Ok, so I've had these sun glasses for 3 whole weeks. I purchased a new pair of Flak Jackets with two pairs of lenses; gold iridium polarized and persimmon. Also, I've been wearing actual glasses for the past 20 years, so I know how to take care of a pair of glasses.

The glasses themselves are great, feel great, optics are awesome, excellent sun protection...my only problem is that for a pair of glasses that are marketed as "Sports Performance" their "scratch resistant" lenses seem to do nothing to prevent scratches. I treat these sun glasses much better than any pair of prescription glasses I've ever had. I always clean them with the microfiber bag, and if they are not on my face they are in their case. However, in spite of the awesome care I've given these glasses, I put them on today to find a pretty substantial scratch down the center of my right lens. It is not deep, but its enough to create a small blur in my vision.

I have contacted Oakley and told them of my dissatisfaction with the durability of their lenses, however the only consolation they could offer me was offering to sell me another set of replacement lenses for $80. Am I wrong in thinking that a $200+ pair of glasses should remain scratch free after 3 weeks of meticulous care? Has anyone else ever had problems with scratches appearing on their Oakley glasses?

I can't speak for Oakley never having used their product.But, I can say most high performance lenses seems to have a coating that in my experience can be quite fragile. I've trashed a couple of lenses by just having them fall off during ride only to have them scratched as they slide across the pavement.

-Rick

I've had the same pair of M Frames since 1994 or so, with very few scratches. I can't say for sure, but it sounds like "rider error" to me.

Well if I had ever dropped them, or if they had even fallen off of my head or face I would have a different opinion. They have never touched a rough surface, and even now at work they are sitting in their bag on a pad of paper haha.

Was it the dust in the air that scratched them then??

FYI: Never, I say never, use a belt sander to clean your eyeware.

I have pair of half jackets with 4 sets of lenses I rotate through (Ice, HI Persimmon, HI Yellow, and Ruby). They have been used the past 2-3 years with only a few very tiny marks on each lens. Does Oakley market their lenses as "scratch resistant"?

I have pair of half jackets with 4 sets of lenses I rotate through (Ice, HI Persimmon, HI Yellow, and Ruby). They have been used the past 2-3 years with only a few very tiny marks on each lens. Does Oakley market their lenses as "scratch resistant"?

I looked online and didn't find anything that said they were actually scratch resistant. However, the manager I talked to on the phone said that they had a scratch resistant coating. So I'm not 100% sure either way.

I used M frames for a while, and several other brands of "performance" sport optics, no problems with scratching when I didn't do anything like drop them on asphalt.

Saying, "Am I wrong in thinking that a $200+ pair of glasses should remain scratch free after 3 weeks of meticulous care?" is like saying, "Am I wrong in thinking an egg should not break with meticulous handling?"

Well, I guess, how meticulous were you?

I've dropped my half jackets before while riding and didn't get a scratch on them.

Well meticulous as in never cleaning them w/out anything but the micro cloth, never setting them on the lenses, never dropping them, never loaning them to anyone...IMO these glasses have never encountered anything that should have scratched them. Like I said the scratch isn't deep, so as far as I know the cleaning cloth could have been dirty...but even if that was the cause it seems like the lenses should be a little more durable than that.

You got to watch the polarized lenses. They are more fragile then the regular lenses. I'm using the same black iridium m frame lenses for the past 6 years, while I've trashed3 sets of polarized lenses (2 Oakley and 1 Smith). Having said that I still have a pair of 8 year old Bolle Zuna polarized frames that are my fishing glasses.

Well here is a different question: How scratched do your lenses have to be before you purchase a new pair? I know for me that one little "smudge" in my view drives me nuts, but I've known people to wait until they can barely see to order new lenses.

I have a pair of m frames that have to be at least 10 years old. We are talking the old ones that had square frames all around and had "Oakley written out on each arm. These puppies are classic!

Anyhow, the lens are terribly scratched and generally mucked up. But I keep riding in them. When I first put them on it is a little tough to see through them, but once I get going on the bike I don't notice them at all.

I do have to admit I am entertaining a pair of Radars!

basically the majority of posters (including myself) here have used Oakleys for years and have not had problem with lens scratches.
It's possible that the OP may have a defective lens but more likely that he accidentally scratched them without realizing it.

sorry to say but you've got the facts working against you, time has nothing to do with the scratch-resistency of your lens..if you got some small grain of sand in your glasses bag and it can be game over. somewhere along the way somebody messed up, knowingly or unknowingly... tough break bud.

sorry to say but you've got the facts working against you, time has nothing to do with the scratch-resistency of your lens..if you got some small grain of sand in your glasses bag and it can be game over. somewhere along the way somebody messed up, knowingly or unknowingly... tough break bud.

If you are really worried about scratches I'd keep a separate cloth for cleaning inside the bag. Lets face it the bag is exposed to the elements, it is going to gather dust and other particles. A dirty bag would be like sand paper on your lens.

This is the problem with auto detailing, too...

If you are really worried about scratches I'd keep a separate cloth for cleaning inside the bag. Lets face it the bag is exposed to the elements, it is going to gather dust and other particles. A dirty bag would be like sand paper on your lens.

Or put the cloth in sealable plastic bag. Something else that you might want to do is to rinse the lenses with water before you clean them off, that way you will remove any grit that may have accumulated on the lenses since the last cleaning. Also once the ride is over and done with, rinse off the lenses and frame with warm water to remove salt build up from sweat otherwise the frame material will weaken over time.

Or put the cloth in sealable plastic bag. Something else that you might want to do is to rinse the lenses with water before you clean them off, that way you will remove any grit that may have accumulated on the lenses since the last cleaning. Also once the ride is over and done with, rinse off the lenses and frame with warm water to remove salt build up from sweat otherwise the frame material will weaken over time.

Yeah good call. I'm still deciding if this scratch is enough to buy a new pair of lenses. It really doesn't impair my vision, its just really annoying because I know its there. I think I may just purchase another set and keep those and my lowlight lenses pristine for rides/races then have these already scratched lenses for everyday use. I wish I weren't so OCD about this kinda stuff.