with Transition lenses and vents for less than RX Sport want for the non-vented lenses. Wondering what they are like and if it is worth getting the vents?

webby_1805

i have the vented lenses ,use them for my road bike just now as I'm getting read for a race and have had no bother with them fogging up (blue iridium from flee bay)
They are not prescription though :?

simonp123

Well, just placed my order with Balance Optics for the Jawbones, I went for the Emerald Irridium Transitions vented lenses in the end. I may have to consider clear lenses for night riding, but I thought the better protection in very bright sun was more important.
I paid £264, my long-time optician wanted £495 for the same thing!!! :shock: They have only just taken on Oakley, but frankly I can't see them selling any...

tobydickenson

I use Oakley whisker sunglass with oakley clear lenses as my everyday glasses, and use the same glasses for riding to. Oakley's "clear" lenses have 90% light transmission so I find I need to swap to darker lenses less often than with other clear lenses.

Mojo_666

I got prescription Flak Jacket XLJ's from http://www.pretavoir.co.uk/ for about £260, really nice glasses very happy with them.

simonp123

Well, the OakleyJawbones arrived yesterday, so pretty quick turnaround. I did have a good check just to make sure they were genuine as they were SO much cheaper than my local optician's price. All is fine.
It takes a a little getting used to the vision through very curved lenses, but the vision is good and sharp. I quite like the extra contrast that the Emeral Iridium coating gives, and the transition is pretty quick. I was surprised how little dimming of light they give when clear. I epxect I will get some clear lenses for night riding come the winter, but these will be fine for quite low light.

Pretty chuffed with saving £240 Mind you surely no-one would pay £500 for them :evil: