In 2019, Oakley launched their first line of Sutro sun shades to unanimously optimistic critiques. Since then, a number of variations have emerged, from easy lens modifications to complete new fashions just like the Sutro S and the Sutro Lite. On this evaluate, we focus on all of the options that made the Sutros an on the spot basic within the activewear sun shades class. We’ll additionally focus on whether or not these shades are proper on your life-style and reply some generally requested questions.
Let’s leap proper in!
A Few Issues to Think about 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. Actually, when you lead an lively life and are out there for a pair of sun shades that may sustain, the Sutros undoubtedly match the invoice.
Don’t get me improper. They’re additionally nice when you’re simply actually into 80’s synthwave, however you in all probability gained’t get fairly as a lot out of them.
Primarily, the Sutros had been designed with the express goal of being the reply to biking sun shades. As we’ll see under, the Sutros affords cyclists a light-weight, sturdy, and snug choice 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 gives full-shield protection in opposition to daylight and particles.
Development
The place to start? The Sutros are constructed totally 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 understood for being each light-weight and sturdy. Actually, O Matter is twice as sturdy as customary 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 photos that allow you to choose up on vital 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 together with, the distinction colours and depth will fluctuate. A excessive Seen Mild 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 ultimate for vivid, sunny days or days with a number of glare.
The Sutros run the gamut in the case of VLT indices. As an illustration, the PRIZM Highway has a VLT of 20%, making it good for cloudy days the place you must see extra of your environment. On the different finish of the spectrum, we’ve bought the PRIZM Black. These have a VLT of simply 11%, which means you wouldn’t even have to squint when you had been staring on the solar from a stone’s throw away. (OK—I’m exaggerating a bit, however you get the thought.) Different choices just like the PRIZM Jade and PRIZM Sapphire supply middle-of-road VLTs.
Nosepiece
The Unobtainium saddle bridge excels each when it comes to consolation and stability. This rubberized materials sits comfortably in your nostril and gained’t begin to slip down when moist. Actually, whether or not rain or sweat, the saddle bridge turns into stickier when moist, rising its adhesion to your nostril.
Type
What all of the Sutros have in frequent is their retro-80’s stylish. It’s definitely not a glance everybody would rock however, when 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 observe, alongside both temple is an emblazoned Oakley emblem along with some delicate geometric detailing. By way of end, the Sutros are available in 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 Commonplace Situation division is answerable for producing the official sun shades utilized by the American navy.
Even in the present day, Oakley nonetheless manufactures as much as 70% of their merchandise within the US at their Foothill Ranch Headquarters in California. (Facet observe: 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 supply glorious worth. It’s secure 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 should say?
We perused the annals of our product critiques to see what our clients needed to say concerning the Oakley Sutro sun shades. Relating to 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 aspect arms match properly over a winter toque. The lens is superb 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:
An incredible product by Oakley. Prizm lens is prime notch for readability and distinction. My prizm path lens are good for my early morning highway and gravel rides and retains the flies away from my eyes. Top-of-the-line wanting biking shades in my view. The match is medium to massive.
Should you’re merely on the lookout for a pair of sun shades that look good, then Oakleys are an pointless expense. Alternatively, when you lead an lively life and need one thing that’s each trendy and practical, then sure—Oakleys are undoubtedly value it.
Oakleys are available in a variety of kinds, so that you gained’t have any bother discovering a pair that fits you. Moreover, they’re made virtually totally 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 basic 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 stage 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 basic Sutro in just one regard—dimension. One of many distinguishing options of the Sutros is their sheer dimension. With the Sutro S, Oakley dialed it again a half-notch for folks with smaller head shapes. Nonetheless, you continue to get full-shield protection with the Sutro S, for the reason that curvature of the frames had been lowered proportionally.
By way of 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 basic Sutro. The distinction right here is when it comes to perform reasonably than development. 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 possibly can swap out one lens type for one more. Perhaps you’re questioning what the purpose of that is. Is it purely aesthetics? No, swapping out lenses can truly be very helpful. As an illustration, in case your lenses have a low VLT ranking however you require a better VLT index for an overcast trip. Additionally of observe, Sutro lenses have prescription choices.
For an easy-to-follow tutorial on tips on how to change your lenses, try this video.
Are Oakley sun shades bulletproof?
I do know—this sounds extra like city fable than truth. 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 can be 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 are you going to inform which fashions are the true deal? They’re inscribed with the code ANSI Z87.1-2015 licensed, which meets the U.S. navy ballistic eyewear customary (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 development protects in opposition to projectiles like gravel and branches. They’re light-weight, because of the O Matter body, and gained’t sag whereas sitting in your sweaty nostril, because of their Unobtainium saddle bridge.
Lenses are interchangeable, which implies you possibly can shortly swap them out to raised meet the wants of your journey. Positive, they price greater than your common pair of sun shades, however in addition they do an entire lot extra. Whereas Sutros are finest geared (he-he) in direction of cyclists, climbers and runners may also profit. And, as we noticed from Tessa M’s evaluate, 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 testing our Sutro product web page to seek out the proper shades on your subsequent journey.