Underground style: Oakley's Chilean miner sunglasses

 

You may have heard by now that those were no run-of-the mill sunglasses the Chilean miners donned before their ascent from a half-mile below the earth. They were some swanky shades with polarized lenses donated by Foothill Ranch, Calif., eyewear maker Oakley Inc.

According to a post at the company's website, a few weeks ago a Chilean journalist covering the rescue efforts approached Oakley about providing eyewear protection to help shield the miners' eyes once they came topside, and the company responded by furnishing 35 pairs.

In case you and 32 of your friends want to dress as Chilean miners for Halloween -- or you just want a seriously cool-looking pair of shades that come with a great story to tell, the Oakley Radar sunglasses can be purchased in either of the two lens shapes that were provided to the miners (Path or Range) online at Oakley's website, starting at $180.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Oakley's polarized Radar Range sunglasses with black iridium lenses. The Foothill Ranch company donated 35 pairs to help shield the eyes of the trapped Chilean miners. Credit: Oakley

Comments

[Barrett]

What a BRILLIANT marketing opp!

[Wunblindi]

What actually happened was that Luxottica (the parent company of Oakley, Rayban, Gucci, Fendi, etc, etc, ad nauseum,) opened up a new Sunglass Hut halfway up the mineshaft and was selling those sweet 1985 styles on a 2 for 1 deal.