I've been wanting a pair of sunglasses for a long time, especially since I often look directly into the sun when running on the Brighton seafront (when the sun's out that is)! After a little research I thought I would give Oakley Flak Jacket sunglasses a try--seemed to have great reviews and good for both running, cycling and other sports.
I checked out the Oakley UK website and was really excited to learn that they do Asian Fit sunglasses, modified to compensate for a lower nose bridge. With my Asian nose I'm always concerned about sunglasses hitting my cheeks so I thought these would be a great option. I ended up ordering two pairs to try out (pics not to scale):
- Women's Asian Fit Flak Jacket in Lipstick Red with Black Iridium Lenses - these didn't come in black :(
- Unisex Asian Fit Flak Jacket in Black with Black Iridium Lenses - since black is always my color of choice
I did have a few hiccups with my order and it took a little longer that expected, so I was anxious by the time they arrived.
Asian Fit Flak Jacket vs Women's Asian Fit Flak Jacket
For both pairs I could immediately tell the difference between these and non-Asian Fit sunglasses. The nose piece is a little more narrow and bigger to prop the glasses up higher so they sit better on the face. I was thrilled when I found that both pairs sat high enough not to hit my cheeks! Both glasses felt comfortable on, but the Women's Flak Jacket was slightly smaller--a little less wide with shorter arms. They fit my petite face a little better so although I really wanted to go with my beloved black (and I still don't understand why they don't make the women's in black), I decided I could live the lipstick red.
Worth mentioning that the size difference between the two was small. If they didn't have a women's version I probably could have gotten by with the Unisex.
Hitting the road with my new Asian Fit Oakleys
The hot weather a few weeks ago gave me a great chance to test my new sunglasses, and overall I love them. They are very comfortable and light, and most importantly they don't bounce at all when I run--that was my biggest worry. There was no uncomfortable rubbing or headache caused by the arms, and the seafront looked crisp and clear through the lenses. Despite the heat and sweat the lenses didn't fog up at all. The nose pieces are rubberized but despite that there was some slipping after I started to sweat, and I'm sure my sunscreen didn't help! But I think this would be the same with any pair (more to do with my nose than fit) and it didn't bother me during my longer runs. I also wear over-the-ear headphones, and the sunglasses sat comfortably on top of them and I had no issues with either as I was running.
The sunglasses also came with:
- Hard case
- Soft case that also acts as a polishing cloth
- 2nd pair of nose pads in a different size
- Hydrophobic Pen for treating lenses
The lenses are removable and you can purchase different colors to be used in various conditions. The black iridium lenses work just fine for me now so I'm not planning to purchase other ones, but nice to know I can if I start doing other activities.
THE VERDICT: I would definitely recommend the Flak Jackets to any runner (they also come in a 'regular' fit), but in particular if you're looking for an 'Asian-Fit' option. They've been great so far for my petite face and nearly non-existent bridge, and I'm looking forward to using them for many years to come!
