If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Oakley are surely the most complimented brand of them all. The action sports company is a true pioneer in the world of snowboarding goggles and sunglasses.
Oakley was started in 1975 by Jim Jannard. Jannard kicked things off by making motorbike grips. Jim soon went on to make motocross goggles which would go on to become a staple of the scene for years to come. Eventually, Oakley moved into the snowboarding market in 1984. The O Frame goggle was the result of years of work, and its superior clarity and fit was what made the difference between some riders owning the mountain and others simply riding down it.
Years down the line, the A-Frame became the goggle of choice for Shaun White and Travis Rice and Oakley began to lead the way for eyewear innovation. The A-Frame was a revolution at the time as it was the first optically correct lens to be used in a snowboard goggle. It’s still, to this day, one of Oakley’s most popular products.
From established classics like the A-Frame 2.0 to newer models like the Line Miner and Flight Tracker, Oakley’s goggles all feature the brand’s much respected optics (with lens options including their new PRIZM contrast enhancement). These days, Oakley has over 600 patents and is continuously pushing the boundaries of vision.
Their helmets have a neat modular brim system and enhanced airflow, while Oakley’s outerwear offering encompasses everything from basic entry-level gear that will get the job done, to top-end Gore-Tex pieces infused with their proprietary ‘Biozone’ insulation system.
Purely in snowboarding terms, they now produce sunnies, goggles, helmets, outerwear and various accessories. Their goggles, in particular, are some of the most recognisable in the game thanks to the likes of Ståle Sandbech and Jamie Anderson tearing parks to pieces in them. The classic O logo is recognised as a true sign of top quality and high performance across the world. Oh, and here’s a pub quiz fact for you; at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, 106 Oakley athletes won medals.
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Scroll down or select from the links below to check out our reviews of this season’s best Oakley snowboard gear.
Goggles | Outerwear | Helmets ” Accessories