Oakley Valve OO9236-02 Matte Black with Prizm Daily Polarized Lenses: The Ultimate Eyewear for the Active Life

For individuals who demand superior performance, unwavering protection, and adaptable style from their eyewear, the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 sunglasses are an unparalleled choice. Engineered for the dynamic pace of modern life, these sunglasses are designed to meet the rigorous demands of athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking uncompromising vision clarity and eye safety. If you’ve ever asked, "What are the best sunglasses for an active lifestyle?", "How can I reduce glare and eye strain during outdoor activities?", or "Which Oakley sunglasses offer superior impact protection?", the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 provides comprehensive answers.

These sunglasses seamlessly blend Oakley’s legendary innovation with a sleek, versatile design, making them an essential piece of gear whether you’re on the trail, the road, the water, or simply navigating your daily urban adventures. They represent a fusion of cutting-edge optical technology and ergonomic design, ensuring that your vision is optimized and your eyes are protected, no matter the challenge.

Unveiling Oakley’s Core Technologies: Why the Valve Stands Out

The Oakley Valve OO9236-02 isn't just a pair of sunglasses; it's a testament to decades of optical engineering excellence. Every feature is meticulously designed to deliver a superior experience, addressing common pain points for active individuals.

Lightweight Durability: The O Matter™ Frame

At the heart of the Valve’s robust yet comfortable structure is Oakley’s patented O Matter™ frame material. This revolutionary nylon-infused plastic is specifically engineered to be incredibly lightweight, ensuring all-day comfort without compromising on durability. Unlike conventional frame materials that can become brittle or warp under stress, O Matter™ offers superior flexibility and resilience, making the Valve highly resistant to stress cracking and impacts.

• Problem Solved: Traditional sunglasses can feel heavy, cause pressure points, or break easily during strenuous activities.
• Oakley Solution: O Matter™ provides a virtually indestructible yet feather-light foundation, ensuring the sunglasses remain comfortable and intact through drops, bumps, and extended wear. It’s ideal for those who need their gear to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle without weighing them down. This material also maintains its shape in extreme temperatures, a crucial factor for diverse outdoor environments.

Unwavering Grip: Unobtainium® Earsocks and Nosepads

One of the most innovative and celebrated Oakley technologies integrated into the Valve is Unobtainium®. These specialized earsocks and nosepads feature a hydrophilic material that actually increases its grip when wet. This means that as you sweat during intense workouts or encounter rain, your sunglasses will stay securely in place, defying gravity and motion.

• Problem Solved: Sunglasses slipping down the nose or off the face during physical activity, leading to constant adjustments and distraction.
• Oakley Solution: Unobtainium® creates a "no-slip grip" that becomes even more effective with perspiration, providing an unparalleled level of stability and confidence. This allows athletes and adventurers to focus entirely on their performance or surroundings, rather than constantly pushing their eyewear back into place. It’s a subtle yet profoundly impactful detail for anyone with an active routine.

Precision Fit: Three-Point Fit Architecture

Oakley’s unique Three-Point Fit system is a cornerstone of their ergonomic design philosophy. Instead of hooking around the ears like conventional frames, the Valve sunglasses make contact only at the bridge of the nose and behind the temples. This innovative design holds the lenses in precise optical alignment while eliminating the pressure points common with traditional eyewear.

• Problem Solved: Uneven pressure distribution, discomfort, and misaligned lenses that can distort vision.
• Oakley Solution: The Three-Point Fit ensures that the Valve OO9236-02 provides a balanced and secure hold without irritating the ears or causing headaches. This anatomical approach guarantees maximum comfort for extended wear, making these sunglasses feel almost custom-made for your face. It's a key factor in reducing fatigue during long periods of use, whether you're driving cross-country or competing in a marathon.

The Science of Sight: Revolutionary Lens Technology

The true brilliance of the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 lies in its advanced lens technology, designed to provide unparalleled vision clarity, glare reduction, and protection.

Prizm™ Daily Polarized Lenses: Elevating Everyday Vision

The Oakley Valve OO9236-02 model specifically features Prizm™ Daily Polarized lenses. This is where Oakley's lens mastery truly shines. Prizm™ is a revolutionary lens technology that fine-tune vision for specific environments. Prizm Daily Polarized lenses are engineered to enhance color and contrast, making everyday environments more vibrant and reducing eye strain. They work by selectively filtering the light spectrum, boosting colors that are most sensitive to the human eye while muting others.

Coupled with Prizm™, these lenses incorporate HDPolarized™ technology. This is not just a standard polarization process; it’s a precision-engineered filtering system that blocks 99% of reflected glare. Unlike conventional polarized lenses that can cause visual distortion or haze, Oakley’s HDPolarized™ technology achieves superior clarity and glare elimination without any optical compromises.

• Problem Solved: Blinding glare from water, snow, roads, or reflective surfaces, and flat, uninspired colors in everyday viewing.
• Oakley Solution: Prizm™ Daily Polarized lenses deliver a vivid, high-contrast visual experience, making greens greener, blues bluer, and reds more striking. The integrated HDPolarized™ technology virtually eliminates harsh glare, providing unmatched clarity and reducing eye fatigue, especially crucial for activities like driving, cycling, or enjoying a day out. This combination makes them ideal for daily wear, urban environments, and variable light conditions, transforming mundane scenery into a vibrant spectacle.

Uncompromising Protection: Plutonite® Lens Material

Beyond their visual enhancement capabilities, the lenses of the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 offer an extraordinary level of protection. Crafted from Oakley’s proprietary Plutonite® lens material, these lenses provide an inherent 100% filtration against all harmful UV rays, including UVA, UVB, UVC, and dangerous blue light up to 400nm. This isn't a coating that can wear off; the UV protection is built into the lens material itself.

Furthermore, Plutonite® is a highly impact-resistant material. The Valve OO9236-02 meets and exceeds the rigorous ANSI Z87.1 standards for high velocity and high mass impact. This means the lenses are designed to withstand significant blunt force and ballistic impacts, offering a critical layer of safety for your eyes against unexpected debris, projectiles, or falls.

• Problem Solved: Long-term damage from UV exposure (cataracts, macular degeneration) and immediate injury from impacts.
• Oakley Solution: The Plutonite® lenses provide complete UV defense and robust impact protection, giving wearers peace of mind that their eyes are safeguarded in any environment. This makes them a trusted choice for adventurers, athletes, and anyone who values their eye health and safety.

Optimized Light Management: Iridium® Lens Coating

Many Oakley Valve models, including the OO9236-02 with Prizm Daily Polarized lenses, feature the high-performance Iridium® lens coating. This proprietary coating is an optically balanced layer of metallic oxides that precisely tunes light transmission. It reduces glare even further, balances light, and enhances contrast, contributing to a more comfortable and clear viewing experience in various light conditions.

• Problem Solved: Excessive brightness, uneven light, and residual glare.
• Oakley Solution: Iridium® coating ensures that the right amount of light reaches your eyes, optimizing visual clarity and comfort, especially in bright conditions. It's a sophisticated layer that contributes to the overall superior performance of Oakley lenses.

Expansive Vision: 8.75 Base Lens Curvature

The Oakley Valve features an aggressive 8.75 base lens curvature. This highly wrapped design offers an exceptionally wide field of view, providing optimized peripheral vision and superior side protection. The curvature extends the protective barrier of the lens around the sides of your eyes, guarding against sun, wind, and impact from all angles.

• Problem Solved: Limited peripheral vision and vulnerability to elements or impacts from the side.
• Oakley Solution: The 8.75 base curve ensures a comprehensive visual experience and enhanced safety, crucial for activities where quick glances and side awareness are paramount, such as cycling, driving, or navigating complex terrains.

Design Aesthetics and Practical Considerations

Beyond its technological prowess, the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 boasts a design that is both functional and stylish.

• Sculptural Design with Metal Accents: The frames feature distinctive metal icon accents on the temples, a hallmark of Oakley’s commitment to sculptural design and brand identity. These subtle yet impactful details elevate the aesthetic, blending performance eyewear with modern style.
• Optimal Fit for Medium to Large Faces: The Valve is specifically designed to provide an ideal fit for individuals with medium to large face sizes. The precise measurements (Bridge: 17 mm, Temple Size: 127 mm) contribute to this comfortable and secure fit, ensuring the sunglasses stay in place without pinching or feeling too loose.
• Lightweight Construction: Weighing in at just 1 ounce (approximately 28 grams), the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 is remarkably light, further contributing to its all-day comfort. You might even forget you’re wearing them.
• Carrying Case Included: To protect your investment, each pair of Oakley Valve sunglasses comes with a dedicated carrying case, ensuring they remain in pristine condition when not in use.

Who Benefits from the Oakley Valve OO9236-02?

The Oakley Valve OO9236-02 is more than just a pair of sunglasses; it's an essential tool for enhancing performance and protecting vision across a wide array of activities and lifestyles.

• Cyclists and Runners: The secure Unobtainium® grip, lightweight O Matter™ frame, and wide peripheral vision are invaluable for high-impact, high-speed activities. The Prizm Daily Polarized lenses cut glare from roads and offer enhanced contrast to spot hazards.
• Drivers and Commuters: Reduced glare from reflective surfaces and enhanced clarity provided by Prizm Daily Polarized lenses make driving safer and more comfortable, especially during sunny conditions or long trips.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts (Hikers, Anglers, Boaters): Superior UV and impact protection combined with glare reduction on water and trail enhancement from Prizm lenses are critical for prolonged exposure to the elements.
• Everyday Wearers: For those seeking durable, comfortable, and stylish sunglasses that offer premium eye protection and improved visual acuity for daily activities, the Valve provides an unmatched blend of form and function.
• Individuals with Light Sensitivity: The advanced glare reduction and precise light filtering can significantly reduce eye strain and discomfort in bright environments.

In essence, if you're looking for sunglasses that will keep up with your active life, provide uncompromised vision, and offer world-class protection, the Oakley Valve OO9236-02 is engineered to exceed your expectations. It’s an investment in eye health, performance, and clear, vibrant vision for years to come.

Oakley Valve OO9236-02 Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model Number	OO9236-02
UPC	700285879505
Frame Material	Lightweight, Stress-Resistant O Matter™
Lens Type	Prizm™ Daily Polarized
Lens Material	Plutonite® (100% UVA/UVB/UVC & Blue Light up to 400nm)
Fit System	Three-Point Fit
Grip Technology	Unobtainium® Earsocks and Nosepads (No-slip grip)
Impact Protection	Meets ANSI Z87.1 Standards (High Velocity & High Mass)
Lens Curvature	8.75 Base (Optimized peripheral vision & side protection)
Lens Coating	Iridium® (Glare-reducing, light balance, enhanced clarity)
Face Size	Medium to Large
Bridge Size	17 mm
Temple Size	127 mm
Weight	1 oz (28 grams)
Included	Carrying Case