On Monday, it was announced that Wout van Aert will be back on the cross circuit in just over two weeks, on December 20. In the lead-up to his cyclocross comeback, there was also time for a reconnaissance of Paris-Roubaix. And it wasn’t just any ride over the Northern French cobbles, because Van Aert did it wearing a special pair of glasses.
Cycling fans eager for the next edition of Paris-Roubaix will still have to wait nearly five months for racing excitement in the ‘Hell’, but Wout van Aert was already spotted last week on the famous Northern French cobbled sectors. His goal? Testing his equipment. He rode several times over Carrefour de l’Arbre, one of the crucial five-star sectors in the finale of the Hell of the North.
Van Aert himself recorded footage of his reconnaissance of the Hell of the North, thanks to the Oakley Meta Vanguard. This is a pair of cycling glasses that allows the rider to film, giving a perspective as if you’re riding alongside the rider.
Ever wondered what it feels like to be 🇧🇪 Wout van Aert on the cobbles of 🇫🇷 Paris-Roubaix?
He has given us the best look yet with the new Oakley Meta glasses.
📹 Wout van Aert pic.twitter.com/9UHW8udEgr
— Domestique (@Domestique___) December 1, 2025
Smart glass
This is a so-called ‘smart glass’ that, thanks to artificial intelligence, can provide real-time performance insights. According to Oakley, the Meta Vanguard combines the well-known Prizm lenses with new technologies that are especially interesting for cyclists and runners. The glasses reportedly use Meta’s artificial intelligence to give you extra insights into your athletic performance.
Additionally, the glasses feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view and open-ear speakers with advanced wind noise reduction. The latter is intended to ensure that music or instructions remain clearly audible, even at speeds over 45 kilometers per hour. The battery life lasts up to nine hours.
Cycling enthusiasts who want to buy these glasses will have to dig deep into their pockets. The Oakley Meta Vanguard costs between 490 and 550 euros.
Wout van Aert
