What To Look For
When shopping for Oakley sunglasses, it is important to know what type of lenses suit your needs and how much money you want to spend. Protective lenses are important in baseball because they guard the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays during long hours in the sun. Oakley's lens technology guarantees clarity, durability and performance. For baseball, you should primarily look for the M Frame, Half Jacket or Flak Jacket styles for fit, comfort and protection.
Common Pitfalls
Oakley sunglasses are expensive, so do not overpay. You can buy a serviceable pair of lenses without going out of your price range. There are differences based on the style, but Oakley makes a quality pair of sunglasses for even their least expensive model. Consumers should beware of counterfeit Oakley products. The company has a link on its website where you can report fakes; take caution when shopping for Oakleys on the Internet.
Where To Buy
Because of the prevalence of counterfeit product, shop for Oakley sunglasses at trusted retailers or directly from oakley.com. As incentive for customers, Oakley offers free shipping on orders over $50. Dick's Sporting Goods also carries both the M Frame and Flak Jacket styles at comparable prices.
Cost
The M Frame sunglasses have interchangeable lens options that allow you to adapt to any light sensitivity. The M Frame Heater style in black/gray start at $120 as of September 2010. Adding accessory lenses or customizing the colors can increase the price by $75 to $130. Oakley Half Jacket lenses range from $110 to $160 depending on whether the lenses are standard or polarized; polarized lenses reduce distortion and provide clarity. Oakley Flak Jacket sunglasses are the top-of-the-line model and cost between $150 and $210.
Comparison Shopping
A company called Easton sells baseball sunglasses priced between $19.99 and $24.99. Dick's Sporting Goods also carries Akadema Blue Steel Baseball Sunglasses for $29.99. Features include 100 percent UV protection, shatter-proof tinted lenses, a microfiber carrying case and a lens cloth.
Accessories
Accessories for Oakley sunglasses include interchangeable lenses. The Flak Jacket XLJ lenses, polarized and coated with black iridium, cost an additional $95. If you want to customize your glasses with the color and logo of your favorite major league baseball team, it will cost $160. The Half Jacket and Flak Jacket have a carrying case called the Soft Vault that costs $25 and comes in black, white, green and gray.
Insider Tips
Oakley.com says the interchangeable lens design lets the athlete adapt to changing light conditions. Interchangeable lenses are optimal for baseball players who compete in natural sunlight as well as under artificial lighting inside of a stadium.
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