Oakley Kato sunglasses: First Look

Oakley Kato sunglasses: First Look

With its new, mask-like lens, the Oakley Kato is a fresh twist on traditional cycling sunglasses


The eagle-eyed kit watchers among us had noticed the unique style of Oakley sunglasses scattered in the peloton in recent months. Worn by Cavendish as he sprinted to victory in Turkey recently, and riders like Chris Froome in the Vuelta last year, the new Oakley Kato model is certainly eye-catching with a first-of-its-kind wrap around nose-shield.

After much anticipation, Oakley have finally given us a closer look at their special shades, launching them to the general public yesterday. They explain that the nose-shield and frameless design gives a wider field of vision and improved impact protection, as well as following the contours of the face much more closely than traditional sunglasses.

Related – The best cycling sunglasses: The Desire Selection

Oakley boasts that the Kato glasses are 11mm wider than the next widest frame in their line, the Radar EV, hence improving the side-to-side view. The new Kato glasses come in blue, red and silver Prizm lenses, all with sleek black frames.

Shop Oakley Kato

The frame has a rake mechanism that can be used to adjust the angle, ensuring the best level of comfort for consumers. The three different nose pads also help to offset the variation of nose bridges amongst Oakley wearers.

Oakley Kato has been in development since 2019, with input from riders like Cavendish to ensure that the glasses were fit for performance at the highest level. Over 200 prototypes were developed until the glasses were optimised and Oakley invested in new cutting machines to create the perfect shape.

The attention to detail is impressive: the glasses are coated with a double-sided hydro oleo treatment that helps manage sweat, water and fingerprints. The Oakley Plutonite lens also ensures the highest level of eye protection, with the material blocking 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Never one to shy away from radical, game-changing design, Oakley have certainly moved away from the conventional look of sunglasses with their new Kato iteration.

On first impressions, the glasses are surprisingly comfortable, very light, and predictably the optics are exceptional. Check in soon for a more in-depth look at the glasses.

Shop Oakley Kato


READ MORE

EF Education-EasyPost riders at the Tour de France 2025

Tour de France 2025 team ratings: How all 23 squads stack up on the first rest day

Rouleur assesses the best and the worst-performing teams after 10 days of racing

Leggi di più
Tadej Pogacar

Powerplay: Tadej Pogačar puts on show of strength in the face of Visma's numerical force

World champion may have relinquished the race lead for the second time at this Tour, but he still remains in the driving seat

Leggi di più
Tour de France 2025 stage 11

‘We are the underdogs, so we have to be creative’ - A tactical masterclass or blunder from Visma-Lease a Bike at the Tour de France?

The Dutch team rode an aggressive race on stage 10 which ultimately gave them the day’s victory with Simon Yates, but failed to crack an...

Leggi di più
Ben Healy

‘His power file is extraordinary’ - Ben Healy and the magic of yellow

Inside the EF Education-EasyPost rider's monster effort on stage 10 of the Tour de France, which has put him in the yellow jersey going into...

Leggi di più
Simon Yates

Watts Occurring, Tour de France stage 10: A new yellow jersey and the best Yates we've ever seen?

Listen to the latest episode of Watts Occurring with Tom Fordyce and Luke Rowe

Leggi di più
Tour de France 2025 stage 11 preview: Sprint or breakaway?

Tour de France 2025 stage 11 preview: Sprint or breakaway?

A smattering of climbs in the final half of the stage could be enough to foil the sprinters' chances of a rare bunch finish in...

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE