Oakley and Meta’s new Meta Vanguard performance AI glasses are already making waves across the athletic tech world — and the brand’s latest YouTube campaign thrusts the product into the spotlight with a star-studded lineup of athletes and creators performing extreme physical feats. In the action-packed launch video, popular YouTuber IShowSpeed races against time — sprinting to catch and board a moving plane — while wearing the glasses, capturing his every step and split-second motion through the Vanguard’s immersive point-of-view camera. Meanwhile, NFL legend Marshawn Lynch appears skydiving to his custom “Beast Mode” playlist, and filmmaker Spike Lee captures a dramatic slow-motion dunk at Rucker Park, showing how the glasses blend performance capture with real-world athletic expression.
Built for athletes, cyclists, runners and action-sports enthusiasts, the Oakley Meta Vanguard merges Oakley’s performance eyewear heritage with Meta’s AI-powered wearable technology. Unlike traditional sunglasses that simply offer protection and style, the Vanguard incorporates a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera capable of 3K video capture, Meta AI integration for real-time feedback, and open-ear audio — creating what the brands describe as athletic intelligence. This hardware-software fusion not only allows athletes to capture their most intense moments hands-free, but also to analyse performance data on the fly without disrupting their flow.
One of the most compelling features of the Oakley Meta Vanguard is its AI coaching and real-time metrics integration. By connecting with fitness platforms like Garmin and Strava, users can obtain live performance data such as pace, heart rate, distance and split times through voice prompts or subtle audio cues — ideal for runners, cyclists and multi-disciplinary athletes who don’t want to stop to check their smartphones or smartwatches mid-session. This GPS and biometric data overlay turns every training session into a live analytics environment, effectively turning the athlete’s perspective into a performance dashboard.
In the ad campaign, IShowSpeed’s high-energy sprint toward a plane — captured through the Vanguard’s POV lens — exemplifies how these glasses aren’t just about recording; they’re about documenting achievement and telling the story of athletic pursuit from inside the action. Similarly, Marshawn Lynch’s freefall jump and Spike Lee’s iconic dunk highlight the versatility of the Vanguard across different domains of physical effort — from high-altitude stunts to grassroots basketball culture. These scenes make it clear that Meta and Oakley are positioning these smart glasses not just as hardware, but as storytelling and performance amplification tools.
Related Story: Meta Unveils Next-Generation AI Glasses and Metaverse Innovations
Design and durability were also front of mind. The wrap-around Prizm™ lenses enhance contrast and clarity in bright outdoor conditions, helping athletes spot environmental details like trail obstacles or road hazards, while the rugged, IP67-rated frame offers sweat, dust and water resistance suitable for grueling weather and terrain. Guided by Oakley’s sport-driven DNA, the Vanguard’s fit and protection are designed to stay secure even during high-velocity movement or sudden stops.
While vantage points and POV footage steal the show in marketing, the technical edge lies in features like auto-capture triggers for key performance moments, long battery life that supports full sessions (with the charging case extending use up to 36 hours), and immersive audio that keeps athletes in touch with their playlists, pacing cues or voice-activated AI feedback with minimal distraction.
Priced at about $499, the Oakley Meta Vanguard isn’t a casual gadget; it’s a wearable performance companion aimed at serious athletes and fitness creators. Whether it’s tracking a marathon PR, capturing a remote trail ride, or creating content from an athlete’s eye view, these glasses represent a meaningful step forward in how wearable tech supports athletic discovery and documentation.
With its blend of smart capture, real-time insight, rugged design and cultural resonance — amplified by high-profile figures and heart-pounding stunts — the Oakley Meta Vanguard signals a new era of wearable tech where performance meets personal narrative, and where the athlete’s perspective becomes both coach and storyteller.
