Oakley Meta Glasses: The Ultimate Gear for Athletes
▼ Summary
– The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are designed for athletes with features like a wraparound design, IP67 water resistance, and enhanced outdoor performance.
– They include a 12MP camera in the nosebridge with multiple recording modes, adjustable stabilization, and the ability to capture first-person footage like a GoPro.
– The glasses offer louder speakers, up to nine hours of battery life, and partnerships with Strava and Garmin for fitness tracking and data integration.
– An LED light provides heart rate zone alerts, and the lenses are swappable with options optimized for specific activities like fishing or low-light conditions.
– Developed with input from elite athletes, the Vanguards are priced at $499 and are available for preorder, shipping on October 21st.
When the Oakley Meta Vanguard launched, it became clear that Meta had been holding back its most advanced athletic smart glasses for the right moment. Unlike the earlier HSTN model, the Vanguard delivers the rugged, performance-driven design serious athletes demand, complete with premium optics, enhanced durability, and specialized features built for intense outdoor use.
Oakley’s global president, Caio Amato, explains that while the HSTN was designed for low-impact activities, the Vanguard represents a revolution aimed at elite competitors, weekend warriors, and dedicated fitness enthusiasts alike. These glasses don’t just look the part, they feel like they mean business. Weighing 66 grams, they strike a balance between sturdiness and comfort, with a wraparound shape that stays put during vigorous movement. Three interchangeable nose pads help customize the fit, and the control buttons sit discreetly under the arms to avoid interference with helmets or hats.
A major upgrade is the new 12MP wide-angle camera embedded in the nose bridge, offering multiple recording modes including 1080p at 30 or 60fps, 3K video, and even a 720p slow-motion option at 120fps. An upcoming hyperlapse mode will allow users to create compressed highlight reels of their activities. Adjustable stabilization lets you tailor the recording smoothness to your sport, and the glasses can be programmed to automatically start filming at specific moments, like crossing a finish line. It’s like having a GoPro built right into your eyewear.
Placing the camera in the nose bridge was no small feat. Amato admits it required a complete redesign compared to earlier Meta glasses, demanding a wider field of view, superior stabilization, and higher resolution to truly capture a first-person perspective.
Built for the outdoors, the Vanguard features swappable PRIZM lenses, including a specialized low-light version coming later this year. Each lens color is optimized for specific conditions, blue lenses, for instance, enhance contrast for fishing by neutralizing blue light reflections. The speakers are 6dB louder than previous models, tested to remain audible even at 30mph amid crowd noise. With an IP67 rating, these glasses resist sweat and water, surviving accidental dunks or heavy rain. Battery life reaches up to nine hours, with six hours of continuous music playback, enough to cover a marathon. A charging case extends total use to 36 hours.
Integration with Strava and Garmin adds another layer of utility. Footage can be uploaded directly to Strava, and users can query Meta AI for historical performance data. When paired with a compatible Garmin watch, the glasses can provide real-time updates on heart rate and pace mid-activity. Runners can even overlay performance metrics onto their videos before sharing. The glasses can also be set to automatically record clips at milestones like each completed mile.
For heart rate zone training, a small LED above the right lens glows red if you stray outside your target zone. This light can also be configured for pace alerts. Available in four colors, the Vanguard feels both futuristic and familiar, like the classic Oakleys worn by coaches and adventurers, but packed with next-gen tech.
During a brief treadmill test, the action button made recording effortless, with minimal lag when requesting heart rate stats via voice command. While more testing is needed, the Vanguard shows strong potential to replace dedicated audio glasses and action cameras, combining both into one streamlined device. Early feedback from professional athletes like Mark Cavendish, Patrick Mahomes, and Kylian Mbappé has been overwhelmingly positive, with some calling the glasses a completely new category of wearable tech.
Preorders for the Oakley Meta Vanguard are open now, with shipments beginning October 21st.
(Source: The Verge)
