Lens

Prizm is the name of the game with Oakley’s lenses. The tech works by filtering specified wavelengths of light, boosting colours to which your eyes are most sensitive to give unrivalled visibility and clarity. Prizm manipulates the light spectrum and boosts contrast to offer top-notch clarity, each lens is tuned for certain environments and conditions. Oakley uses different dyes to separate and boost, or block, colours, showing you exactly what you need to see.

When you’re out riding, you want to be able to react fast, and Prizm lenses give you the ability to detect previously unseen contours and details in the terrain, which is a massive confidence boost, especially when the weather’s a bit minging. And when it’s not you’ll be thankful for the premium Category 4 lens on the Clifden, these block harmful UVB rays and offer supreme protection for your peepers, especially in high-intensity sun situations.

“Prizm manipulates the light spectrum and boosts contrast to offer top-notch clarity, each lens is tuned for certain environments and conditions”

Frame

Snow blindness is the pits and occurs when your eyes are exposed to too much UV light, it can happen more frequently when you’re in the mountains and the sun reflects back off the snow blasting you with a double whammy. The Clifden’s go HAM on protection with the inclusion of a bridge blocker and side shields, and while you usually clock these on mountaineering sunnies up the side of Annapurna, they pay dividends when you’re out riding. They also block wind, which is great if you prefer riding in sunnies in all weather conditions.

Having a pair of these is great, until you drop them off a chairlift…BUT you won’t. Because they come with a removable woven steel leash that clips into the arms. They don’t exactly come cheap, and losing them wouldn’t be anyone’s idea of a good time, this is an example of Oakley’s superior feedback loop in full swing.

“They also block wind, which is great if you prefer riding in sunnies in all weather conditions”

Roundup

A favourite of photographers and filmers, the Oakley Clifden’s are super functional for sunny days up the hill, but they also look rad so feel free to rock them anywhere and everywhere. We do.

Pros:

• Stylish as hell
• The lenses are some of the most optically correct on the market

Cons:

• Might be a little big for some faces