Oakley Meta Vanguard review: The smart glasses that do it all

There are many times when you are running and pass something beautiful. It’s very easy to just say, “Hey Meta, start capturing video” and get a quick clip as you speed by. You can also customize the action button to choose different shooting modes, such as slow motion or hyperlapse.

Garmin integration is also designed to meet your social media needs. Yes, it syncs with Meta AI, allowing the glasses to tell you if you’re hitting your target speed or HR zones — something I don’t think you really need if you’re already wearing a Garmin buzzer on your wrist. What the watch really does is turn on the automatic camera capture at key moments during your workout, so you can compile highlight reels and overlay your Garmin stats on top of it afterwards.

That this is a social media fitness device is also reflected in the fact that you are limited to shooting 30-second, 1-minute, 3-minute, and 5-minute clips. Meta told me that most people are usually limited to just 30-second videos, which is better for TikToks and Reels. You can also set clips to auto-import, so they’ll only be in your photo library when you think back to check them out and post them on Instagram.

I’m private on Strava; I don’t really need anyone to witness my leisurely 10-minute walk. But every influencer who films “Mile 1!” All the way through “Mile 26.2!” Whoever their last marathon will love them.

Fitness stuff aside, I think the Meta AI assistant is kind of fun. I have a few friends who can identify plants and animals while we hike. Meta AI can do this on a basic level, even if it’s not up to identifying specific varieties. I think it’s super powerful to be able to identify when you’re not sure whether those flowers are zinnias or dahlias as you pass by. Helpful note: I will not order from Meta AI or any other chatbot Super personal questions. I’ll also go into Settings, Data & Privacy, and remove all the general emotes (ew!) because I find everything about Meta AI as a social media platform gross (doubly!) but that’s just me.