Oakley SI (Standard Issue) Ballistic Crosshair Review

Just a few short years ago, Aviator sunglasses came back in vogue.  Where one minute it seemed like everyone was wearing oval or stretched rectangle sunglasses, full wrap, wide arms, etc., the next minute aviators were all the rage.  Some companies jumped on the band wagon and some companies were already ahead of the curve: like Oakley with their SI (Standard Issue) Ballistic Crosshairs.

When I first saw the Ballistic Crosshairs I wondered about their applicability for law enforcement and/or military work.  Certainly they looked sleek and cool but what about wrap around protection? What about impact protection? What about simple functionality as sunglasses?  So I got a pair for test and evaluation and one of the first things I did with them was take them to my chief of police.  The pair I received had frames that are gunmetal gray in color and had gray lenses in them as well.  For frame options you can also get Matte Black. 

Note that there is no option for a reflective lens; no mirrored lenses.  While that used to be popular, it’s not (usually) considered friendly toward the public and a lot of agencies actually banned mirrored lenses at one point.  My Chief’s comment, on seeing these aviators (gray frames, gray lenses) was, “They look cool, but not ‘I’m better than you ‘cause I’m a cop’ kind of cool.”  In other words, they look good – and he even commented about how they almost looked uniform – but they don’t give off that ‘arrogant officer’ vibe.

Wearing them was comfortable.  Although the arms aren’t curved to hook around and down the back of your ear (which can get irritating after a while), the horizontal curvature of the arms clings to the head and the rubber wrapped ends provided enough friction to hold them securely in place.

What surprised me was that they aren’t as flat across the front as they look.  The curvature of the lens frame itself added to the size of the lenses (not too big, but big enough) actually provides sufficient wrap around the eyes (at least as these fit my face/head) so that they’d be good for range wear.  With them on comfortable and snug, the rear edge of the lens is well behind the outside corner of my eye.  For debris to get into my eye around that edge it would have to curve back, around and then forward and in.

For simple protection from bright light, they function very well.  Online the published information says that the gray lenses are an ‘excellent all-purpose lens with enhanced contrast for sunny conditions.’  Reportedly they permit a light transmission level of 18%.  While I don’t have a lab facility to measure such, I can attest to the fact that they make bright light very easy to bear.  Living near the water I often find myself in situations where the sun is bright in the sky AND bright reflecting off the water. Without protective eyewear it’s enough to make you close your eyes to avoid the discomfort.  With the SI Ballistic Crosshairs the light wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

The features of the Ballistic Crosshairs, as listed on the Oakley website are as follows:

LENS

• Lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB & harmful blue light up to 400nm wavelength
• Lenses made from Plutonite®, Oakley’s high purity optical grade polycarbonate
• Lenses feature Oakley’s HDO® Optics with Polaric Ellipsoid Technology
• Lenses feature permanent anti-fog coating on the back (near eye) surface, hard coating on front (scratch prevention)
• Meets or exceeds the ballistic fragmentation impact standards contained in Clause 4.3.3.3.1 of MIL PRF 31013
• Meets High Mass Impact Test contained in Clause 6.2.2 of ANSI Z87.1-2010
• High Definition Optics that meet optical standards contained in Clause 5.1.4 of ANSI Z87.1-2010

FRAME

• Constructed of ultra-lightweight hi-modulus C-5 frame material
• Comfort and performance of three-point fit that holds lenses in precise optical alignment
• Ultra lightweight design (1.45 ounce total weight)
• Compatibility with all helmet-mounted night vision and helmets
• Thin stem technology enabling compatibility with over-ear hearing

BALLISTIC & OPTICAL STANDARDS

• Meets or exceeds the ballistic fragmentation impact standards contained in Clause 4.3.3.3.1 of MIL PRF 31013
• Meets High Mass Impact Test contained in Clause 6.2.2 of ANSI Z87.1-2010
• High Definition Optics that meet optical standards contained in Clause 5.1.4 of ANSI Z87.1-2010
• Meets or exceeds ANSI Z80.3-2008

All in all I was impressed with the fit and comfort, the surprising amount of wrap and coverage and the perceived image as voiced by my Chief. If you’re in the market for some new shades and like that aviator look, check them out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.