I was excited to try the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses for running. I have reviewed plenty of running sunglasses over the years, but the Oakley Meta Vanguard is a completely different category from almost all of them. These are still Oakley performance sunglasses, with a large wraparound Prizm lens and the sport-focused fit you would expect, but there is also a camera sitting above your nose, speakers built into the arms, microphones, Meta AI, Garmin connectivity, and Strava integration. For runners who already carry a phone, wear headphones, use a Garmin watch, and record parts of their workouts, though, there is a legitimate case for having several of those functions sitting on your face.
Let’s get into an honest Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses review.
Oakley Meta Vanguard Quick Facts
- Price: $499
- Prizm Transitions Ember version: $579
- Camera: 12MP ultra-wide
- Video: up to 3K at 30 fps
- Storage: 32GB
- Audio: open-ear speakers
- Microphones: five
- Battery: up to 9 hours of typical use
- Continuous music: up to 6 hours
- Charging case: up to 36 additional hours
- Water and dust resistance: IP67
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E
- Running integrations: Garmin and Strava
- App: Meta AI app
Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses FAQ
Are the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses good for running?
Yes. The Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed around sports. I have found them comfortable and secure while running, including when recording video. The biggest reason to buy them over regular running sunglasses is the technology. If you only need sun protection, there are far less expensive options…like Tifosi.
Can the Oakley Meta Vanguard record running videos without holding a phone?
Yes. The Oakley Meta Vanguard has a centered 12MP ultra-wide camera that records hands-free video at up to 3K resolution. The glasses have 32GB of internal storage, which Oakley lists as enough for more than 100 30-second videos.
Does the Oakley Meta Vanguard work with Garmin and Strava?
Yes, although Garmin and Strava are different. Compatible Garmin watches and cycling computers can send workout data to the Meta AI experience, allowing athletes to request information such as pace, heart rate, duration, speed, and elevation by voice. Garmin says the connection uses the Meta AI app available through Garmin Connect IQ. Oakley can use Garmin or Strava activity information when creating and sharing workout content, including performance overlays.
Are the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses waterproof?
The Oakley Meta Vanguard has an IP67 rating and is designed to handle sweat, dust, rain, and the conditions that come with outdoor training. I would have no concerns about wearing them during a sweaty run or getting caught in rain. I’ve sweat in them with no issues.
Can you get prescription Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses?
Yes. Oakley’s current U.S. Meta Vanguard product pages include an option to add prescription lenses when ordering. Prescription availability can depend on the individual prescription and lens configuration.
Oakley Meta Vanguard Fit
Let’s get into some techy parts. The Vanguard looks much more like a pair of Oakley sports sunglasses than the earlier Oakley Meta HSTN. The shield-style frame wraps around the face, and Oakley uses Unobtainium temple tips plus interchangeable nose pads. The fit is listed as wide and Universal Fit, with one frame size.
One-size sports eyewear is always a little tricky. Face shape, nose bridge, head width, and how you wear a hat or visor can completely change whether the frame feels secure. I haven’t had trouble with the fit or feel and they don’t fall off while running. I was concerned if the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses were bulky. They are not. They haven’t fallen off my face and quite frankly the Vanguard Sunglasses are just comfortable sunglasses. I have found them to be comfortable sunglasses even if you “just” use them as sunglasses.
The temples hold speakers, batteries, microphones, and other electronics, which means there is more going on than with a basic pair of running sunglasses. With that, you’d expect them to be heavy and bulky but they aren’t…but if you want something far simpler, my Tifosi running sunglasses review covers a more traditional option.
Oakley Prizm Lenses
Oakley currently sells the Vanguard with several Prizm lens options, including Prizm Road, Prizm Black, Prizm 24K, Prizm Sapphire, Prizm Rose Gold, and Prizm Transitions Ember. They’ve been great for the desert where the sun is bright.
Prizm Road has 20% visible light transmission, while Prizm Black and Prizm 24K are both listed at 11%. If you run in bright desert sun, the darker options are going to be more appealing than Prizm Road. I am partial to Rose Gold so that is what I bought. The Transitions Ember lens sound interesting for morning runs. That version costs $579.
Replacement Vanguard lenses are $85.
Oakley Meta Vanguard for Running
When paired with a compatible Garmin device through the Meta AI Connect IQ app, the glasses can give you spoken workout information such as pace, heart rate, duration, speed, elevation, and calories. You can request information without repeatedly checking your wrist. I don’t really need or want that so I don’t have it activated.
A common misconception, but there is no heads-up display floating in front of your eyes. The information comes through audio, while an inward-facing LED can provide visual cues around pace or heart-rate targets.
Garmin Autocapture is more unusual. The glasses can automatically record clips around workout events such as distance, speed, elevation, or heart-rate milestones, then those clips can be used in a post-workout highlight. If you use Garmin and regularly make running content, I can see why this would be appealing. You could finish a race or workout with first-person footage already captured without stopping to pull out a phone. I like the “more traditional” way of just catching video and photos when I want too.
The Garmin relationship also creates a downside. Runners using COROS, Suunto, or Apple Watch do not currently get the same level of live workout integration. I haven’t used Garmin (for no reason other than I haven’t) in a few years have reviewed the COROS Pace 3, Suunto Run, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you are deciding how these would fit with your current watch.
Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses Camera
The Oakley Meta Vanguard has a centered 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view. It can record video at up to 3K resolution at 30 frames per second. Putting the camera in the center of the frame gives footage a more natural first-person angle than having the lens pushed out toward one side. It has been a learning curve trying to catch video of my friends running side by side because you really have to look sideways to do it.
For running, it’s fun for race starts, trail runs, travel runs, big climbs, and any route where you want footage without holding a phone. It’s really fun to record content while racing and not have to pull your phone out. It is also far easier to capture something unexpected when the camera is already sitting on your face. I cannot emphasize enough how much fun I’m having recording content with them.
Open-Ear Audio
The Vanguard has open-ear speakers built into the frame, which means you can listen to music, hear workout data, take calls, or interact with Meta AI without wearing separate earbuds. Your ears remain uncovered, which I prefer for running outside because I still want environmental sound around me. This is similar to how Shokz or the Suunto Spark headphones work.
Meta says the speakers are more powerful than those used in the Oakley Meta HSTN and designed for use in windy conditions. There is also a five-microphone array for calls and voice commands. I live in one of the windiest areas in the United States and can still hear my headphones on those windy days. I only use the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses for music when I’m running by myself in the desert and for runs under 2 hours. The battery life of the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses is maybe around 2 hours with music and taking video so you may not even get your full long run/race.
Are the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses good for playing music? The answer is yes. I’ve really cut down on the amount I wear separate headphones, because it’s nice not to worry about having multiple things.
Battery Life
Oakley rates the Vanguard for up to nine hours of typical use or six hours of continuous music. The charging case adds up to 36 additional hours. Oakley says the glasses reach about 50% charge after 20 minutes in the case, while a full charge takes around 75 minutes. I’ve been really impressed with their battery life. BUT if you are music the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses for music and for video I’ve found it to be about 2 hours. I was sad the day it died around mile 16 of my 18 mile long run. Oomph. I will say my preference for races is to have music not annoying other racers so I choose headphones there.
The IP67 rating is also appropriate for running. Sweat, rain, and dusty conditions are unavoidable if you train outside regularly. Don’t go swimming in them!
Price: $499
At $499 on Amazon, these aren’t cheap but they replace a lot of other running gear and if you are someone who reguarly makes content then you may appreciate them.
Oakley Meta Vanguard Conclusion
I do not think everyone needs AI sunglasses, and I definitely do not think most runners need $499 sunglasses. I’ve been really happy with mine and while the purchase is expensive, I do think it’s worth it. It’s been fun to show POVs of where I run. I hope eventually they can get to a point where the battery life is a bit longer because we need these in marathon races.
Who Should Buy the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses?
- You’re looking for smart glasses that can record workouts
- You want to cut down on how much “extra” stuff you bring working out
Who Should Skip the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses?
- You don’t plan to use the smart features or just want sun protection
- You do not care about recording your runs, rarely listen to audio while running, or expect deep workout integration with COROS, Suunto, or Apple Watch.
- You need prescription-lens support
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Questions for you:
Have you tried the Oakley Meta Vanguard Sunglasses?
What are your favorite sunglasses? Would you try smart sunglasses?