One of the newest Oakley PRIZM lenses, Oakley Prizm Snow Dark Grey, offers a subtle alternative to the darker Prizm Black lens. Originally requested by Oakley-sponsored skiers and snowboarders, this lens was designed for those who wanted a dark lens that was also subtle.
But how does this new lens actually perform on the mountain?
We got our hands on Prizm Snow Dark Grey to see how this lens stands up to real-world conditions. Now, keep reading for our full Prizm Snow Dark Grey review.
Table of Contents
What is Oakley Prizm Snow Dark Grey Lens?
Oakley Prizm Snow Dark Grey is a Prizm Snow lens created specifically for bright light conditions with an 11% Visual Light Transmission (VLT). And as a part of Oakley’s Prizm lens technology, Snow Dark Grey offers contrast and color-enhancing features designed to maximize your experience on the mountain.
You can see the full highlights of this lens below:
Prizm Snow Dark Grey Highlights
- 11% VLT designed for bright-light conditions like bluebird sunny days on the mountain
- Contrast-enhancing Prizm technology designed to highlight snow contours, terrain, and hazards
- Enhanced color and visibility helps make the world around you brighter and more vivid so you can enjoy each ride
- Rose base tint provides a warm tint to your environment and gives this lens a dark red appearance
- Made of impact-resistant Oakley Plutonite that protects against 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays
What Color is Prizm Snow Dark Grey?
Despite its name, Prizm Snow Dark Grey actually features a rose base tint that gives this lens a dark red appearance from both the inside and outside.
That means when looking through this lens, you’ll see a red tint that gives your environment a warmer appearance. And this red color also helps provide additional contrast to the bright white sunny conditions on the mountain.
Since this lens doesn’t feature an iridium (or mirrored) coating, it also appears dark red from the outside. That means while wearing this lens, it will appear red to other riders, and they’ll be able to see your eyes through the lens. This lens actually reminds us a lot of Prizm Snow Rose, the low-light lens with a similar red tint.
If you prefer a different exterior color or a mirrored finish, you’ll want to check out Oakley Prizm Snow Jade, Prizm Snow Sapphire, or Prizm Black, which we’ll compare below.
Prizm Snow Dark Grey vs. Black
Alongside Snow Dark Grey, Prizm Snow Black Iridium is another Oakley lens built for bright sunny days. And while these lenses sound similar (Dark Grey vs. Black), there are two main differences.
First, Prizm Snow Black Iridium has a black/grey color to its exterior and features an Iridium coating that gives the lens a mirrored look. Compare this to Prizm Snow Dark Grey, which has a dark red appearance from the outside and doesn’t feature an Iridium coating. Overall, Prizm Dark Grey is much more subtle than Snow Black’s mirrored finish.
Second, while both lenses have a rose base tint, Snow Black Iridium is much darker than Dark Grey with a 5.5% VLT compared to Grey’s 11%. While this is a noticeable difference, Dark Grey still has plenty of tint for most people, which we’ll cover in our review below.
Prizm Snow Dark Grey Lens Review
Our Gear
We reviewed a pair of Oakley Line Miner goggles with Prizm Snow Dark Grey lenses (Product Link). While we already reviewed the Line Miner Goggles, we were excited to finally give this lens a try. And when the conditions brightened one afternoon while skiing, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to swap in this lens!
Initial Impressions and Review
As we mentioned above, we swapped into this lens in the afternoon while skiing after the sun came out. And coming from Prizm Snow Torch Iridium on an overcast morning, the change was definitely noticeable.
First off, Snow Dark Grey is a darker lens, and we could notice the difference immediately, but it wasn’t as noticeable as Black Iridium. Regardless, this lens provided plenty of tint for afternoon sunlight. And even as some clouds came out, we had no problems continuing to use this lens.
Throughout the afternoon, we had a great time skiing with this lens and noticed some of the most vivid contrast and color enhancing of any Prizm lens. But that began to change as the sun was fading behind the mountain.
As the sunlight began to dim in the late afternoon, we noticed the contrast-enhancing was less strong, and eventually, we just took off the goggles. This is pretty common with dark goggles, so we wouldn’t say it’s Prizm Snow Grey’s fault. But it’s still a consideration for any rider. For more, check out the best lens colors for skiing and snowboarding in any conditions.
Are They Worth It – Our Recommendation?
We’d recommend Prizm Snow Dark Grey if you want a dark lens for bright conditions and don’t like Iridium (or mirrored) coatings. And if that seems like a lot of criteria, that’s because it is. This lens is really filling a niche gap in Oakley’s lineup.
The truth is, if you want a dark lens, you’re better off with Prizm Snow Black Iridium (the darkest available). While if you want a lighter all-around weather lens, we’d recommend Prizm Snow Jade, Sapphire, or Torch.
And since we prefer Iridium coatings on our lenses, we’re partial to all of the lenses mentioned over Prizm Dark Grey. But ultimately, it will come down to your preference!
As we mentioned above, Oakley created this lens for riders wanting a dark lens with a subtle (non-mirrored or flashy) look. And in that case, this lens succeeds.
Top Oakley Prizm Snow Dark Grey Goggles
Line Miner
The same pair we reviewed, Oakley Line Miner Goggles (Product Link), offer a full-frame design and snug fit. We found these to be one of the most comfortable Oakley goggles, and since they’re available in 3 sizes (Youth, Medium, and Large), you can easily find the perfect fit.
Read more in our Oakley Line Miner Review.
Line Miner Highlights
- Full-frame design made with a flexible O Matter chassis that conforms to your face even in harsh conditions
- Triple-layer face foam with a moisture-wicking layer for all-day comfort on the mountain
- Discreet frame notches that provide prescription eyewear compatibility so you can comfortably wear your glasses underneath
Flight Deck
One of our favorite goggles, the Oakley Flight Deck (Product Link), provides a modern rimless design with a wide field of view. Plus, with Oakley Ridgelock technology, you can easily swap lenses on the mountain to adapt to changing conditions. And these goggles are available in a variety of colorways and lenses so you can find your style!
Find out why we loved this frame in our Oakley Flight Deck Review.
Flight Deck Highlights
- Modern rimless design provides increased visibility and helmet compatibility
- Optically correct lens and F3 Anti-fog coating to avoid fogging on the mountain
- Ridgelock lens change system allows for quick and easy lens swaps in seconds
Fall Line
Inspired by the Line Miner, Oakley Fall Line (Product Link) goggles offer a more modern rimless design with the same great comfort! Available in large and medium sizes, the Fall Line has a wide field of view while providing a complete lens seal and secure fit!
Learn more in our Oakley Fall Line Review.
Fall Line Highlights
- Modern rimless frame designed to fit perfectly with almost any helmet or eyewear
- Wide adjustable strap is comfortable all day with a silicone lining for a more secure fit
- Ridgelock lens change technology for easy lens swaps between a variety of available Prizm snow lenses
Where to Buy Oakley Prizm Snow Dark Grey Goggles?
You can buy Oakley goggles with Prizm Snow Dark Grey lenses at your local ski shop or online through Oakley’s website. We recommend trying on different goggles and lenses in person if possible and don’t forget to bring your helmet so you can check the overall fit.
But when it comes time to buy, your best option is online. You can often score up to 30% off new Oakley goggles through Oakley’s seasonal sales (Find out when the next one is here: Oakley’s Sales Schedule). And if you don’t want to wait for a sale, you’re still not out of luck.
You can score big discounts on Oakley goggles through aftermarket sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange areas or eBay. These sites let you buy, sell and trade with other members where discounts are passed directly to you. For more information on how to save, check out our Cheap Oakleys Buying Guide.
Looking for More?
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