Sunglasses are an essential accessory for protecting your eyes and looking stylish. Two popular sunglasses brands on the market are Pit Viper and Oakley. But which one is better?
Here is a comprehensive comparison of Pit Viper sunglasses and Oakley sunglasses in terms of features, style, price and more to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Pit Viper | Oakley |
| Style | Retro, vintage, oversized | Sporty, sleek, lightweight |
| Frame Materials | Grilamid (plastic) | O Matter (proprietary) |
| Lens Technology | Standard polycarbonate, polarized options | High Definition Optics®, PrizmTM, polarized options |
| UV Protection | 100% | 100% |
| Durability | Decent | Excellent |
| Price Range | $60 – $120 | $100 – $200+ |
| Best For | Casual wear, style | Performance, sports |
Overview Of Pit Viper Sunglasses
Pit Viper sunglasses exploded onto the sunglasses scene in 2016 with their loud, flashy, 90s-inspired styles. They quickly became a cult favorite among action sports enthusiasts and baseball players.
Some key things to know about Pit Viper sunglasses:
- Founded in 2016 in San Clemente, California.
- Known for oversized frames with retro vibes and bold colors/graphics.
- Popular with baseball players, skaters, surfers due to sports-oriented styles.
- Frames made from Grilamid (plastic polymer) or cellulose propionate.
- Lenses offer 100% UV protection and polarized options available.
- Prices range from $60 – $120.
Pit Viper frames are designed to make a bold statement with metallic color options, creative patterns, and etched logos on the lenses. They give off a very 90s vibe that is coming back around in fashion trends.
Some of their most popular models include the 1993, the Marshall, the Ace and the Disrupter. The names are meant to evoke feelings of brazenness and edginess.
Overall, Pit Viper dominates the loud, flashy sunglasses niche. People love them for the retro throwback styles and ability to show off personality.
Overview Of Oakley Sunglasses
Founded in 1975, Oakley is one of the most established sunglasses brands known for high-performance sport styles.
Here are some key facts about Oakley:
- Founded in 1975 by James Jannard in Lake Forest, California.
- Known for innovative sport performance and active lifestyle sunglasses.
- Used by top athletes in basketball, cycling, running, and more.
- Frames made from proprietary materials like O Matter.
- Offerings include standard and polarized lens options.
- Prices range from $100 – $200+
Oakley is a technology-driven company that uses proprietary innovations and materials in their eyewear. This gives their sunglasses a very sleek, futuristic look.
Some of Oakley’s most popular models include the Holbrook, Flak 2.0 XL, Radar EV Path, and Frogskins. The names reflect speed, technology, and performance.
Oakley is popular with athletes and those with active lifestyles due to advanced functionality. But their styles also work for casual everyday wear.
Comparing Style And Design
When it comes to style and design, Pit Viper and Oakley are vastly different.
Pit Viper
Pit Viper sunglasses ooze vintage vibes with oversized frames, colorful reflective lenses, and loud patterns. They take inspiration from 90s fashion with unique prints like American flags, flamingos, and flashy metallics.
The shape of Pit Viper frames is aggressive with a flat top and pronounced cheek curvature. This amplifies the retro sporty look. Popular frame colors include neon orange, army green, white, and red.
Pit Viper lenses often feature etched graphics and logos that give off a rebellious, edgy feel. They don’t take themselves too seriously.
Oakley
In contrast to Pit Viper, Oakley sunglasses have a very sleek, futuristic aesthetic optimized for performance.
Oakley frames are more slender and rounded with dimensional sculpting at the temples. This contributes to a lightweight, active look. They come in glossy solid colors like black, gray and brown.
Oakley lenses have a gentle curve and come in standard or rounded rectangle shapes ideal for sports. Their solid, iridium-coated lenses project an image of speed and innovative technology.
Verdict
Overall, Pit Viper has an overstated, retro style rooted in the 90s while Oakley exudes an understated, athletic vibe with modern appeal. It comes down to personal preference based on your fashion sensibilities.
Also Read: Comparison Between Diff And Quay Sunglasses.
Comparing Lens Quality And Protection
Both Pit Viper and Oakley offer 100% UV protection. But there are some differences in lens technology:
Pit Viper
- Uses polycarbonate lenses with scratch-resistant coating.
- Polarized lens options available to reduce glare.
- Standard lenses offer decent visual clarity and UV protection.
- No advanced contrast-enhancing lens technologies.
Oakley
- Uses proprietary High Definition Optics (HDO®) across all lenses.
- Polarized, Prizm, and photochromic lens options available.
- Prizm lenses enhance color and contrast to improve performance.
- HDO lenses minimize distortion and provide razor sharp vision.
Verdict
Oakley wins when it comes to innovative lens technologies that enhance vision quality. Their emphasis on performance gives them the edge for those who want maximized visual clarity.
However, Pit Viper still offers decent UV protection and visual clarity at lower price points. So casual wearers may find them sufficient.
Comparing Durability
Durability is important for sunglasses to withstand frequent use. Here is how Oakley and Pit Viper stack up:
Pit Viper
- Grilamid plastic frames are fairly flexible and durable.
- Don’t feel quite as robust or solid as Oakleys.
- Spring hinges add sturdiness.
- Polycarbonate lenses resist strong impacts.
Oakley
- O Matter frame material is very sturdy, durable and lightweight.
- Three-point fit creates solid contact for grip.
- Unobtainium ear socks and nose pads help glasses stay put.
- Meet high impact standards like ANSI Z87.1 and EN 166.
- Composite lenses resist scratches and breaking.
Verdict
Oakley is the clear winner when it comes to durability. Their frames and lenses are engineered to withstand very active use. Pit Viper sunglasses may work fine for casual wear but seem more prone to damage if used heavily.
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Comparing Price And Value
Lastly, let’s look at the price differences between the brands:
Pit Viper
- Ranges from $60 – $120
- Lower and mid-range pricing
- Good value for casual, vintage-inspired styles
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Oakley
- Ranges from $100 – $200+
- Mid to high-range pricing
- Paying for performance-enhancing technologies
- More value for active lifestyles
Verdict
Pit Viper offers lower price points, making their sunglasses very affordable. Oakley commands higher pricing that aligns with their advanced technologies and durable materials. Ultimately Oakley is the better value for athletes while Pit Viper appeals to budget-conscious shoppers wanting style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Pit Viper sunglasses are good quality for the price. They provide 100% UV protection, polarized lens options to reduce glare, and durable Grilamid frames. The style is not for everyone given the loud throwback designs. But they are great for the vintage eyewear look.
Some other sunglass brands that compare well to Oakley in terms of technology and performance include Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Rudy Project, and Nike. These brands also engineer lenses for visual clarity and use high-end materials. Kaenon and Wiley X also compete with Oakley in the active sports eyewear arena.
Pit Viper sunglasses are popular among baseball players due to the wraparound sporty styles that protect their eyes when out on the field. The bold colors and graphics allow players to express personality and stand out. Players also like how Pit Vipers pay homage to classic 90s styles in a fun way.
The name “Pit Viper” does evoke the image of an aggressive viper snake ready to strike. However, this name is meant more for branding and image rather than reflecting the actual personalities of Pit Viper wearers. The edgy name aligns with the loud rebellious styles. But owners of Pit Vipers tend to just be fans of the retro 90s aesthetic who want to make a fashion statement, rather than hostile or aggressive.
Also Read: Comparison Between Shady Rays And neven Sunglasses.
Final Verdict
So, should you go for Pit Vipers or Oakleys? Here are some final recommendations based on priorities:
- If you want vintage 90’s styles, loud colors, and graphics, go with Pit Viper.
- If you care most about visual clarity and performance, choose Oakley.
- If you lead an active lifestyle and demand durability, Oakley is best.
- If you just want stylish shades for casual wear, consider affordable Pit Vipers.
- If money is no object, splurge on high-end Oakleys for the best technologies.
- If you’re on a budget but still want UV protection, Pit Vipers have you covered.
Take some time to consider your personal style, activities, prescription needs, and budget. This will help determine whether the bold retro Pit Vipers or sleek performance Oakleys are a better match.
Either brand offers stylish, protective shades. So you really can’t go wrong choosing between these eyewear icons.