Last week at the Meta Connect event, Mark Zuckerberg announced the new Oakley Meta Vanguard performance AI sunglasses designed to give athletes a competitive edge. Oakley and Meta have reportedly been working together for years on the development of an AI glasses product, starting with the Oakley Meta HSTN earlier this year. The new Vanguard model is a step further into the world of sports, with a more performance-oriented design and features aimed at modern athletes.
AI-powered “Smart” glasses have been on the market for a couple of years now, but have been limited primarily to a few models, like the Ray Ban Meta, that aren’t exactly sporty. With the new Vanguard model, Oakley and Meta intend to bring wearable tech to high-intensity sports and introduce the world “to the era of Athletic Intelligence.” These new glasses have Oakley’s signature bold styling, loads of coverage, and PRIZM lenses. They also feature a built-in 12 MP camera, open-ear speakers, and integration with Garmin and Strava for real-time performance insights.
“Our Goal at Oakley is always to create for the future and deliver to the present,” says Caio Amato, Oakley Global President. “Oakley invented the sports performance category, now with Oakley Meta Vanguard, we’re setting another new baseline for what is possible. We wanted to redefine what eyewear could be by delivering Performance AI glasses, technological advancements that truly amplify human potential. And it’s a leap toward a new era of human possibilities.”
Whether you’re excited about these new shades or you think we’re one step closer to the Terminators coming from the future to take out John Connor, they are interesting if nothing else. Let’s take a closer look at the new Oakley Meta Vanguard.
Oakley Meta Vanguard Details
What sets the Vanguard apart from other Meta sunglasses on the market is their sport-oriented design. The Vanguard’s large coverage, wraparound design, and Oakley PRIZM lenses aim to protect the eyes from the sun, wind, dust, and debris. The frames feature Oakley’s “Three Point Fit” system and come with replaceable nose pads to customize the fit for stability and comfort on varying facial structures. According to Oakley, they have also been optimized to wear with cycling helmets and hats.
At present, the Vanguard is offered with four different PRIZM lens options: 24K, Black, Road, and Sapphire. Whether you need to swap them out for different light conditions or activities, Oakley says that changing lenses is easy and is selling replacements of the four lenses mentioned above for $85, with an additional low-light option coming soon. The frames are sweatproof and waterproof with an IP67 rating. Claimed weight is 66 grams.
Camera and Speakers
One of the most interesting features of these new sunglasses is the built-in camera. Situated in the center of the frame above the bridge of the nose, this camera has “an ultra-wide 122-degree field of view.” The hands-free 12 MP camera shoots still photos or video in 3K UHD, operating on voice commands. No more stopping to pull out your phone or camera to take photos or shoot video. With new capture modes like Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, and adjustable video stabilization, it may even replace your wearable action camera.
In addition to the camera, the Vanguard glasses have built-in open-air speakers integrated into the arms. These “high-decibel speakers” have advanced wind noise reduction for the ability to listen at speeds up to 30 mph. The glasses also have a 5-mic array designed to reduce wind noise when taking calls, messaging, or using Meta AI with your voice.
Garmin and Strava Integration
For performance-minded athletes, the integration with Garmin might be the most useful feature of the Vanguard glasses. When connected to a compatible Garmin device, users can ask Meta AI for stats or updates in real-time, hands-free, and without the need to look at a screen. “Just ask, ‘Hey Meta, what’s my heart rate?’ or ‘Hey Meta, how am I doing?’ to get real-time insights.” Additionally, status LEDs in your peripheral vision can be set up to provide real-time at-a-glance feedback for preset performance metrics.
A new autocapture feature has also been included in the Garmin integration. This makes it possible to capture videos without needing to take out your phone or start a separate action camera. According to Oakley and Meta, “The glasses will automatically capture video clips when you hit key distance milestones or ramp up your heart rate, speed, or elevation, so you can stay immersed in your workout knowing you’ll never miss the shot.”
Garmin Integrations
- Meta AI-powered data & insights for smarter training
- Historical data to track your progress over time
- Real-time metrics that keep you on pace in the moment
- Action Auto Capture to trigger highlights automatically
- Action LED signals for instant feedback
- Shareable action media with activity data overlays to relive and share your moments
Strava integration includes the ability to graphically overlay performance metrics onto photos and videos captured with the glasses during the activity for sharing on Strava and other social media platforms. “The result is more than just a workout recap — it’s a way for athletes to showcase their effort, celebrate milestones, and inspire their community.” Additionally, when paired with Garmin Connect, Apple Health, or Health Connect by Android, activity summaries will show up directly in the Meta AI app so you can track and evaluate your progress.
Strava Integrations
- Seamless sharing of your captured activities directly to the Strava community
- Rich post-activity data overlays — including Strava-branded stickers for Instagram and more
- Full activity history and logs for deeper Meta AI-powered insights after your session
Battery Life and Charging
According to Oakley, “the Meta Vanguard has up to nine hours of battery life or up to six hours of continuous music playback — enough to last you through a marathon.” That sounds pretty impressive for a small battery that’s housed inside the frame of a pair of sunglasses. Claimed time to fully recharge is just 75 minutes, with a 50% charge in just 20 minutes if you’re in a hurry. The glasses also come with a charging case that can provide up to an additional 36 hours of charging when you’re on the move.
Oakley Meta Vanguard: Pricing and Availability
The new Oakley Meta Vanguard sunglasses retail for $499 and are available for pre-order now on the Oakley and Meta websites. It appears they will officially be launching on October 21st in the North American, European, and Australian markets. You can learn more about these fancy AI-powered performance sunglasses or pre-order a pair at:
