It all started with a simple looking design called Eyeshade in 1984 and this piece was the latest innovation from Oakley’s founder, Jim Jannard. From here Jim realised that in order to keep eyewear technology abreast of the performance needs of an athlete he’d need to work out how to offer more reactive opportunities to his sunglasses. So the Blade became the first set of sunglasses from Oakley to have interchangeable lenses and therefore offer the customer a customized look and the ability to change as quickly as the light conditions did.
Swinging forward the M Frame was born and with it came, what was for over two decades, the most popular sports specific sunglass on the planet. Loved and worn by professional and amateur the world over.
Today Oakley’s sunglasses remain at the forefront of global eyewear technology. The number of patents from both a design and technology aspect that have been granted, or are pending, is testimony to Jim’s original vision to find a problem, solve it and wrap it in art.
HDO - High Definition Optics system allows the wearer the ability to see things without any warping or distortion. The lens does the work so your eyes don’t, enabling you to work harder for longer and not feel the effects of eye fatigue thats an ever present danger in others. 100% UV filtration and impact protection that far exceeds any government guidelines laid down for sunglass manufacturing is another feature, with lighter, tougher and more resilient frame materials. Some built in desert bunkers due to the extremes of temperatures and the volatile production process - all of this to ensure you, the user has the best frame and lens combinations you can currently find.