Almost every morning when I wake up, while performing my usual routine of coffee-shower-more coffee, I think to myself, "What's my workout today?"
Mind you, in a perfect world I'd have my week neatly outlined and organized, and if I'm training for something specific, I often do. But my default predisposition is to let life get in the way and, ultimately, to decide in the morning what I'll be doing later that night.
But what if there were someone designated to answer this recurring question for me on a daily basis? Better yet, what if that same person was along with me on every ride and run to coach me along the way?
That's the premise behind Radar Pace, Oakley's splashy entry into the wearable market. Billed as "smart eyewear," the sunglasses feature a real-time, voice-activated coaching system powered by Intel Real Speech (think Siri-turned-triathlete). According to the press release, Radar Pace "creates a dynamic training program, tracks performance, coaches in the moment and responds to the user's questions—allowing athletes to communicate with the system in a live, natural way during a workout."
We spent four days testing the product, by bike and on foot.
In other words, Oakley doesn't seem content with politely easing their way into the wearables space. Instead, they've planted a pretty big stake in the ground—and done so with some authority.
So we wondered: Does it really work?
Testing on Hallowed Ground
Oakley hosted a group of media members and influencers to train with the Radar Pace on the world's most hallowed multisport training grounds: Kona, Hawaii, in conjunction with the IRONMAN World Championship. We spent four days testing the product, by bike and on foot, on the infamous Ali'i Drive, the always-windy Queen K and the sweltering Energy Lab, accompanied by three-time world champion triathlete Craig Alexander.
Find your next race.