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When Kerry Wan, Managing Editor at ZDNET, strapped on the Meta Oakley Vanguard smart glasses during a demo bike session, he experienced more than just advanced eyewear—he glimpsed the future of athletic wearables. Unveiled at Meta Connect 2025 alongside new Ray-Ban models, the Vanguards are engineered for high-octane sports like cycling, snowboarding, and running. Built on Oakley’s iconic Sphaera visor design, they feature a discreet yet durable frame with an IP67 rating for weather resistance, ensuring they withstand the rigors of intense workouts while looking like premium sportswear.

Core Innovations: Beyond Basic Smart Glasses

At the heart of the Vanguard is a 12MP camera capable of 3K video recording at 30fps, strategically repositioned above the nose pads to avoid interference with helmets. This allows athletes to capture hands-free footage during activities—imagine documenting a mountain descent without breaking stride. A new programmable action button lets users trigger Meta AI queries or start specialized recording modes like slow-motion (1080p), adding versatility for dynamic environments. Audio is equally impressive: Meta claims the speakers are loud enough to cut through wind noise at speeds up to 30 mph, a critical upgrade for safety and clarity during fast-paced motion.

The Game-Changer: Real-Time Fitness Integration

Where the Vanguard truly shines is its ecosystem connectivity. Through a partnership with Garmin, wearers can access live workout metrics via voice commands to Meta AI. During Wan’s stationary bike test, queries like “How fast am I cycling?” or “How far have I biked?” delivered instant, audible responses synced to his Garmin watch data. This real-time feedback loop—currently exclusive to Garmin—transforms the glasses into a coaching companion, offering actionable insights that could optimize training efficiency. While integrations with Apple Health and Google Fit are supported, they only provide post-activity analysis, highlighting a gap Meta might address soon.

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Caption: The Meta Oakley Vanguard in action, featuring its central camera and sport-ready design. Credit: Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Implications for the Tech Landscape

Priced at $499—$100 more than Oakley’s previous HSTN model—the Vanguard targets a premium segment, but its value lies in specialized utility. For developers, this signals Meta’s aggressive push into AI-driven wearables, where on-device processing and third-party API integrations (like Garmin’s) could inspire new apps for athletic performance monitoring. The emphasis on real-time data also underscores a broader industry trend: wearables evolving from passive trackers to active, AI-augmented tools. As Wan notes, “For serious athletes, this feels like a worthwhile investment,” suggesting potential for similar innovations in professional sports tech.

Available for pre-order now and shipping October 29, the Vanguard isn’t just another smart glass—it’s a testament to how targeted hardware-software synergy can elevate human performance. As wearables grow smarter, expect Meta to blur lines between digital assistants and physical endurance, making every workout a data-driven journey.

Source: Based on hands-on testing and reporting by Kerry Wan for ZDNET.