I have OAkley X Metal questions/issues. Info needed.

[J. MacDonald]

About a week ago I was visiting the Oakley factory in Irvine on the recommendation of a friend as the building itself is quite something to see. Sort of like a post industrial fortress. While I was there I decided to pull the trigger on a set of X Metal XX 24Ks that I've been wanting. Unfortunately they didn't have a pair in stock, but they were willing to build a pair for me and give me a bit of a discount as there was no box because tehy hadn't gone through the normal production process. So I bought them.

My problem is that they don't seem to fit correctly and I don't think I got all the stuff that was supposed to come with them. Every other pair of Oakleys I've had (M frames, Blades and Razor Blades) always came with two different nose pieces fo allow for different sized noses, but I only got one size. The problems I'm having with the fit are that they squeeze my head enough to be uncomfortable and they seem to sit too close to my eyebrows so when I sweat, it gets on the lenses. The sales guy told me that they would loosen up a bit with wear and not squeeze my head so tightly and that there was only one sized nose piece for the X Metals. Is this true? I've also heard that there are different sized inserts at the temple that allow you to adjust the tension exerted on your head, but I only got the set that was installed in my glasses. I did get a spare set of nose pieces and rubber ear stem covers and the microfiber bag, but I'm feeling a little shorted.

The ones I got are the 24K Gold Iridium lenses and gold frame highlights and I think they look way cool, but if I can't get them to fit right, they're going back or up for sale.

What accessories came with your X Metals? Did they loosen up after you wore them a while? Any ideas?

John

 

[Klesk]

I've been through about a dozen pairs of Juliets and XXs, so I feel that I am somewhat qualified to comment.

If you bought your glasses from a store, you would have gotten an extra pair of nose pads ("Nose Bombs") and an extra pair of temple pads ("Temple Shocks"). From the factory, the Nose Bombs that are installed are the smaller of the two, which would make the glasses sit lower on your nose and closer to your face. The factory installed Temple Shocks should be the looser of the pair; the extra set would make the glasses fit tighter around your head. When I get a new pair, I install the extra Nose Bombs, but leave the factory Temple Shocks in place.

If you look at the area around the center of the glasses on either side of the nose piece, you can see 2 gaskets which allow the glasses to flex. This keeps the glasses tight to your head, even during fairly rough motions. This is the area which the salesman told you would loosen up over time. However, if the glasses are REALLY uncomfortably tight right now, I don't think that they will loosen up enough to be comfortable.

This is what I would suggest: first, check which pair of Temple Shocks you have on your glasses (IIRC, the sizes are 25 and 15, I don't remember which is smaller) and make sure that they are seated correctly. If they aren't seated all the way, the temples won't move out far enough and the glasses will feel too tight. Then, you may want to try your local Sunglass Hut or other sunglass store, and try on a pair of glasses just like yours. If the fit is the same, then you are SOL since the looser temple shocks are factory installed. If the glasses at the store fit better, then see what size temple shocks are installed. If the size is different from yours, then note the size and call Oakley Customer Service. They'll send you an extra pair, no problem. If the glasses at the store fit better, but have the same size temple shocks, the the frames you have are just built too tight.

That's about all I can provide, I've owned many X-Metals and have seen many more, and there is always variation in the frames. That's why it's sometimes hit or miss to buy without trying them on, as you would from Ebay.

 

[Grey Area]

I have measured the distance between the end tips of the ear pieces on my Oakley Mars. Using the "15"-sized temple shocks it is 8.3cm/3.27 inches. With size "25" it is 6.3cm/2.48 inches. That is in the open position, with no head in between.

Kristofer

 

[J. MacDonald]

The ones I got have the 15 temple shocks, so it looks like I got the loosest ones there, but Kleask has confirmed what I thought, that I should get the larger Nose Bombs which will probably help one of my complaints. On close inspection, I notice that on the joint next to the nose pece, one side flexes easily while the other side is almost rigid. I think if both sides flexed easily, they would probably be loose enough to ease up on the head squeezing.

Klesk, you've had a dozen pairs??? Wow, I had to choke down just buying one! Thanks for the info guys.

John

 

[Klesk]

...Klesk, you've had a dozen pairs??? Wow, I had to choke down just buying one! Thanks for the info guys.

John

Yeah, even though I carry a $500 folder (Strider SMF) and don't mind using it, I have problems using expensive glasses. I keep buying X-Metals, because they are so cool, but I end up using a ratty old pair of sunglasses when I go out so I don't have to worry about being careful with my glasses. Eventually, it sounds better to sell off my $250+ pair of Oakleys, which are just sitting around anyway, and use the money for knives. Of course, after a few months, I start thinking "I kinda miss my Oakleys, they were really cool...". Then the trouble starts all over again. Bad for me, good for people on the forums who end up buying my near-new glasses cheap.

No problem on the info, you can post or e-mail me if I can help with any other questions.