Meet the sunglasses that track, play, film, call, and translate with a single command

I'm a big fan of testing a new techy-sporty, perhaps a little unnecessary, gadget. When the opportunity to trial the Oakley Meta Vangaurd AI glasses came across my desk, I thought: perfect.

Oakley has partnered with Meta to create a fitness enthusiast's dream sports sunglasses. They boast a secure fit, open-ear speakers, mics, a live-action camera, and advanced Garmin, Strava, and Spotify integration.

And as someone who often runs with phone in hand, headphones wedged in, and snapping pics as I pound the pavement, I was excited to see whether these sunglasses could pack all of this into one streamlined process.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

Oakley Meta Vanguard at a glance...

$789 | Shop here

The Oakley Meta Vanguard are high-performance AI glasses designed specifically for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, combining Oakley's signature wraparound sport shield design with Meta's AI technology and audio features.

Oakley Meta Vanguard features

Meta AI: Meta AI syncs with your Garmin devices and fitness apps to keep you pushing harder and moving smarter. You can track your progress, stay locked on your goals, and get performance summaries right in the Meta AI app.

Hands-free content: In the centre of the Oakley Meta Vanguards is an ultra-wide 12MP camera that captures 3K moments from your true point of view – without needing to stop and use your phone. When the camera is in use, it'll flash to let passers-by know you're capturing content. Even though the camera light flashes when in use, just make sure you're aware of when you're taking photos or filming, and avoid capturing content of people without their consent.

Built-in audio: The sunglasses boast open-ear speakers that deliver immersive audio without the need for earphones.

Prizm technology: The Oakley Meta Vanguard features Prizm lenses engineered to fine-tune vision in any light and any weather.

Battery life: They provide six hours of continuous audio, up to nine hours of daily use, and a case that adds up to 36 more hours. A full charge takes just 75 minutes.

Meta AI app: Through the app, you can dial in your settings, share your shots, connect to other apps like Strava and Spotify, and connect with your Meta AI assistant.

Weather-proof: The glasses are rugged, sweatproof, and waterproof (IP67 rating).

"Hey Meta..."

I'll admit I felt like a bit of an idiot saying "Hey Meta, volume up," or "Hey Meta, what's my heart rate?" aloud as I jogged past passers-by. I felt the creep of imposter syndrome; these glasses are high-performance and designed for athletes – should I be running further, faster, and less out of breath?

Once I'd decided to stop being pathetic and lean into the cool features the Oakley Meta Vanguards offer, I had a whale of a time exploring the techy specs.

With the built-in mics, you can command your sunglasses to help with a range of performance-based things: assess your heart rate and pace, ask how long you've been running/cycling/skiing, etc., play your Spotify running playlist, and turn the music up or down.

For more general needs, you can consult Meta AI to check the weather, capture content (photos and videos), translate text (good for when you're on holiday), set reminders, send texts, call people, identify objects (what am I looking at? What landmark is this?), even ask how to get home if you stray too far from the beaten path.

The options are pretty endless!

My verdict

Though I took my phone with me to take selfies like the influencer I am, it's been a nice change to know I have everything I need through the Oakley Meta Vanguards.

It was refreshing to have my music playing through the embedded speakers (at an excellent quality!) along the sunglasses' arms without my spatial awareness being compromised by my noise-cancelling earphones. However, at the volume I play my music, I'm sure people around me could hear my Sabrina Carpenter playlist, too... But if you bump into someone and take your glasses off, the music automatically stops. Pretty nifty.

The sunglasses truly make for an uninterrupted running experience, with everything you need connected into one place. And they look pretty chic, too, if I do say so myself.

They might be a little on the pricey side for a pair of sunglasses, but if you're interested in the intersection of tech, fitness, and style, they're definitely a cool investment.

Other Oakley sunglasses (if you want your glasses to just be sunglasses)

Oakley Eye Jacket Redux

$243 | Shop here

Oakley Holbrook

$228 | Shop here

Oakley Radar EV Path

$321 | Shop here

What can Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses do?

The Oakley Vanguard Meta smart glasses are designed with athletes, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. They blend Oakley's performance frames with Meta AI for built-in hands-free tech.

The glasses come with a range of cool techy abilities. Its 12MP ultra-wide built-in camera can capture images and videos on your adventures with voice commands or touch-controlled prompts. The glasses also pair with Garmin, Strava, and other apps to track your workouts, distance, heart rate, and more. It also connects to Spotify to play music through the built-in, open-ear speakers.

Are the Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses waterproof?

Yes, with an IP67 rating, the Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses are highly water-resistant. They are designed to tackle rain, sweat, and splashes, making them ideal for outdoor activities like running, cycling, and general sweaty workouts.

Are the Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses good for running?

The glasses are a great option for avid runners who also enjoy high-tech accessories that make it more fun and exciting. A true hands-free item, the glasses remove the need to carry your phone, headphones, or a camera – making life that little bit easier.

Do the Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses work with iPhone/Android?

Yes, the glasses are fully compatible with iPhone and Android.

READ MORE: The only running gear I'm trusting to get me through winter