So, you’re sporty, and you love the outdoors. Or, maybe you’re just getting into the fitness game. We all start somewhere (I know my running journey had its ups and downs).
Once you hit your stride, you’ll probably be looking to invest in some protective eyewear. Two brands you might see pop up are Roka and Oakley.
Roka Sunglasses are new-ish to the market, but they’re making a splash; quite literally, since they come from swimming-related origins (more on that later).
But how does Roka stack up against the industry veteran, Oakley?
Roka Sunglasses: The New Kid on the Block
Roka is an Austin-born brand, and its origin story is the stuff of American dreams. It was founded in a garage by two former Stanford All-American swimmers who were dedicated to transforming performance design.
In 2013, before Roka Sunglasses were a thing, their first product was a wetsuit. Makes sense given their passion for swimming. Although wetsuits exist for other water sports like diving, there weren’t many options for swimming.
They launched their brand with the Roka swimsuit. Although it was aimed at a more niche market, it positioned the founders, Canales and Spenser, as innovators.
The Next Mission…
The natural next step was to create swimming goggles tailored for swimming in pool lanes. They ended up trialing and testing different models for different environments.
Before long, the team crossed the threshold into creating eyewear for other sports, including running and cycling. Roka Sunglasses does extensive research, development, and real-world testing when creating their performance eyewear. The brand offers a direct-to-consumer model, mainly selling their sunglasses right from their website.
Oakley Was the Original
Oakley is a more established brand that’s been around since 1975. In some ways, it’s similar to Roka, since the founder, James “Jim” Jannard, started the now-legendary brand in his California garage with just $300.
While $300 used to get you a lot further in the ’70s, and garages seemed to be the birthplace of many major brands (think Amazon), Jim was a visionary.
He came out with the O-frame goggles for motocross riders. Arguably, Oakley was the first brand to make dedicated sports sunglasses, which was a major breakthrough in the eyewear world.
Basically, Oakley walked so brands like Roka could run.
While Oakley branched out into other projects, including designing bespoke sunglasses for Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, they have stuck to eyewear. Roka, on the other hand, still sells a variety of sports equipment on its site.
It’s neither good nor bad, but when a brand specializes in a particular product, it can lead to more innovation.
Comparing Sports Sunglasses: Performance Matters
We’ll use a popular pair from each brand to compare their running and sports sunglasses. Activities like running and cycling are common hobbies among people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, which is why it’s a good place to start for comparing performance.
A good pair protects your eyes from dust, debris, and UV rays. Not all running sunglasses should be polarized; it depends on the light conditions on your route.
Oakley Flak 2.0
The Oakley Flak 2.0 sunglasses are lightweight yet provide good coverage thanks to their wraparound shape. They’re good for running and other sports, and they’re a top choice for different ages.
Redditors agree, and so do EZContacts customers. Verified buyer Todd wrote:
“For sports related activities, there should be no other decision. Oakley always brings quality and performance. Have worn Oakley for over 30 years and will most likely continue. I have owned three pairs of this model and just purchased these for my daughter (on field for Softball). She absolutely loves them.”
Lenses:
The Flak 2.0 features Oakley’s Prizm technology. Just like the name suggests, the lenses provide crystal-clear vision, ideal for seeing that ball flying through the air. Fit-wise, you should double-check that they fit under your helmet comfortably if you plan to wear them on long bike rides.
Roka Barton
The Barton sunglasses are stylish and also lightweight. The design is simpler and more subtle, and they don’t have the wraparound peripheral protection that the Flak 2.0s do.
They feature Roka’s GEKO™ grips, the brand’s patented grip technology that prevents them from slipping down your face. Reviewers credit the fact that they stay on your face through different activities.
Lenses:
The lenses are not known to provide the same level of clarity that Oakley’s Prizm lenses do. Some reviewers have also noted that the lenses scratch easily, which isn’t ideal for intense activities.
Which Brand Is Worth the Price?
Oakley
Oakley is owned by manufacturing giant EssilorLuxottica, which means they’re easy to find online and in stores at discounted prices. For example, online superstore EZContacts sells dozens of authentic Oakley styles with major discounts.
EZContacts reviewer T.Y was thrilled with the discount they received on their Oakley sunglasses:
“So I got a huge discount 30% off and thought they might be fake for such a good price. But they arrived and I compared them with another pair I have and they are actually legit.”
On the site, you can find Oakley sunglasses between $100 and $200, which means they don’t break the bank.
Roka
Price plays a big role in sports sunglasses, because the nature of active sunglasses means they need to withstand more wear and therefore should be worth the price.
Roka sunglasses generally range from $200 to $300 at full price. While they do offer discounts at times, because they’re not sold at as many retailers, it may not be as easy to get a little promo code or discount as it is for Oakley.
Which Sunglasses Should You Buy?
Oakley and Roka sunglasses can both work well for different kinds of sunglass wearers. Oakley offers their patented Prizm lenses, which enhance contrast and are scratch-resistant. However, the grip on their nose pads may not be as strong as Roka’s.
Roka’s frames are known for being very lightweight. They also feature patented gecko-inspired nose pads that prevent the glasses from sliding when you sweat. However, their lenses don’t generally rate as highly as Oakley’s lenses.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your style and fit preferences. If you’re buying online, do a virtual try-on to see how both types of sunglasses look on you. Also, make sure to check out the return policy for your sunglasses before buying.
TL;DR
When it comes to sports sunglasses, two competing options are Roka and Oakley.
- Roka is a newer brand that’s been around for the last decade, founded by two Stanford All-American swimmers looking to innovate in wetsuits.
- The brand grew and began creating sports eyewear for running, swimming, and cycling.
- Oakley was founded in 1975 by a motorcycle enthusiast with $300 and a dream.
- The brand has pioneered sports sunglasses, being a trailblazer in the sector.
- Performance matters, which is why Oakley is renowned for its Prizm lenses, which provide clarity and are ideal for getting out there, whether you’re playing sports or running.
- The frames are lightweight, and many options feature a wraparound or shield shape, providing extra coverage.
- Reviewers love the brand’s reliability and its sports sunglasses.
- Roka sunglasses are also lightweight, and their GEKO™ grips ensure they stay on your face.
- The lenses and overall performance are disputed by reviewers online, with some loving their fit and others critiquing the lenses.
- In general, you can find Oakleys for less than Roka sunglasses, which usually range from $200 to $300. However, you can find discounts on both brands.
