The new Oakley 2023 collection includes what they say are some of the best sunglasses, helmets, and clothing they have produced, to kit out riders for every terrain.
With an emphasis on safety, endurance, style, and performance Oakley has always aimed to be at the forefront of cycling innovation, providing riders all over the world with some of the best mountain bike helmets and finest cycling clothing. We had a delve into some of the more gravel bike and mountain biking-specific items in the vast collection.
Encoder Strike sunglasses
The new collection is led by the all-new Encoder Strike sunglasses inspired by what Oakley says is the idea of perpetual improvement and the motivation of the world's top athletes. The Oakley designers have worked alongside Team Oakley riders and integrated iconic heritage components from some of the best Oakley sunglasses. Adding more functional, cycling-based requirements that include a new ventilated design for enhanced airflow to keep cyclists cool and reduce the dreaded fogging.
Encoder Strike features an O Matter lens shape enabled by PhysioMorphic Geometry, which Oakley says is their industry-disrupting optical design innovation, first introduced in 2021 with Oakley Kato. Encoder Strike’s extended wrap is also inspired by one of Oakley’s classic frames, the Razor Blades. The glasses are available with Prizm Lens Technology, said to dramatically enhance detail and provide ultra-precise color tuning designed for a variety of biking environments. The Encoder Strike is available in seven color options, starting at $255 / £210 / €235.
ARO3 Allroad gravel helmet
The ARO3 Allroad helmet is a gravel-specific helmet, although what exactly makes a helmet gravel-specific? Oakley does say they have designed this ARO3 Allroad in close collaboration with the gravel community, so that's a good start, and that is 'meet the needs of those who create their routes, going off the beaten path in the quest for adventure'.
The main addition seems to be the small visor and some on-trend gravel colors, but it looks like another nice-looking Oakley helmet. Safety features include a 360-degree fit system that includes an adjustable dial to provide a more customized fit, and works alongside the integrated Mips safety system. It also builds on the brand’s Skull Matrix technology which is Oakley's adaptive helmet fit system to help enhance safety and comfort. Coming in a variety of colors including the Matte Light Curry (best name ever) and is priced at $155 / £127 / €150.
Oakley Mountain Biking collection
Oakley has dropped a fine selection of mountain bike clothing and new helmets. Featuring female-specific items and a range that gives a unique styling edge. The Maven RC jersey has a frog skin-inspired graphic print up front made with Oakley advanced moisture management fabric and is finished with a concealed zip pocket at the hip for securing your essentials. Priced at $70 / £52 / €65 and with a selection of colorways.
To complement the jersey there is the Maven MTB Cargo Short, which features advanced water-repellent protection and movement-friendly stretch fabric. Reflective elements provide greater visibility and roomy cargo pockets for securing essentials. Priced at $100 / £85 / €90.
The Seeker '75 is aimed at downhill to enduro trail riders and comes complete with multi-directional stretch material and advanced moisture management fabric. The ’75 graphic on the sleeves and an oversized Oakley Factory Pilot logo across the chest point to a more competitive spirit in an MTB jersey. The matching Seeker '75 shorts come with a contrasting color-block trim with motion-friendly stretch material with a durable water-repellent coating. Jerseys are priced at $65 / £52 / €60 with the shorts at $100 / £85 / €90 and in a selection of color choices.
WMNS Factory Pilot RC
The WMNS Factory Pilot RC is, as the name suggests, the Oakley women's specific mountain bike clothing range, with a short sleeve jersey and shorts. Both items come again with Oakley advanced moisture management fabric for all-day riding comfort. The jersey comes with a multi-directional stretch material that Oakley says provides an unrestricted range of motion.
The Pilot short comes with built-in protection from exterior moisture and an integrated chamois pad with multi-directional stretch capabilities and moisture management, A waistband featuring a coil zip, hidden snap closure, and Velcro adjuster are all aimed at providing an optimized fit for ride comfort. Prices at $55 / £47 / €50 for the jersey and $110 / £95 / €100 for the shorts but only in a disappointing one-color choice.
DRT3 and DRT5 Maven helmets
Oakley’s 2023 Mountain Biking Collection also includes two helmets designed for fit, functionality, and safety.
First up is the DRT3 and Oakley says that the DRT3 helmet is a feature-rich mountain bike helmet with a new approach to design that they say gives a distinctive style with improved fit and function. DRT3 features a height-adjustable, 360-fit system the same as the new Allroad and again integrated into the Mips safety system. Pricing at $135 / £136 / €130.
The DRT5 Maven has been redesigned from the ground up, with a new shape claimed to give a more natural profile by sitting lower on the head which Oakley claims will give better proportion and balance. Again the Boa 360 system includes the adjustable dial which they say delivers a more secure fit and maximum safety. The fit system is complemented by Mips Air safety system, consisting of a helmet-integrated, low-friction layer designed to reduce rotational motion to the brain upon impact. Priced at $205 / £170 / €200.
Oakley had dropped a massive range of items and we hope to review some of them very soon, particularly for the name alone, the Matte Light Curry ARO3 Allroad gravel helmet. To shop the full 2023 Bike Collection from Oakley, visit Oakley stores and Oakley.com.
