Rudy Project vs Oakley
You need to try them on. Neither one fits me spectacularly well, but Serfas and Specialized glasses do. I would never buy sunglasses without trying them on first (I have bought bikes without riding them several times, but they're adjustable).
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
The Oakleys fit great, but I have never tried on a pair of Rudy Project.
i like Smith better than both.... the reactor max was voted best sunglass by bicycling mag i think.
but if you must, id say oakley
I used to own Oakleys because they looked cool. The only problem was they really never fit that well on my face. Then, last year I bought a pair of Rudy Project Rydon II with photochromatic lenses, and I'll tell you that they are the best sport glasses I've owned thus far. These glasses are ajustable in both the nose and ear pieces. Because I have a flat nose, I was looking for the adjustability in the nose piece. The photochromatic lenses are cool because they get darker when UV rays hit them. They're just as light as Oakleys and the prices are pretty similar. I'm looking into buying the RP Mask for this season. I don't think I'll ever go back to Oakleys again. Personally, I think they're overpriced.
I started competing in triathlons 2 years ago and fell in love with the sport. Because heart disease runs in both sides of my family, I figured that training and competing in tris will help delay the inevitable.
I have the oakleys and I love them. I myself had a hard time finding sunglasses that worked. I have the Radars. My only complaint is the paint has chipped on the side.
Blais
I have Oakley and Rudy Project. Both make great glasses and have good customer service. I just got the Rudy Project at the end of the last year because I wanted glasses that didn't have a rim that obstructed my view while being aero. I got the Rudy Project Mask. These are the same glasses that Macca wore when he won Kona. And since I've purchased them, I've noticed my speed has increased as well. Kidding. I like the glasses though and you can get replaceable lenses for about $50.

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I injured my eye when I was younger and have a scar that holds my pupil open, so I always wear sunglasses.
I love my Oakley flack jackets, but I didn't have to pay for them. I won them from a radio station. I also like Smith, but their non-polarized lenses aren't nearly as good as the Oakley's in my opinion.
I have never tried Rudy Project, but they look really cool.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
Rudy Project uses polarized lenses in most of their glasses. The pair above does. I use Oakley Straight Jacket... those are probably my absolute favorite as far as comfort goes. But unfortunately, I can't see through the top rim when aero.
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My P.O.S. Tifosi sunglasses broke the other day (seems to be a common problem with them) and now I'm in need of a new pair of shades. I've narrowed it down to the Rudy Rydon and Oakley Flak Jacket. Rudys are hard to find and try on, but man the white Rydons with laser blue lenses are sexy! I've read that Oakley has a problem with the frames cracking, but the optical quality is superior to Rudy Project. All looks aside (because I can't make up my mind on that), anyone have a performance reason for one over the other?
I have the White Rydons with the laser blue lenses, they also came with the red racing lenses and they are the best pair of glasses I have had. But that is because they fit me really well and the lense quality is great. Now all glasses in this price range are going to have pretty decent glass and you may prefer one over the other, but fit is it. Find them and try them.
Hey guys, so, what's up with the blue lenses? What benefit does that have? I personally need something that makes the world darker, not just something that blocks out the UV light...
Hey guys, so, what's up with the blue lenses? What benefit does that have? I personally need something that makes the world darker, not just something that blocks out the UV light...
At first I wasn't sure about the blue lenses because they block less sun. But now I like them because I can see a lot better, especially on overcast days. I'm with you though, I like to block out the world on the bright days but that's why they have replaceable lenses.
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OK, I was an Oakley wearer for years. Still wear M-Frames from time to time. But I have been wearing Rudy's, specifically the White Rydon's with Blue lenses, for two years now. And I have a pair of the new Rudy Zyon's on the way.
I'll add the disclaimer here that the club I ride with is sponsored by Rudy and I don;t pay retail for them.
I will admit that I think the optical clarity of the Oakleys, when new is a little better than the Rudy's, but you can get replacement lenses from Rudy for next to nothing compared to replacing Oakley lenses.
As far as the blue lenses, I used to wear Black Iridium, about the darkest lenses made, and I have had no trouble adjusting to the blue lenses. Now they are the best thing going, and the red lenses that came with them have been great for mountain biking and cloudier days.
As far as fit, I didn't have any issues with them. And here is where I am going to disagree with Gator, the Rudy's are adjustable. The nosepiece and the earpieces are wired so that theycan be bent, to some extent, for a better fit. A couple of adjustments on the first ride and I've never gone back to the Oakleys. (I use them for yardwork now).
I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Rudy's, but maybe get them from somewhere ou can return them just in case.
I got have a pair of Rudy Ekynox SXs with a perscription insert. I love them. I love the replaceable lenses and low profile. I havent had a pair of Oakleys in years, mostly because the pair I had broke at the temple after 4 months and Oakley wouldnt warranty them. So I stopped buying their product.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
I have the same standard old team sponsor issue white rydon sx's with blue and red lenses. I actually prefer the red lenses because I think the blue ones are too dark - but that seems to be just me. I've had them for 3 years and I think that its finally time to get new lenses because they are quite scratched and mucked up.
I am also a Rudy Fan, they are a great product IMO, and you really can't beat the lens replacement policy.
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Rudy here too. I have the Ekynox, and have been pleased. I tend to stay away from any product that I feel is ubiquitous (a la oakley, trek, shimano). Which probably isn't a good reason to make a choice.
When in doubt go Italian.
As another option, if neither Rudys or Oakleys fit well, I can toss out a recommendation for Natives as well.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
I have never tried the Rudy Projects but they look sweet. I have had a pair of M frames for 9 years with no problems. I like the VR28 lenses for cloudy days and the gray lenses for sunny days. On the run the half-jackets are very comfortable and the titanium lenses are great. They are comfortable for people, like myself, with unusually large heads (7 5/8 fitted hat size with no hair).












My P.O.S. Tifosi sunglasses broke the other day (seems to be a common problem with them) and now I'm in need of a new pair of shades. I've narrowed it down to the Rudy Rydon and Oakley Flak Jacket. Rudys are hard to find and try on, but man the white Rydons with laser blue lenses are sexy! I've read that Oakley has a problem with the frames cracking, but the optical quality is superior to Rudy Project. All looks aside (because I can't make up my mind on that), anyone have a performance reason for one over the other?