Oakley, Inc. today announced the release of Jawbone, an innovative performance sunglass that combines the clarity and protection of the company's High Definition Optics(R) (HDO(R)) with a revolutionary new frame architecture that allows for quick and easy lens changing. Professional athletes who have tested Oakley's patent-pending invention are praising its performance, style, comfort and convenience.

"Jawbone is a milestone in technology, a true breakthrough that provides athletes with an invaluable performance tool," said Colin Baden, president of Oakley. "The world's best athletes depend on Oakley optical innovation in a full range of light conditions and environments. We combined HDO clarity and protection with a new SwitchLock Technology that lets sports professionals change lenses fast with minimal handling and optimal convenience. This is definitely a game changer when it comes to performance." Baden concluded.

Lance Armstrong took advantage of Jawbone in the recent Tour of California and plans to utilize it in the upcoming Giro and Tour de France. "This is exactly what I expect from Oakley -- more than just a new benchmark," said Armstrong. "Jawbone gives me the performance, fit and styling I have come to expect from Oakley for over 20 years now. The simple lens changing lets me match my vision to racing conditions with ease." Oakley plans to release a LIVESTRONG(TM) special edition of Jawbone to aid the Lance Armstrong Foundation and its ongoing mission to inspire and empower people affected by cancer, adding to the collection of LIVESTRONG eyewear in its product line.

Utilizing Oakley's new SwitchLock Technology, the lower part of the frame rim opens to allow easy access for quick lens changing, letting the wearer optimize performance in any light condition. The design holds the lenses with a suspension system so stresses on the frame do not affect the optics. With ordinary sunglasses, flexing of the frame can change the surface contours of the lenses, causing optical distortion. This new architecture ensures there is nothing to diminish the unbeatable clarity of the optics, and the wearer still enjoys the optimized comfort and fit of a flexible frame design.

Oakley engineered the pivoting frame system with a release mechanism that lets the wearer remove and replace the nose piece with a different size to customize the fit. The company engineered specialized bridge geometry and strategically placed flex zones, enhancements that give the frame a broad range of flexibility while directing stresses away from the lenses. Jawbone also comes with patented XYZ Optics(R), Unobtainium(R) components that increase grip with perspiration, and Oakley Hydrophobic(TM) -- a permanent lens coating that repels dust, water, skin oils and lotions. The lenses filter out 100% of all UV, and even with a comfortably lightweight design, the sunglass offers impact protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards.

    Professional athletes were used in testing phases of the new Jawbone eyewear. Champion mountain biker Brian Lopes called the comfort and protection "second to none" while Ironman Chris Lieto said the design is "revolutionary in function and style."

With a price range of US$195 to US$255, Oakley Jawbone comes in multiple colors, including new hues called "Atomic Orange," "Retina Burn" and "Infra Red." Each frame includes one premium lens set that complements the frame color and offers a specific performance profile, and an additional lens set is included for low light conditions(1). Also included with each frame is a Soft Vault case with space for extra lenses, plus a Microclear(R) bag for lens cleaning, frame storage, and stowing additional lenses. Lens options include vented geometry, Iridium(R) lens coatings to balance light transmission, photochromic technology that automatically adjusts lens darkness in response to sunlight, and Oakley HDPolarized lenses that block glare without the haze and optical distortion common to ordinary polarized lenses. This eyewear is also available with Oakley Authentic Prescription Lenses.

Visit Oakley.com for more information on the company's lifestyle and sport performance eyewear inventions.

() The photochromic edition does not include an added lens set because the included technology lightens the lenses in low-light conditions.

About Oakley, Inc.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of over 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics(R) (HDO(R)) which it incorporates into all of its sun andprescription eyewear as well as goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world's leading sports eyewear brand into their apparel,
footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both Men's and Women's product lines which target the Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at http://www.oakley.com.

LIVESTRONG is a trademark of Lance Armstrong Foundation, Inc.

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