Most of us are confident Oakley will follow up with their plans and relaunch the X-metals in due time. The originals had many different parts, but it also had many points of failure as well.

Given the chance, what specific changes would you make to the X-metals (whether in terms of material or designs) to suit your needs? We do get some Oakley insiders logging on here, so who knows, your ideas might get read and implemented.

My main thing would be general durability. Save for lenses, which can be replaced, and should probably be stocked in advance, there are a few weak points in the X-metal design. True the stems and orbitals can take a beating, but the hinge, flex couplers (on the older ones), and certain pivot points really couldn't take as much abuse. I often feel some Jackets might outlast X-metal since they can bounce back by popping in a displaced stem or the like.

For me, the X-Metal line was/is iconic (see what I did there), and definitive. I feel like if they alter the material (i.e a 25 metal blend), it wouldn't be X-Metal. I am a big fan of vintage Oakley, and I feel like the Romeo 1 was just such an excellent design from an aesthetics standpoint. A redesign of the Romeo, keeping all of the original key design components, while fixing the problem that causes stress cracks would be my ideal X-Metal. The great thing about Oakley is they put out products that are so Over The Top aesthetically yet so functional. They have an obvious disregard for the norm in society, and I think that is what makes Oakley so great.

I would make all the components interchangeable, with all finishes being available on all glasses. Maybe I want the nosebridge from a Mars, orbitals of an XX, and the Hammer stems from a polished Juliet, but Copper across the board.

speaking of interchangeable, though I'm sure this has been mentioned before, why not have switch lock technology on a x-metal frame. Maybe its impossible, but thats maybe why Oakley would do it.

That would certainly be cool.

Since Oakley's design language these days is all about Switchlock and easy customization, it would not surprise me if they did incorporate that in the new X-metals.

That would be pretty awesome!

I hope not. Don't want that plastic crap on my X-Metals. I'd rather see better/improved/new design on them considering the metal will be made in friggin' China.

Maybe memory metal from an alien spacecraft.

True Nik, but I was hoping they'd keep it all X-Metal some how and still have Swithlock incorporated. Or what Dann said.

Unobtainium is allowed by the X-metal purists, right? They could just use a new nose pad or flex coupler design to incorporate Switchlock.

Anything but another half X. I mean, really Oakley, who the hell asked for the half X? For the new X-Metal line, Oakley needs to go back to their roots like they did with the X Squared. To me, the X-Squared is the ultimate modern day X-Metal: It has the traditional orbital screws, and sexy lines, but they did away with the riveted flex coupler nose piece because of its inherent flaws. To me the new X-Metal line should be about evolution rather than re-design, in the same way I wish that the Romeo 1 could have evolved rather than be discontinued.

I wonder if the X-Squared would be less liked if it were called the Juliet 2.0.

I wonder if the X-Squared would be less liked if it were called the Juliet 2.0.

Probably. If they ever use that name in a pair of shades again (Juliet) they will be raising the bar VERY high for themselves - and the expectations of the consumer as well.

And I hope that future X-Metals are not "made in China"...

Don't hope too hard. Will only hurt more.

- esperamos novos lançamentos x metal, para mim foi o dna da marca então não axo justo acabar com essa lena x metal..'

Bigger frames for those of us with larger skulls. The Juliet and X-Squared are way too small for us larger guys. The XX was still slightly small on me. Design a pair of X-Metals for every head size.

I agree on the small size issue, the xSquared are beautiful but just to small for bigger men. I of course, would like to see more frames like the XX or Romeo 1.