By Paul Norman

Published: Sunday, 09 October 2022 at 12:00 am


Oakley sunglasses are a popular go-to option for cyclists, and with good reason. While often more expensive than some of the competition, there’s no denying that its shades are well-designed, high-quality and, at times, unmistakably distinctive. 

The current collection of cycling-specific shades features a wide range of frame styles to suit all tastes and face shapes – from the traditional to the truly out there, there’s something for everyone.

That choice has been added to by Oakley’s new custom sunglass programme. This lets you choose your own frame parts and lens for 14 different models, offering up to a claimed 40-million different combinations. Oakley often has special editions too, like Tour de France glasses and the Evzero Path Kokoro we’ve featured.

For those of us who wear spectacles in everyday life, Oakley’s cycling glasses range includes prescription cycling glasses.

Oakley Prizm lens tech explained

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Oakley’s various Prizm tints are claimed to improve clarity and contrast in different scenarios. 
Stan Portus / Our Media

Oakley’s cycling sunglasses are also defined by the brand’s Prizm lens technology. Oakley says it took 15 years to develop, with each lens’s tint designed to optimise visibility and contrast in different light conditions and sports. 

For example, a specific tint is used to enhance the clarity of road surfaces, helping to reveal potholes, which can often be hidden by glare. These may sound like bold claims, but our expert testing team is united in its agreement that Prizm really does make a difference.

Oakley frames are donned by a huge number of cyclists around the world. So if you’re looking for a list of the best Oakley sunglasses available then you’ve come to the right place. All the sunglasses in this article have been road-tested and rated by BikeRadar’s expert testers.

The best Oakley cycling sunglasses 2022 – as rated by BikeRadar’s expert testers

  • Jawbreaker: £178 / $216
  • Kato: £265 / €295 / $323 / AU$396
  • EVZero: £143 / $176
  • Sutro: £135 / $166
  • Flight Jacket: £187 / $226
  • Wind Jacket 2.0: £120 / $148

Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm glasses

4.5 out of 5 star rating
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The lens is designed with road riding in mind.
Ben Delaney / Immediate Media
  • Distortion-free Prizm lens with tint specific to roads
  • Unobtanium grippers at temples and nose keep glasses in place 

Our highest-rated pair of Oakley sunglasses for cyclists, we found the Jawbreaker to offer crystal-clear optics. Its distortion-free Prizm lens and road-specific tint clarifies road surface while its 53mm tall lens gives unobstructed visibility, even when riding in the drops. 

The 131mm width wraps around your face with scalloped lower sections to fit comfortably around cheekbones. For added comfort, the nosepiece is adjustable and so are the earpieces. 

Oakley’s signature ‘Unobtanium’ rubber grippers keep each section from slipping, even on a sweat-slickened face. The channels that hold the lens in place also have little rubber bumpers for a secure fit.