Oakley has launched its new 2022 Tour de France limited edition range of cycling sunglasses, featuring the Kato, Jawbreaker, Sutro Lite and Holbrook models.
The latest release repeats previous years around the French stage race, where the American brand partners with the Tour de France to launch some of its designs in fresh colours.
This year the theme is decidedly muted after last year’s red, white and blue “Matt Poseidon” tribute to the birthplace of the Tour, opting broadly for a black and transparent frame colour mix, with added flashes in the Tour’s signature yellow.
Oakley says it took its inspiration from the intricate designs on the Tour’s trophy.
The glasses feature the Tour’s logo etched into the lenses, which continue to use Oakley’s highly-rated Prizm optical technology.
Oakley Kato
The Kato is Oakley’s latest model, and was seen last year on the face of triumphant returnee Mark Cavendish, who wore the glasses on his way to equalling Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 Tour stage wins.
He’s not back this year, with the sprinter’s berth at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl filled by Fabio Jakobsen, but the Kato can be seen on a number of riders at the 2022 race.
Its one-piece wraparound design certainly turns heads, while it’s also said to improve the rider’s field of vision in tandem with the built-in nose grip retention system.
The Tour 2022 edition features a Prizm Road lens with a red hue, while the texture on the arms pops with the use of clear plastic.
- 2022 Tour De France Oakley Kato – £265 / US$323 / AU$ 396 / €295
Oakley Jawbreaker
The Jawbreaker has become one of Oakley’s greatest hits since its original launch in 2015, and continues to be used by some pro riders as well as countless amateur cyclists around the world.
The 2022 Tour version features a frosted clear design on the frame’s upper section and arms, with a black lower section and arm socks, to add some contrast.
A smattering of small details, including the Jawbreaker's circular O-ring, all get the Tour’s yellow treatment.
As far as lenses go, Oakley has opted for the Prizm Road Black lenses, which are said to offer 11 per cent light transmission for the brightest days in the saddle.
- 2022 Tour De France Oakley Jawbreaker – £212 / US$254 / AU$ 314 / €235
Oakley Sutro Lite
The Sutro made a splash when Egan Bernal wore it to Tour victory in 2019.
Its oversized, almost squared lens design harks back to an era when Oakley was first arriving on the scene, with its Eyeshade sunglasses on the face of three-time Tour winner Greg Lemond.
For the 2022 Sutro Lite Tour collection version, a Prizm Road Black lens pairs with a mostly black frame.
The upper of the frame bleeds into classic Tour yellow at its centre, while the Oakley ‘O’ adds another splash of yellow.
- 2022 Tour De France Oakley Sutro Lite – £172 / US$209 / AU$260 / €190
Oakley Holbrook
The Holbrook is one of Oakley’s most popular lifestyle sunglasses, so it's little surprise to see it here for those who want to show their joint fandom of the Tour and Oakley off the bike.
The frame features a neat faded black-to-frosted clear design, plus the brand’s squared ‘O’ logo in Tour yellow on the arm bridge.
The lenses are the brand’s Black Iridium colourway.
- 2022 Tour De France Oakleu Holbrook – £145 / US$167 / AU$213 / €160
