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Oakley Re-Releases Iconic Sub Zero Sunglasses | First Look

Originally released in 1992, Oakley Sub Zero sunglasses are one of the most iconic Oakley pairs of all time. And now they’re coming back out of the vault as Oakley’s latest re-release!

Keep reading as we review everything to know about the new Sub Zero sunglasses (and plenty of pics)!

Original Release

Oakley Sub Zero sunglasses were originally released in 1992 and made for just under three years before finally being discontinued in 1995. And since then, this frame has continued to be a classic.

Now, similar to the MUZM Release X-Metals and Eye Jacket Redux, Oakley is re-releasing this frame with an updated look.

Original Oakley Sub Zero Sunglasses
Original Oakley Sub Zero Sunglasses were discontinued in 1995 after only three years of production – Photo: Fernando/Oakleyforum

Oakley Collectors Sub Zero – Initial Reports

Rumors first surfaced in December 2021 of a Sub Zero re-release, with pictures leaking online. And while initial reactions were mixed, people were definitely excited about another re-release.

And now it looks like Oakley will release two versions of this frame. The first is an updated Sub Zero frame that will be available in Oakley’s standard lineup. The second is a re-release of the original Sub Zero that will sell as a Limited Edition Collectors Sub Zero.

You can see the initial leaked images below. And now, with their release in April 2022, we’ve got our first real look at the Oakley Sub Zero re-release. Keep reading as we review everything to know about these sunglasses and the differences from the originals!

Oakley Collectors Edition Sub Zero Sunglasses release day lineup
Original leaked images of the new Oakley Sub Zero Sunglasses

Oakley Sub Zero Collectors Edition MUZM Release

Released in April 2022, the updated Oakley Sub Zero is an updated take on the original design, with many calling it a combination of the Xeus and Kato sunglasses. And similar to the re-release Juliets, these sunglasses are branded as collectors edition MUZM Sub Zeros.

Featuring a large rimless lens and an updated Oakley “O” logo on the earstems, these sunglasses definitely make a statement!

We’d say the biggest change to the updated Sub Zero is the addition of Prizm lenses. And we’re definitely a fan with colorways, including Prizm Road, Prizm Black, and Sapphire. Overall, we’re not too surprised by this change since Oakley’s started using Prizm lenses in all of their sunglasses.

You can see the updated design in action below (and keep scrolling for plenty more pics):

Oakley Sub Zero on Man's Face
Photo: Oakley

Collectors Edition Sub Zero

The Collectors Edition Sub Zero features a design similar to the original Sub Zero with larger lenses and the classic Oakley “thermonuclear” logo on the earstems. And, based on initial reports, Oakley will only release 5,000 of these collectors edition pairs.

You can see the colorways and initial images of the Collectors Edition Sub Zero below.

Sub Zero Colorways

Retailing for $268 (Product Link), the new Oakley Sub Zero sunglasses are available in four colorways for each variation:

Collectors Sub Zero

  • Carbon Fiber w/ Prizm Black (OO9468-0130)
  • Steel w/ Prizm Sapphire (OO9468-0230)
  • Fingerprint w/ Prizm Black (OO9468-0330)
  • Planet X w/ Prizm Road (OO9468-0430)

Anticipated Standard Sub Zero

  • Steel w/ Prizm Black (OO9098-0148)
  • Carbon Fiber w/ Prizm Ruby (OO9098-0248)
  • Planet X Blue w/ Prizm Sapphire (OO9098-0348)
  • Matte Black w/ Prizm Dark Golf (OO9098-0548)
Oakley MUZM Edition Sub Zero Sunglasses
Photo: Oakley
Oakley Sub Zero Sunglasses Re-Release
Photo: Oakley
Rear and Earstem View of Sub Zero
Photo: Oakley
Planet-X Sub-Zero Colorway
Photo: Oakley
Oakley Sub Zero on Women's Face
Photo: Oakley

Sub Zero Release Date

Aligned to our original predictions, the new Oakley Sub Zero sunglasses released in April 2022. Based on two sources we spoke with, they anticipate the standard colorways to release in May/June 2022 after the initial collector’s edition launch.

This aligns with Oakley’s Q2 release schedule and we expect to see these in Oakley and SunglassHut stores around that time.

Our Take

We’re definitely excited by these first images of the new Sub Zero sunglasses, especially the collector’s edition. And, unlike the $14,000 MUZM X-Metals, average collectors will actually be able to afford these. Plus, with 5,000 limited edition frames being produced, it should be much easier to get these!

Overall, we’d say Oakley is moving in the right direction with the Sub Zero. Hopefully, we’ll see more limited edition re-releases in the future!

Want More?

Looking for more about the new Oakley Sub Zero sunglasses? Or have a question about your Oakleys? Join the largest online Oakley community and check out the conversation below for more!

(H/T to Inkkoonce and Gunn for the original posts)

Created this site because of the lack of a place for the Oakley Community to talk. Feel free to Message me any time with feedback for the site, tips o...

Please buy so I can try it out
Looks okay, regular, nothing special

Oakley Sub Zero Lineup.jpeg