Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike — some brands are so good, so dominant, they become benchmarks against which all others are judged. When it comes to cycling sunglasses, you can’t beat the real thing: Oakley.
James Jannard started Oakley in 1975 in his garage, and named the company after his loyal English Setter, "Oakley Anne." His first product was motorcycle grips. From there he began producing moto goggles, then sunglasses, growing Oakley into the innovative eyewear giant it is today. Oakley lenses provide unparalleled clarity, definition, and impact protection. They are worn by top teams like Quickstep, Ineos Grenadiers, Groupama FDJ, and Alpecin-Fenix.
So which Oakley sunglasses are in style today? These eight models are the top choice for style-conscious riders. They suit any cycling discipline and will help you look (and maybe ride) as good as the pros.
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Oakley Sutro
Egan Bernal won the 2019 Tour de France wearing Sutros. Photo: A.S.O./Pauline Ballet
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Streetwear is hot right now, and that’s why the new Sutro is one of Oakley’s most popular models. With sharp, futuristic angles, a thin but oversized frame, and a big one-piece lens, it’s the perfect choice if you want sunglasses that turn heads on and off the bike. Thanks to their streetwear-inspired styling, they’ll fit in on the beach, at the club, and in any urban environment. While on the bike, they provide ample coverage to protect your face and eyes from sun, wind, and dust. For smaller faces, check out the Sutro S.
Oakley Sutro Lite
Time trial world champion Filippo Ganna uses Sutro Lites. Photo: A.S.O./Aurélien Vialatte
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Want something sportier? The Sutro Lite retains the sharp streetwear-inspired shape of the Sutro, but adds more airflow and increases your field of view by removing the lower half of the frame. This is also good for riders with prominent cheekbones that might touch the regular Sutro frame. The Sutro Lite also adds rubber grippers to the arms (the standard Sutro has no grippers), helping the Sutro Lite stay put on your face when you’re flailing around in the peloton or on the trail.
Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep
World Champion Nino Schurter has been racing World Cups in the Sutro Lite Sweep. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool
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Another Sutro model?! Yup, they’re that good. The Sutro Light Sweep is the retro version, and it uses the “sweep” lens shape of the original Oakley Eyeshades worn by riders like Andy Hampston. But thankfully, because it’s based on the new Sutro frame, it’s not quite as ostentatious as the old Eyeshade. You get those sweet old-school ‘80s vibes without the ‘80s goofiness. Since the ends of the lens are angled upward, they work great for riders with narrow or triangular faces.
Oakley Jawbreaker
Olympic MTB and cyclocross world champion Tom Pidcock racing in Jawbreakers. Photo: A.S.O./Gautier Demouveaux
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The Jawbreaker is a modern classic, popularized by pro riders like sprinter Mark Cavendish who wore them during many of his most memorable Tour de France stage wins. The Jawbreaker frame hinges open like a mouth (hence the name), making lens swaps a breeze. The curved frame hugs your face, keeping as much wind, rain, mud, and dust out as possible. The great coverage and easy lens swaps are why I chose to wear the Jawbreaker at this year’s ultra-muddy Unbound Gravel 200.
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Oakley Flight Jacket
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If you ride in a low aero position, the Flight Jacket is the Oakley model for you. It’s like a modified Jawbreaker. The brow features an open edge that maximizes your upper field of vision while you’re hunkered down, while the “Advancer nose bridge” provides extra airflow to combat fogging and overheating. Triathletes, TT aces, sprinters, or anyone that tucks in and hammers for long periods of time can confidently keep their head low and out of the wind with the Flight Jacket.
Oakley EVZero Blade
Photo: Oakley
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Some sunglasses remove the upper or lower part of the frame, so why not remove all of it? The EVZero Blades combines ‘80s fashion with modern aesthetics by merging the lens from the iconic Razor Blades, the glasses worn by Greg LeMond, with Oakley’s EVZero frame. Since there’s no frame in the way, your field of vision is uninterrupted in all directions, which is why I like using them for mountain biking on gnarly, technical trails.
Oakley Radar
World champion and world cup overall winner Kate Courtney in Radars. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
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Some riders just can’t rock big sunglasses. If you’re looking for something more traditional, go for the Oakley Radar (even Geraint Thomas abandoned his old Jawbones for Radars). The Radar was refined over decades with input from the world’s best athletes. The Radar EV Path has a taller lens to provide a slightly more modern look and an extended range of view in the upper peripheral region. Also, if you have problems with glasses sliding down your nose, I’ve found that Radars stay put better than any other model I’ve tried.
Oakley Kato
Sprinting legend Mark Cavendish in the divisive Kato. Photo: A.S.O./Pauline Ballet
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This last pick is sure to be controversial. For some, the Kato is the ugliest model Oakley has ever made. For others, it’s revolutionary and stunning. The lens wraps around the nose, emulating the design of a superhero mask (Kato was the Green Hornet’s chauffeur and bodyguard). Mark Cavendish equaled Eddy Merckx’s record of Tour de France stage wins wearing the Kato, and numerous pros have donned the Kato mask for their own heroic exploits. If you want to stand out on a ride, the Kato is the number one choice.
Can you wear casual Oakley sunglasses for cycling?
Yes! Not everyone likes the racey look of Oakley’s sportier sunglass models, so if you want something casual that you can wear everyday but will still work on the bike, check out models like the Holbrook and the Frogskins. The frame designs are timeless, and you still get the clarity, definition, and impact protection of Oakley lenses.
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