Chris, awesome to hear your experience at a people driven company. I wonder if their R&D is anything like Apple's...hiring the best people who want to make the best stuff...
I would love to see more of your insight on companies like Oakley. You've got a great way of putting things and you are a very personable blogger--great for on sight interviews and such. Go for it!
Jared O'Toole
· 9 months ago
I've always known Oakley to be a top brand but I never really looked much past that. To see the inner workings and to see that their brand is not just what the outside sees it as but it is actually what they are built on is really cool.
I think this is why a brand like Oakley is so strong. Behind the scenes is exactly how they are. There is nothing to hide which is what makes them so strong. Many companies can learn from this.
Reading this post just made me want to go buy a pair.
Keith Burtis
· 9 months ago
I think that a company like Oakley with strong values can always find a way to stay relevant and profitable. I'm sure they could have moved things overseas for production, engineering and manufacturing to lower costs. The coolest thing here is that they realize lowering those costs only lowers their values. I applaud a company like this that cn find so many niches and communities to insert themselves into. It's good to see that they support and promote their athletes. They understand that the payback is in paying it forward.
I am heading to the West Coast for my honeymoon this summer. I would love to visit. Looks like an amazing facility! Thanks for sharing this Chris.
Dawn Carter
· 9 months ago
Chris: My husband is in Federal Law Enforcement and swears by Oakleys. He says their stuff is the "perfect marriage between art and function." All the investigators and agents he works with swears by them.
So great to hear about your tour of their OC facility. Talk about a loyal tribe (in the truest Seth Godin way) of followers... Oakley has earned theirs.
Dawn Carter @decart
Nicole Walker
· 9 months ago
Great post Chris! Two years ago - I was on my motorcycle when a car in front of me launched a rock at me while travelling 45mph and it hit the right lense of my Oakley riding glasses. While the impact certainly slowed me down and scared the sweet beejeezus out of me, it left only the smallest knick on my glasses and most importantly --- I didn't lose my vision from a rock being impaled in my eye! Like a helmet, once you have an impact it's a good idea to replace and I gladly purchased a new pair of Oakley riding glasses. They are a valuable piece of riding gear and I don't ride without them. You can tell a great deal of science went into the making of the glasses from reducing glare, snug fit, foam eye pads that keep wind out of the eyes, to style and especially; durability! It was great to see the corportation behind the name from your eyes - thanks for sharing!
jakrose
· 9 months ago
I have never been one to love the astethic of most Oakley sunglasses, but their testing and the military support got me to give them a second look a few months back. I ended up finding one of their new pairs that I really dug. Have not gotten them yet but I plan too. They are pricey. But I saw the same testing that they do, and I really get tired of cheap sunglasses that break. I would have never reconsidered without these investments that they made into quality and military support.
chrisbrogan
· 9 months ago
@Jason - I felt the same way. I've only owned $10 sunglasses my whole life. Watching the shatter testing in their labs changed my mind forever.
Barbara
· 9 months ago
Great, Chris. When we are "wronged" or have a gripe, we tend to broadcast that out into the Universe. But when we find a product that works or a business that offers exemplary service, we fear that our praises might be suspect and only whisper our praises. It should be the opposite: Whisper complaints, Shout praises.
Kara-Noel
· 9 months ago
I always see their building while we are out and about. Awesome to read about them. What a great company... and made in the USA to boot!
Julie @ Angry Julie Monday
· 9 months ago
I work in law enforcement in Orange County. Oakley's are a staple for every day wear in patrol. It is like a gold standard; black Oakley's with shiny metallic lenses.
I've had over 10 pairs of Oakley's in my 12 years of law enforcement. They always seem to disappear. :)
Plus Oakley has some pretty cool warehouse sales too!
Omar Hashmy
· 9 months ago
Interesting how it takes someone from the other side of the country to educate me on great things happening right in my own backyard! I always knew Oakley was headquartered here in Orange County, but I never really knew what they were about or what they stood for until reading your post. I will be visiting my sister in Boston this July, so may be I will have a chance to return the favor. Thanks for this!
Dan Sheppard
· 9 months ago
I was skiing, hit a a lot of branches, if it were not for my Oakley shades I think my eye would still be up on the mountain...thank god for a great American company.
Jimmy
· 9 months ago
Hi Chris,
I'm an Oakley employee, but I'm in no way speaking on behalf of Oakley.
Regardless, thanks for the praise. Before I started working for Oakley (I work for Ken Loh, by the way... his title is Web Director -- he reports directly to the VPs), I had no idea what Oakley was about. Now that I work here, I'm floored by the creativity and passion that goes into everything here.
I'm passionate about what I do, and Oakley went way out of their way to bring me over from Florida to do, basically, XHTML and CSS. My passion for it and my drive to learn new things is a major part of what got me hired, and I'm positive it's the same for every other person at Oakley.
We love what we do, so thanks for the support that enables us to continue doing it. Also, if you'd like to read more stories of how our eyewear has helped people, check out the "Bloody Eye" section of our site. (WARNING: Some graphic/almost bloody images... http://oakley.com/community/news/bloody_eye )
Jimmy
Mike CJ
· 9 months ago
Fascinating! I've been an Oakley wearer for years, but never looked past the product to discover the brand, let alone the people behind it. This would make a fantastic series - I'll leave the US to you Chris! - I'm going to hunt some of Europe's great brands to visit and write about!
Lisa Lomas
· 9 months ago
Talk about up to date & current. wow those soldiers are lucky to have oakleys.
Anja Merret
· 9 months ago
Isn't it great to see an example of how a business should be run. Great product, constant innovation and amazing leadership that instills in people that excitement and pride in what they are doing. Well done Oakley.
Tom Lindstrom
· 9 months ago
I have always use cheap shades, but apparently it is a good idea to invest in proper sun glasses.
reenchanter
· 9 months ago
It is so reenchanting to hear about companies that really are doing it, they can make money, business and friends at the same time.
Cary Silverman
· 9 months ago
As a ophthalmologist who sees what a bad eye injury is and whose office sells Oakleys, I found this story very interesting. It would certainly behoove Oakley to share this information with as many eye care professionals as possible.... it could turn glass sellers into product advocates as it has done to me..
Vu Tong
· 9 months ago
Wow, that's pretty interesting to find out. Makes me want to go buy a pair myself.
Lisa Hickey
· 9 months ago
While your whole post was interesting and engaging, I was't feeling compelled to comment until your very last two sentences. And then you got me so passionate about something that I just had to! “How much we could stand to learn about some of the remarkable companies out there” – isn’t that what Social Media is *all about*! It gives companies – remarkable and otherwise -- the opportunity to tell their story day in and day out to the world.
Think about how you used to learn about a brand: I suspect that before today my entire brand perception about Oakley was based on a single print advertisement I saw six years ago. A single print advertisement! Now I can hear the story, unfiltered by marketing directors or hordes of publication editors. I can see a brands values – the real *values* of a company -- through the eyes of a mother on Twitter, or a comment about experience by the marketing guy or a detail about the 5 pound spike in the testing process. And I get to see and meet evangelists and converts for the brand and hear their stories. A print ad with a marketing message? Or Social Media with a brand story? Okay, sorry. I know I don’t have to convince *you* of its power. And am pretty sure I don’t have to convince Oakley. Powerful stuff Chris, thanks.
Deirdre
· 9 months ago
Hi Chris! You opened my eyes to an Oakley that I didn't know prior to reading your blog. When I think of the brand, I think of trendy eyewear and that's about it. But you've made me think differently; it's more than just sunglasses that look good, but there's excellent quality behind the brand, they protect your eyes in certain situations and the employees are truly passionate about what they do. Now, I never would have known this from typical marketing and I think that Oakley has the chance to engage with me (a potential new customer) directly through social media communications to continue their story. It's a good story and I enjoyed your post :)
Bill Hanifin
· 9 months ago
Chris, It's a good take-away from this story to understand that the retail prices consumers pay for Oakley sunglasses (high) are based on substance and not just brand hype. I am a triathlete and it's no joke if something smacks you in the eye while you're going 50kph on your bike. Your story not only points up several good lessons for how companies can become successful, it makes me feel a little more justified for my personal investment in my Oakley's! Thanks, Bill
They kick ass on customer service, on and offline.
Come to San Antonio and I'll hook you up there.
Almost happy birthday.
Joseph Fiore
· 9 months ago
Hey Chris,
Caught this on my stream of tweets and wanted to chime in. I agree with comments above about how striking and timely a post like this can be at a time when we are hearing nothing but bad things about the American economy and its business philosophies. The Oakley story, and hopefully many more companies like them are nice to hear. Thanks for sharing!
One area that I would absolutely love to see Oakely technology get into is goalie masks. As I understand it, they are already producing hockey visors (they call them shields) and Alex Ovechkin wears one. I offer this opinion first and foremost as a Canadian, a hockey enthusiast and up until two years ago, someone who was playing the position at a recreational level. I've also been collecting masks on and off for a few years, including some of the classic reproductions.
The little that I can offer up on their history - there hasn't been much change in the past 20 or so years in the design of goalie masks. They pretty much have been whats called a combo mask since the early 80's. The vintage (pre-combo) masks had a sleekness about them that really stands up to time but are not practical with todays speed of the game because the eyeholes just don't measure up to the view you get with a mask, and given Oakelys competence in developing shatter-proof material, I'd like to see them do either a throwback to the old mask designs with see through materials, or offer up something completely new. IMHO I really think this is an area that a company like Oakley could really stir up some excitement.
Joseph @RepuMetrix
Liz V
· 9 months ago
Chris - great recap of a great company. Made me realize that I should have brought you around our ball plants during your visit with us a few months back - you would surely see some parallels between Titleist and Oakley's in the QA, testing, associate passion and pride in the manufacturing of the #1 ball in golf. As always, thanks for sharing your experiences and insights. Liz
Becky Blanton
· 9 months ago
Until I read this Oakley was just, in my eyes, another hip eyeglass company. I trust you and trust your take on the place and the emphasis on safety. The story about the soldiers is the real peg for me. I know half a dozen guys who swear by these glasses and now I know why. Great post. Converted me just in time for summer! And the building is sweet! You're right - very batman-esqe.
Eric
· 9 months ago
Wow...I never knew so much went in to making sunglasses! First off, I love the fact that they didn't put price over quality by outsourcing their production. It tells me a lot about the product and a lot about the people that run Oakley. During these tough economic time, it takes a lot for companies not to go the cheaper route . Not only that, but their ability to find a spot in so many niches exemplifies great marketing and great branding!
I also love seeing that Oakley really takes care of their employees, and in turn their employees love being there and contributing to great products and a great brand. I can now add them to my list of great companies that "get it".
Thanks for sharing Chris, I'll let you know once I get my first pair!
Al Brittain
· 9 months ago
Chris, I had absolutely NO idea about any of this (and I'm a retired military guy). I thought Oakley was just another frou-frou label company where they import some cheap stuff from some third world country that's the same junk everybody else has, but put their logo on it, and then charge a fortune. Nice to know I'm way wrong - I love companies like this, especially where they are still making it all here in the USA.
Alan
· 9 months ago
I bought my first pair of Oakley's because I thought they were "cool." Thanks for enlightening me about the story behind the glasses and what they stand for. I have a new appreciation for not only the product, but people who design and create them.
April
· 9 months ago
Yet another perfect example of how it isn't always about just having a good product, its about having a good business.
And I am totally geeking out over the Cyclops glasses! I just watched X-Men 3 a couple of weeks ago. I think they even talk about the Oakleys in the Special Features on the DVD. I love comic book superheroes. Maybe Oakley can make it into the new Wonder Woman movie?!
KJ Rodgers
· 9 months ago
I wore Oakleys while I was in Iraq serving. Most of the Marines did. Worth the price for the protection.
Henie
· 9 months ago
Being monocular and having to always wear glasses to protect my one good eye, I never gave Oakley a chance due to their "wrap-around" design. I did not know until now how it makes so much sense for me to go "Oakley" for that safety and protection! Plus, it was really cool to see and be in their facility! :~)
SteveAverill
· 9 months ago
Until going there to hear you speak, thanks to Brian Elliott, I was not aware of their intense passion for design and product integrity. Definitely a bigger fan now than I was before. Thanks for coming and this post.
Jan Verhoeff
· 9 months ago
Not often do I get a chance to reminisce about the joys of whole process business on one site, or in the USA. We have gotten so used to outsourcing materials, projects, or other parts of the process of doing business that we forget, AMERICANS have all the resources to do and complete a job HERE.
Thanks for the reminder of a company who does complete the project here in the USA!
Jan Verhoeff
bryan elliott
· 9 months ago
Great post Chris and thanks again for visiting SoCal Action Sports network and our group of youth brands. I was also really impressed by our tour and agree with everything that's been said. The one thing I'd like to say is how impressed I was with VP Sports Marketing Patrick Mcilvain. Here's a guy who basically runs marketing at a $billion dollar company, is best buds with pro board riders Shaun White, Danny Cass and others (BTW, Danny and his posse were at Oakley talking to Pat while we were there).
I've met a lot of CMO's and people with big titles who make you feel that THEY are a big deal. Pat was just the opposite. Super humble guy and someone you would like to invite to your house for a BBQ. As I understand it, Pat's been with Oakley for over 14 years. Before that he was a professional skier and mountain biker. He also owns a media company called 1242 Productions and helps run an organization for Autism called TACA (Talk About Curring Autism). He's the kind of person I can see taking over the helm at Oakley some day. And if and when that happens, the Oakley brand will continue to be in good hands.
Guy Martin
· 9 months ago
Great article Chris!
Other's have already pointed out their stories - I'll add mine. I have always worn Oakleys when riding my road bicycle - mainly because of the great optics and protection from the wind. One day, I was bombing down a steep decent on pavement that had loose gravel thrown onto it. A passing car kicked up a large piece of that gravel which struck my glasses on the left side (Oakley Pro-M frames - Hybrid S lenses) while I was doing 40mph.
Needless to say, those glasses saved my sight, and most likely my life, as I probably would have taken a huge nose dive off of the bike from the impact of that gravel into my eye. It's great to hear about the inner workings of the company, and what they do for their athletes (remember, they gave Lance Armstrong benefits when he was first going through cancer treatment and no one else would cover him).
People say the glasses are expensive, and they are right, but this really is a case of 'you get what you pay for'. I never swing a leg over the top tube of my bike without donning a pair of Oakleys. Life is just to short to screw around with inferior eye protection.
Lyn Graft
· 9 months ago
Great story Chris & way to use pictures and human stories to really bring it home from the soldiers perspective to the athletes pursuit of winning. I am HUGE fan of J. Jannard and love how they are taking that experience attitude to the new RED camera they are developing. It is truly amazing that when you walk into an Oakley store or use one of their products that you 'feel' the brand in much the same way that Nike & Starbucks get you to soak it all in.
Keep it going...LG
letalouise
· 9 months ago
Have you read Tribal Leadership by Logan, Kin, and Fischer-Wright yet? Oakley sounds like they could be functioning as a Stage 4+ org, from your brief description!
Cool.
ea/
ashley
· 9 months ago
Oakleys are worth every penny. best damn sunglasses on earth - ive been wearing them since i was 13 when i started snowboarding (im 20 now) - i bought them because they looked cool, but then when i checked out the technical details i was amazed! i wont wear any eyewear besides, their stuff is the safest with perfect optics.
Rays Lite
· 9 months ago
Great post about Oakley bro, I run a blog about celebrities and what sunglasses they wear. I grew up on Oakley and they were actullay my first expensive pair ever, now about 70 pairs sunglasses later this article brings me back to where it all began. I've always thought they were the most innovative brand in the business but I hardley get to see them anymore cause all my focus is on what celebs are wearing and as you can imagine Paris and Lindsay dont wear many Oakleys, lol.
Mary McDonald, the "Efficiency
· 9 months ago
Hi Chris,
My blog today http://adjix.com/a8e3 is a pointer to this article - as a quality professional, I was excited to see someone 'else' be impressed with testing to ensure that product = hype. Thanks for bringing us behind the scenes -- and if Oakley ever needs someone to come in and streamline their processes, or just drool over their kick-ass testing procedures, pass along my name, will ya? Thanks!
Marlene
· 8 months ago
I just wanted to say how glad I was to hear all the details about Oakley. I was using Oakley back in the 80's when they first started, when I was on a cycling team. In fact, I've never stopped using Oakley since then, but about 10, 15 years ago, when they weren't doing quite so well, an older friend of mine with some money asked me who I would invest in, if I had extra cash - he wanted to perspective of a younger, "hipper" person. And I told him how much I liked Oakley and how good their products were. This was before they had any of the stuff they have now - no clothes, or the fancy glasses or anything.
He told me a few years later I had netted him some serious cash. I was glad for him, and for Oakley, but bummed I had been in grad school and hadn't done the same ;-)
Vanguy
· 8 months ago
That was very interesting. I'd never given much thought to the company culture behind the brand name - though I've been a customer off and on for two decades (mostly off since they don't break!).
channel sunglasses
· 8 months ago
awesome, I haven't knew that oakley is testing their products before selling.. I really love oakley sunglasses. I want to watch a video of it, I've seen a video and guess it was an oakley sunglasses look at this site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnfjKHDD6hc
Piet
· 8 months ago
I just bought some Oakley Radar Paths, because they were made in the USA.
I was dissapointed that all the packaging material was made in China. From the soft bag to the hard case. For $190 they cost me, I'd pay 5$ extra dollars to try and keep some folks employed by making everything in the states.
Oakley Goggles
· 7 months ago
Oakley really deserves to be called great.. in everything they do they do it for their costumers sake who trusted them.
Tom Ford Sunglasses
· 5 months ago
oakley sunglasses are good and cool, and sunglasses gives protection to us and many use it.
Oakley Ski Goggles
· 3 months ago
i have 2 oakley flak jackets, its the best sunglasses have ever had
All Comments
I would love to see more of your insight on companies like Oakley. You've got a great way of putting things and you are a very personable blogger--great for on sight interviews and such. Go for it!
I think this is why a brand like Oakley is so strong. Behind the scenes is exactly how they are. There is nothing to hide which is what makes them so strong. Many companies can learn from this.
Reading this post just made me want to go buy a pair.
I am heading to the West Coast for my honeymoon this summer. I would love to visit. Looks like an amazing facility! Thanks for sharing this Chris.
My husband is in Federal Law Enforcement and swears by Oakleys. He says their stuff is the "perfect marriage between art and function." All the investigators and agents he works with swears by them.
So great to hear about your tour of their OC facility. Talk about a loyal tribe (in the truest Seth Godin way) of followers... Oakley has earned theirs.
Dawn Carter
@decart
Two years ago - I was on my motorcycle when a car in front of me launched a rock at me while travelling 45mph and it hit the right lense of my Oakley riding glasses. While the impact certainly slowed me down and scared the sweet beejeezus out of me, it left only the smallest knick on my glasses and most importantly --- I didn't lose my vision from a rock being impaled in my eye! Like a helmet, once you have an impact it's a good idea to replace and I gladly purchased a new pair of Oakley riding glasses. They are a valuable piece of riding gear and I don't ride without them. You can tell a great deal of science went into the making of the glasses from reducing glare, snug fit, foam eye pads that keep wind out of the eyes, to style and especially; durability! It was great to see the corportation behind the name from your eyes - thanks for sharing!
I've had over 10 pairs of Oakley's in my 12 years of law enforcement. They always seem to disappear. :)
Plus Oakley has some pretty cool warehouse sales too!
I'm an Oakley employee, but I'm in no way speaking on behalf of Oakley.
Regardless, thanks for the praise. Before I started working for Oakley (I work for Ken Loh, by the way... his title is Web Director -- he reports directly to the VPs), I had no idea what Oakley was about. Now that I work here, I'm floored by the creativity and passion that goes into everything here.
I'm passionate about what I do, and Oakley went way out of their way to bring me over from Florida to do, basically, XHTML and CSS. My passion for it and my drive to learn new things is a major part of what got me hired, and I'm positive it's the same for every other person at Oakley.
We love what we do, so thanks for the support that enables us to continue doing it. Also, if you'd like to read more stories of how our eyewear has helped people, check out the "Bloody Eye" section of our site. (WARNING: Some graphic/almost bloody images... http://oakley.com/community/news/bloody_eye )
Jimmy
This would make a fantastic series - I'll leave the US to you Chris! - I'm going to hunt some of Europe's great brands to visit and write about!
Think about how you used to learn about a brand: I suspect that before today my entire brand perception about Oakley was based on a single print advertisement I saw six years ago. A single print advertisement! Now I can hear the story, unfiltered by marketing directors or hordes of publication editors. I can see a brands values – the real *values* of a company -- through the eyes of a mother on Twitter, or a comment about experience by the marketing guy or a detail about the 5 pound spike in the testing process. And I get to see and meet evangelists and converts for the brand and hear their stories. A print ad with a marketing message? Or Social Media with a brand story? Okay, sorry. I know I don’t have to convince *you* of its power. And am pretty sure I don’t have to convince Oakley. Powerful stuff Chris, thanks.
It's a good take-away from this story to understand that the retail prices consumers pay for Oakley sunglasses (high) are based on substance and not just brand hype. I am a triathlete and it's no joke if something smacks you in the eye while you're going 50kph on your bike. Your story not only points up several good lessons for how companies can become successful, it makes me feel a little more justified for my personal investment in my Oakley's! Thanks,
Bill
They kick ass on customer service, on and offline.
Come to San Antonio and I'll hook you up there.
Almost happy birthday.
Caught this on my stream of tweets and wanted to chime in. I agree with comments above about how striking and timely a post like this can be at a time when we are hearing nothing but bad things about the American economy and its business philosophies. The Oakley story, and hopefully many more companies like them are nice to hear. Thanks for sharing!
One area that I would absolutely love to see Oakely technology get into is goalie masks. As I understand it, they are already producing hockey visors (they call them shields) and Alex Ovechkin wears one. I offer this opinion first and foremost as a Canadian, a hockey enthusiast and up until two years ago, someone who was playing the position at a recreational level. I've also been collecting masks on and off for a few years, including some of the classic reproductions.
The little that I can offer up on their history - there hasn't been much change in the past 20 or so years in the design of goalie masks. They pretty much have been whats called a combo mask since the early 80's. The vintage (pre-combo) masks had a sleekness about them that really stands up to time but are not practical with todays speed of the game because the eyeholes just don't measure up to the view you get with a mask, and given Oakelys competence in developing shatter-proof material, I'd like to see them do either a throwback to the old mask designs with see through materials, or offer up something completely new. IMHO I really think this is an area that a company like Oakley could really stir up some excitement.
Joseph
@RepuMetrix
I also love seeing that Oakley really takes care of their employees, and in turn their employees love being there and contributing to great products and a great brand. I can now add them to my list of great companies that "get it".
Thanks for sharing Chris, I'll let you know once I get my first pair!
And I am totally geeking out over the Cyclops glasses! I just watched X-Men 3 a couple of weeks ago. I think they even talk about the Oakleys in the Special Features on the DVD. I love comic book superheroes. Maybe Oakley can make it into the new Wonder Woman movie?!
Thanks for the reminder of a company who does complete the project here in the USA!
Jan Verhoeff
I've met a lot of CMO's and people with big titles who make you feel that THEY are a big deal. Pat was just the opposite. Super humble guy and someone you would like to invite to your house for a BBQ. As I understand it, Pat's been with Oakley for over 14 years. Before that he was a professional skier and mountain biker. He also owns a media company called 1242 Productions and helps run an organization for Autism called TACA (Talk About Curring Autism). He's the kind of person I can see taking over the helm at Oakley some day. And if and when that happens, the Oakley brand will continue to be in good hands.
Other's have already pointed out their stories - I'll add mine. I have always worn Oakleys when riding my road bicycle - mainly because of the great optics and protection from the wind. One day, I was bombing down a steep decent on pavement that had loose gravel thrown onto it. A passing car kicked up a large piece of that gravel which struck my glasses on the left side (Oakley Pro-M frames - Hybrid S lenses) while I was doing 40mph.
Needless to say, those glasses saved my sight, and most likely my life, as I probably would have taken a huge nose dive off of the bike from the impact of that gravel into my eye. It's great to hear about the inner workings of the company, and what they do for their athletes (remember, they gave Lance Armstrong benefits when he was first going through cancer treatment and no one else would cover him).
People say the glasses are expensive, and they are right, but this really is a case of 'you get what you pay for'. I never swing a leg over the top tube of my bike without donning a pair of Oakleys. Life is just to short to screw around with inferior eye protection.
Keep it going...LG
Cool.
ea/
My blog today http://adjix.com/a8e3 is a pointer to this article - as a quality professional, I was excited to see someone 'else' be impressed with testing to ensure that product = hype. Thanks for bringing us behind the scenes -- and if Oakley ever needs someone to come in and streamline their processes, or just drool over their kick-ass testing procedures, pass along my name, will ya? Thanks!
He told me a few years later I had netted him some serious cash. I was glad for him, and for Oakley, but bummed I had been in grad school and hadn't done the same ;-)
I was dissapointed that all the packaging material was made in China. From the soft bag to the hard case. For $190 they cost me, I'd pay 5$ extra dollars to try and keep some folks employed by making everything in the states.