Oakley Meta Vanguard: Smart Sunglasses Built for Athletes
Meta and Oakley’s new Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are clearly aimed at athletes. Retailing at $499 and available for pre-order now (on sale Oct 21), they bring several upgrades over the earlier HSTN model to improve first-person action capture and outdoor use.
Key features
- Camera: 12MP sensor with a 122° wide-angle lens, adjustable video stabilization, slow-motion and hyperlapse modes optimized for action footage.
- Design: Wraparound Oakley-style frames with centralized camera placement above the nose to reduce obstruction from helmets and hats.
- Battery: ~6 hours continuous music playback, ~9 hours mixed use; charging case adds ~36 hours.
- Durability: IP67 water and dust resistance; wider temperature optimization for better battery performance in hot/cold conditions.
- Audio: More powerful onboard speakers for clearer sound during activities.
- Controls: New capture button placement and a customizable “action button” that can trigger things like a playlist, hyperlapse, or Meta AI actions (surf reports, object ID, etc.).
- Integrations: Strava and Garmin support—overlay photos/videos onto workout stats and query Meta AI for live heart rate/pace data when paired with compatible devices.
Who it’s for
These glasses are tailored for runners, cyclists, and action-sports athletes who want reliable first-person footage and hands-free data. The wraparound style may be polarizing for everyday wear, but for many athletes they could replace bulky goggles.
Where to learn more or buy
Official info and purchase options are expected through Oakley/Meta retail channels. You can also search on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Oakley+Meta+Vanguard&tag=f1rede-20
Reported coverage originally appeared on Engadget.
Would you try these on your next run or ride? Reply below with your thoughts.