Oakley Split Shot SUNGLASSES REVIEW (With ON-WATER TESTING)

Let me share my experience with the Oakley Split Shot sunglasses. After more than 30 days of on-water fun and testing at my bench, I believe I can provide a solid review.

As someone who lives and breathes fly fishing, you understand how important a high-quality pair of sunglasses is – they do more than just make you look cool, right? They can make the difference between a successful day on the water and a long, squint-filled frustration fest.

First Impression

So, I recently got my hands on these Oakley Split Shot sunglasses, and I have to say I was impressed right off the bat. The first thing that caught my eye was the nose pad – soft, grippy, and comfortable. It felt as though the sunglasses just settled into place, like a perfectly cast fly landing just right on the water.

The ear contact was a bit edgy because of the retainer system, but I wouldn’t consider it a deal-breaker. And the case! It’s built like a fortress, ready to protect these sunnies with all its might.

How Well Did the Oakley Split Shot’s Work on the Water?

It was a lot of work and a miracle for timing, but I got a sunny day right after some trout were stocked in a local river. I laid +17 pairs of sunglasses out and snapped pictures of fish through all those lenses. But the MOST important factor for fishing sunglasses is – HOW WELL THEY SEE FISH!

Pictures are worth more than my blah blah, check out how the Split Shot’s performed.

WHERE DID THE Split Shots PLACE IN MY COMPARISON?

Out of all the sunglasses I tested, the Split Shots finished near the top. They ranked in 8th place out of 17 at the time of my review. A stand out feature of the Oakley Split Shot’s is “the cool lanyard design” They scored toward he top of the pack for seeing fish.

These sunglasses are a solid choice for the fisher person. If you love the Oakley styling and brand feel confident that these sunglasses that do a dang good job of seeing fish. . Check prices and availability on Amazon with this link. 👉 Oakley Split Shot

If you’re looking for the BEST, check out my FULL REVIEW link 👉 Looking for the Best Fishing Sunglasses. In the article I detail all the sunglasses tested and provide the nitty gritty details covering 16 factors that I reviewed.

Fit and Comfort

The nose pad provides a great fit, and the overall wrap is well thought out. They felt snug yet comfortable during my trials. A small edge on the ear touch might ruffle some feathers, but I found it tolerable and something you get used to.

Lens Features of The Split Shots

Let’s talk about the lens now – it has a lovely bronze/rose color base tint that’s right up my alley. It just brightens up the watery world, don’t you think? And the polarization, oh my! With a score of 8, it’s a league ahead in cutting down the glare.

The Split Shots also hit a home run with UV protection, earning an 8 in my book. It’s like having your personal shield against those harmful rays! You know what I noticed, though? The tint seemed a little dark for me, but again, it’s a matter of personal preference.

In terms of Visible Light Transmission (VLT), Oakley claims a VLT of 12%, but my tests show it to be around 14%, which is pretty much in the sweet spot for contrast.

Fishy Factor – Design of Split Shots for Fishing

Let’s talk about the “Fishy Factor”. With smaller side shields, no option for a glass lens, and a slightly darker tint, I gave the Split Shots a 5 here. They seem to be geared more towards deep-water fishing, but for my fly fishing, they still hold their ground.

Frame and Design

The frame is plastic, but it has a unique lanyard attachment design that I find incredibly cool. And that wrap! With a base curvature of 8, they stay hugging your face, reducing glare and increasing peripheral vision.

Coming in at a light 30 grams, these glasses won’t weigh you down during those long days by the river. One thing to note, however, is the lack of spring hinges on the temple arms, which might affect durability in the long run.

Split Shot Sunglasses Style

Both my daughter and I posed for pics wearing the Oakley Split Shot’s. I’m not all that good looking and a “fat head” wearing a large to XL size hat. She’s a small thing wearing a size small. Check out the pictures.

Included with Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses

In the package, you get a nice protective case, a lanyard, a cloth cleaning bag, and a sticker. Quite a package, I must say! That included lanyard is a nice little bonus.

Additional Features of the Oakley Split Shot

These sunglasses have a plastic lens, which may be a tad less durable than glass but makes up for it in weight reduction. The scratch resistance could have been better, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

A unique feature of the Split Shots’ is the retainer attachment. The lanyard is attached internally within the temple arms, resulting in a comfortable positioning of the lanyard.

Performance and User Experience

Here’s the meat of it, my experience with them. Over the past few weeks, I’ve found these Split Shots to be a trusty companion for my fishing escapades. They scored an overall 8th place out of the 17 pairs of sunglasses I’ve tested, which is a pretty solid rank.

One point to consider, the darker tint makes these glasses more suitable for deeper water fishing, at least in my experience. So, if you’re more of a deep-sea fisher, these might be your perfect match. As for me, while I do prefer lighter tints for my river escapades, I’ve still had many a successful outing with these bad boys.

Technologies that Set Oakley Split Shot Apart

The real standout feature here is the combination of the HDPolarized and Prizm lenses. These technologies enhance color, contrast, and detail, providing a superb visual experience. On top of that, they also reduce glare significantly, something I found to be a great help when spotting fish in the water.

The high wrap frame is another great feature, designed to block glare from all sides, giving you a wide view of your surroundings. Oakley’s unique Unobtanium® nosepad and the Three-Point Fit hold the lenses in precise optical alignment, even as you perspire under the sun.

Pros and Cons of Oakley Split Shot

Pros	Cons
High-quality polarization	Slight edge on ear touch may be uncomfortable for some
Excellent UV protection	No spring hinge
Comfortable fit and nose pad	Tint may be too dark for some users
Cool lanyard attachment design	Smaller side shields
Prizm lenses enhance color and contrast	No option for glass lenses

Price and Value

Now, these sunglasses are on the higher end of the price spectrum, retailing at around $225. Prices can change wildly, I’ve seen all the sunglasses change price by over $100 so shop around.

But given their features and performance, I’d say they offer good value for the money. They might not be a catch for those on a budget, but for those willing to invest in a high-quality piece of gear, it’s money well spent.

Warranty

As I mentioned earlier, the warranty information was a bit tricky to find on the website. So, I’m assuming a standard 30-day warranty. If you’re considering these, I’d recommend reaching out to Oakley directly to get more precise information.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

These glasses are shining stars among other fishing sunglasses, boasting an impressive 9.8-star rating at the time of my review. It seems that I’m not the only one who’s had a good experience with them.

One More Cast with the Split Shots

In the final analysis, the Oakley Split Shot sunglasses offer a solid combination of comfort, protection, and visual clarity. They may not be perfect, but they’re a strong contender in the realm of fishing sunglasses. They’re best suited for the angler who ventures into deeper waters, but as a fly fisherman, I still found them to be more than capable.

Do I recommend the Oakley Split Shots’ 👈 YES these are a solid pair of fishing sunglasses. In the same price range are a couple pairs of sunglasses that might be a bit better though. The Costa Fantails placed higher and cost a little less. Read more in this article 👉 Costa Fantail . Another option if you want the BEST is the 👉 Smith Guides Choice

The Split Shot have an amazing rating on Amazon. Read more and check prices with this shortcut link to Amazon. 👉 Oakley Split Shot Sunglasses

So, there you have it, my friend, my experience with the Oakley Split Shots. If you’ve got the budget for it, I say they’re worth a shot. After all, there’s nothing quite like a good pair of sunglasses to help you spot your next big catch!