I went skiing and sledding with the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses — four reasons why they're better than GoPro, and two ways they still fall short. I used to love testing the best action cameras, giving me an excuse to get outside. Once, I even mounted five action cameras to my head and went skiing. However, after a weekend with the Oakley Meta Vanguard, I might start using smart glasses exclusively for outdoor activities. I still have some reservations about what they can and can't do.
Here's four reasons why I liked using the Oakley Vanguards and why they're some of the best smart glasses, and two ways they still fall short against GoPro.
Four things I liked
It's one less piece of gear I need to bring
It's easier to stop and start recording
It made an awesome highlight video
You can use them for more than just taking videos
Clips are limited in length
You can't change the aspect ratio — and you have to watch what you wear
Bottom line
If you're into casually taking videos and photos while out and about, the Oakley Meta Vanguards are great. Not only do they record quality clips, but they're also handy for other things, too — even if it's as simple as knowing the time. It also let me keep my phone in my pocket, and spared my fingers from frostbite every time I wanted to snap a photo.
That said, a GoPro is going to offer you far more in terms of video quality and versatility, so if you're looking to capture some epic turns, then it's the way to go. But if your needs aren't as demanding (and you're willing to plunk down $500) then the Vanguards are pretty fun.
