Oakley has officially launched its Meta Vanguard smart glasses, a new wearable developed in collaboration with Garmin. Priced from $499, the device is now available through major retailers, including Amazon and select optical stores. Designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the Meta Vanguard merges Oakley’s eyewear craftsmanship with Garmin’s expertise in health and performance tracking.
The smart glasses deliver real-time fitness insights through voice commands, allowing users to check heart rate, pace, and speed without glancing at a screen. According to the manufacturer, “automatic recordings are started by smart triggers,” enabling the device to log key moments like personal records or performance peaks automatically.
Rather than offering a display interface, the Meta Vanguard communicates visually through a status LED that signals whether users are within their target training zone. Oakley refers to the concept as “an acoustic extension of reality,” blending sound-based feedback and situational awareness — a minimalist take on augmented reality.
Equipped with a 12MP camera boasting a 122-degree field of view, the Meta Vanguard also includes open-ear speakers for both voice feedback and music playback. The design is resistant to sweat and water, while intuitive controls are provided through a touchpad and an action button on the frame.
Battery endurance is another highlight, offering up to nine hours of active use and a charging case that extends runtime by an additional 36 hours. The Meta Vanguard signals a growing intersection between smart eyewear and fitness technology, positioning Oakley and Garmin as key players in the emerging performance-focused wearable market.
