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As you may know, I am a long-time Oakley Sunglass wearer. Karel introduced me to Oakley the minute we met..okay, maybe a few days later, and I was hooked. Having a chance to be an Oakley ambassador has been absolutely amazing as I have had so many opportunities to learn about the sunglasses and the importance of quality in the Oakley line of glasses and gear.
I had one pair of Tifosi sunglasses when I met Karel and of course they were pink. They were also cheap and who knows about the research behind Tifosi if they were safe for my eyes and skin from sun damage, if they could withstand my active lifestyle and if they could hold up during my Ironman training. Once I tried on my new pair of Oakley's (which were also Pink - Half Jackets), I was in love and never once went back to any other pair of sunglasses.
Many women choose sunglasses for a logo or a name or perhaps the style. Once thing that scares athletic/active women is breaking their sunglasses while exercising or training.
Let me tell you something...Karel has been involved in many crashes as a cyclist and not one pair of Oakley's have been affected in a crash. Karel, on the other hand, has had his experiences with some major road rash but the Oakley's were always A-ok.
One thing that may surprise you with Oakley sunglasses is that they won't slip off your face or move. They are comfortable and not tight around the ears. Depending on the style and your face, I have had great success with my glasses being able to fit under visors/hats as well as fitting comfortably around my ears with a biking helmet or aero helmet.
Testimonial...I have worn three different pairs of Oakley's in my last 4 Ironman races and training....
Half Jackets
Radar
Commit
IMKY
IMWI
KONA #2 (2011)
I wanted to share some of my favorites with you as I have received many emails over the past few months, mostly from active women (and men) who are seeking a new pair of sunglasses. Most people tell me they are ready to spend the money on Oakley's but in my mind, why not spend the money on something of great quality, made in the US and to fit your active lifestyle?
Here's a bit about the sunglases from the
Oakley Women website:
All lenses are made with High Definition Optics® (HDO®); for clarity and impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. The contours of 8.75 base lens curvature extend peripheral vision and improve side protection, and our Plutonite® lens material stops all UV cold. We enhance every lens with a permanent coating called Oakley Hydrophobic™, a marvel of science that repels dust while maintaining a smudge-resistant barrier against skin oils, finger prints, lotions and sunscreens and even repels water to prevent streaks and sheens from corrupting your vision.
If you manage to get hold of this coveted design, the first thing you’ll notice is the low weight. Our stress-resistant O Matter® frame material makes it possible. Slide the sunglass on and you’ll feel a Three-Point Fit that touches only the sides of your head and the bridge of your nose, and does so with Unobtainium® components that increase grip with perspiration. The geometry is optimized for women, so don’t be surprised if Commit fits and feels better than any sunglass you’ve ever worn.
•Optimized peripheral vision and side protection of 8.75 base lens curvature
•Comes standard with Oakley Hydrophobic™/Oleophobic anti-smudge lens coating on all lens options
•Comfort and performance of Three-Point Fit that holds lenses in precise optical alignment
•Optical precision, performance and impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards
•UV protection of Plutonite® lens that filters out 100% of UVA/ UVB/ UVC & harmful blue light up to 400nm
•Glare reduction and tuned light transmission of Iridium® lens coating
•Interchangeable lenses to optimize performance in any environment
•Available with Oakley prescription lenses
•Durability and all-day comfort of lightweight, stress-resistant O Matter® frame material
•Patented hydrophilic Unobtainium® earsocks and nosepads ensure a snug, secure fit, and increase grip with perspiration
•True sports performance frame optimized for Women’s fit
•Metal icon accents
•Protective sports-specific Oakley Soft Vault included with capacity for extra lenses
(Wondering if you need polarized glasses? I learned the polarized glasses are mainly to reduce glare...not for enhanced clarity. So unless you are going to wear your glasses near wet areas/surfaces, this is not a necessary feature. However, it's all about personal preference as many people do like the polarized look through the lenses. Also, Oakley makes prescription glasses for all styles so this may be something you would like to consider. If you have questions regarding prescription glasses, let me know. My dad is an eye doc and has a pair of Oakley prescription glases and uses them for running and for day wear).
Now, I realize that is a lot of info so here are a few of my favs to help you find the best pair of glasses to fit your needs.
STYLE
IDEAL
-For a sporty look to fit your active lifestyle. I don't find these comfortable to train in so I would recommend these for showing off your active lifestyle without having to do much activity in them. My face is small so perhaps these glasses may work for you if you want to run in them.
DRIZZLE
-If you want a stylish pair of glasses for running, I HIGHLY recommend the Drizzles! MY absolute FAVORITE pair of stylish glasses and YES, you can train in these for running! I also like the Overtime as both glasses will NOT slip off your face! I even did Yoga in both pairs of glasses and they never moved. Super comfortable for my small face.
MISS CONDUCT - Team USA edition
-I have not tried out MISS CONDUCT but my Oakley ambassador friends LOVE LOVE LOVE these glasses. They say they are perfect for all activities. I am just in love with the Team USA look...I can't wait to get a pair of these on my face!
SPORT
Going back to the idea of breaking your sunglasses or messing them up when training....let me tell you something about Oakley.
This isn't a company that makes gear for the sedentary. Oakley knows how active you are, whether you are a triathlete, runner or cyclist or just enjoy yoga or playing outside with your kids. Field tested, laboratory tested and heavily researched, Oakley doesn't mess around when it comes to making sure the sunglasses that you are wearing support your active lifestyle.
Consider this..
Many cyclists wear Oakley. You see them on Tours on TV and in magazines, they love Oakley's. Imagine racing your bike for 5,6 or 7 hours, day after day. If you have a pair of sunglasses that is not of good quality, bring on the headaches, eye/brain fatigue and pressure in the head..all due to poor quality sunglasses.
From an Ironman perspective, I figure on race day I am wearing my Oakley's for about 10 hours straight. From around 8:05am until 5:00pm, I am wearing sunglasses on my face, in addition to a helmet and then a visor. That's a long time to wear sunglasses. Again, a lot can happen in 10 hours and in addition to safety for my eyes, if a pair of sunglasses is causing me pain or discomfort, how can I focus on my race?
Here are a few of my favorite sunglasses...
Half Jacket
Flak Jacket
-I have experience wearing the Half Jackets. To me, the difference is the lens. With my small face, I really like the shape of the lens as it doesn't hit my face, around my cheeks. Oakley has worked really hard thanks to feedback from consumers, on their ear and nose pieces and thankfully, no more hair catching or rough edges. I also like that I can change my lenses for any Oakley's. Karel is a fan of Jawbone and he is constantly changing the lenses, especially for evening riding (clear lenses) or morning racing/training. I feel the Flak jacket and Half Jacket give an athlete a very sporty look, screaming "competitive" but also confidence and the ability to succeed.
Radar
-Now these scream competitive and that is what I LOVE about them. Karel got me these about two years ago and he told me these were my racing glasses. Something about these glasses just yell "I'm ready for action!" I love that Oakley glasses have a flavor to them that not only fit your needs but also your style. Whereas some women may prefer the Drizzles for a running race, there are others who may want a flashy sunglass like the Radar's. Whatever your style, that's what works for you. The idea is that you are paying for quality and that it enhances your lifestyle.
Committ
-By far, this is my favorite pair! I have two pairs (brown and white) and would LOVE to get my hands on the Team USA special edition. For my small face, this pair fits me the best and often I have to touch my face when training, just to make sure they are still on. Oakley lenses do not fog up so the lenses are always clear. The glasses are super light which is great for when I am doing a long training workout. Also, the ear pieces are firm so they don't move on your face but do not cause any extra pressure. Really, these are my absolute favorite and no matter what time I am training, I wear my Commit sunglasses. They also have a little bit of style to them so for someone who is wanting a pair to wear in training and for daily lifestyle, I would say that you could certainly pull off the brown or white pair of Commit.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the sunglases that Oakley has to offer, where to buy or any other concerns that you may have.
Thanks for reading!