Oakley sunglasses - paralyzed by options

[alpha_omega]

I use the Flak Jackets as my daily glasses and I must say I truly love them. They are the most comfortable and lightest pair of sunglasses I've ever owned. The first pair I can honestly say when I put them on I honestly forget they're there.

With that said, I still use the Radar Path for cycling. I like the coverage of the lenses against road debris, and I feel like they fit my face well. Part of my reason also stems from the fact that I would be upset if I ever lost or damaged my flak jackets. The radars definitely don't look the best on my face, but hey I'm running around in spandex and bright colors, so I'm way over worrying about what others think about me. I never carry extra lenses with me. For bright days, I use the standard grey lens for really bright days, the G30 lens for overcast to bright days. I have really grown to love the G30, it's a great all around lens especially for cloudy days.

The whole "hydrophobic" coating issue appears to be mostly marketing to me. My glasses still pick up plenty of dirt, dust, and when the inside hit my eyelashes eventually they need to be cleaned of grease. So if that's one reason steering you toward the Radar vs. something like the M frame hybrid, save your money with the M frame if it fits you better.

One more suggestion, have your helmet with you when you try on your glasses. Some of the glasses have longer ear stems which can hit the back of your helmet and keep you from getting a solid fit.

In the end it boils down to personal preference and only you will be able to decide. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[tulip]

The most important things to get are UVA/UVB protection and polycarbonate lenses (or non-breakable). I assume you don't need prescription sunglasses, right? For those people who need prescription sunglasses (like me), I would recommend NOT going to your LBS for that but to an optometrist who knows sports glasses. Most to.

I love my Rx Tfosi sunglasses, but I got them through a bike shop and I really should have gone to the optometrist.

[7rider]

Thanks, all.
Since I have the gift certificate with my LBS, I'd get the glasses there. They carry Oakley and Tifosi (and one other I don't recall), but not Rudy Projects. I don't need a prescription (yet?!?), so that's not an issue. Good idea, Alpha_Omega, on bringing along my helmet. DH and I talked about that, but didn't really plan on looking at glasses. We were at a mall (a rare event in itself) where there is a Sunglass Hut and an Oakley store, so we thought we'd browse. I'm wavering b/t the M-Frame hybrids and the Flaks.

[malkin]

Take your helmet with you when you try them on!

[Dazeepetals]

I have a pair of the Oakley Half Jackets and the fit well for me. I actually got them from my boyfriends sister because she has such a small face/head that they didn't fit her. I like them because they have enough room on the sides that I can put them over my helmet straps. If I put them under the straps they fit different and don't feel right.

The best advice I can give has already been given. Bring your helmet and try them on. Plus, I think I look totally different wearing my glasses with my helmet than without my helmet.

[malkin]

I have Oakleys, Radar, I think, and they're more comfy with my helmet than without, because the spot where they rest above/behind my ears is on a plastic helmet bit, and helmetless it is just right there on the bone.

[HillSlugger]

The half jackets have a larger lens option called xlj. Maybe that would work for you.