How To Spot Fake Oakleys

Help from someone experienced in selling them

I sold Foakleys (Fake Oakleys) on the street for a few years when I was younger.  Because of this, I have learned the differences between real Oakleys and fakes.

What to look for:

1. As mentioned in some of the other guides, Foakleys have the Oakley logo displayed on the nose with a "®" to the right of it.  This is to accomodate some countrys' customs regulations of transporting items with logos.  Be sure to check the pictures to look for this. Also, since the logo on the fakes are easily removed by light rubbing with an eraser, it is possible to have a fake without this symbol.  The real Oakley logo will look slightly stretched to the left and right; that is to say the letters are wider than taller where as the fakes have a more proportional font.  This applies to any of their plastic "Jacket" styles such as Minutes, Twentys (XX), StraightJacket, etc.
2. For the X-metal line (Romeos, Juliets, Pennys), it is much more difficult to tell just by looking at them.  The X-metals never have a logo on the nose bridge.  If you see this, it is certainly a fake.  Also, check pictures for where screws/rivets would go.  All of the X-metals have rivets that hold the frame together on the bottom of the lens frame and ones that keep the nose bridge attatched to the lens frame.  If there are no screws/rivets, it is a fake.  There are really good copys of Romeos and Juliets that are plastic, and have no rivets.  Also, real Oakleys of this style don't come in vibrant colors; that is to say they aren't made in yellow, blue, green or red.  Real X-metals are never painted.  Anything other than a dull smoke or silver color is most likely a fake.  Sometimes you can come across horrible copys made of metal.  These are very cheap and look like they are made of some kind of sheet metal.  Again, look for rivets.  If they look glued together, it is likely a fake.
3. The hardest fakes to spot just from pictures are the metal "Letter" frame series, such as the A Frame or O frame.  This is because the logo is engraved into the nosebridge and there are no rivets to look for.  These are the best looking (and feeling) fakes out there.  There is only one major distinction between a real and a fake.  The engraved logo is very defined on a real Oakley, where as the fake looks as if it is stamped instead of engraved.  This is something that one can only tell the distinction with a trained eye.  Beware of the "Letter" frames.
4. One exception to the previous rule is the M Frame.  These are the single lens, wing shaped Oakleys.  They come in various colors and the frames are plastic, so the best way to spot a fake one is to look at the Oakley logo on the lens.  It should appear stretched as stated earlier and shouldn't contain the "®" logo in a large font.  (Apparently, there are versions of the M Frame which have the "®" logo, however it is tiny and in the bottom right corner).
5. Foakley makers have gotten so good that even fake cases and bags feature the Oakley logo.  These are very difficult to spot through pictures.  The difference in the bags is that the Oakley brand bags will be made of a fine micro-fiber cloth where as the fakes will usually be made of a nylon (much like the fabric most backpacks are made of).
6. The easiest way to tell a fake is to hold it in your hands.  The nose pieces and rubber on the arms on real Oakleys have a more "eraser-like" feel and the fakes have a smooth feel to them.  Real Oakleys don't have any seams.  There are no raised lines on the arms or around the lens frame.  The X-metal styles are never made of plastic.

Ways to Stay Safe

Go to your local Oakley dealer and decide what you like, what feels right on your face.  Which colors you want.  Become familiar with what colors Oakley makes in the style you choose.  If looking on ebay, it is always best to check the feedback of the seller to see if someone reported a fake.  Never trust an Oakley auction with only a stock photo.  Always read the description and ask questions before bidding.

Good luck, and be careful.