Oakley Prism Trail

[Mikerb]

I have used Oakley Jawbreaker mtb glasses for quite a few years and always used the "Low Light" lens in them. Most of my riding is in Forests and as any of you who ride forest trails will know, as soon as you enter a section with a lot of tree cover any lens with more light filter puts you in the dark!! I never thought to try other lenses because every other type of full frame riding glasses are usually a nightmare to change a lens.................all those years and I never thought to check how to change lens on the Jawbreaker!

I decided to try the Prism Trail lens and found out that the Jawbreaker has a brilliant system for changing lenses and literally takes a few seconds.

As for the Prism trail lens...it is fantastic in woodland really making brown and greens stand out, and best of all it still allows enough light to pass for the darkest sections of the woods to the extent that certainly for most of the summer, these are the lens I will be using., maybe reverting to the Low Light lens in the winter months.

 

[irie]

We also have Jawbreakers with Prizm Trail Torch lenses. Wear them all year round in woodland and open terrain, even in winter the definition is really good.

Edit: p

 

[Mabman]

I have used Oakley low light lenses for years now. The persimmons were my favorite for a long time but they discontinued them several years ago when they came out with the Prism lenses. I use the Sutro frame with the Trail lens now and it does work as advertised in the woods that are where I primarily ride. I have a darker lens to swap into for if I go to the dez but don't get there much these days......

 

[JP-NZ]

Nice Mikerb, another converted to how good Oakley trail lenses are!

There are two Trail lenses - Trail Torch and Trail (believe Torch is the newer one) they are almost identical though with rose base and VLT 35% for the Torch and 36% for Trail.

I use the trail torch for majority of my riding, even in bright sunshine they are good, but cloudy days and changeable brightness through trees and things they are fantastic. They actually brighten in general so much so here in NZ in winter I wear them commuting even just before sunrise as they make that almost twilight time brighter than without glasses on.

 

[Mikerb]

Nice Mikerb, another converted to how good Oakley trail lenses are!

There are two Trail lenses - Trail Torch and Trail (believe Torch is the newer one) they are almost identical though with rose base and VLT 35% for the Torch and 36% for Trail.

I use the trail torch for majority of my riding, even in bright sunshine they are good, but cloudy days and changeable brightness through trees and things they are fantastic. They actually brighten in general so much so here in NZ in winter I wear them commuting even just before sunrise as they make that almost twilight time brighter than without glasses on.

I bought from the main Oakley website but did not see any reference to "Torch". Regardless I am completely impressed with the prism trail. A couple of other positives for anyone else considering Oakley kit. The lens I have been using for about 5 years now has survived a few crashes and numerous attacks from overhanging shrubbery without a single scratch! The Trail lens I recently purchased arrived in 2 days and the packaging was extremely professional......no risk of damage in the post.
For those not aware the method used on the Jawbreaker to change lens is also impressively designed. The nose piece is attached to a metal cammed lever. The nose piece can be levered upwards which releases the top of the frame. The existing lens is then easy to remove. Insert the new lens and lever the nose piece down again.

If only Oakley made motors......hehe!

 

[p3eps]

I'm a Jawbreaker man too, and have been wearing them for the last 7 years.
Looking at the lenses online, I think I have the PRIZM Road, rather than the Trail version. Not sure the Trail version existed back then... but it may be something I need to invest in!
I bought a cheap (non Oakley) lens off ebay in clear for the Jawbreaker's that I've used ocassionally for really miserable dull days (since it's so easy to change), but most of the time, I leave my PRIZM one in. Perhaps the Trail lens would negate the need for me ever changing it? The Road lens is good for very bright sunny days out in the open though.

I've recently got a set of the Oakley Airbrake MTB goggles for wearing with a full face helmet when I go to trail centres. I got the PRIZM Torch lens with them, and then got the PRIZM Jade lens too. Once again, very easy to change the lens.
Much the same as the snow Airbrake ones I've had since 2007!

 

[James_C]

why not just use photochromic lenses, they are amazing.

 

[B1rdie]

To me, Oakley coating only down is that I can’t see the lcd on the car while driving. They are perfect for shadowy trails, but got to have some other lenses for drving.

 

[Giff]

Is anyone using these with prescription lenses ?

 

[Frankie_r]

I have the new Prizm Trail Torch lens: hands down the best lens I’ve ever used. I also had the old Prizm Trail lens but they were too dark.

 

[Tubby G]

why not just use photochromic lenses, they are amazing.

I have the Oakley Sutro frames with the Trail Torch lens but also purchased the photochromic lens.

The Trail Torch lens is indeed excellent in sunny conditions, but the photochromic lens is far more versatile and I tend to use these as standard , probably 9 months of the year.

 

[HeffyD]

Is anyone using these with prescription lenses ?

I have used the Prizm Trail Prescription Progressive Lenses in my Oakleys. They are awesome. I used them riding the Great Divide across the Western US, in desert and in forest, and they were great. The progressive aspect allowed me to read my garmin computer without taking them off. Unfortunately, 2 days ago, my husky chewed my glasses... and they are EXPENSIVE...

 

[Soupamoto]

why not just use photochromic lenses, they are amazing.

I use photochromic for MTB and love them. I use them for bike and motorcycle commuting as well cause they work when it’s dark early in the morning and when it’s sunny on my way home.

 

[robguide]

If you want a photochromic lens I’d recommend Melon Optics - big lens, easy changes. Snow lens for skiing. High quality and on a par with Oakley lenses

 

[JP-NZ]

Is anyone using these with prescription lenses ?

I am. I have three prescription Oakley Lenses.

Prizim Trail Torch, Prizim Road, and Prizim Golf

 

[Giff]

Thanks for the answer.
Looks like you've covered everything. Do you fish ?

 

[JP-NZ]

Thanks for the answer.
Looks like you've covered everything. Do you fish ?

Sadly no

 

[Quinterly]

I have a set of older Oakley Flak Jackets that I used to use for road riding on sunny days, but have switched to different glasses for that. Oakley makes a set of Prizm Trail lenses for them but not the Trail Torch. It's about 60% cheaper than buying new Oakley's with the Trail Torch.

Is the Torch that muich better than the Trail? Does it justify the money?

 

[irie]

SPORTRX.COM:

OAKLEY PRIZM™ TRAIL TORCH OVERVIEW
Following the success of PRIZM™ Trail, Oakley engineers created PRIZM™ Trail Torch. This PRIZM™ Sport lens features a Torch Iridium® coating to kick aesthetics up a notch. Iridium® is Oakley’s term for mirror, so this lens stands out and reflects more light than the standard Trail lens. The VLT is 35% so it is only slightly darker than PRIZM™ Trail. Although this lens is functionally very similar to the original, the Torch Iridium® finish adds some flare and helps fight glare. PRIZM™ Trail Torch also has a PRIZM™ Rose base, making details on the trail easier to see.

 

[Quinterly]

@irie thanks ... that seems to imply a couple of different things. One, mostly aesthetics and the second that they are better ... just wondering if anyone's ridden with both and whether they think the price difference ($100 CAD to $260 CAD) is justified.

 

[irie]

@irie thanks ... that seems to imply a couple of different things. One, mostly aesthetics and the second that they are better ... just wondering if anyone's ridden with both and whether they think the price difference ($100 CAD to $260 CAD) is justified.

I have Jawbreaker glasses with Trail Torch lenses and Airbrake goggles with Torch lenses. Can't tell the difference but don't switch between them on a day.

 

[Mikerb]

on the Oakley website I can see the Jawbreakers glasses sold with the option for the Torch lens but the lens on its own does not seem to be avaialble for the Jawbreaker.

 

[JP-NZ]

@irie thanks ... that seems to imply a couple of different things. One, mostly aesthetics and the second that they are better ... just wondering if anyone's ridden with both and whether they think the price difference ($100 CAD to $260 CAD) is justified.

They are very similar. Save your money and buy the cheaper lenses.

 

[Quinterly]

They are very similar. Save your money and buy the cheaper lenses.

Thanks ... just ordered them.

 

[Quinterly]

on the Oakley website I can see the Jawbreakers glasses sold with the option for the Torch lens but the lens on its own does not seem to be avaialble for the Jawbreaker.

Seems only the Trail, not the Torch for Jawbreakers.

 

[Mcharza]

I have a set of older Oakley Flak Jackets that I used to use for road riding on sunny days, but have switched to different glasses for that. Oakley makes a set of Prizm Trail lenses for them but not the Trail Torch. It's about 60% cheaper than buying new Oakley's with the Trail Torch.

Is the Torch that muich better than the Trail? Does it justify the money?

You should read this review Oakley Prizm Trail and Trail Torch Lens Review

 

[Quinterly]

You should read this review Oakley Prizm Trail and Trail Torch Lens Review

Thanks ... while I think I would prefer the Torch, this validates the decision to keep some cash in my pocket. I don't mind spending for good glasses (have Maui Jim polarized for driving, Ray-Ban polarized for casual wearing and Nike polarized for general activities), I definitely scratch MTB glasses every now and then so the value proposition is a bit different.