Sunglasses
Product 2020
Woman, Man
In terms of design and technicality Oakley are Number 1, nothing new there, this phenomenon has lasted for decades. This is true in skiing but also in biking where the American designers are often copied, and rarely equaled. The Oakley Radar EV Path are not the most “creative” sunglasses in the range in terms of shape, but they remain a sure bet in terms of look and performance.
Before talking about the lens’ high quality, let’s point out that the Oakley Radar EV Path don’t follow the traditional fragility that some of the American brand’s range of products could suffer from. We could even say it’s the complete opposite, almost as if Oakley overcompensated: the arms of this product are massive, the hinges are very solid and hefty. If this solidity eliminates breakage risk when you slide your glasses unprotected into a pocket, laterally you can see in the field of vision the arms. It’s not too annoying but it’s still surprising and the design becomes a little less fluid.
The Oakley Radar EV Path weigh 30g, lightweight, which means that the arms’ thickness don’t increase the weight too much. For a comparison, the Smith Reverb are barely lighter; at 27 grams.
We should have started with what makes the Oakley Radar EV Path so good: the lens quality. You have high-level definition. Details are never erased and the chiaroscuro management is perfectly mastered. We used them during a heatwave with very bright sunshine: the protection is uncompromising.
The lens is both snug to your face and it also lets the air stream through to eliminate fogging. When going downhill, or with a side wind, you don’t feel the air directly in your eyes and it doesn’t make your eyes water. Ditto for insects, they don’t suddenly sneak in.
We tested the Oakley Radar EV Path with the Prizm Polarized lens. Color rendering and contrasts are excellent. The only downside, on the bottom of the lens you can sometimes lose a bit of detail, a kind of “shimmer” when you move on tarmac.
With wide vision you only notice the top of the lens and arms if you turn your focus. The nose area doesn’t show in the field of vision. The nose support is excellent, comfortable and doesn’t slip.
The Oakley Radar EV Path fits neatly sunder a helmet without any problem. The temples provide firm support, sometimes you have to play with the helmet straps to position them properly and avoid pressure points.
The frame doesn’t squeak and the lens wicks away perspiration from the bottom thanks to the absence of a frame. They are delivered in a semi-rigid case and textile pouch.
The Oakley Radar EV Path, thanks to the quality of its lens and its general toughness are an excellent sun protection for cycling. The contrast management, colors and details are of a very high standard. A safe bet at a high price.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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