In 2019, Oakley launched their first line of Sutro sun shades to unanimously optimistic opinions. Since then, a number of variations have emerged, from easy lens adjustments to entire new fashions just like the Sutro S and the Sutro Lite. On this evaluation, we talk about all of the options that made the Sutros an prompt traditional within the activewear sun shades class. We’ll additionally talk about whether or not these shades are proper on your way of life and reply some generally requested questions.
Let’s leap proper in!
A Few Issues to Take into account earlier than shopping for Oakley Sutro Sun shades
Let’s not mince phrases right here—Oakley Sutro sun shades are costly. However that doesn’t imply they’re not value their salt. In truth, should you lead an energetic life and are available in the market for a pair of sun shades that may sustain, the Sutros positively match the invoice.
Don’t get me improper. They’re additionally nice should you’re simply actually into 80’s synthwave, however you most likely received’t get fairly as a lot out of them.
Primarily, the Sutros have been designed with the specific goal of being the reply to biking sun shades. As we’ll see under, the Sutros provides cyclists a light-weight, sturdy, and snug possibility for each the path and the highway.
Whether or not you ship UberEats on a fixie or barrel down rocky ridges on a mountain bike, the Sutros are for you. Their wrap-around design supplies full-shield protection in opposition to daylight and particles.
Building
The place to start? The Sutros are constructed fully with proprietary supplies, from the frames and the lenses all the way down to the rubberized nostril piece.
Body
The frames are constructed with Oakley’s O Matter expertise. This nylon-based materials is thought for being each light-weight and sturdy. In truth, O Matter is twice as sturdy as commonplace acetate frames, whereas additionally being 25% lighter.
Lenses
The specifically formulated PRIZM lenses are crafted utilizing particular dyes to intensify some colors and dampen others. This creates sharp, high-contrast pictures that allow you to choose up on essential cues whereas lowering visible noise.
In different phrases, you’ll have much less bother making out potential obstacles and small particulars, like a quickly approaching pothole, fissure, or rock. Additionally, many wearers love the crisp, popping optics that the PRIZM lenses present.
Relying on the lens sort you go along with, the distinction colours and depth will differ. A excessive Seen Gentle Transmission (VLT) index means much less filtration and extra mild penetrating the lens. That is precisely what you need in low-light and overcast situations. Conversely, a low VLT index means extra filtration and much less mild penetration. That is supreme for vibrant, sunny days or days with a number of glare.
The Sutros run the gamut relating to VLT indices. As an example, the PRIZM Highway has a VLT of 20%, making it excellent for cloudy days the place you’ll want to see extra of your environment. On the different finish of the spectrum, we’ve received the PRIZM Black. These have a VLT of simply 11%, which means you wouldn’t even have to squint should you have been staring on the solar from a stone’s throw away. (OK—I’m exaggerating a bit, however you get the concept.) Different choices just like the PRIZM Jade and PRIZM Sapphire provide middle-of-road VLTs.
Nosepiece
The Unobtainium saddle bridge excels each by way of consolation and stability. This rubberized materials sits comfortably in your nostril and received’t begin to slip down when moist. In truth, whether or not rain or sweat, the saddle bridge turns into stickier when moist, rising its adhesion to your nostril.
Model
What all of the Sutros have in widespread is their retro-80’s stylish. It’s definitely not a glance everybody would rock however, should you dig it, the myriad of Sutro fashions ensures you’ll discover one thing that fits your face form. For these with flatter noses and excessive cheekbones, there’s even the Asian Match Sutros.
Of be aware, alongside both temple is an emblazoned Oakley emblem along with some delicate geometric detailing. When it comes to end, the Sutros are available each matte and gloss.
High quality
Oakley is a model famend for distinctive high quality. They’ve been perfecting glasses for the reason that firm was based in 1975. Not solely do they make informal and activewear sun shades, their Normal Problem division is accountable for producing the official sun shades utilized by the American army.
Even at this time, Oakley nonetheless manufactures as much as 70% of their merchandise within the US at their Foothill Ranch Headquarters in California. (Facet be aware: their Headquarters is known for its weird futuristic steampunk facade, amongst different issues…)
Worth
For each breed of bike owner on the market, the Sutro sun shades provide wonderful worth. It’s protected to say they’re one of many leaders on this class of eyewear. Every buy features a drawstring nylon bag and a hard-shell carrying case to maintain ‘em protected.
What do clients need to say?
We perused the annals of our product opinions to see what our clients needed to say in regards to the Oakley Sutro sun shades. Concerning the Sutro Black Ink – Prizm Jade Iridium Lens Sun shades, Teresa M. writes:
I purchased these sun shades for cross nation snowboarding, snow shoeing, and winter working. The facet arms match properly over a winter toque. The lens is great for good visualization of texture on the snow.
In the meantime, relating to the Sutro Sun shades – Matte Black – Prizm Path Torch Lens, Oliver V. says:
A terrific product by Oakley. Prizm lens is prime notch for readability and distinction. My prizm path lens are excellent for my early morning highway and gravel rides and retains the flies away from my eyes. Top-of-the-line wanting biking shades for my part. The match is medium to giant.
For those who’re merely on the lookout for a pair of sun shades that look good, then Oakleys are an pointless expense. Then again, should you lead an energetic life and need one thing that’s each modern and purposeful, then sure—Oakleys are positively value it.
Oakleys are available a variety of kinds, so that you received’t have any bother discovering a pair that fits you. Moreover, they’re made nearly fully with proprietary supplies that guarantee sturdiness in opposition to solar, rain, sweat, and impacts.
What is the distinction between Sutro and Sutro S and Sutro Lite sun shades?
Let’s first cowl the similarities between the traditional Sutro, Sutro S, and Sutro Lite sun shades. Throughout all three fashions, you’ll discover the identical wrap-around design and proprietary supplies. This implies the identical degree of safety in opposition to the weather, constructed with an O Matter body, Unobtainium Saddle Bridge, and PRIZM lenses.
Now, onto the variations.
The Sutro S differ from the traditional Sutro in just one regard—measurement. One of many distinguishing options of the Sutros is their sheer measurement. With the Sutro S, Oakley dialed it again a half-notch for folks with smaller head shapes. However, you continue to get full-shield protection with the Sutro S, for the reason that curvature of the frames have been diminished proportionally.
When it comes to specs, the unique Sutros are roughly a males’s L or ladies’s XL. The Sutro S, alternatively, are about equal to a males’s S to M or ladies’s M to L.
Lastly, the Sutro Lite sun shades share the identical dimensions with the traditional Sutro. The distinction right here is by way of operate reasonably than building. With the Lite, you get further Unobtainium grip on the within temples for added stability. Furthermore, the absence of a backside rim permits for higher downwards visibility.
Are Oakley Sutro lenses interchangeable?
Sure, the Oakley Sutro lenses are interchangeable. This implies you may swap out one lens type for an additional. Perhaps you’re questioning what the purpose of that is. Is it purely aesthetics? No, swapping out lenses can really be very helpful. As an example, in case your lenses have a low VLT ranking however you require a better VLT index for an overcast journey. Additionally of be aware, Sutro lenses have prescription choices.
For an easy-to-follow tutorial on learn how to change your lenses, try this video.
Are Oakley sun shades bulletproof?
I do know—this sounds extra like city fantasy than reality. However, earlier than we outright dismiss the query, there actually is one thing to this.
Whereas it’s a little bit of a stretch to name them bulletproof, Oakley does manufacture military-grade sun shades which are ballistic-rated. This doesn’t imply your lens will cease an incoming bullet, however they’re impact- and shatter-resistant in opposition to small fragments and projectiles.
How will you inform which fashions are the actual deal? They’re inscribed with the code ANSI Z87.1-2015 licensed, which meets the U.S. army ballistic eyewear commonplace (MIL-PRF-31013).
From begin to end, the Oakley Sutro sun shades are a cycler’s dream. Their full-shield design stands as much as components like solar, wind, and rain, whereas the impact-resistant building protects in opposition to projectiles like gravel and branches. They’re light-weight, because of the O Matter body, and received’t sag whereas sitting in your sweaty nostril, because of their Unobtainium saddle bridge.
Lenses are interchangeable, which implies you may rapidly swap them out to higher meet the wants of your journey. Certain, they price greater than your common pair of sun shades, however in addition they do a complete lot extra. Whereas Sutros are finest geared (he-he) in the direction of cyclists, climbers and runners also can profit. And, as we noticed from Tessa M’s evaluation, they maintain up properly for winter sports activities, too.
As a result of there are such a lot of choices to select from, we advocate trying out our Sutro product web page to search out the proper shades on your subsequent journey.