If you’re thinking of buying some new sunglasses – be that for sport or leisure – then there’s a good chance that you’ll have come across Oakley. In fairness, it’s one of the biggest names in the eyewear business and has a varied range of glasses that cover a variety of different used cases. 

But working out which ones are right for you can prove a bit confusing. After all, Oakley offers all manner of lens technologies, not to mention frame types and fits. So here, we’ve got some of the key pointers to bear in mind before you dive in and make a purchase. 

Heritage

A bit of backstory. Though there are plenty of upstarts in the eyewear game, Oakley is one which has been around for a surprisingly long time. It was actually founded in 1975 in Southern California, with some of its most iconic styles including the Frogskins and RazorBlades arriving shortly after in the mid-80s.

You’ll notice quite a lot of this heritage coming down into Oakley’s current range of sunglasses and eyewear, like the Frogskins which continue to be a key part of the line-up even today. 

Range

You probably know about Oakley’s sunglasses, but it also makes traditional glasses as well alongside goggles for activities such as snowboarding and motocross. That means you can get the same level of technology as you would in a pair of the brand’s sunglasses in eyewear that can be applied to different uses. 

Which lenses are right for me?

Oakley uses quite a few different terms for its lens technology, so it can be a little bewildering to work out what they all mean. We’ve got the breakdown, though. 

High Definitions Optic (HDO)

High Definitions Optic – or HDO – is an Oakley lens system which helps give a really clear view of what you’re looking at without the need for magnification. Essentially, it means that you should be able to see things as clearly as possible without having your image distorted or thrown out of whack. 

HD Polarised 

Polarised glasses aim to reduce glare, which can really help in a variety of situations. If you’re fishing or on the water, it helps to reduce the angriness that comes from the sun’s reflection on the surface, or if you’re snowboarding it can help to tone down the snow’s brightness. Plus, if you’re driving and the road ahead of you is wet – but the sun is high in the sky – then polarised glasses can give you a safer view of the area ahead. 

In Oakley glasses, you’ll see its polarised glasses referred to as HD Polarised, so you’ll want to opt for those if you’re after a set of fully polarised glasses. 

Prizm

You’ll see Oakley’s Prizm technology integrated into a lot of its latest styles. Think of it as a quality-improving filter which helps to throw a little extra contrast onto what you’re looking at. It enhances colour and contrast and, in the process, elevates details as well. 

Prizm is available on both Oakley’s sports and everyday range, so you needn’t have to go for an activity-based set of sunglasses to get this contrast-boosting technology. Of course, Prizm also includes full UVA and UVB protection from the sun as standard. 

Plutonite 

Plutonite might sound other-worldly, but it’s got a more concrete base than that. It’s what Oakley terms its own Polycarbonate plastic that it uses for all manner of its lenses. What’s the benefit of this? Well, it’s more durable and less susceptible to impacts and scratches meaning that your glasses should, in theory, be better for longer. It’s impact resistant, so can take minor hits while looking after your eyes – but they shouldn’t be seen as proper impact protection, so you shouldn’t wear them while operating heavy machinery, for example. 

Is there a difference between Oakley’s Prizm and Plutonite?

Essentially, Prizm lenses are made from Plutonite, so you can’t have one without the other. It’s best to think of Plutonite as the core material from which Oakley’s lenses are made; Prizm technology, meanwhile, is integrated into this material to make them even better-performing and better to look through. 

Are Prizm lenses polarised?

Nope. Prizm technology doesn’t mean that you’re automatically getting polarisation. Though Prizm does help to reduce glare, it doesn’t in quite the same way as polarised lenses do. Fortunately, you can have both – you just need to look out for Prizm Polarised lenses when you’re looking at your next pair. 

Unobtanium

Again, Unobtanium is a term which seems like it should refer to something from outer space, but it’s actually a tacky material which Oakley uses for its nose pads to provide a secure fit. You might also find it being used on the arms which, again, helps to stop them from slipping regardless of what you’re up to.