Oakley

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Oakley

28 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 29, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Im still rocking my Oakley half flak. I use them everyday for at least 7 hours ( I'm a mailman) had them for 4 years? Had them relensed once cause my prescription was out too much.

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• #2Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I have had oakley wayfarers for at least a decade before changing them because i dropped it so often there were too many scratches on the glasses. If I took more care it would have probably still be with me at 20+ years.

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• #3Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Oakleys…. They aren’t the most fashionable but they are pretty bomb proof and their actual lenses are best in class imo

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• #4Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  Almost everything is owned by luxotica so it kinda doesn’t matter, finding anything they don’t own is hard. I have some Oakleys that are pre buy out that I love, they never leave the car and are only used for driving but that keeps them safe

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• #5Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I like light strong frames. I usually buy a titanium frame from Oakley, with the bronze polarised optics. The lenses last about 7 years before the coating starts to peel. Once this happens, the original lenses are always out of production and you need to get third party replacements. I've been happy so far with the lens quality of VisionDirect. I haven't had these long enough to comment on long-term durability. They do offer very thin glass lenses that weigh about the same as the original polycarbonate lenses, which makes them much more comfortable when wearing them all day. The cheaper third party lenses were terrible compared to the original Oakley lenses

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• #6Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I think the increase in price is just what happens over time, but I really haven’t noticed a drop off in quality to speak of over the last thirtyish years of owning their stuff. I think their optics are fantastic, and their frames are plenty sturdy. The big thing is their customer support has always been top notch. Loxotica forced their way into everything, and forced Oakley’s manufacturing out of the US, but Oakley glasses and the company itself have never let me down.

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• #7Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I use my oakleys for work, construction, shooting, and sports. Fantastic.

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• #8Dec 28, 2025

  What’s the best sunglass brand to bifl? I’m not even sure if there’s any with a very durable design

  I’ve been an Oakley guy for a long time and they have always done me right. Solid durability as far as plastic frames go, and phenomenal warranty experience. I’m never worried about any issues that may arise, they are a very confidence inspiring company. You could always look for some of their metal framed glasses. They even do titanium on some styles. Lenses are what they are and will get beat up given enough time.

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• #9Dec 22, 2025

  Skiers/snowboarders- most longstanding piece of gear?

  Most ski/snowboarding gear isn't gonna be BIFL unfortunately. The nature of the sport causes a lot of wear and tear on things. That being said, I have a DC snowboarding jacket from about 15 years ago that's still going strong and in great shape. I don't ride nearly as much as most people who live in those kinds of areas, the jacket has maybe 200 days on mountain, but I've taken some gnarly spills on harsh terrain and never had a rip, tear, or other damage. I think Hestra still has their lifetime warranty on gloves and mittens. They're pretty pricey but I've heard nothing but great things about the product and brand. As far as goggles, a lot of people are brand loyal but the biggest/best brands are Dragon, Smith, and Oakley. I like Dragon for their size and peripheral vision and so far they're holding up pretty well.

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• #10Dec 19, 2025

  Best sunglasses to buy for life?

  My personal fav. top 5 sunglasses brands in India. Lenskart Ray-Ban Voyage Project shades Oakley

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• #11Dec 7, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  I've had wmp and blenders. Gonna work around to goodr and knock around. The wmp are definitely good for the price. Blenders are a lot more stylish but slightly over priced if you don't get the 50% off. I have some Oakley and electric that just feel better but that price is hard to swallow

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• #12Dec 6, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  Decent sunglasses for driving. Yes yes they're all owned by one massive company blah blah blah, but I have polarised Oakley sunglasses which make it so much more comfortable. Even if it's overcast out sunglasses are on. Cost me $170 15 years ago and they are still good.

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• #13Nov 5, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Been using the same Oakley bag pack from over 20 years ago

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• #14Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Oakley kitchen sink

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• #15Nov 4, 2025

  Backpack suggestions?

  Go buy oakley kitchen sink

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• #16Oct 8, 2025

  Best street style sunglasses that can last years

  Oakley whiskers - I have them for a long time 3 pairs and going strong for over 10 years, you can find replacement parts for consumables , lenses so on so forth . Never in my life had a pair of glasses for more than 6 months till I got these and after 18 months I bought 2 more pairs as I realized I find "the ones" and should get more as they still make them. All3 still good due for rubber replacements and scratched lenses ($20 )

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• #17Jun 5, 2025

  sunglasses recommendations?

  I used to lose Oakleys and Maui Jim's all the time (which are both fantastic sunglasses and I love anything and everything from the Oakley brand) and then random cheap sunglasses and I think REI Knockaround polarized ones are a very happy meet in the middle ones!! Durable, decent quality, polarized, diff styles and like 30-40 bucks a pair

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• #18Jun 3, 2025

  Wrap around sunglasses

  I can only recommend Oakley, maybe Flak 2.0. The BIFL but has to do with their high quality lenses, and if you should damage them, easy swap out. You can also easily disassemble and refurb them. Full disclosure I have far too many Oakleys 🤣

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• #19Jun 3, 2025

  Wrap around sunglasses

  Check out Oakley Clifden.

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• #20Jun 3, 2025

  The Best Backpack Today?

  I loved my bathroom sink by Oakley Liked it so much I grabbed the kitchen sink a few years later. Still use it

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• #21Jun 3, 2025

  Wrap around sunglasses

  I've had a pair of Oakley Double Edge w/ Prizm lenses for years. They are awesome. I do a lot of fishing and needed a good pair of polarized lenses to fight the glare off the water. I have a big head too and these fit the bill perfectly.

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• #22May 9, 2025

  Rothco Medic Bag alternative that is actually quality

  My Oakley backpack is starting to tear after like 20 years of hard, packed to the brim, daily use, I think that or Arcteryx or Osprey is your next best bet or at least start you in the right direction

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• #23May 4, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  I ran the comments so far though the chatgpt machine to give a summary... Brand | Mentions | Notable Models/Features ---|---|--- Maui Jim | 9 | World Cup, Peahi, Red Sands, Frigate Randolph Engineering | 6 | Aviator, Concorde Costa Del Mar | 5 | High-quality polarized lenses Persol | 4 | Timeless design, craftsmanship Oakley | 4 | SI Ballistic M Frame 3.0, Shocktube William Painter | 3 | Titanium frames, lifetime warranty Gatorz | 3 | Aluminum frames, tactical use Serengeti | 3 | Photochromic lenses, optical clarity Distil Union | 2 | 3-year warranty, 50% replacement discount Method Seven | 2 | Specialized lenses for specific light spectrums Revo | 2 | Polarized lenses, stylish designs Kaenon | 2 | Polarized lenses, durable frames Suncloud | 1 | Affordable polarized sunglasses American Optical | 1 | Classic aviator styles Vuarnet | 1 | Mineral glass lenses Smith Optics | 1 | ChromaPop lenses Goodr | 1 | Affordable, stylish, sports-friendly Knockaround | 1 | Budget-friendly, variety of styles

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• #24May 4, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  A pair of Oakley glasses saved my eye from a ricochet from a rifle round. That pair got lost but I'll protect my face with their shit for life unless they change their ways.

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• #25May 3, 2025

  Buy it for life sunglasses?

  Maui Jim, Randolph Engineering, American Optical, and Oakley (SI or Ballistic line). If budget allows, Moscot or Persol are built to last with quality craftsmanship

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• #26Jan 8, 2025

  Anyone have Gatorz Sunglasses? Experiences?

  I know it’s an old thread, but I would buy another pair of Oakleys before I’d buy more Gatorz. I have a pair of Gatorz Boxters, and the lenses are crap. One scratched to hell with only occasional wear in six months. I have ten year old Oakleys without a scratch on them. I think Gatorz’s claim to fame is a few Navy SEALs hyping them up. Bummer, since I love made in USA.

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• #27Jan 4, 2025

  My friend goes through shoes/boots within a couple months, are there comfortable, lifetime quality options for restraunt workers in the 300usd range? Please advise, thank you

  oh yeah my oakleys worked great on the runs until 6 months later when they separated from the sole lol theyre so light and way less hot than the others

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• #28Jan 1, 2025

  Recommendations for a glove liner that’s also good worn on its own? My ten-year-old Oakleys are finally tearing at the seams, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to sew them back up.

  I’d buy Oakley’s again if these lasted ten years.

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