Oakley sunglasses not worth the dough

[NWA_UMP]

If you go to their site, scroll to the bottom and it gives ya the skinny.

[Umpgreg]

I have worn Oakley half jackets with clear Rx lenses for three years with no issues. I use an anti fog solution on them during night games to prevent steaming.

[celt62]

If you are a member or know of a member of US Standard Issue  (law enforcement/military) you will receive very substantial savings on all things Oakley and you will automatically become a member of the ESS site as well.  I get all of my Oakleys thru them and have probably saved hundreds over the years.  You can also order sunglasses with your prescription as well if needed.

[MadMax]

When it's anything optical, I've purchased / used nothing but Oakleys since I was a wee teen. Their optical clarity, cutting edge design, customer service record, and adamant "Made In USA" stance is appreciative. Around ten years ago, I could contact Oakley and explain to them that my $140 A-Wires had a scratch in a lens and the frames needed "truing"... Send them in, and $29 later (S&H in there), I had everything right. Because of the overwhelming number of knockoffs, Oakely no longer allows that "service", but they are at least gracious and attempt to find a solution with you. They'll even (still) send out new ear socks and nose pieces free of charge.

As I said, their optical clarity is outstanding. Best evidence is their REAL-3D Gascans, of which I have two pair (and have gifted two more to my movie fanatic friend-couple). 3D Feature Films with these versus the flat, recyclable glasses they give you is incomparable. They even work with Real-3D -displaying televisions (LG-Philips, etc.).

That said, I've lost (or had stolen) more Oakleys over the years than I currently own. Sad.

I now seek out and use a brand of lens in my Oakleys for a far more efficient and effective "common use" solution. It's called Revant, and they make lenses nearly as good as Oakley, compatible with nearly all of Oakley's lineup. For my Half-Jackets, for example, I have a set of Oakley-brand G30's and a set of Yellow HD's for my bike racing, umpiring, and shooting. Then, I have a set of Revant clears, a set of yellows, and a polarized for use as "safety glasses" or for going out to an outdoor event or something. Typically, Oakley-brand replacement lenses start at $40. I can find Revant on eBay for $19-$24.

My treasured Bob Burnquist wood-infused Oakley Gascans got the Revant treatment... at 1/4th the cost Oakley was going for.

Contrary to the OP, Oakleys are worth the dough... One just has to take care of them.

[MikeSafari]

@JaxRolo I know I'm reviving an old thread here but how do you like the Crossbows? I know they're designed as rifle protection but my eyes are very photosensitive so I'm hoping they're also really good as sunglasses. Found a seller on eBay who will ship a pair of different lenses with frame to Canada for about $100.

[Fittske24]

The frames on Oakley's are what's important. There are tons of aftermarket lenses that fit Oakley frames that can be had for under $40. Here are a few.

Walleva: $24 for non-polarized $38.50 for polarized

http://www.walleva.com/index.php?route=common/home

Revant: $28 for non-polarized $32.00 for polarized

https://www.revantoptics.com/

BVANQ Replacement lenses. $15 for non-polarized $25.00 for polarized

No website but can be found on eBay and Amazon

VOLT Replacement lenses. $15 for non-polarized $25.00 for polarized

No website but can be found on eBay and Amazon

Edited June 1, 2015 by Fittske24

[MikeSafari]

I'm actually not a big fan of Oakley's frames. I've tried a number of different ones over the last little while (Flak Jacket, Flak Jacket 2.0, Half Jacket, M2, and a few more I don't remember), and none of them were particularly comfortable. The arms are, for me, simply too wide and hurt my ears after long wear, which is why I'm looking at the Crossbow as they have very thin arms by design.

[jpperez14]

I don't really like the half jackets, but I love the M Frames. I even have M Frame Safety glasses that I use for my day job. Most comfortable pair of glasses I've ever had.

[bighouse]

The frames on Oakley's are what's important. There are tons of aftermarket lenses that fit Oakley frames that can be had for under $40. Here are a few.

Walleva: $24 for non-polarized $38.50 for polarized

http://www.walleva.com/index.php?route=common/home

Revant: $28 for non-polarized $32.00 for polarized

https://www.revantoptics.com/

BVANQ Replacement lenses. $15 for non-polarized $25.00 for polarized

No website but can be found on eBay and Amazon

VOLT Replacement lenses. $15 for non-polarized $25.00 for polarized

No website but can be found on eBay and Amazon

​I think you have it backwards. For me the Oakley lenses are what is important, I don't look through the frames. BTW not sure if anyone has tried the Oakley prizm lenses but wow they are amazing, the color contrast they provide is great. my 2c

[MikeSafari]

​I think you have it backwards. For me the Oakley lenses are what is important, I don't look through the frames. BTW not sure if anyone has tried the Oakley prizm lenses but wow they are amazing, the color contrast they provide is great. my 2c

​Big fan of the new Prizm lenses, but hate the frames. This is my dilemma :-\

[ShotKaller]

I wear radar pitch on the field and gascans everywhere else. I suffer from migraines and direct sunlight is a huge trigger for me. I wear sunglasses even in low light situations. I have used aftermarket lenses as mentioned above (yes, all of them). In my experience they just aren't as durable as the Oakley lenses. Of course when you factor in cost, the only issue is convenience. I continue to buy Oakleys because they are the best. They are a high quality product and, when cared for properly, work every time. Are they overpriced? Hell yeah. So is my car insurance. As long as I can depend on the coverage I will keep paying. I mean I spend $200 on a CP, $100 on pants that I buy two at a time, and $200+ on masks, and I don't even want to talk about reg fees for liability insurance I don't even need (love you NASO). So I don't even think twice about how much I spend protecting, what is probably, the most essential tool for an umpire.  

[WIUMP]

Glad I found this thread and now I'm happy to revive it. I finally picked up a good set of sunglasses–Oakley Flak XLJ. I always have to wear sunglasses, even when overcast, because my eyes are fairly sensitive. My new optometrist scolded me a bit for spending so much time in the sun coaching, umpiring and playing with $5 drug store sunglasses. Now I'm checking out different optics options from Revent.

[gnhbua93]

I have an umpire brother who asked me a lenses question.  I need something to brighten up the field at dusk and after dark. Your answers are appreciated.

[bighouse]

Just the yellow lenses would work. The prizm lenses work great in overcast sky and dusk but too dark to wear after the sun goes down.

Edited June 30, 2015 by bighouse

[Majordave]

Oakley website has a feature that lets you compare the views with different lenses. It isn't perfect but I used it to compare and went with G30 lenses over prisms. Won't work in dark but definitely work in hazy and dusk type situations. I wear them behind plate to help me pick up the ball better. Really work. Whites are whiter and greens are greener. Really help. On full sun days with no clouds I switch to the dark gray lenses on bases. Only G30s on the plate. 

They have or had a persimmon (Orange/Amber) that was for low light conditions. I've worn RayBan outdoorsman Amber lenses to shoot and in dusky time of day and they help. Would make me look like TopGun or like John Goodman in The Big Lebowski if I wore them to umpire. (Except I'm not fat or huge like he is). 

Just STFU Donny!  STFU! Hahaha

[MikeSafari]

Just STFU Donny!  STFU! Hahaha

​YOU HAVE NO FRAME OF REFERENCE, DONNY!

[Richvee]

You guys are on the money. Yellow for night, G-30 for daytime are the best for contrast enhancement lenses. Bright sun, nothing beats the black iridium polarized for me. 

[midtnump]

I just purchased my first pair of Oakley's yesterday, Amazon Prime one day sale, bought a set of Flak Jacket XLJ  with the Iridium lens for $84 free shipping. Couldn't pass the deal up.

[WIUMP]

What do you guys do when the sun goes down and you've got the plate? There's not to many places to put your $200 sunglasses where they won't get scratched or smashed. I have a set of photochromatic polarized lenses but last night things were getting pretty dark. The crappy field I was at was oriented so I was staring directly into the sun for 5 innings until it set below the tree line. I was thinking I should have worn two ball bags and put my Oakley hardcase in my left ball bag.

[umpstu]

I just purchased my first pair of Oakley's yesterday, Amazon Prime one day sale, bought a set of Flak Jacket XLJ  with the Iridium lens for $84 free shipping. Couldn't pass the deal up.

That might have been the only good purchase of that so called sale.  They had absolutely junk for sale, as if they were trying to get rid of certain products.  Like the umpire equipment people who have a blow out slae on a pair of size 6d shoes.

[JaxRolo]

Got a pair of Oakley Prism. They are the best ever!!!

[midtnump]

That might have been the only good purchase of that so called sale.  They had absolutely junk for sale, as if they were trying to get rid of certain products.  Like the umpire equipment people who have a blow out slae on a pair of size 6d shoes.

My wife was highly disappointed as well. She was looking for a specfic  Air Pad 2 accessory, and they didn't even have it. Several other things that she wanted wern't even on sale.

[umpstu]

My wife was highly disappointed as well. She was looking for a specfic  Air Pad 2 accessory, and they didn't even have it. Several other things that she wanted wern't even on sale.

I have never seen so many people disgusted at Amazon.  I've been a prime member for a few years now, but that sale was a stinker.

[kylehutson]

I have never seen so many people disgusted at Amazon.  I've been a prime member for a few years now, but that sale was a stinker.

I have been a prime member for several years also (being a computer guy, their computer parts are pretty competitive and free 2-day or $4 1-day shipping pays for itself quickly).

A friend of mine said it was like waiting in line to get into an Aerosmith concert only to find that it was a teenage cover band, instead.

[Majordave]

@kylehutson

I completely agree with you all. looked at that load of crap on Amazon several times that day  what a waste of time.

I tried to find a clip from Dazed and confused of Matthew McConnaughey as Wooderson talking about going to buy Aerosmith tickets but failed. 

I saw Aerosmith live in Rupp Arena back in the 70's. They were all high and drunk and sounded terrible.  They only played about 50 minutes. I was disappointed in the real Aerosmith back then. Still was better than the Amazon prime trick though. Hahaha!