Proper eye protection is necessary when engaging in any outdoor activity, horseback riding included. Not only does this give you maximum protection from wind and flying dust particles, but the right lens options can provide proper UV protection as well.
This is where products like Oakley riding glasses come into play.
Known for providing excellent sunglasses for optical clarity and eye protection, this brand offers a wide range of fit options to help improve your riding experience the next time you head out.
Sports sunglasses are more than just apparel and accessories to complement your outfit, so even if you aren’t planning to ride the fastest horse in the world, choosing high-performance eyewear is still very important.
Whether you’re only picking up regular, interchangeable lenses or you’re after a pair of prescription lenses, you need to ensure that your sports eyewear offers you adequate protection.
After nearly 5 decades in the industry, Oakley has created many types of sunglasses, so how do you pick the best pair for your horse riding adventures? Explore some of the best riding glasses below.
Oakley models provide optical clarity, increased peripheral vision, and reduction of blind spots. The best part? They are incredibly affordable!
Oakley Riding Glasses
1. Oakley Men’s Oo9101 Batwolf Shield Sunglasses
Incredibly lightweight and with a rectangular shield design, these pairs of sunglasses offer you extended coverage and a wider visual field over a longer period.
The frame is made of plastic and proprietary of O Matter ™ frame material, giving perfect balance on your face. The interchangeable lenses are also made of plastic. The Oakley HDPolarized is designed to increase optical quality and precision.
Available as regular or prescription sunglasses, these products have undergone rigorous testing and meet all ANSI Z87.1 standards for impact resistance and performance.
Most sports eyewear get so gung-ho about maximum protection that they end up sacrificing their style. The Oo9101 Batwolf Shield is the perfect pair of sunglasses for outdoor riders because it maintains a perfect balance between elegance and functionality.
This eye protection gear provides excellent coverage, a beautiful shield design, and UV protection from Plutonite lenses that subtly enhance the brain protection system. It comes with an extra pair of interchangeable Square O icons as well!
Pros
- Protects the eyes
- Attractive build
- Available at a relatively reasonable price
- It supports interchangeable lenses.
- Made from proprietary O Matter ™ frame material, which is highly regarded for its durability and longevity
Cons
- Limited range of fit options
- The Oakley lenses may fog up under intense use.
2. Oakley Men’s Oo9343 M2 Frame XL Shield Sunglasses
As one of the best sports eyewear ever made, the Oakley M Frame has managed to keep pace with the ever-changing demands of the industry.
And while many would argue that the true success of the old Oakley M Frame is The Radar, there is no doubt that the Oo9349 M2 XL is excellent in its own right.
It’s our favorite cycling-specific eyewear and is just as great (if not better) for horseback riding because of its Prizm road HD polarized and standard lens.
In classic Oakley motorcycle glasses fashion, this eyewear can be found with prescription and as a regular pair of sunglasses.
It has a nice and firm nose gripper so you won’t lose it even if you are galloping at high speeds.
For us, its half-frame design is a truly disruptive innovation that provides maximum coverage without loss of peripheral vision.
Perfect for use under various light conditions, there’s no doubt that it truly captures the spirit and vision of the original Oakley M Frame.
Pros
- It’s just as efficient in a wide range of conditions as more expensive glasses
- It features Prizm road lens technology
- It shares the distinguished heritage of the Oakley M Frame
- Elegant, semi-frameless design
- Its well-crafted nose gripper makes it the perfect pair of glasses for riders.
Cons
- May not offer sufficient wind protection
- It isn’t Oakley customizable
- Old Oakley M Frame glasses don’t work as interchangeable lenses with this newer model.
3. Oakley Men’s Oo9200 Quarter Jacket Rectangular Sunglasses
Although non-polarized, this model offers maximum UV protection and wind protection in bright light. Its Plutonite lenses and plastic Matter Frame Material have a black matte shine that only adds to its aesthetic appeal. What’s more, it ensures that the shades go perfectly with the neutral or natural colors of your horse riding outfit.
To cap it all off, these products don’t even carry a –pro-level price tag. They can be all yours at a very accessible price – and they don’t come alone, either!
When you get one of these beauties, you get high-performance eyewear, an Oakley carrying case, a lens cleaning cloth, and even a certificate of authentication.
Pros
- Very affordable price
- A lot of useful accessories
- Features an abundance of Unobtainium grip and has comfortable nose pieces
- It supports interchangeable lenses, so you can always get maximum optical clarity and excellent coverage in a wide range of riding conditions
- It has anti-scratch coatings
Cons
- Very limited range of fit options
- Any extra lenses have to be bought separately
4. Oakley Men’s Oo9211 Radar Ev Pitch Shield Sunglasses
For many people, the pinnacle of optical and frame quality is the Oakley Jawbreaker or the Oakley Plasma, and that may very well be the case.
But sports sunglasses like the Oakley Men’s Oo9211 Radar Ev Pitch Shield Sunglasses prove that you don’t have to break the bank to get shades of similar quality.
This pair of shades spots a gentle yet firm Unobtainium saddle bridge that’ll give any nose gripper a fair run for its money. It complements that with a Matter Frame Material that’s lightweight and fits firmly on the face.
Our favorite feature is that its interchangeable lens system has been streamlined so riders can swap between lenses in mere seconds. Its wide array of colors means that you can change look and functionality as you please.
Pros
- Includes many great features that are commonly found in high-end sunglasses
- Its interchangeable lens system makes it ideal for multiple riding environments
- Its comfortable Unobtainium saddle bridge makes it better suited for riders who anticipate potential impacts on the road
- It filters out harmful bright light and provides wind protection
Cons
- More expensive than other models
5. Oakley Men’s Oo9208 Radar Ev Path Rectangular Sunglasses
While these glasses certainly aren’t new, there’s a lot to be said for their level of quality, as they still offer some of the best optics out there today.
The Oo9208 Radar is another typical display of Oakley’s extensive experience in product design. The glass is full and offers you maximum coverage without feeling like you’re wearing a windshield or distorting visual perception. It also has a concave path (lens shape) that improves its overall comfortability.
Boasting proprietary O Matter ™ frame material or nylon-infused plastic frames, you get an abundance of Unobtainium grip that sets more securely in place while you sweat. As such, these won’t ever fall off no matter how hard you’re riding.
These Oakley riding sunglasses are also very compatible with a host of helmets out there so you won’t have to sacrifice your preferred brain protection system.
Pros
- It features polarized, Prizm road lenses
- It offers maximum coverage and protection
- It has a futuristic frame quality and design
- It’s just as good for riding in the winter months as it is in summer
- It comes with a lens cleaning cloth and case
- It’s comfortable and secure
Cons
- Extra lenses have to be bought separately
- The multicolor transition could be improved
Choosing the Right Oakley Riding Sunglasses
Much has been said about Oakley riding glasses so far. We’ve pointed out some of our favorite frames and explained how some shades may perform in one light condition or another.
However, is all of that enough for you to go shopping for the right pair of riding glasses?
Well, no.
But do you even need sunglasses at all?
Yes, you do! Below are a few reasons why.
Why You Need to Get Riding Glasses
- They offer needed protection against harmful ultraviolet light rays
- They provide full protection from wind
- They can shield your eyes from flying objects
- They improve your overall riding experience
- They help you look cooler (let’s not pretend that’s not important too!)
Now that we know how important riding glasses are, let’s see how to pick the perfect pair.
What to Look for in the Right Riding Glasses
In addition to the ballistic rating metrics of the shades, some things you should consider include:
The Lenses
Eyewear has come a long way.
From photochromic lenses to polarized lenses, disruptive innovation seems to occur with increasing frequency in this industry. Brands like Oakley, with their innovative Prizm road lens, stay at the forefront of these developments and ensure you get nothing short of the best.
From controlling color wavelength to helping you with glare, your choice of lenses matters a lot. Of course, a ready solution here is to simply opt for glasses with interchangeable lenses. That way, you can simply swap and replace as needed.
Level of Coverage and Afforded Field of View
The last thing you want is a pair of glasses that’ll create blind spots or give you limited coverage. The amount of coverage will determine how much protection you will get from flying insects and dirt while you ride.
In this case, larger lenses with good frame quality and size are preferable.
Materials
When making sunglasses, Oakley favors its proprietary O Matter ™ frame material. As a nylon-infused plastic, it gives you more flexibility and comfort while riding.
Plus, the hydrophobic coating on Unobtainium, another material present in most of their products, ensures that the glasses adhere to you as they get wetter.
Even if you don’t opt for Oakley sunglasses, be sure you get a pair that sits well on your face and won’t fall off and break under intense riding.
FAQs
Are All These Glasses Suitable for Use in High Altitude?
Yes, they are. Since they come with an interchangeable lens system, they work just as well in other riding environments. All you have to do is change the lenses accordingly.
Can I Get More Affordable Riding Glasses?
Yes, you can, but many will likely be missing one or more important features necessary to keep your eyes safe while you ride.
Do Any of These Products Come with Extra Lenses?
Typically, no. You’ll have to purchase these separately in most cases.
Is There Any Real Difference Between Polarized and Non-Polarized Sunglasses?
Yes. These two types of glasses have considerable differences in terms of design and structure.
Polarized glasses are capable of shielding the eye from horizontal rays of light from the sun while non-polarized glasses can’t do this.
Conclusion
Oakley riding glasses can make your outdoor experience very enjoyable. Ultimately, the best pair of glasses for you depends on what you want from the shades and how much you’re willing to pay.
The 5 products in our review cover the various price spectrums to an extent but it only scratches the surface. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, you can check out these sport performance sunglasses.
There’s more you can do to make horseback riding even more fun.
Don’t believe us? See all the horse info and riding equipment you’ll ever need right here!