The lenses are the best bit, though, with several options available. The least expensive is Oakley's standard HDO lens, which comes in several colours including the blue pictured below. A new milestone in the heritage of performance, Radar® EV takes breakthroughs of a revolutionary design even further with a taller lens that extends the upper field of view. From the comfort and protection of the O Matter® frame to the grip of its Unobtanium® components, this premium design builds on the legacy of Radar innovation and style. The pair in this review features Prizm Outfield lenses, which are designed for bright light conditions. Compared to Prizm Road, Prizm Field has a stronger red tint. Functionally it works similarly to Road, and in essence is tuned to induce even higher levels of light/dark contrast and depth perception. Road retains a bit of violet/purple, which if I get my “optical logic” correct, maintains color perception better in comparison and reduces “washing out” reds in the environment. On the bike, Outfield feels at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people found it better since we all have slightly varying color perception at the least. O-Matter™ stress-resistant frame material is both lightweight and durable for all-day comfort and protection

You only get a single lens included here, but if you do buy a second one, swapping between them is straightforward: you squeeze the sides of the nosepiece together to release it and then pull the lens away from the frame in the centre. This reduces the tension enough to remove the lens easily. Path lenses enhance performance if traditional lenses touch your cheeks and help extend the upper field of view Prizm™ is a revolution in lens optics built on decades of color science research. Prizm™ lenses provide unprecedented control of light transmission resulting in colors precisely tuned to maximize contrast and enhance visibility. In contrast to our experiences with the Prizm Road, the Trail's 36 percent light transmission left us wanting a darker lens for bright sunny days on shadeless trails. These are certainly best suited to shaded and forested trails, as opposed to open desert riding, for instance.Designed in conjunction with Mark Cavendish and designed exclusively as cycling sunglasses, the more expensive Jawbreaker is the Oakley model being strongly marketed to cyclists. Being made up of 27 pieces, it’s got a whole lot more going on than the relatively simple Radar EV. Seems like we’ve seen Oakley replace pairs more so than improve them. Ultimately, this leaves us to get hung up on a hit-or-miss mentality in retrospect. I think the EV really is all about building on a good thing. When (or if) the original Radar ever gets phased out, I don’t think people will say “what were they thinking?” because I’d say it’s pretty evident. The last detail I’d like to touch on is the finish of the lens edges. Nothing exceptional, but the fact that they don’t finish flush under the frame should be ideal for managing heat/airflow as well.

The lens comes with four tiny vents along the top edge to help reduce fogging. Ride eyeballs out and stop suddenly and the lens will inevitably fog up – there's nothing you can do about that – but get rolling again and the vents help a little with getting air circulating again, and the glasses will usually clear in seconds. One big upside to the Jawbreaker is the glaring difference between the pairs: the bottom rim/”jaw”. Not only does this aid in wind deflection and potential added protection, but simply handling of the pair. Every time you remove and replace it on your face, every surface you set it down upon. A sense of delicacy goes away with the Jawbreaker vs. the half-rim shield bunch.

In contrast to our experiences with the Prizm Road, the Trail’s 36 percent light transmission left us wanting a darker lens for bright sunny days on shadeless trails. These are certainly best suited to shaded and forested trails, as opposed to open desert riding, for instance.

Plutonite® Lenses offer top UV Protection filtering 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400nm It isn't only looks that attracted me to the Oakley Radar EV's. In functionality alonethe Oakley Radar EV scores a solid 10/10 and this is a key area where it out scores a lot of rival brands. Zero distraction is key here, if I am able to forget the sunglasses are there then it's doing its job, exactly what the Radar's do. Despite these niggles, for us the new Radar EVs and Jawbreakers have between them set a new benchmark in cycle eyewear. Assuming you prefer the simpler frameless style, they fit you, the price doesn't offend your budget, and the potential discipline limitations aren't an issue, then the new Oakley Radar EV Prizm sunglasses will absolutely not disappoint. For us, the fit doesn’t pinch, nor rub anywhere it shouldn’t (such as on your ears). Even after hours of wearing them, they remain perfectly comfortable. The acid test is mountain biking, and the Radar EVs stay exactly in place without any wobble.TheRadarEVuses the typical “clip-in” method found with most half-rim shield designs, including the original Radar. It’s a proven and robust design, especially since the nose piece acts as a secondary measure of retention. Oakley says, "Prizm is a revolution in lens optics built on decades of colour science research. Prizm lenses provide unprecedented control of light transmission resulting in colours precisely tuned to maximise contrast and enhance visibility. For us, the fit doesn't pinch, nor rub anywhere it shouldn't (such as on your ears). Even after hours of wearing them, they remain perfectly comfortable. The acid test is mountain biking, and the Radar EVs stay exactly in place without any wobble. Clarity: Conventional lenses can magnify images. HDO precision gives less distorted vision across the entire field of view.

However, as said, I have found the Prizm Road lens optimal. But if you ride in lots of different light conditions its changeable lens will be best for you.

Oakley Radar EV Path Sunglasses with Prizm Road Lens

Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. The old Oakley Radar glasses feature an 'O' channel in their arms; for the EVs, this has been replaced with a more forward vent port that leads to effective channels on each arm – helping to direct airflow down past your temples and helmet straps. Refraction: With regular lenses, objects aren't really where you see them. HDO offers a truer visual image so your brain won't have to work overtime. Ventilation continues with theRadar EVlenses using the “new generation” vents similar to the Jawbreaker. One pair of vents at the rising points of the frame and another pair at thenosebridge. However, the cuts aren’t quite as large as the Jawbreakers vents. I’d assume Oakley determined this was appropriate without the presence of alowerrim. Radar EV (left) with top vents next to Jawbreaker sunglasses (right) with bottom vents If you’ve read my Jawbreaker review, we touched upon the strong possibility that the Oakley Radar EV was the more practical buy: cheaper, simpler, yet the comparable coverage and function. I find there is truth to that thought, but you have to weigh in on each aspect to determine if it’s really the better buy.