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I have a pair of Oakley Flak 2.0 with Prescription Prizm Trail glasses a few years ago for biking. I really like how the trail lens makes colours pop and the rosey hue. This time I would like a more casual frame with a slightly darker lens but that really makes colours pop (I'm sure that's not the technical term!).
Initially I was thinking of crystal black Holbrook with Deep Water Prizm polarized prescription lenses (for holidays, driving, maybe some running, etc.)
I've gone down bit of a rabbit hole with lenses. Help! I like the reflective look of the Deep Water lens but am worried this may not be appropriate (too dark or best suited for water). I'm also googling the Priszm Road Black, Prism Road Jade, etc, etc, etc...
I'm looking for something a little darker than the Prism Trail (which I love) but something that will really enhance contrast and make colors pop! A mirrored finish would preferable if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Prism Trail Torch is a slightly darker version of the old Prism Trail, with much the same contrast and colours. Darker still but with a similar effect, there's Prizm Field (IIRC). I'd look at Prism Road though, not quite the same as the Trail, quite a bit darker and different colours, but works well very well on sunnier days for everything you list. Thinking of casual frames with the lens in for the summer myself.
I think I had some of the deep water polarized prism a couple of years ago, not for long I sold them, they did some weird stuff with trees and grassy environments, didn't like them at all. I find the prism daily polarised to be far superior, and wear them for most stuff including on diving boats, I have trail prizms for MTBing but would have no problems using the everyday prizms for that as well.
interesting chat.. i bought some prizm trails a couple of years back, i barely wear them as they are generally too dark in most circumstances, great in open area of trails, but if it's not sunny and under tree cover i dislike them :S
What sort of environment are you wanting the colours to "pop"?
All the lenses are slightly different, so you need to pick.
Personally outside of the trail lenses I use a prizm sapphire for most things.
Prizm daily is the main one for general use
Thanks for the replies.
Unlike Alan I found the Prism Trail amazing. It live the way it turns up colour saturation and I find them great in duller environments.
Good to know about your experience of the Deep Water lenses MSO.
I think I would like something a little darker and, purely for cosmetic reasons, I would like a mirrored finish.
Unfortunately prism daily is no longer an option for precision orders……
I've got (and this is a bit embarrassing listing them all out now), especially as I've actually got 3 different pairs of glasses with Trail lenses and a set of Torch as well
Prizm Trail - my go to MTB lens for most of the year. I've got torch but I think it's a slight step backwards (probably to appease fragile Americans who thought the Trail lens looked pink). A 1% difference in light transmission shouldn't be noticeable, but it is.
Low light - good through winter, a bit more pop than clear
Road - fine on road, but really dislike it off road. It's a bit too dark and the colour tint is wrong somehow even on a very bright day.
Snow torch - it's fine high contrast skiing lens but I'm not sure it's significantly better than the grey or brown non-prism lenses I've skied in before (I think pretty much anything works on snow.)
Prizm Everyday Grey polarized
Prizm Ruby non pol.
The everyday lenses are nice, but nothing like the 'rose tinted world' you get through Trails. The ruby lens might have a flashy red/orange shine to it, but it's just a bronze tint lens. Jade looks green but is a grey tint - I think all the prism everyday lens are more about the external look than altering what you see - they're all either grey or bronze base. Whereas all of the sport lenses are a Rose base tint.
This chart gives you the base tint and light transmission of a lot of their lenses, but doesn't seem to be all of them
I’ve got Flak XLJ with Trail Prizm, Road Prizm and clear lenses. The Trail are great for summer sun in the woods, but too dark in overcast winter days, the Road are fine for road and everyday wear, and the clear are, well clear.
I’d like something with an enhancing effect for low light conditions.
Has anyone tried the Prism Road Black?
I would be interested to hear how dark it is.
I’ve tried ‘normal’ prizm black on a pair of sutros. Gives a nice red tint to everything and has great contrast. Also has a mirrored finish. Loved the lens but sadly the glasses didn’t really fit so can’t give a long term review.
Been wearing Oakley glasses for many years, still wearing a pair of Frogskins that were among the first released in the U.K., back around’89-90, but I’ve never tried Prizm lenses, I don’t know what advantage they actually have. I’ve got a pair of Flak Jacket 2.0’s, and my most used lenses are a pair from Sunglass Fix in Australia, which have a persimmon tint, and are photoreactive and go a fairly darkish grey, perfect for cloudy but bright weather like we’ve been getting lately.
Prizm Dark Golf are like a darker version of Prism Trail & make good lenses for mtb.
My experience as a prescription glasses wearer:
I like Prizm Trail more "most" MTB and Road riding but it can be a bit dark under heavy tree cover in the gloom which is where a clear lens or Prizm Low Light comes in. One of my riding buddies has Low Light and wears them year round.
Prizm Grey is a good all-round sunglass lens that isn't too dark. Found it could do with being a bit darker when I was in the bright sun of the British Columbia interior last summer but it's fine for driving when it's overcast so it's swings and roundabouts. Prizm Black is unsurprisingly slightly darker and would be a good.
I have had Oakley Transitions lenses for riding and they worked well but they were very expensive and I think they were slightly more scratch prone than regular lenses, but this was a few years ago.
I have had Oakley Transitions lenses for riding and they worked well but they were very expensive and I think they were slightly more scratch prone than regular lenses, but this was a few years ago.
I’ve got a variety of different lenses for a couple of different pairs of Oakleys, my FlakJacket 2.0’s and a more recent acquisition, a pair of M-Frame 3.0 Si frames, and a number of cheap lenses from Amazon and a pair of Fire Red ‘Iridium’ lenses from Revant, who’ve just returned to the European/UK market.
I’ve got an old pair of Mumbo frames with a couple of different lenses, that I bought in LA in ‘92, but replacement lenses aren’t available any more for Mumbos, but digging around turned up the Si M-Frames, designed for PPE and military use, and are tougher than regular M-Frames, the lens locks in place so that impacts can’t knock the lens out. The standard clear lens is thicker than a regular lens, specifically for use by the military in case of shrapnel, and it’s possible to get a strap that clicks onto the side arms to keep them on your head.
It’s even possible to get a ‘frame’ that clicks onto the main frame and sits against the inside of the lens to keep dust out, designed for helicopter crew who sit by open doors on active duty. Handy for riding in windy, dust conditions.
It’s possible to find a cased complete kit with frame, three lenses and head strap, on the ‘Bay, but they’re nearly always in America, as the US Military issue them, so postage can be a problem, but lenses from Amazon are about a tenner…
Here’s a look at the Si Ballistic M-Frame set…
Lighter than goggles and more practical with a regular helmet. You don’t look quite so much of a tit wearing them off the bike, either…
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This might be of interest, it’s the info leaflet that came with the cased M-Frame Si I got from Japan! The full set cost less than just a case from America! It specifically mentions Prizm lenses and suitability for driving.
Missed this first time round.
Prizm low light for all year MTBing here - I wouldn't dream of wearing anything darker for MTB other than a very special ride in the middle of peak summer where I knew I wasnt going under any trees at all (so bascially never).
I had a pair of Holbrook Polished Black Prizm 24k Polarized brought about 6 years ago. They did UK summers with ease, then survived two NZ summers. I wore them constantly there including doing the Hauraki Rail Trail. Absolutely wonderful, totally comfortable and protected my eyes. The light is so harsh out there it's like looking through clear glasses.
However Oakleys seems to scratch or loose their coating as soon as you looks them. A couple of years ago, outside of warranty they were in such a state I tried to buy some new lenses. No was the reply but we will send you a new pair..... I think it was something to do with the right to repair legislation.
However Oakleys seems to scratch or loose their coating as soon as you looks them.
Heard this a few times, I’ve got Oakleys from the 90’s, including an early pair of Frogskins, all of which still have their original lenses.
The only lenses I’ve had a problem with were a pair of +Red Iridium lenses for a pair of Mumbos, again from the 90’s - the Blue Iridium lenses are still fine, although I don’t wear them much anymore, I’ve got M-Frame Si MilSpec frames, they’re a lot tougher, and there’s no chance of the lenses popping out after an impact.