**Meta and Oakley’s Vanguard Smart Glasses: A New Standard for Athlete-Focused Wearables**
Meta’s smart glasses have evolved through several iterations, but the new $499 Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses mark a significant leap, especially for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike previous models, which were designed to fit seamlessly into daily life, the Vanguard is unapologetically sporty, integrating advanced features and a bold new frame style that caters specifically to runners, cyclists, and fitness-minded users.
**Design and Comfort: Built for Performance**
The Oakley Meta Vanguard’s design is instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with Oakley’s athletic heritage. These sunglasses feature wraparound frames and colorful, reflective lenses—an aesthetic commonly seen among cyclists and coaches. The pair reviewed came with black frames and Oakley’s distinctive orange "Prizm 24K" lenses, which enhance contrast in a variety of lighting conditions, making them suitable for both bright sun and overcast days. The lenses are interchangeable, allowing users to swap in alternatives for different environments, though prescription lenses aren’t supported.
The wraparound design isn’t just about looks; it enables a different hardware setup compared to Meta’s previous smart glasses. The camera now sits in the center of the frame above the nose bridge, with an LED indicator nearby, ensuring that hats and helmets interfere less with photo and video capture. While the bulkier style might not win over fashionistas, it’s a practical choice for those prioritizing performance and protection during rigorous activity.
**Controls and Customization: Action Button and Touchpad**
Controlling the Vanguard glasses is intuitive, with a touchpad on the right temple for adjusting volume and music playback. The photo and video capture button has been relocated to the underside of the frame—a thoughtful tweak for users wearing helmets or hats, though it may take some getting used to.
A standout addition is the customizable "action button," which can be programmed via the Meta AI app. Whether it’s speed-dialing a contact, launching a Spotify playlist, triggering Meta AI, or starting a hyperlapse video, the action button brings convenient, hands-free control for users who’d rather not use voice commands in public. This subtle yet powerful feature highlights Meta's intent to make these glasses more functional for athletes on the move.
**Seamless Fitness Integration: Garmin and Strava**
Where the Vanguard glasses truly distinguish themselves is in their integration with popular fitness platforms. They connect directly with Garmin and Strava, two of the leading tools for tracking runs, rides, and workouts. For Garmin users, the glasses can automatically begin recording video when certain activity milestones are reached, such as entering a new heart rate zone. Meta AI can also pull stats directly from compatible Garmin devices, responding to voice queries like, “What’s my pace?”
Strava integration, while slightly less advanced, still allows users to overlay real-time stats such as distance, elevation, and heart rate onto photos and videos. For those who share activity highlights on social media