Oakley Plazma sunglasses have quickly become one of the most popular Oakley frames from the 2021 release cycle. We’re reviewing these cycling sunglasses to test their durability and performance, and see how they stack up against other popular Oakley eyewear.
Keep reading for our full Oakley Plazma review and everything you need to know about these sunglasses!
Table of Contents
Background and Release
Oakley Plazma sunglasses first appeared through leaked images and details online in December 2020. Shortly after we saw them briefly appear on a Spanish eyewear website (likely in error). And then they were quickly taken down. Finally, in March 2021 the Plazma sunglasses debuted on Oakley’s website.
And unlike the Kato sunglasses, which we saw first appear on the face of celebrities and athletes like Patrick Mahomes, these weren’t spotted in the wild until their release.
Oakley Plazma Highlights
- Full-rim dual lens sport frame built for maximum coverage with design inspiration from the classic Oakley Racing Jacket
- Made of lightweight O-Matter frame material that’s durable and provides all day comfort
- Built with three-point architecture to keep your sunglasses on your face even when speeding down the road
- Available with contrast-enhancing Prizm lenses that are made of impact resistant Plutonite lens material
- Unobtainium nosepads and earsocks for a no-slip grip even when wet or sweaty
- Available with Oakley Authentic Prescription Lenses in single and progressive vision
- Features High Definition Optics (HDO) providing 100% protection against harmful UV rays
Oakley Plazma Sunglasses Review
Our Gear
For our review, we got our hands on a pair of Grey Ink Oakley Plazma sunglasses with Prizm Road lenses (Product Link). We’ve already reviewed Prizm Road lenses so we won’t cover too much on those here, but overall we had a great time with this frame.
Racing Jacket Inspired Design
Starting off with the basics, the Oakley Plazma frame features a full-rimmed design with aggressive angles throughout. And Oakley even acknowledges this design is inspired by the iconic Racing Jacket. But it also looks like there are hints of the Jawbone and Radar EV Advancer sunglasses in the mix as well.
We’d say the Plazma design works well, and the large wrap of this frame helps to provide a wide field of view. And this frame had plenty more innovations in store for us.
Integrated Unobtainium and O-Matter Frame
One notable feature of the Plazma is the new and integrated Unobtainium ear stems. Oakley appears to be moving away from the old days of full Unobtainium pieces that slide on and off. And instead, these new earstems blend in with the frame for a clean look. We saw a similar design on the Sutro Lite and enjoyed it.
Overall this integration allows Oakley to preserve the look of the frame while still giving the wearer grip and comfort.
Finally, while the name Plazma may get some of your hopes up reminding you of the classic X-Metal days, this isn’t the case. The frame instead is made of lightweight O-Matter material as is common on sports frames. And there’s no sign of these sunglasses being made in any other materials.
Overall, we love the look of the Plazma, especially since it essentially provides a fresh look to the Racing Jacket design.
Prizm Lenses
As we mentioned above, the Plazma we reviewed included Prizm Road lenses. We already reviewed this cycling-specific lens that uses Oakley’s Prizm lens technology, so we won’t go into too much detail here but they definitely performed.
Similar to our original review, Prizm Road was great at highlighting road signs and hazards while providing a fun ride experience.
And the Plazma lenses like all modern Oakleys are made of Plutonite material offering impact protection. But with the Plazma it’s really the lens options that excite us.
Built for Cycling With No Switchlock
Plazma lenses are available with a variety of Prizm and Photochromic options. And with 3 different colorways featuring Prizm Road and Trail Torch, it’s obvious Oakley sees the Plazma as a cycling frame.
Unfortunately despite being similar to other cycling frames like the Jawbone, you won’t find Switchlock technology on the Plazma. This technology is designed for easy and simple lens swaps thanks to a jaw mechanism in the frame.
Luckily the lenses are still replaceable using the classic Oakley friction fit method. Keep reading to find out exactly how to change lenses in your Plazma frame.
Size and Dimensions
The Plazma is a medium to large size frame. We’ve included the size and dimensions below for reference:
- Frame Width: 132mm
- Lens Width: 59mm
- Lens Height: 44mm
- Bridge: 18mm
- Temple Length: 126mm
For more information, check out our Oakley Sunglasses Size Guide.
Available Colorways
Currently, Oakley offers Plazma sunglasses in 8 colorways, all featuring Prizm or Photochromic lenses, with most retailing for $184 and up.
We’ve listed the lens and frame colorways available for the Oakley Plazma so far, along with pictures of each in the gallery below:
- Black Ink with Prizm Trail Torch
- Grey Ink with Prizm Road
- Matte Black with Prizm Black Polarized
- Matte Black with Prizm Grey
- Matte Black with Prizm Grey Polarized
- Matte Black with Prizm Sapphire Polarized
- Retina Burn with Prizm Road
And keep reading for our final thoughts on whether this frame should be your next purchase!
Plazma vs. Racing Jacket / Jawbone
Inspired by the Racing Jacket (previously named Jawbone), there are some key differences between the Plazma and Racing Jacket.
The Plazma features an updated, more modern, and aggressive design than the Racing Jacket. Plus integrated no-show Unobtainium earsocks compared to the RJ’s more traditional grips.
But there are 2 key similarities, size, and design. Both frames feature a similar dual-lens full-frame design, built for cycling, and similar dimensions that we’ve compared below:
| Plazma | Racing Jacket | |
|---|---|---|
| Lens Height | 59mm | 61.7mm |
| Lens Width | 43mm | 40.1mm |
| Frame Width | 126.3mm | 120.5mm |
| Earstem Length | 126mm | 126mm |
Final Thoughts – Are They Worth It?
After a week of wearing, cycling, and enjoying the Plazma, we can confidently recommend this frame to any cyclists or athletes (or if you just love the design).
And while we’d love to see these feature Switchlock technology, the upgraded Prizm lenses and Unobtainium stems helped us love this pair.
Even on our longer rides, the Plazma was comfortable without any issues with fogging or slipping. Overall we’d say the Plazma is one of the most functional sport design frames in Oakley’s current lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Plazma Replacement Lenses Available?
Unfortunately, Oakley isn’t currently selling Plazma replacement lenses. We’ve seen the same trend with other new release frames like the Savitar and Spindrift.
But luckily you can still find replacement lenses from aftermarket suppliers. For more information, check out our guide to the Best Oakley Replacement Lenses.
How Do You Change Plazma Lenses?
Once you’ve got your lenses, replacing them is easy and follows the same process as most other friction-fit Oakleys. Follow our quick 3 step process below:
1. Grip the frame around the top and bottom of the lens
2. Lightly pull apart the frame around the lens (from the top and bottom) and gently apply pressure to the lens until it “Pops out”
3. To replace the lens, simply reverse the process and “Pop” in your new Plazma lens
Are Plazma Prescription Lenses Available?
Yes, Oakley Plazma prescription lenses are available through Oakley or your local eye doctor. That means you can order prescription Prizm lenses including single vision, bifocal and progressive options.
For more information check out our complete guide to Oakley prescription lenses.
Is the Oakley Plazma ANSI Z87.1 Certified?
No, the Oakley Plazma frame is not stamped to meet ANSI Z87.1 standards. But, Plazma lenses are designed to exceed ANSI Z87.1 standards and are tested under high mass and high-velocity circumstances.
If you’re required to wear ANSI-approved eyewear, you’ll want to check out our guide to Oakley Safety Glasses for the best frames!
Want to Know More?
What are your thoughts on the Oakley Plazma? Or have a question about this frame? Let us know and join the largest online Oakley Community today!
