Oakley Meta Vanguard: Smart Glasses for Tech-Savvy Athletes

The Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses Had Me Feeling Like an Undercover Superhero

Setup can be tricky with multiple apps Niche use case Video capture lags on command As a practical frugalist who's never owned more than a gas-station-quality pair of sunglasses, getting to test a pair of Oakleys already felt like I was living in some kind of alternate universe. And the fact that they pack the latest tech launched them straight into superhero status. My first outing with the Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses had me feeling like Clark Kent: strolling through the city, pretending to be a mere mortal, while hiding my superpowers in plain sight. Unlike Clark Kent's inconspicuous black-rimmed frames, the $500 Vanguard sunglasses curve around your eyes as streamlined shields. They're styled like the "wraparound shades" usually associated with performance sports like skiing or running, except these come fully loaded with Meta AI and Garmin integration, making them the first glasses geared for nerds and thrill seekers alike. They're tough enough to handle the elements, yet smart enough to deliver real-time training stats in your ear as you hit the trails or slopes. You can also play music, take calls and document all your action shots completely hands-free. These are by no means Meta's first smart glasses. The company has been experimenting with wearable eyewear (virtual, augmented and everything in between) for over a decade. What's new, and the reason they landed on my desk (as a health and fitness wearables reviewer), is the fitness integration. Garmin, the leader in performance-focused smartwatches, brings the serious fitness clout and deep training data that Meta lacks. Together, they have a real shot at expanding beyond the early tech adopters and hardcore athlete crowd and reaching the mass-market territory currently ruled by the Apple Watches, Fitbits and Galaxy Watches of the world. This first attempt gets close, but it's still niche. Unless you're moving so fast you can't afford even a split-second distraction, you'll probably still reach for your phone for better photos and glance at your watch for stats, which you still need to lug with you for the whole experience to work in the first place. Plus, getting them all to play nice together isn't exactly easy. It took me three failed workouts before Meta AI, the glasses and my Garmin watch finally started communicating. But once they did, everything clicked into place. The glasses' true potential lies in this hands-free trifecta of audio playback, media recording and real-time fitness coaching spread before your eyes and curving around your ears. And even if they're not for everyone yet, these glasses offer a glimpse of how wearables and phones are literally coming to a head. One thing to note: This isn't intended to be a review of Meta AI (the voice assistant that powers the glasses). For that, you can check out our in-depth review of Meta AI. As a general rule, though, take any AI-powered data responses (even the workout metrics it spits back) with a grain of salt. They're not always accurate, as I've come to find, and definitely not a substitute for verified, real-world data. Beneath the futuristic voice assistant and high-tech flex, these are still real Oakley sunglasses with polarized lenses, a rugged build and performance fit included. Even if the AI fried itself tomorrow, they'd still hold up as head-turning sport shades that have earned me more than a few compliments out in the wild. I tested the 24K lenses with the black frame, which mostly look like a golden-hour gold but pick up reflections of whatever color I'm wearing, making them a nice neutral match for almost any outfit. They're also available in reddish, blue and black finishes. In terms of fit, they're a lot lighter than what I expected considering the extra features. But the subsequent red mark left on the bridge of my nose would signal they aren't quite as light as traditional shades (they weigh 66 grams). I ended up swapping out the nose piece (it comes with three) to make them more comfortable for longer wear, but I still had the evidence on my nose the way a swimmer has goggle rings after a pool sesh. The earpieces also felt a bit stiff and narrow for my head, but I like that they stayed put even on bumpy trail runs. Visibility in full sun was excellent, but (like most other sun glasses) wasn't optimal on a cloudy day when I was darting in and out of tree canopies. They did hold up to light rain sprinkles, and surprisingly, none of the footage from that day showed any water spots on the lens. I probably wouldn't wear them instead of ski goggles during a full-on snowstorm, but they are rated to withstand water, sweat and dust. The glasses have a few physical controls: a power button on the right temple, a small swipe-sensitive touchpad on the right arm and a customizable action button on the left. Without being able to see them, finding and remembering which side does what takes a bit of practice. I did most of my controlling via voice commands anyway, so the buttons were just a safety net. Unlike Meta's new Orion AR (augmented reality) glasses, these don't have a floating screen in your line of sight. The Garmin overlays you see in the videos and images from the glasses reflect your real-time stats from that moment, but they've been added after the fact in the Meta AI app and meant for sharing (not live viewing). Strava users can do the same, adding performance stats to workout footage in the app to share with their community. The only visual signal you'll see inside the glasses is a small white LED light on the upper right-hand side of the lens. It indicates when the glasses are powered on, when Meta AI has been activated or when features like video recording are in use. It's subtle enough not to distract mid-run, but helpful for confirming you're actually recording -- or not accidentally recording. There's also a white LED light on the outside of the glasses, just below the camera lens, to let others know when you're capturing video. The sleek black carrying case doubles as a charging station, which is a nice touch. It plugs into a USB-C cable, but also holds a charge for a quick power up on the go. The color of the light on the front of the case indicates whether you're fully charged (green), in pairing mode (blue) or running low on battery (red). Although the design is striking, setting up the Oakley Meta Vanguard wasn't exactly plug-and-play. I tested it with a Pixel 9 Pro phone and a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch. The new Oakley's aren't compatible with the Apple Watch, but you can use them with an iPhone and Garmin setup. First, you have to download the Meta AI app to your phone, make sure your software is up to date, then pair the app with the sunglasses. If you're also connecting a Garmin watch, prepare for even more steps. You'll need to install the Meta AI app on your watch via Garmin's Connect IQ store and ensure everything is updated across all platforms. That's three layers of pairing and three potential points of failure. And yes, I absolutely got it wrong on the first try. My maiden voyage (a scenic bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge) was a total dud because I forgot to bring my phone, which meant no AI assistant, no metrics and no media. Even after I finally got the glasses up and running, it took two more workouts before I finally managed to pair the Garmin watch successfully to get real-time metrics in my ear. I had to run two separate updates (one for the Meta app on Garmin IQ, and another for the watch software itself) before things started talking to each other. By launch, some of this may be streamlined, but be warned: If something breaks, you'll need to play tech detective to figure out whether the issue lies in the Garmin IQ app, the Meta AI app or the watch itself. The number of privacy disclosures also put me on edge, and handing over my health data required another layer of trust that I wasn't sure I was willing to give up, let alone to Meta. It's basically pay-to-play, with your personal metrics as currency. Yes, I appreciated that the disclosures were at least transparent and, in theory, you can manage your data in the settings, but having to repeatedly grant permissions for things like AI training and Spotify preferences served as a stark reminder that these aren't just sunglasses. They're data-hungry smart devices that will know everything about you, even what you see. The sound experience with the Oakleys is definitely different from wearing headphones, but comparing these to high-end over-ears would be unfair, to say the least. They're not meant to be noise-canceling, and that's a good thing considering the use case. The open-ear speakers are built into the temples of the glasses, creating a natural sound profile that feels immersive without isolating you from the world. These are made for high-impact, high-speed activities, so it's actually a benefit to retain environmental awareness while still hearing your music, stats or calls. I was impressed by how clear the audio was in most conditions. Sound even adjusts to your surroundings, and in normal settings -- trail runs, solo hikes, even light city traffic -- they performed great. The one place they fell short was biking over the Golden Gate Bridge on a windy day. Between the hum of cars whizzing by and the gusts off wind hitting in opposite direction, the speakers couldn't compete, even at full volume. It's worth noting that unlike earbuds, the sound doesn't stay sealed inside your ears. At full blast, people nearby will hear it. That might seem obvious, but it's easy to forget when you're used to private listening. Especially during calls, it's something to be mindful of so you don't end up with the accidental eavesdropper. The mic quality, though, really surprised me. It's five built-in mics means callers could hear me clearly, and the glasses honed in on my voice (and panting) on videos with minimal background noise. One test even managed to capture my toddler's voice from a baby carrier strapped to my back. Voice command responsiveness was solid as well. I rarely had to repeat myself. And when I did, it wasn't a mic issue -- it was Meta AI not understanding the request. One of the biggest upgrades here is the ability to access live fitness data via your Garmin watch without ever glancing down at your wrist. While my muscle memory still had me glancing at my watch more often than not, it was surprisingly useful to hear someone call out my pace or heart rate zone when I asked. In situations where looking down isn't safe or even possible given the amount of gear on your arms (mountain biking, downhill skiing, etc.), this hands-free feedback could be a game-changer. You can call up stats mid-run or after your workout just by asking Meta AI. I tested it with questions like, "What's my longest run?" or "What's my average pace to beat?" and it delivered. The glasses even went a step further by offering training suggestions like encouraging me to work on increasing my pace while staying mindful of not overexerting in high heart rate zones. It's not quite the full Garmin Connect experience in your ear (it stopped short of setting up heart rate zone alerts), but it does bring some of the most helpful insights front and center without having to dig for them on your watch, which often can't display more than four stats on one screen. As someone who's tested early GoPros and 360-degree cameras, capturing footage from your head isn't exactly new to me. But doing it hands-free from a pair of sunglasses -- no awkward helmet or bike mounts in sight -- completely elevated the experience. The glasses have a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view and 3K UHD video capture. The lens gives you that signature fisheye GoPro-like look with an ultra-wide frame that works for both vertical and horizontal formats, whether you're posting to Instagram or your Strava highlights reel. Image stabilization was surprisingly solid. During a rocky trail run in my neighborhood regional park (they don't call it Rockville for nothing), the footage came out impressively smooth. Same for my bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can adjust stabilization levels in the settings, but I kept mine on auto for all my outings. You can shoot time-lapse and slow-motion clips with just a command, and there's also an AutoCapture feature that kicks in automatically when you start a workout on your Garmin watch. It's designed to record what it thinks are the "highlights" of your session, but that's a bit of a black box. I'm not sure what the algorithm is using (heart rate spikes? speed bursts?), but it definitely missed the best views on my trail run. On the upside, it also skipped the less flattering moments, like stopping to pick up after my dog. You can also override AutoCapture (which I did) at any point. Still, be warned: There's a small delay between the command and when the camera actually starts recording. One time I spotted a coyote on my trail, but by the time capture kicked in, it was long gone. Media quality overall was solid for a wearable. You can adjust camera settings in the app, and while it won't replace your DSLR or high-end phone camera, it's more than good enough for capturing action moments without stopping to fumble with gear. It also has 32GB of onboard storage for phone-free captures, although it will need the phone's processing power for any Meta AI requests. Saving and sharing media, however, could be smoother. Your content first has to process from the sunglasses into the Meta AI app. Standard video and photo files will eventually sync to your phone's gallery, but AutoCapture clips need to be manually saved, and only if the app is open during the transfer. There is an option to share directly to Instagram if you connect your account, but I personally prefer to review what I've captured before broadcasting it live, thank you very much. You can ask Meta AI for a quick battery check, which is helpful when you're out in the wild (in fact, without a display, it's the only way to check on the go). Meta claims the glasses last up to nine hours with typical use, and up to six hours of continuous music playback. I didn't wear them for nine consecutive hours (that's next level commitment), but after a two-hour trail run with constant recording and AutoCapture enabled, I came home with about 75% battery left over. Charging speed is also impressive; you can get up to 50% in just 20 minutes on the charger. The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses are novel and exciting, but they're still niche. Most people will still find it easier to glance down at their smartwatch or pull out their phone for the same functionality. Where they truly shine is in high-speed situations where checking your wrist mid-action isn't an option: think downhill skiing, cycling, dirt biking or even trail running. They could also be great on race day (marathon, triathlon) when time is of the essence. In those moments, having real-time voice feedback and the ability to capture first-person POV video completely hands-free is a game-changer. That said, the experience still lacks the user-friendly polish that Apple and Fitbit have mastered to win over mainstream users. This Meta-Garmin partnership feels ambitious and promising, but it also reinforces how niche the product remains. Right now it seems mostly geared towards serious athletes and tech enthusiasts who value cutting-edge innovation over seamless usability. Still, the Vanguard gives us a clear glimpse into the future of wearable tech as AI continues to weave a tighter web between devices, and we start to see a synchronized ecosystem of connected gear that operates seamlessly within our daily lives.

I wore the Oakley Meta Vanguard on a 5-mile walk - here's who should (and who shouldn't) buy them

Most athletic activities can benefit from hands-free assistance -- which makes athletes among the biggest beneficiaries from smart glasses. Catering to this crowd, at Meta Connect last month, the company released the latest addition to its sporty AI smart glasses lineup:the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses. The biggest difference between the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses and its relative, the Oakley Meta HSTN released back in June, lies in its aesthetic. With this pair, the company leans into the signature Oakley Sphaera look, combining the advanced specs of the HSTNs with the familair visor design. Also: I tested Meta Ray-Ban Display alternatives, and these are better in several ways for less money The new form factor also gave way for the inclusion of a new action button, a more centered camera for POV shots, and integrations with Garmin devices and Strava. However, it does come at a steeper price of $499. Is it worth the splurge? Here are my thoughts after a week of testing. Before we get into some of the entertaining upgrades, such as the distinct look and fun third-party integrations, we have to discuss the core of the smart glasses: performance. For the most part, the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses hold the same specs of the Oakley Meta HSTNs, including an IP67 rating (making them sweat, dust, and water resistant),12MP ultra-wide camera, 3K video recording, two open-ear speakers, and a five-mic array. However, subtle differences elevate the user experience on the Vanguard. For one, the camera is positioned at the center instead of the corner of the lenses, which makes POV shots appear less angled or too high. In the videos I recorded, I found it much easier to get the positioning correct, as it was recording from the bridge of my nose (which is in the center of my view), as opposed ot the edges of the glasses. In addition to the standard video capturing mode, you can also record in slow-motion and hyperlapse. Also: CES: The 8 most advanced smart glasses we tried - and were impressed by On the audio front, the two open ear speakers provide audio that's as good as any of the smart glasses in Meta's lineup. I listened to music and audio messages during the entirety of my two-hour walk, and was satisfied with the quality and sound levels. I especially enjoyed being able leaving my headphones at home, packing lighter for my walk. I also tested the audio by sending an audio message and hopping on a phone call. Each time, the audio sounded clear despite being exposed to elements such as wind and chattering animals. Although the Vanguard glasses have a 5-mic array like the HSTNs do, the positioning is slightly different with two mics in the frame and three near the nose region. Presumably, having more mics near your mouth should help your audio sound better, though I had no complaints with audio recording with either pair of smart glasses. Also: Which Meta Ray-Bans model should you buy? I tested both pairs, and here's how to decide Meta claims that these smart glasses can support up to nine hours with single charge, and up to 36 hours with fully charged case. I left for my walk, as registered by my Garmin Forerunner 970, at 2:11 p.m. when the battery was at 99%. Exactly one hour later, the battery was at 71%. During that period of time I was listening to music, taking intermittent videos and photos, and talking to Meta AI, so I was putting it to peak use. However, this performance reflects a 28% drain in an hour, compared to the around 10% that Meta is claiming. This isn't too surprising, as we've found previous Meta models also underperforming in battery life. You're definitely getting more than the Ray-Bans with these, but don't expect anything dramatically better. Capitalizing on the appeal to athletes, Meta integrated its Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses with Garmin devices and Strava. You'll need to link your Garmin and Strava accounts via the Meta AI app, download the Garmin Connect IQ app to track fitness metrics. For Strava, the integration allows users to add a helpful overlay to the footage captured on their Meta Vanguard AI glasses that showcases their performance metrics, including distance, average pace, elevation and more. (Note that the overlay doesn't actually appear through the glasses as you're running.) Also: Oura Ring's new 'Cumulative Stress' feature can alert you to burnout now - here's how Using this integration is simple; once the activity is completed, all you have to do is select media taken and overlay the stats. I am attaching one from my walk below, though I pulled from my Garmin stats. The Garmin integration is a bit more in-depth. When working, it should allow users to get real-time stats of their workout simply by asking Meta AI questions about their work out. This is a helpful feature as it allows athletes to stay in the zone of their workout without having to glance down at their watch or phone to check for updates. There is also an autocapture feature that automatically captures content based on designated performance metrics. For example, you can set it to capture the moment you hit 10 miles on your run and it can automatically take that for you. Also: Snap's latest Specs AI updates prove that it's taking smart glasses seriously (but in a different way) Lastly, users can enable the visual status LED on paired glasses as a notification when different targets are met. However, despite linking my Garmin watch to the glasses, which enabled the overlay integration seen above, I was not able to get Meta AI to tell me about my workouts. I'll update this review when that's fixed. There is one big caveat to the Oakley Meta Vanguard, and that's prescription support. As lovely as they look to me, they're not compatible with prescriptions, so you have to commit to wearing contacts with it, or just not be able to see properly. For that reason, I recommend the Oakley Meta HTSNs to those who want similar recording features, plus support for varying vision. Although I say this everytime I write a smart glasses review, having a wearable on your face is deeply personal, and therefore, needs to look and feel good for the purchase to be worth it. As a result, these smart glasses may not be for everyone, but I love them. The iridescent sheen on the smart glasses, paired with the vibrant color options, make for a stylish fit. The lens color also filters light beautifully, reducing strain even in the brighter outdoors. While the visor may seem like too much for many, in athletic circles, it's common practice to wear similar form factors. When I walked through Prospect Park in Brooklyn, not only did I see lots of athletes wearing very similar shades, but I even got stopped by a fellow runner. Also: I wore the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic for a week, and it shattered the myth of ugly fitness tech In my experience, the bigger form factor also makes for more comfortable weight distribution. With the Vanguards, I felt less pressure on the bridge of my nose, despite the glasses weighing 13 grams heavier than the HSTNs. The larger headband area also makes button placement more intuitive, with the addition of a new customizable button that I've programmed to trigger Hyperlapse video recording. If you are someone who would wear or is interested in wearing smart glasses with the style of the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, the purchase is worth the money, as traditional Oakleys can run you upwards of $300. Also: Is Meta secretly scanning your phone's camera roll? Check this setting to find out ASAP However, if you are not someone whose style aligns with the visors, perhaps the more toned down Oakley Meta HTSNs would be a better match, as they pass for more common everyday sunglasses. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

Meta and Oakley's smart glasses for athletes hit the mark... if you have the right Garmin

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. These Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are undeniably designed for athletes. This is something of a double-edged sword in the design department as it means you can't use them for everyday use unless your personal fashion choices include strolling around in a visor. But when you're on a run, powering down a slope, or pushing yourself on your next bike ride these glasses will be the ideal companion... if you have a compatible Garmin watch. The biggest benefit these specs have - beyond their Prizm visors, which are tailored to different activities - is their IP67 which allows them to tackle all conditions. I got caught out in a rainstorm with these specs on and the Vanguard glasses weren't bothered at all. I had more than enough time to finish up the run I had planned and make my way home, all the while enjoying tunes and assistance from Meta AI which I could hear through the open-ear headphones. I even successfully made a few calls. Despite the rain, wind, and cars rushing past on the road, everyone I called said I came through crystal clear. Admittedly, I did have to double-check a few times as I was so surprised - with my usual open earbuds, or even using my actual phone in those conditions, I know they'd struggle to hear me. The footage captured by its camera is good too, thanks to the centralized snapper which can capture video in up to 3K which is perfect for sharing your fitness achievements. That's helped by the new autocapture tool which uses data from your compatible Garmin watch to automatically record segments of your excursion and overlay fitness data - like your pace, distance travelled and heart rate - to create a nifty video recap you can share. However, here lies my main concern with these specs. Their health tracking integration is currently reliant on a single company: Garmin. If you don't have a Garmin smartwatch, or you do have one but it's not compatible with the Meta AI app, then you lose out on one of the best features of these glasses. I ran into this compatibility problem so created a handy guide you can use to see which Garmin watches are compatible with Meta AI. Meta does usually take a slow and steady approach with integrations so my fingers are crossed we'll see Meta play nice with other fitness trackers too. But until then, this limited compatibility makes this device feel a little less mainstream. That said, if you are an athlete with a compatible Garmin watch then the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses will be a superb companion. The open ear audio, Meta AI assistance providing real-time fitness data, crystal clear calls, and auto capture video recaps combine into something superb - just be prepared for the high cost. The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses are launching on October 21, 2025 and are available to buy in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and many European countries with plans to expand to more countries like Mexico and Brazil soon. At the time of writing they cost $499 / £499 / AU$789 no matter which model you get. This makes them pricier than Meta's Oakley HSTN and Ray-Ban smart glasses - ignoring its new Meta Ray-Ban Display specs. In exchange you'll get specs with louder (6dB louder) open-ear speakers, a more durable design (they're IP67 rated rather than IPX4 for dust and water), and a slightly longer battery life than those two aforementioned models. The design also feels more sporty, plus there's the Garmin integration - though that necessitates a compatible device. You can pick up the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses in one of four design variations equipped with a colored Prizm lens - a black frame with a 24K lens, black frame with a Road lens, white frame with a Black lens, or white with a Sapphire lens. Otherwise the specs of all four are identical. The lens forms a large visor which covers both eyes, there's a large camera that sits above your nose, and each pair comes with three nose clips sizes so you can adjust the fit to suit your face. You'll also find three buttons on the frame; on the left (as you wear them) is the power button, while on the right you have the camera button, and a programmable action button. The latter can activate Meta AI, automatically activate a different capture mode like slow-motion or hyperlapse, or access an accessibility feature (alongside a few other effects). The Prizm lenses are Oakley's sports-specific visors with color patterns designed to boost the contrast of your vision during different sports. The red Road visor version I tested are ideal for runners and cyclists because they help you see changes in the road and trail in front of you - like signs, cracks, and terrain changes. They're also the least shaded of the lens options available currently, meaning I can use them just fine on overcast days as long as it isn't nighttime. If you live somewhere with a lot more sun you might prefer the Prizm lenses which provide more shade and similar contrast effects, or the Black lenses if you don't care about contrast - the Sapphire lens is also good for the sun, but is tailored to water sports and skiing. If you like the sound of a couple of different lens options you're in luck. For the first time with its smart specs Meta's Oakley Vanguards boast swappable lenses - so you can change between these available options, or some soon-to-launch alternatives like a low-light visor, as and when you need. Provided you buy the extra lenses that is - they'll cost $85 (around £65 / AU$130, exact regional pricing is TBC). They're well suited to different conditions regardless of your lens type. I've run in sunnier weather and a rainstorm just fine - I did need to wipe the visor when it was wet, but no more than I would my regular specs, and at least the glasses didn't fog up. During the rain I was glad for their improved IP67 rating. This means they can survive harsh outdoor weather (just don't swim in them), so on my rainy run it meant I didn't need to rush home because I was worried my tech would get ruined - just because it was cold and miserable. If they do get wet, however, Meta advises you dry them off before using the charging case. Speaking of which, the bulky charging case safely stores your specs and boosts their roughly nine hours of battery life - six with continuous music - with up to an additional 36 hours. It can quickly charge your specs to 50% full in two hours. As I said, it isn't the slimmest case so you'll get a drawstring bag case, which is ideal for taking on your excursion if you want to put the glasses away during a break or cool down and not scratch the visor. During all my tests these glasses stayed comfortably and securely on my face. If you know much about Meta's smart glasses already you'll be familiar with the core features these specs borrow; we're talking open-ear audio, an in-built camera, and Meta AI assistance. I'll cover the quality of the camera and speakers in the performance section down below, but here I'll focus on the AI and the new trick the Vanguards have up their sleeves: Garmin integration. Meta AI can, provided you have your phone nearby and are connected to the internet, offer real-time answers to your queries. Simply say "Hey Meta" and you can get started. On my other Meta smart glasses I love the AI when I'm a tourist, but on these Vanguard frames it's instead my personal fitness coach. I've asked for some quick exercise tips so I can try to boost my running performance and endurance, and healthy snack advice so I know what to grab from the convenience store as I jog past to enjoy as a post-workout treat. It also enables hands-free controls. I like to focus on my runs, and find I can do that more easily if I just call out to the Meta AI to change tracks in my playlist, or give me my fitness data, compared to swiping on the frame or looking down at my wrist. This fitness data comes from my Garmin watch. For this review I borrowed a Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) which is one of a selection of compatible Garmin devices (mostly watches, but a few bike computers too) that can beam real-time data to the Vanguard glasses. While in a fitness activity - like a run - I can get real-time updates on my heart rate, my running pace, distance travelled, and how well I'm hitting my goals which is super handy. Plus, for those of you who care just as much about sharing your fitness successes as you do about actually getting fit, you'll love autocapture. When enabled, autocapture will take a short video every split (either every lap, kilometer or mile based on your preferences), as well as at key moments like when your heart rate jumps up because you're pushing hard, or at a new elevation high, to name a couple of examples. The Meta AI app will then process these shots and overlay your Garmin data - like your pace and distance traveled - which you can then share as a montage or sequence of stories. As you can see in the example above, it also gave my footage an automatic title, and tells you what Garmin watch I was wearing. I think it's really neat, it's just a shame these fitness data integrations - which feel somewhat essential to the glasses' identity - are locked to some very specific fitness devices. While a lot of athletes will rely on Garmin tech, some will prefer their Samsung Galaxy or Apple watch (or another option from list of the best fitness trackers). Others simply may not have one of these options - even some recent Garmin launches don't support on-watch apps (a necessity for this Meta AI integration). Meta does like to roll out these interconnected app features slowly so we may see other brands join the fray down line, but right now I'm left feeling like a device agnostic system - perhaps one which leans heavily on a phone app rather than a smartwatch app, or a more widely-available smartwatch app - would be a more elegant and better solution. These glasses performed really well in areas I think athletes will appreciate - that is to say, music and call clarity. While I can't test Meta's claims that you can be heard over 30mph wind - during Meta Connect Mark Zuckerberg said "you can basically be standing in a wind tunnel and still come through clearly on the other side" - I can say that what initially sounded like a vast overpromise now seems like a very real ability of these specs after my tests. I went out to run in a rain storm (unintentionally, admittedly) and not only could I always hear my music through these open-ear speakers (while also being able to pay full attention to my surroundings as nothing was covering or inserted into my ears) the microphones - by all accounts - picked me up crystal clear. I never had trouble activating Meta AI, and even when I was jogging alongside a road with cars whizzing past - being buffeted by heavy rain and strong winds - the folks I called all said they couldn't tell I was in a storm. The noise cancellation was, as one person described, "fantastic." I know my other open earbuds, and maybe even my phone, wouldn't have competed with that noise based on my experience with them - so I'm very impressed with the Vanguard's capabilities. Jumping back to the audio, while not on par with more dedicated earbuds or headphones audio quality-wise, this comfy open-ear, all-in-one solution was excellent at keeping me motivated with music while keeping me aware of my surroundings - as I wasn't blocked off from the outside world in any way, sonically speaking. I'll also shout out the camera. While the single shot photos are more on the 'okay' end of the spectrum quality-wise, the first-person videos look great and pick up the audio really well - even if a lot of them simply capture me huffing and puffing into the mics. Because of this high quality I love the autocapture montage the app creates, and plan to always share it with my Strava posts going forward. To test these smart specs I made sure to run with them a few times. The first few times I used them without a Garmin watch to test their capabilities if you don't have a compatible fitness device, and then I ran with a Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 to find out how much of a difference it makes. I ran in different conditions, though I wasn't able to run at night as the lenses aren't well suited to running in the dark.