Oakley frogskin lite

Legacy upload: Oakley Frogskin Lite

Oakley started out as a sportswear manufacturer selling motorbike grips. They soon started making other products ranging from gloves, elbow guards to spectacles. The founder, James Jannard, patented a unique rubberised material called Unobtainium© which was initially used for the motorbike grips but was also used to on the sides of many sunglasses and optical frames when they entered the market. Most of their products have gone through vigorous testing in extreme conditions and have such received US Standard Issue status supplying the US military and police force. They were later bought out by Italian eyewear designer Luxottica in 2007 and have become the benchmark for sports eyewear across the globe.

Oakley Frogskin Lite is a half-rimmed variant of the Oakley Frogskin family. The plastic material is another of Oakleys patented designs and is called O Matter™. According to them, the material is twice as strong as acetate while also being 25% lighter. This is evident when trying on the frames; they are possibly the most comfortable plastic sunglasses I have worn. They feel completely weightless while still feeling solidly built. The hinges lock and unlock really well when folding them and it may come as a surprise, but the frame is void of any screws. They’re not present on the hinges, not used to hold the lenses in place but instead they have opted for a screwless design. This eliminates the concern of the hinges becoming loose over time as the locking mechanism and the material used is less prone to wear. The nose pads make use of the earlier mentioned material, Unobtainium©, and they fit really flush. They allow the frame to grip really well and I have no worries of them slipping down as I run for the bus.

This is probably my favourite variation of the Frogskin thus far as it screams British summer. It encompasses many of the current fashion trends we see emerging the industry such as the half-rimmed design leaning toward the minimalist look, the bright mirror blue lenses shouting colour and the translucent sides discretely winking at you. The lens is a mirror blue Prism Sapphire, with a grey base colour. When wearing the lens, it makes colours pop and increases contrast and you feel your world has been transformed into a water painting. Greens and reds especially seem to stand out. This is thanks to the patented Prism technology yet again by Oakley. It has a light transmission factor (LTF) of 12% and is ideal for bright conditions but perfectly adequate when there’s a cloud in the sky.

The front of the frame has a matte black finish and is perfectly woven with the aesthetic of the lens design. They don't feel like two separate entities rather they merge with the lens and compliment the sapphire blue colour. It's a very soft shade that isn't bold and will go with darker and lighter complexions. The lens and the frame chamfer inwards as it declines and will go really well with the majority of face shapes.

The sides of the frame are a very soft, matte translucent colour sporting the Oakley branding with the same finish as the front. They beautifully contrast the black front and keep your attention on all aspects of the frame. Unlike the regular Frogskin, the sides of this frame have a silky-smooth texture compared with the plastic feel of its brother. You feel a good amount of pressure behind the ear which gives you comfort that they aren’t going for a trip down the bridge of your nose anytime soon.

This frame is a technological powerhouse while it gravitates attention to the design aesthetics. It exhibits everything Oakley stands for, driving the industry forward with innovation and making a stance in the fashion world. This frame also proves that Oakley isn’t just for sports enthusiast but also for those looking for loud statements when the sun is gleaming and the need for sunglasses is calling.

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