Why Are Oakley Sunglasses So Expensive? (2024)

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Sunday, June 13th 2021, 12:26 AM EDT

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Why Are Oakley Sunglasses So Expensive? (1)Photo from eyeglasses123

If you asked ten people on the street to name a high-end brand that makes sunglasses, I bet over half of them would say “Oakley.” Since the mid-’70s, Oakley has been the go-to brand for sportsmen and women around the world. But if you know anything about Oakleys, you know they’re not cheap. And you might be thinking; they’re just sunglasses. I could get the same thing from a department store for less than 50 bucks. So, why are they so expensive?

You probably know the name Oakley for one simple reason. They’re just fantastic. Worn by NFL football players, professional golfers, Olympic skiers, and everyone in between, these glasses have been tested by the most elite athletes in pretty much every sport. But they’re not just for elite athletes. The average Joe looks excellent and does their job better than any other glasses out there.

But that still doesn’t answer our question. And it’s not just the name; Oakley sunglasses do come with a ton of built-in technology that makes them much better than your typical cheap pair of department store sunglasses. They’ve been leading the way in the development of the technology used in sunglasses since their founding.

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So what are some of those technological advancements? Most Oakleys come with polarized lenses, which means they help block out sunlight while making it easier to see the contrast in lighting. This combination means these glasses make it easier to see, especially when lighting conditions aren’t optimal, like when you’re doing activities on the water or snow.

In addition to having some of the best lenses out there, Oakley sunglasses are also super durable. I know more than a few people who have had the same pair of Oakleys for years without any problems with them getting broken or damaged. The premium cost means Oakley can spend more time making sure they’ve produced quality, durable products than other companies.

Both the frames and lenses are made to resist impacts, protecting your eyes from potentially dangerous material and helping them last even longer.

Another reason Oakleys are so expensive is because of the technology they’ve been helping to develop for years. They hold more than 600 patents for the materials and technology that they’ve developed over the years, and all of that innovation comes at a premium. Their latest technology, which they call Oakley Prizm technology, took 15 years to develop.

And just like a lot of other sunglass makers, Oakleys can come with prescription lenses.

Even though not all Oakleys come with these, this can increase their price even more since prescription lenses can be expensive. If you’re wearing your Oakley sunglasses with prescription lenses, chances are you paid a premium for that service, too.

Luckily for us, though, some places sell Oakleys for well under their retail price.

You can find a wide selection of Oakley sunglasses well below their MSRP from eyeglasses123.

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Why Are Oakley Sunglasses So Expensive? (2024)

FAQs

Why Are Oakley Sunglasses So Expensive? ›

The premium cost means Oakley can spend more time making sure they've produced quality, durable products than other companies. Both the frames and lenses are made to resist impacts, protecting your eyes from potentially dangerous material and helping them last even longer.

What is special about Oakley sunglasses? ›

It offers truer, more accurate vision versus conventional lenses that magnify images and make objects appear shifted from their true position. With HDO, Oakley lenses meet or exceed the testing standards of the American National Standards Institute (the yardstick of performance for the eyewear industry).

Why Oakley sunglasses are expensive? ›

Quality of materials: Oakley uses high-quality materials in their products, including premium-grade plastics, metals, and lenses. The Gascan frames, for example, are made from a durable, lightweight O Matter material, which is engineered to withstand extreme stress and environmental conditions.

Is Oakley considered a luxury brand? ›

Rise in the Fashion Industry: Oakley quickly gained popularity among celebrities and the affluent clientele. Its luxury products became a symbol of wealth and taste.

Is Ray Ban better than Oakley? ›

In general, if you are looking for sunglasses with classic and durable styles, Ray-Ban is a good choice. If you are looking for sunglasses with innovative and technological designs for extreme situations, Oakley may be a good choice.

Why does the military use Oakley? ›

Oakley's partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces began in the 1980's. The alliance was formed to develop new technologies that improve the safety, performance and comfort of our soldiers and safety professionals.

Why does the military use Oakley sunglasses? ›

Oakley's partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces began in the 1980s. The alliance was formed to develop new technologies that improvethe safety, performance and comfort of our service members and safety professionals.

What glasses are better than Oakley? ›

Smith Optics is renowned for its ChromaPop lens technology, which enhances your visual experience by providing better color contrast and clarity. ChromaPop lenses are designed to selectively filter certain wavelengths of light, resulting in improved color perception.

Is Maui Jim better than Oakley? ›

The Maui's are durable all around. The frame is lightweight but well made, and the lenses are made with MauiEvolution material (a glass and polycarbonate hybrid), which is much, much more scratch resistant than the iridium on the Oakley's. You won't have to worry about scratches nearly as much with the Maui Jims.

Are Ray Bans or Oakleys more expensive? ›

In terms of pricing, Ray-Bans and Oakleys have a similar starting price point, though limited edition and special models can be more expensive.

What is the most luxury sunglasses brand? ›

Some of the most expensive sunglass brands, like Cartier, RayBan, and Bulgari embody sophistication, exclusivity, and luxury. Each brand offers something unique and luxurious, from classic aviators to modern designs with intricate detailing.

What is the most expensive Oakley sunglass? ›

The most expensive sunglasses in the Oakley line are not encrusted with diamonds and jewels. But at $4,000 for the shades, the Elite C Six model might as well be treated like gold. Released about a year ago, the extremely limited model is actually made of carbon fiber with a titanium spine.

Does Ray-Ban own Oakley? ›

Luxottica owns not only a large portfolio of brands (over a dozen) such as Ray-Ban and Oakley but also retailers such as Sunglass Hut, Lenscrafters and Oliver Peoples, the optical departments at Target and Sears, as well as key eye insurance groups including the second largest glasses insurance firm in the US, EyeMed.

What is the No 1 sunglasses in the world? ›

Ray-Ban is an American brand of sunglasses and eyeglasses founded in 1937. It is known for its iconic Aviator and Wayfarer styles. It is considered one of the world's most popular and recognizable brands.

Are Oakley sunglasses out of style? ›

Whether it's the elite athlete you follow on Instagram or your neighbor who seems to constantly be going on vacation, there is good reason the striving and thriving always reach for a set of Oakley sunglasses. SportRx is here to help you understand why Oakleys are still in style.

Is Prizm polarized better than polarized? ›

Whereas polarized lenses block glare from reflected light, Prizm lenses amplify what you're seeing. That being said, most polarized and all Prizm lenses offer 100% UV protection from the sun's rays, keeping your eyes safe from strain and burn while out of doors. Do Prizm lenses protect your eyes? Yes!

Are Oakley glasses good quality? ›

Conclusion. Oakley is one of the biggest and most trusted brands in the sunglasses space. Oakleys are made with great sophistication and precision. For comfort, style, durability, and clarity of vision, no other brand can compete.

Why are Oakleys so popular? ›

With its innovative Prizm Lens Technology and never-seen-before shield lens design, Oakley became the brand of the moment (within eyewear, anyway) and was being worn by some of the world's most famous athletes.

Are expensive sunglasses really better? ›

UV-blocking and shatter-resistance ratings are usually impressive with higher-end offerings, so you're treating your eyes better. And because superior hardware is used on expensive models, they last longer than the convenience-store options.

Are Oakley lenses good quality? ›

Oakley's been praised internationally for the design, innovation and durability of its lenses and frames.

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