13 Best Oakley Glasses for Cycling

Avid cyclists probably know that Oakley glasses for cycling are one of the best on the market. We often go cycling for fun, yet, we found that having a pair of professional sunglasses for such an activity is a must. They protect our eyes from direct sunlight, which might be very harmful in the long run. Further, they help us with the vision, whether it’s too bright or too dim. Plus, they act as face shields when it’s too windy or if the road is full of flying hazards and elements.

Whether you’re a professional cyclist or just go on the roads every now and then, like us, we believe you need to read this review. We tested several Oakley glasses, and here is a list of the top ones. We have also included a buying guide for your reference. It’s so helpful to know how we made our selections. Go ahead and check our review down below.

Oo9454 Evzero Blades

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The first sunglasses to kick off the list are the Oo9454 Evzero Blades. Once we wore the glasses, we noticed how lightweight they were. No wonder, as the sunglasses are almost frameless. This design reduces the weight so much, in addition, it allows for a better field of view with no hindrance. The glasses griped well around the noses, yet, the arms aren’t the best gripping ones. We could still wear the sunglasses while cycling but not in windy conditions.
We loved the design of this pair. Further, the color choices are nice and fashionable. Each of the colors is designed to be used in certain light conditions. We went for the ruby color in the image below, suitable for medium and bright light conditions. When tested, we found them as described they “enhance color vividness”. This review from road.cc is very useful; read it before buying.

Oo9418 Wind Jacket

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As the name suggests, the Oo9418 Wind Jacket glasses are so large that they act as a jacket or a face shield against the wind. They also blocked all the sunlight, in addition to blocking all harmful radiation. We can’t test how protective these sunglasses are, yet, we learned that the lenses are made with Oakley’s Prizm technology. This technology offers more protection to the eyes and makes things look clearer and sharper. The latter could be tested as we could see everything in front of us in different light conditions.

The glasses are large and they have a frame, however, they aren’t heavy at all. We barely felt them on our faces while cycling. There aren’t as many color options as the previous model, but the available ones are okay for us. We’re happy with the matte olive frame, as it goes with most of our cycling clothes. We think these are perfect Oakley sunglasses for general sports, not just cycling. Thus, there is a great bargain here.

Oo9102 Holbrook Square Sunglasses

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Oo9102 Holbrook Square Sunglasses are the classical optional with square lenses that look like traditional prescription glasses. Actually, these sunglasses have prescription-ready quick-click lenses, so we could change them easily. We found the lenses scratch easily, so the quick-click option was handy here as we believe we will be changing the lenses very often. Watch this video from SmartBuyGlasses to learn more about the features.

The best thing about these glasses is that they fit everyone. This design looks good on all faces. Plus, it’s always trendy. We got the frame with green lenses for more clarity. Green lenses are known for enhancing vision. With the Prizm technology Oakley is known for, we couldn’t ask for sharper vision or less glare. If you’re interested in sunglasses with green lenses, we have a top 13 list from different brands.

Oo9188 Flak

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Oo9188 Flak sunglasses come in a flawless design and functionality. Let’s talk first about the design. We loved the rectangular lenses and the half-frame. On one side, they aren’t heavyweight; on the other, they are well gripping. The lenses looked thicker in the photos but aren’t very flimsy. Speaking of the lenses, Oakley does a great job in this part. They have a lens for everything. Thus, we chose the ones suitable for cycling.

Moreover, there are polarized and non-polarized lenses and different colors to choose from. We had to ask Oakley’s customer service to help us make the perfect choice based on our needs. Whatever lens you choose, all of them are high-definition optics. We could see sharp objects no matter which angle we looked from. The frame is the same in this model. We felt it was very durable, and the nose bridge was so comfortable as well.

OO9225 Canteen

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OO9225 Canteen is another classical pair of sunnies that suits oval and round faces. These glasses are smaller than many other Oakley sunglasses for cyclists. We loved how simple they looked, especially when our reviewer with a small oval-shaped face wore them. They looked as if they were made for him. Thus, go for these if you have this small face.

We didn’t pick those for the design only. The functionality and the technology behind the lenses are so appreciated as well. We tried the composite lenses as they claim they’re better for UV protection. We need this as we usually cycle in open areas where we’re directly exposed to the sunlight. The glasses don’t have those temple grips or pads for gripping, but since they’re small, this shouldn’t be a problem. Anyway, they never fell off our faces, even if we sweat hard.

Encoder Strike Vented OO9235 Shield

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Encoder Strike Vented OO9235 Shield glasses are great Oakley sunglasses for sports in general. We could wear them for any kind of outdoor exercise, yet not for hanging out. We think they are better worn for sports and exercise because they have several features made especially for athletes. The main one is the vented shield design. Looking at the sunglasses, we noticed some small holes on the upper side of the frame. We discovered that these holes are vents to prevent the lenses from building fog.

Unlike other models, this Encoder model has vents as the frame is so large that it covers most of the face. They looked like face shields when we wore them with a cycling helmet. You can buy a bike helmet for men from here. We received our glasses with a cleaning kit and a leash. However, we still think the price is a bit expensive for what is offered. Yes, it’s a high-quality and very protective pair of sunglasses we’re willing to have but on sale!

Oo9343 M2 Frame XL Rectangular Sunglasses

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Oo9343 M2 Frame XL Rectangular Sunglasses have so many uses that we can use them every day. These shades look so great, plus they’re so protective. We used them for cycling to protect our faces from sun and debris. On another day, we used them while mountaineering. They proved how protective they were that day, as there were no other barriers between us and the sun except for these shades. Also, dust was everywhere, so, this was a great test to figure out how protective these shades are.

Further, the glasses were the perfect fit for us. They’re curved and shaped in a nice, flattering way to contour around our faces. However, note that those are XL frames, so they might not be the same fit for all people. We won’t recommend them for small faces. The glasses come in several colors, and there are price differences. We had a limited budget; thus, we went for the classic grey lenses and black frames. This was the cheapest, yet the lenses had the needed amount of transparency. If you have extra money, go for the colorful lenses as they look more fashionable. We have a list of the best sunglasses with colorful lenses for those who want cheaper options.

Oo4123 Holbrook metal sunglasses

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Most comfortable. Oo4123 Holbrook Metal sunglasses is another version from the Holbrook family. We tried them all so that we could choose the best ones. This model is more durable, and the frame is the strongest. It’s made of metal, and we were afraid that it would feel heavy, but unexpectedly, they weren’t. The glasses are as lightweight as any plastic frame. However, they’re so durable and stay on our faces the whole time.

The fit is another big plus for these sunglasses. The frame is tight and comfortable. The hinges are durable but not so tight that they annoy us. In addition, it looks so sleek. We’re big fans of the traditional design of these sunglasses. We tried different lenses to see what’s the best for us. All of them provide good UV protection. We would recommend these sunglasses for classical personalities who want the protection and durability of Oakley but a traditional style.

Oo9154 Half Jacket

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The Oo9154 Half Jacket sunglasses looked so attractive that we insisted on trying them even though we weren’t cycling that day. They were so cool, and we got so many compliments. The design is different, but the lenses are the same HDO lenses Oakley is known for. They offer the best and clearest vision, whether cycling, golfing, fishing, or whatever. We know we’re paying more than what we usually pay for a pair of shades, but you pay once, and you have the sunglasses for years.

Speaking of it, since we tried many Oakley glasses, these aren’t the best in terms of quality control. Now, we aren’t saying they’re bad quality. They’re perfect, and we believe they’ll last for years. However, at this price point and given the brand name, we expected things like a hard case, a cleaning towel, and more durable lenses.

Oo9463 Sutro Lite Rectangular Sunglasses

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Best for lightweight. We looked so cool in these Oo9463 Sutro Lite Rectangular Sunglasses with their colorful lenses. There are many lens options of all colors. We would go for the most colorful lenses as they look so fashionable. The minimal half-frame of these shades adds to the aesthetics, but they’re also designed this way for a functional reason. They’re so lightweight, hence, very comfortable. We wore the sunglasses for a long period, and we didn’t feel they added any weight. However, the glasses are a bit bulky, so we don’t think they’ll suit people with small faces.

On the other side, the sunglasses are very durable. This is expected from Oakley, especially the Sutro line. The sunglasses also feature the same Prizm and HDO technologies we usually find in most Oakley sunglasses for cyclists. We don’t mind paying a large sum of money to get all these features in the same product. If you want to know more about the features, check out this video from SportRX.

Oo9014 Gascan

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We love Oo9014 Gascan shades for their simple and classical design. They look similar to traditional glasses with rectangular lenses. They fit our faces perfectly with no gap between the temples and the face. These are one of the very few Oakley glasses for cycling that don’t feel or look oversized. They’re also gripping and never slide off our faces while cycling. We found two options for the glasses: one with a matte finish and another one with a glossy finish. For us, the matte finish looked classier, and it seemed higher quality.

When it comes to the lenses, we could replace them easily by just clicking on the old lenses and they pop out, then, we could insert another pair of lenses of a different color. This feature is found in most Oakley sunglasses, but not all of them are easy to replace this way. Hence, we got another Oakley replacement lens and a cheaper pair for days we know the lens might scratch, like when we’re on the beach or so.

Sutro Rectangular Sunglasses

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Best quality. Sutro Rectangular Sunglasses are built to last. These sunglasses aren’t only perfect for cyclists but also one of the best sports sunglasses for men in general. We would wear them while cycling, playing golf, running, or any other outdoor exercise. They’re large enough, so we had the needed protection. Yet it is lightweight enough for more comfort.

We noticed how high quality these sunglasses are from the first moment we received them. They will never scratch, and the lenses will never fall off. We would even wear them on the beach because we love their design. They look fashionable, and the colors are amazing. Now, we know that the lens color isn’t just an aesthetic thing; in these sunnies, the colors obviously add to the aesthetics.

Oo9208 Radar Ev Path

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Best overall.  If we are to choose only one pair of Oakley’s glasses, we’ll choose Oo9208 Radar Ev Path. This isn’t our opinion alone, as many buyers would recommend the same pair for cycling. The Radar Ev model is so common among athletes as it provides them with everything they need. In addition, the price isn’t the most expensive among other Oakley sunglasses.

“We were skeptical at first but not until we tried the Radar EV Path on a very sunny day. The protection, fit, and style are all to the point.”

WOW Travel

We were so confused about the many color options here. We took all day to decide which color we would choose. Similar to other options, the price varies according to the lens color. We also knew that those lenses were prescription-ready. This was perfect as one of our reviewers already wears prescription glasses. Now, he doesn’t have to take off his Oakley pair every now and then to see perfect. We bought these sunglasses with a two-year warranty from the manufacturer. Yet, we doubt we’ll need this warranty as, so far, the glasses seem very durable and unbreakable.

Our Verdict!

You might be looking for a special pair of glasses with some criteria in your mind. In order not to confuse you, here are the best glasses from our point of view based on certain features such as the lenses or frame.

• Most comfortable: Oo4123 Holbrook metal sunglasses
• Best quality: Sutro Rectangular Sunglasses
• Best for lightweight: Oo9463 Sutro Lite Rectangular Sunglasses
• Best overall: Oo9208 Radar Ev Path

How To Choose The Best Oakley Glasses for Cycling?

In this section, we’re sharing the checklist we used to select the best cycling sunglasses. You can use this guide whenever you want to buy any sunglasses for cyclists.

Lenses

There are different types of lenses. The choice depends on the conditions we will be cycling in. To make it clear, we choose glasses with polarized lenses if the cycling roads or trails are so bright and we need something that reduces glare. On the other side, we will go for mirrored lenses if the weather is cloudy or if we’re cycling near the water. We would also make sure that all the lenses we choose are UV-protective. Luckily, Oakley sunglasses’ lenses can be changed. Check out this list of the best replacement lenses for Oakley sunglasses.

Frame

The frame is as important as the lenses. We prefer lightweight frames that we don’t feel on our faces. Also, large frames are good for extra protection, especially if we’re cycling in the morning. Another thing we have to check is whether the frame is comfortable, a good fit, and doesn’t slip off while cycling. The nose bridge and hands should have some sort of a grip.

Color

Finally, the color, whether it’s the color of the lenses or the color of the frame itself, plays an important role in our selection process. Now, the frame color is just a styling thing. We choose the colors that appeal to us the most. However, the lens color has some functionality. For example, green lenses block the blue light from the sky. On the other side, red lenses reduce eye fatigue. We have a list of the best sunglasses with red lenses if you’re interested.

What are the best Oakley sunglasses for cycling?

Generally speaking, all Oakley sunglasses are perfect for most outdoor activities. However, if we’re to choose, we’re going to say that the Radar EV path, Sutro, and Sutro Lite versions are on top of it.

Can I wear cycling sunglasses for other outdoor activities?

Mostly, yes. Cycling sunglasses are designed to be protective, so you can wear them even while driving.

Why are cycling sunglasses expensive?

They’re more expensive than normal sunglasses as the lenses are made especially to offer more protection and better vision. In addition, they’re more durable to withstand different conditions.