Oakley has always been a trendsetter and innovator. The Sutro model has been around for a while and was one of the earliest oversized glasses available. Bold and versatile with a large lens range boasting Oakley’s Prizm technology, they certainly look the business. Super comfortable and stable, I had no issues with compatibility with any of my MTB or gravel helmets. Optical clarity and colour separation are phenomenal in bright conditions, and they look awesome.
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Oakley Sutro sunglasses – Technical details
The Sutro is designed for gravel, road and MTB riding. Measuring 58mm deep, the oversized full-wrap one-piece frame features a thin metal brace that connects the top of the frame to the nose bridge for rigidity. The arms measure 140mm long. They don’t feature any rubber inserts, temple pads or rubber sleeves, instead relying on the generous curved shape to provide a secure fit.
The Sutro’s frame is made from Oakley’s patented ‘O Matter’ material. It’s a nylon composite engineered to be durable, flexible, lightweight and heat and cold-resistant – everything you would need for a pair of glasses to withstand the elements. To add to the jargon, the nose piece is constructed from Unobtainium, which is just a quirky name for the rubber compound with high grip properties.
The model pictured here comes with a Prizm Jade lens. The flashy-looking green-flip tone lens looks awesome and has a base colour of grey. It’s designed to enhance colour, contrast and details on the trail. With a VLT value (visible light transmission) of 14%, these lenses are best suited to brighter conditions. As a note, the lower the VLT percentage, the darker the base lens will be.
Oakley offers a total of 25 model options for the Sutro, 23 of which feature Prizm lenses at £159, with two photochromatic options at £179. Replacement lenses range from £68-£78 for Prizm lenses with a Photochromatic clear-to-black option at a whopping £98. For those with deep pockets and a need for something different, Oakley offers custom build options, which will cost you!
Weighing 33g, they’re on par with other models like the Sungod Vulcans (39g) and Melon’s Kingpin (30g). They come with a bag and a hard case.
Oakley Sutro sunglasses – Performance
Compatibility was no issue, as the Sutros fitted when wearing my Fox, Troy Lee Designs and Bell MTB helmets and Specialized, POC and 100% Gravel Helmets – a great start. The fit is excellent, sitting just off my brow, with ample room from my cheekbones, providing ample airflow. They are very comfortable too. The nose piece is soft and squidgy and offers a stable base. The arm’s continuous curve doesn’t need to rely on any silicone socks or inserts to provide a comfortable and secure fit, and I didn’t experience any pinching or interference with any helmets tested.
The Prizm Jade lens offers fantastic clarity, and in bright light conditions, they excel. The grey base colour lens washes your vision with a warm purple/grey tint that flattens off bright glare and increases contrast for a more poppy and vivid view. I can certainly say that riding from bright open trails into dark or dappled woodland, the transition felt seamless. The lens provides a crisp and defined field of view, making it easy to define my depth of field perception when looking down the trail.
I also tested them on dull and overcast days. Initially, the grey lens felt too dark, but once into the ride, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they still worked in flat, dull light. It’s not as effective as a photochromatic or clear lens but it adds to the Prizim Jade’s versatility.
On warmer days, they did fog a little at the top of the lens where they sat closest to my face, but every time I counted, they cleared in around five seconds. When my face became sweaty, the frame crept a tiny bit down my nose, so did required some micro-adjustments, but they stayed firmly in place when riding.
I’m a big fan of the Sutros. They look great and offer such great clarity for bright light conditions, no matter what time of year.
Oakley Sutro sunglasses – Verdict
From the front, the Melon Optics Kingpin with Violet Chrome (trail) lens. look very similar to the Oakley Sutros. The Sutros offer a slightly wider field of view with their larger overall frame, though. The Kingpin features Zeiss lenses, which are very good, with the Violet Chrome lens proving similar levels of bright light performance, but they don’t match the Prizim Jade. At £120, they are a good buy, especially considering the full customisation options on offer, but I found some compatibility issues with some helmets because of the flared tips of the arms.
Oversized frames don’t come any better looking or affordable than Madison’s Crypto glasses. So if you covet the Sutros but don’t have the budget, at £40 they’re a bargain. Liam rated them for fit, performance and price. And for an extra £10-£20, you can buy extra clear or tinted lenses to cover most riding conditions.
Smith Optics Bobcat glasses feature ChromaPop lenses. Another oversized frame that looks the business and is rated well by Pat. Again, it’s down to lens choice when deciding where you ride, and the Bobcat has a ChromaPop Opal Mirror Lens option with similar VLT for brighter days, but they are more expensive than the Sutro at £195.
The Oakley Sutro has gained a lot of fans since their release. They’re very comfortable and stable, and the Prizm Jade lens is fantastic for bright sunny days. They will handle dull days, too, which makes the price tag easier to swallow. Available with lots of lens and frame combos and a custom option, you should be able to find your perfect match. It’s just a shame that there is no clear lens option at the moment.
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