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Best Overall
Oakley Holbrook XL Prizm H2O Polarized
Best Budget
Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses
Best Polarized Sunglasses
Oakley Split Shot Polarized
Oakley sunglasses do more than just look good—the popular frames also protect your eyes from impact, debris, and potentially harmful UV rays when you’re outside in the sun. Oakley is widely known for its premium eye protection, having started out making goggles for motocross and then expanding into sunglasses for just about every sport and outdoor activity. The amount of technology poured into each pair is outstanding, which is what has made them a leader for so long.
With so many frame styles, lenses, and colors to choose from, picking the right pair of Oakley sunglasses for you comes down to personal preference and the features you want in your shades. However, as a bit of a brand evangelist myself, I’ve narrowed down some of the best Oakley sunglasses below, including my favorite with polarized lenses.
Best Overall: Oakley Holbrook XL Prizm H2O Polarized Sunglasses
Best Budget: Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses
Best Polarized: Oakley Split Shot Polarized Sunglasses
Best Multi-Sport: Oakley SI Flak 2.0 Sunglasses
Best for Women: Oakley Pasque Prizm Polarized Sunglasses
How We Picked the Best Oakley Sunglasses
I’ll admit that I have been a fan of Oakley products since the late 1980s from my days of riding motocross. It started with goggles, which protected my eyes from all sorts of bad things. I then added the brand’s sunglasses to my regular attire. Since then, I have worn Oakley sunglasses for all sorts of outdoor fun, from fishing and shooting to hiking and biking. I have owned several pairs and am now adding prescription lenses to them, as most Oakley sunglasses are available with prescription lenses, including progressive.
Of all the pairs I tested, the Oakley Holbrook sunglasses were by far my favorite. Derrek Sigler
We looked at a few specific criteria to make our selections for this list. They included:
Clarity: How clear are the sunglasses? How much distortion will you get from the lens material?
Polarization: Are the lenses polarized? Polarized sunglasses
are ideal for fishing and other outdoor activities.
Frame fit and shape: How well do the frames fit your face? Are they comfortable on a variety of face sizes and shapes?
Best Oakley Sunglasses, Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Oakley Holbrook XL Prizm H2O Polarized Sunglasses
Best Overall
Specs
Polarized: Yes
Size: XL
Light Transmission: 12 percent
Impact Rated: Yes
Pros
Comfortable for big heads
Polarized Prizm lenses
Great for casual as well as fishing and hunting
Cons
Pricey
The Oakley Holbrook XL Prizm H2O glasses are about as advanced as you can find for sunglasses. Oakley went all out and dumped every bit of technology they could muster into these lenses, making them as optically perfect as you will find anywhere. They use Oakley’s Plutonite polycarbonate lenses that filter 100 percent of all UVA/UVB/UVC and harmful blue light that bombards your eyes when you’re on the water.
The Holbrook lenses use the acclaimed Prizm technology for ultra-precise color tuning, and they have high-definition polarization for glare reduction. These glasses also meet or exceed the ANSI Z80.3 optical and basic impact standards, qualifying them as safe for hunting use, too.
Best Budget: Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses
Best Budget
Specs
Polarized: No
Size: Standard
Light Transmission: 12 percent
Impact Rated: Yes
Pros
Lightweight
Trendy silhouette
Prizm lenses
Cons
Not polarized
I got my first pair of the original Frogskins sunglasses back in the late 1980s. I wore them everywhere and thought I looked as cool as motocross icon Ricky Johnson. My mom was happy because I had a mild issue with light sensitivity in my eyes, and the Oakleys did a great job at filtering that out. I was pretty sad when I broke them, so I bought another pair. And then another pair after that years later.
Today’s modern Frogskins are even better. They have a similar style to the original, but every aspect of the sunglasses has been updated. The frames are lighter yet more durable and the hinges are tough. For more clarity, the Prizm lenses are made with Oakley’s Plutonite material that filters 100 percent of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm. For folks like me who still deal with a bit of light sensitivity, that is all good stuff. They are impact rated, as all Oakley sunglasses are, and they look cool, so that helps, too.
Best Polarized: Oakley Split Shot Polarized Sunglasses
Best Polarized
Specs
Polarized: Yes
Size: Wide for medium to large heads
Light Transmission: 12 percent
Impact Rated: Yes
Pros
Designed for maximum protection
Fishing-specific polarized lenses
Look as good as they work
Cons
A little pricey
The Oakley Split Shot sunglasses have everything you would want in premium fishing sunglasses
. The frames wrap around your head giving you more coverage from the lenses, as well as reduced sunlight bleed from the sides. These sunglasses comfortably fit a wide range of head shapes and sizes. The injected O Matter frame with detachable integrated retainer system keeps the shades on your head or around your neck when not in use. They also feature Oakley’s Unobtainium nose pads for maximum grip to stay put without irritating your face.
The real star of these Oakley sunglasses are the polarized Prizm lenses. They offer exceptional clarity, with fishing-specific polarization for reducing glare on the water. You can get the Split Shot with lenses specifically created for shallow water fishing, perfect for bass, inshore fishing, or streams and rivers. There is a Maritime mirror finish for when you hit the bigger bodies of water, and a cool Tungsten bronze option for fishing anywhere on bright days.
As you would expect, they use Oakley’s Plutonite lens material for UV protection that filters 100 percent of all UV A/B rays up to 400nm and some of the blue light spectrum as well. Bonus: They look good enough for everyday wear off the water, too.
Best Multi-Sport: Oakley SI Flak 2.0 Sunglasses
Best Multi-Sport
Specs
Polarized: Yes
Size: Small, Standard, and XL
Light Transmission: 12 percent
Impact Rated: Yes
Pros
Wide range of styles and colors
Lightweight
Activity-specific models available
Prizm lenses
Cons
Not the most stylish
Whether you’re golfing, cycling, fishing, or shooting, there is an entire collection of Oakley SI Flak sunglasses
that covers every activity, including kids sizes. We love these for hiking sunglasses
, too. Every model of the Oakley Flak design has the same basic fit and features. The Prizm lenses wrap around your face with a half-frame design and a lens shape that extends down to your cheeks. The design gives you great, unobstructed views.
The rubberized nose piece and straight stems also with a rubberized coating keep the sunglasses securely in place on your head, regardless of the activity. This makes them some of the best sunglasses you can get for an active outdoor lifestyle. My son is a thrower on his track team and he wears these sunglasses because no matter how much spin or effort he puts into his throws, the Oakley sunglasses stay put. If they were to fall off, it would mean a disqualification, so he is very picky about what he wears.
The Maritime version we looked at has some features that are very user-specific. There may not be a pair of sunglasses that do a better job at cutting down the glare on the open water. They feature amazing optical clarity with Prizm lenses that use high-definition polarization and lens coloration that helps make things clearer on the water. This is great for helping you see objects floating along that may blend in too well. All the other features you’d expect in Oakleys are there, with quality components that are impact rated, and attention to detail that is second to none.
Best for Women: Oakley Pasque Prizm Polarized Sunglasses
Best for Women
Specs
Polarized: Yes
Size: Standard
Light Transmission: 12 percent
Impact Rated: Yes
Pros
Comfortable and stylish
Lightweight
Prizm lenses
Cons
Somewhat pricey
I first noticed these sunglasses on a recent trip to my local Cabela’s. My wife found these and tried them on. She really liked them and the fit was great, some of the best she’s ever worn apparently. They feature all the same technology and features you would expect from Oakley: Prizm lenses with high-def polarization, a strong lightweight frame, and a comfortable fit. They have a wrap-around style that makes them perfect for fishing adventures or a day out on the boat, and hug your face. An added plus is they look stylish enough to wear every day.
The only downside—and this is true for all Oakley sunglasses—is that they are a bit pricey. However, you get what you pay for, and these sunglasses do a great job of providing optimal eye protection and extreme clarity, and you can look good while wearing them.
What to Consider When Buying Oakley Sunglasses
With so many options for styles and features, it can be hard to determine which Oakley sunglasses are right for you.
Frames
Oakley uses some of the most technically-advanced materials for their frames. They want them to be durable and lightweight, two things that don’t always go together. The proprietary composite martial Oakley uses—called O Matter—is lightweight and very durable, much more so than a regular plastic.
There are metal frame options, too. Again, Oakley has their own special alloy called C5 that is light and durable and resists being bent. The Square Wire
model is a popular example of this material.
Oakley also uses a specialized rubber compound—called Unobtainium—for their nose pieces and ear stems. The biggest difference here is that it is a durable material that keeps the sunglasses in place and on your head. You will find it across the Oakley sunglasses line.
Lenses and Lens Technology
All Oakley lenses meet or exceed the ANSI Z80.3 standard
for clarity and impact resistance. This goes back to Oakley’s start as a goggle manufacturer. They are heavily invested in eye protection. In having this standard throughout the line, you will get amazing protection from the lenses. But it doesn’t stop there.
Oakley’s Prizm lenses enhance colors and definition across the visual range. They help with contrast and make it possible to see things with more definition than your naked eye. When you add in the Polarized Prizm models, you get the absolute clearest view on the water. I have tested sunglasses from several manufacturers, and so far, nothing can top the optical clarity of Oakley’s Polarized Prizm lenses. And if you’re like me, you’ll be happy to learn that you can get them in prescription sunglasses, too.
Protection and Coverage
The impact protection and shape of the lenses both play a large role in protecting your eyes. The more of your visual path that is covered by the lens, the better, especially if you’re outdoors. Most Oakley sunglasses allow for 11 percent of the light to transfer to your eye. This cuts down on the strain your eyes take on in bright conditions.
All Oakley lenses also filter out 100 percent of all UVA, UVB and UVC rays, as well as blue light, which is common from screens and artificial light sources. It is up to you to decide which lens shape gives you the coverage you need and want. The only thing Oakley sunglasses can’t do is keep you from getting really funky tan lines on your face, but there’s sunscreen and hats for that. And yes, I speak from experience.
FAQs
Q: Are Oakley frames good quality?
Oakley uses their own patented materials for their various frames, and the quality is very good—good enough to be standard issue for military special forces and many first responders.
Q: Is Prizm or polarized better?
If you spend a lot of time on the water, you should always choose polarized lenses. For other activities, the exceptional clarity of the Prizm lenses is hard to beat. Of course, the ultimate solution is to go with sunglasses that offer polarized Prizm lenses.
Q: What are the disadvantages of polarized sunglasses?
The only disadvantage of a polarized lens is that it makes it more difficult to see LCD screens, so you may need to tip them up to view your phone screen or a fish finder
.
Q: Are Prizm lenses worth it?
As with any technology, the Prizm lens material adds to the cost of the Oakley sunglasses. However, from what I have seen, the added benefit of the clarity and definition makes that additional cost worth it.
Q: What is the best way to clean Oakley sunglasses?
The best way to clean Oakleys or any sunglasses is to use a soft microfiber cloth
and lens cleaner
to remove smudges and dirt without scratching the lenses or ruining any of the coatings. It is advised that you never clean a lens dry, so at the very least, breath onto the lens to add some moisture.
Best Oakley Sunglasses: Final Thoughts
Best Overall: Oakley Holbrook XL Prizm H2O Polarized Sunglasses
Best Budget: Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses
Best Polarized: Oakley Split Shot Polarized Sunglasses
Best Multi-Sport: Oakley SI Flak 2.0 Sunglasses
Best for Women: Oakley Pasque Prizm Polarized Sunglasses
When I was younger, I was all about Oakley stuff because of the guys who wore it. I put on their sunglasses not because of the features, but because I wanted to be like my motocross idols. Now that I’m older and appreciate function more so than fashion, I like Oakley sunglasses because of the levels of protection they provide me and my family. The fact that they look cool is a bonus.
Yes, they are more expensive than some brands, but the features you get and all of the protective measures they offer. Picking the best Oakley sunglasses for this story was easy because they are some of the best sunglasses you can buy. The only hard part was deciding which models to include.
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For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
