Written by
Baptiste DOISNEAU & Tech Archive
Nov 13, 2025
Oakley, the technical avant-garde through its archival pieces
Founded in 2022 by Bastien Lajoie, Tech Archive explores fashion through the lens of sustainability and outdoor culture. On the occasion of the launch of its website, the article highlights seven iconic models from Oakley, between technical innovation and aesthetic heritage.
Founded in 2022 by Bastien Lajoie, Tech Archive was born out of a desire to rethink fashion. Refusing fast fashion, Bastien draws inspiration from the outdoor universe and technical archive pieces to offer a more responsible, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing vision of fashion. It is expressed through a sales and consulting service aimed at supporting brands in their production process, a rental service, as well as styling and artistic direction advice.
On the occasion of the launch of the website, here is a crossover article with Tech Archive on seven iconic Oakley models from its collection, blending technical innovations, bold design, and sports heritage. Between rare archives and iconic pieces, we trace the history of these pairs that have shaped the outdoor aesthetic of the 90s and 2000s.
Monster Dog
Launched in 2003, the Oakley Monster Dog quickly established itself as one of the most iconic models of the Californian brand. A direct heir to the visionary spirit of Oakley, founded in 1975 by Jim Jannard, a motocross enthusiast, it marks the arrival of a new generation of sunglasses, both technical and bold.
With its O Matter® frame, the Monster Dog is designed to naturally fit medium to large faces. Its massive and enveloping look, typical of Oakley's style from the early 2000s, continues to appeal to both athletes and fans of bold outdoor style. In terms of performance, it features Plutonite® lenses combined with XYZ Optics® technology, providing clear and distortion-free vision, even at the sides. UV protection is complete and some versions benefit from an Iridium® coating, ideal for enhancing contrasts and reducing glare.
Today, although it is no longer produced, the Monster Dog holds a special place in the hearts of collectors. Its bold design, durability, and performance make it a true Oakley icon, still highly sought after in the second-hand market.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
Thump 1.5
Released around 2005, the Oakley Thump 1.5 represents a bold evolution of the very first Thump model. At the time, Oakley made a strong impression by integrating an MP3 player directly into a pair of sunglasses, an innovation that certainly generated a lot of buzz.
Featuring a lightweight O Matter® frame, the Thump 1.5 comes with either 128 or 256 MB of flash memory, allowing for up to 6 hours of music playtime, all rechargeable via a simple USB 2.0 connection. The pivoting Mylar earbuds, mounted on a three-joint arm, easily adjust to stay in place, even during movement. Comfort may vary among users, but the fit is generally effective, including during sports use. A handy bonus: the flip-up lens system allows the glasses to be lifted with a simple gesture when moving indoors.
The controls are discreetly integrated into the arms: volume on the left, playback and navigation on the right, for an intuitive experience without an interface or screen. With its distinctive design, high-tech approach, and very 2000s spirit, the Thump 1.5 has today become a true collector's item, loved by fans of vintage gadgets and enthusiasts of hybrid design.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
New Eye Jacket
When Oakley launched the New Eye Jacket in 1994, it was more than just a new pair of glasses: it was a true revolution. It was the first time the brand designed a frame entirely using CAD, paving the way for a more fluid, ergonomic, and radically new design.
Imagined by designer Peter Yee, the New Eye Jacket emphasizes accelerated curves and a continuous shape that naturally adapts to the face. Additionally, it features an integrated hinge, unprecedented at the time, which enhances durability while maintaining a sleek line. Made from O Matter®, the frame is both lightweight, durable, and comfortable, even when worn all day. With its oval and enveloping silhouette, the New Eye Jacket provides excellent coverage, appreciated equally by athletes and those with a strong style.
Adopted by legends such as Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Andre Agassi, and Michael Jackson, the New Eye Jacket has become a symbol of the 90s. Even today, it remains highly sought after for its avant-garde design, comfort, and unique retro-technical aura.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
Splice
Launched in 2002, the Oakley Splice marks a turning point in the history of the brand with a decidedly high-tech and futuristic design. A true engineering feat, it combines sculpted O Matter® masses assembled using MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology, resulting in both an aesthetic and ultra-durable output, with a tensile strength of around 29,000 psi.
Designed to blend style and performance, it features lenses with XYZ Optics® technology, ensuring clear and distortion-free peripheral vision, even in motion. The Unobtainium® ear socks, placed at the tips of the temples, guarantee a stable fit, regardless of the activity. Its organic design is enhanced by discreet metallic accents, including the Oakley icons, which subtly contrast with the lines of the frame. The whole offers a silhouette that is both futuristic, technical, and unique, true to the brand's DNA.
Made in the United States, the Splice quickly earned a special place among collectors and vintage eyewear enthusiasts, notably due to its exclusive colors (such as deep burgundy or crystal black) and its limited edition versions often equipped with polarized Iridium® lenses.
More than a pair of sunglasses, the Splice is a statement of style and an example of technical boldness, typical of Oakley's avant-garde in the early 2000s.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
A Wire 2.0
Released in the 2000s, this pair of Oakley glasses focuses on a clean and sophisticated aesthetic, far removed from the bulky designs of the same era. With its fine metal wire frame, it combines lightness, elegance, and performance, in a decidedly minimalist spirit.
The temples have been redesigned to offer better ergonomics, with an integrated spring hinge that significantly improves comfort and daily wear. The redesigned nose bridge allows for a more stable fit, suitable for medium to large faces. The result: a firm yet comfortable fit that stays in place even while moving.
With this pair, the visual rendering is sharp, precise, and the usability comfort is guaranteed, even in bright light. Discreet yet refined, lightweight yet sturdy, this frame continues to attract fans of high-end vintage eyewear, in search of a design that is technically subtle.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
XX
Launched in the early 2000s, the Oakley XX, also known as the XX Twenty, perfectly embodies the bold sporty aesthetic characteristic of Oakley during that time. With its wrap-around and sleek design, it appeals to both performance enthusiasts and fans of a confident technical style.
Made from O Matter®, the frame is lightweight, durable, and comfortable, designed to follow all movements without compromise. The nose pads and Unobtainium® ear socks provide a secure fit, even during sports activities or in hot weather. On the optical side, the XX does not skimp: Plutonite® lenses, often offered with an Iridium® treatment or in a polarized version, for clear vision, reduced glare, and 100% UV protection.
Its sculpted look, dynamic lines, and iconic colors, such as Gunmetal/Fire Iridium or the highly sought-after 24K, make it a cult model among collectors and fans of vintage Oakley sunglasses today.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive
Half X
Launched around 2008, the Oakley Half-X is part of the prestigious X-Metal series, while distinguishing itself with its atypical half-rim design. Less classic than its illustrious predecessors, it has sometimes been perceived as an exception in the range, but that's exactly what gives it its charm.
With a featherweight of about 38 g (compared to 45 g for most other X-Metal), the Half-X impresses with its surprising lightness without sacrificing robustness or comfort, thanks to its X-Metal alloy construction. It’s a model designed to last… while being forgotten once worn. The nose pads and Unobtainium® ear socks ensure a perfect fit, even during intense activities or in high heat. The model is often equipped with Iridium® lenses, sometimes in the VR28 version, highly regarded for its enhanced contrast and visual comfort.
Less popular than the great classics of the X-Metal range, the Half-X remains sought after by collectors today for its distinctive style, premium finish, and unique sense of lightness in this category of eyewear.
Source :
Tech Archive
Source :
Tech Archive