A Guy, a Girl & a Jawbreaker: Oakley Jawbreaker w/ Prizm Road Review

His Take

By Michael Nystrom

I've come to expect certain things when testing sunglasses. Obviously every brand fits differently, and it takes time to get used to the feel of each individual pair. Some feature 'revolutionary' new technology, others 'breakthrough' lens quality.

But, at the end of the day, if they shield your eyes from debris, break the wind and protect against the sun, they've done their job. Sunglasses are sunglasses, right?

Wrong. Enter the Oakley Jawbreaker, so inconspicuously left on my desk.

I pulled them out of their case, and immediately recognized their profile as the glasses featured on the mug of the Manx Missile. I mean, if the likes of Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan wear these, they should be more-than-OK for a recreational cyclist such as myself.

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And so began the testing process: I was impressed before I even got on the bike.

You know that dreadful feeling when you try to swap interchangeable lenses, and you aren't sure if you're going to break the frame or the lens? When your sunglasses make those squeaky noises and feel as if they're about to pop?

Jawbreaker's integrated Switchlock technology made swapping out lenses simple. All you have to do is lift up on bridge and a hinge swings down, allowing the gimbal mechanism (the "jaw") to separate the lower from the upper frame. Simply slide the lens out, slide a new lens in and lock it back down. The whole process can be done faster than you can say domestique. Better yet, it's silent and stress-free.

If you're abnormally large (like me), or abnormally small (like my boss), the Jawbreaker still fits. This is mostly due to customizable temples that adjust to three different lengths. Similar to the Switchlock technology for the lenses, a latch locks the temples down depending on preference and head size.

Once adjusted, the temples fit over helmet straps comfortably. Jawbreaker fit into my helmet vent ports when not in use, even with the temples slid out to the max.

Cool design gizmos aside, how did the Jawbreaker perform?

First off, these things are big. Not big, like you're wearing ski goggles big, but still larger than all other pairs I've tried on. They almost have a retro feel, a touch of 1980s style mixed with a more modern flair. I felt like an updated Scott Tinley.

According to Oakley, the Jawbreaker lenses are about 44 percent larger than the average pair of sunglasses--and that size was a definite advantage while cycling.

The extended field of view meant I could see in more directions easier, especially while looking up in riding position. The thick temples did take a little getting used to when using my peripherals, though.

Another perk: Despite the large surface area, the Jawbreaker never fogged up. The lenses have built-in surge ports that increase ventilation. The ports handled the Texas humidity well, as they should.

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Now to the lenses, the sweet, sweet lenses.

Vision is just better, sharper and clearer when wearing the Jawbreakers. I was able to see rough patches of asphalt up the road and glass on the shoulder before I rolled over them. It's a dramatic difference.

And the color changes, too. The world seems more vibrant, and even rolling along at speed, you can pick up on the little things.

The Prizm lenses come in different shades, but the Jawbreakers I tested included the Prizm Road lens. It cut the harshness of the sun, but it didn't limit visibility. (Darker lenses aren't always better.) Even in Texas' summer sun, I could still see details in the shadows, and my eyes weren't fatigued after long rides.

Oakley also claims the Prizm lenses are impact-resistant. Bugs aside, I didn't have any rocks hit my sunglasses, so we'll have to take their word on that one. But I did feel pretty bulletproof while riding behind these.

Cavendish called the Jawbreaker his "armor for speed." I'll have to agree.

Her Take

By Melanie Clancy

I don't usually do too much of the product testing here at ACTIVE.com (in fact, my editors are probably rolling their eyes just reading that sentence). As editor-in-chief, I'm supposed to be worrying about the big picture, and when I try and get involved in the details--well, let's just say I can bottleneck the process.

Besides, what business do I have testing the Jawbreaker? For one, I'm a female--aren't these intended for a more aggressive (read: masculine) look? And for two, I'm abnormally small (5'4" in your media guide, but 5'3" if you're counting). Surely I would look ridiculous given the 44 percent size increase over an average pair of shades.

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Nonetheless, I was intrigued. I'm an avid cyclist, so anything Cav wears, I'm willing to try. Plus, I had just scratched up the lenses of my usual pair on a muddy adventure at Lake Tahoe. I couldn't resist--I pulled rank and took off with the Jawbreaker late on a Thursday afternoon.

Over the course of the next four days, I tallied about 170 miles in the saddle while wearing the Jawbreaker. Here are the highlights:

Size:

The Jawbreakers slipped on easily under my cap and helmet. I mentioned I'm pretty short, right? Well, cue the adjustable stem design. I set the stems to the 5 mm length, and they tucked in snugly and comfortably over my ears. I definitely got a few looks when I rolled up to my Thursday night group ride, but I'm almost positive it was just their realization that my newfound intensity would have me bagging QOMs all night.

Lenses:

I rode with the Prizm Road lenses for all 170 miles. It's Texas in the dead of summer--it's bright--but the clarity bordered on absurd. If you want to get out of Dallas and hit some FM roads, you better commit to some rough stretches of pavement; but the Prizm lenses allowed me to spot the subtlest changes in road texture. I became a glass-spotting, Chihuahua-dodging machine. Unintended consequence: I was appointed de facto spotter and pulled the paceline for much of the ride.

Ventilation System:

I can't over-emphasize this enough: It is hot as hell in Dallas in the summer. I double-checked, and historical data tells me it was 99 degrees Fahrenheit the weekend I tested the Jawbreaker. I can personally tell you, however, that it was least 120 both days. Easily. If you've ridden in weather like this, you know what to expect: dripping, sometimes fogged lenses, sweat in your eyes and general misery. The Jawbreaker couldn't totally eliminate the misery--it's not a miracle worker--but it did considerably limit it thanks to the specially-designed ventilation system. Six vents create a subtle airflow that help you stay comfortable and avoid fog buildup, even when you're pushing through hot, stagnant air.

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Field of Vision:

I tend to ride in the drops a lot, and that bent-over position generally incurs limited visibility. Not so with the Jawbreaker. The frame is so tall that it never really comes into your field of vision. I likened it to how an owl must feel, almost like I could spin my head around 360 degrees and see everything in sight. And I don't take my owl analogies lightly.

Verdict:

The harshest critics I know are other female cyclists. They have no patience for BS, and a product better function exceptionally well while looking damn cool if they're going to get behind it. I knew I loved the Jawbreakers (my editor had to pry them away from me come Monday morning), but what would they think? The definitive answer came the following Thursday when I rolled back up to my group ride, sans shades. "Where are the Jawbreakers?" asked one of my female friends, a former racer and current bike shop owner. "I had to give them up," I said disappointedly. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "I was hoping you'd let me wear them. Those are badass."

The Jawbreaker is part of Oakley's cycling sunglass line that includes the Road Flak 2.0 XL and Radar EV Path, all of which are available with Prizm lens technology.