Oakley Flak 2.0

Oakley has updated its Flak Jacket sunglasses: subtly restyled, the new Flak 2.0 has taller lenses incorporating the new Prizm tint, first seen on the Jawbreaker glasses we reviewed previously. 

While the Flak 2.0 glasses don't offer the same level of protection as the supersize Jawbreakers, the smaller lenses (38mm tall) still provide good shielding for the eyes, whether it's from bright sunlight or dirt and stones from road or trail. And to be fair to Oakley, the Flaks aren't cycling-specific glasses, they can be used for a number of sports.

> Find your nearest dealer here

At 26g, they're also lighter than the Jawbreaker, and that is noticeable when you wear them. The rubber (Unobtanium in Oakley speak) ear socks and nose pads keep the glasses firmly on the face, and even during sweaty or rain-soaked rides, they didn't slip or move out of place.

The Prizm lenses boost saturation and contrast and offer outstanding clarity. They cover a wide range of conditions, from overcast rides to brighter sunlit days, and copes with a mix of light conditions and variable light levels.

And how much is Oakley charging for these new glasses? They start at £130, with loads of options available and prices hiking up to £170. The Prizm version costs £140. Yes, that's mightily expensive for glasses, especially when Aldi will sell you a pair for £4.99 (though not so bad if you compare them with the Uvex Variotronics tested recently). But Oakley is a lifestyle brand and, despite those high prices, they continue to be highly desirable. 

> Check out our guide to the best sunglasses here

I liked the fit, comfort, light weight and styling of the Flak 2.0 glasses, and for general purpose riding and other sports (mountain biking, running), they're a good choice. For more performance cycling – by which I mean head-down-chasing-the-wheel-in-front sort – I prefer the Jawbreaker simply because of the increased coverage and higher positioning of the frame, which reduces vision obstruction.

Verdict

Comfortable and light glasses with excellent lenses but big price tag