Oakley Split Thump 2GB

So then, sunglasses with a built-in MP3 player...

Let's be honest: it sounds like a pretty dumb idea, and certainly Oakley's previous efforts at shoehorning music playback into a pair of shades have been less than stellar. But the new Split Thump, says the swanky specs-maker, is different. These sunnies actually look like the sort of sunnies a normal person might wear.

And it's true, to an extent. They do look a lot slicker and sexier than the old Thumps, with a polished black frame and grey-tinted lenses. They're pretty lightweight too, and the fact that they're sweat-resistant makes them suitable for joggers and other keep-fit nuts. So well done to Oakley for all that, although when wearing them out we had to ensure more than one quip about those cataract glasses old people wear. Some people just don't understand fashion, it seems...

Musically, the Thump provides a surprisingly beefy sound. Two adjustable clip-on headphones slip easily into your lugholes and pump full, bassy audio with crisp mids and highs. You get music onto the specs using USB: once connected, you can sync files up using Windows Media Player, or just drag and drop them old school-style. AAC, WMA and MP3 formats are all supported, but DRM-protected files are off the menu, unfortunately.

Despite the buttons and controls being fairly basic (they're located on either side of the specs) the lack of a screen means finding a particular track can take a while. Still, with six hours of battery life per charge, you don't need to be in too much of a hurry.

All in all, we're not quite sure what to make of the Split Thump. While it's certainly Oakley's best pair of MP3 playing sunglasses to date, it's doesn't performance either of its roles to the standard that its price tag suggests.