Oakley Prizm Tungsten is one of the most underrated Prizm everyday lenses. With a neutral color, this lens brings the latest in innovation to everyday life. Plus, Oakley’s Prizm lenses offer the latest in contrast-enhancing lens technology for sports and day-to-day life.
Keep reading for our full Oakley Prizm Tungsten Polarized lens review, plus our favorite frames that feature this lens!
Table of Contents
What is Oakley Prizm Tungsten?
Oakley Prizm Tungsten is an everyday lens designed to enhance contrast color and reduce glare. This means you can see the world with crisp clarity and no distortion.
We’ve highlighted the features of this lens below.
Prizm Tungsten Features
- 14% Visual light transmission providing a dark tint
- Bronze base color that enhances your environment around you
- Enhanced Depth Perception using Prizm technology
- Optimized color so the everyday world around you looks brighter and more vivid
What Are the Best Conditions for Prizm Tungsten Lenses?
Prizm Tungsten lenses are best in variable light conditions.
That means this is a great choice for your everyday sunglasses, where the day may change from sunny to overcast quickly. Throughout the day, Prizm Tungsten will continue to adapt and optimize the world around you.
Prizm Tungsten Lens Review
We reviewed a pair of Oakley Frogskins with Prizm Tungsten lenses (Product Link) and were impressed. This Prizm lens is, in our opinion, the most underrated lens color by far, and it’s probably its own fault.
Why is Prizm Tungsten underrated? Well, to start, it’s brown.
Brown doesn’t bring out the most excitement in people. Most of us usually associate brown with bland and boring. And if you’re in a store, you’re probably more likely to grab Prizm Road or Prizm Trail lenses with their vivid red color.
But Prizm Tungsten can still hold its own.
Overall the bronze base color of the Prizm Tungsten lens not only enhances contrast and detail but also makes colors warmer.
We found that this creates a relaxing everyday wearing experience. And it definitely provides enough enhancement to take it off the street. Hiking or other casual sports are great for Prizm Tungsten’s warm colors, deep greens, and enhanced contrast.
Would we recommend Prizm Tungsten?
If you prefer a warm brown tint, we’d definitely recommend Prizm Tungsten. You can see a preview of this tint in the pictures within this post.
However, if you prefer a more natural tint, you’re likely better off with a grey base tone for everyday lenses such as Prizm Sapphire.
Prizm Tungsten vs. Prizm Tungsten Polarized?
Currently, Prizm Tungsten is available in a polarized and non-polarized lens. But what’s the difference? Glare reduction and protection.
Overall, Prizm Tungsten Polarized has the same darkness as its non-polarized brother (14% light transmission). But the polarized lenses provide additional protection against glare which means less eye strain over time.
You can read more about how Polarized lenses work in our complete Polarized Lens Buyers Guide.
We’d recommend Prizm Tungsten Polarized lenses for high glare environments such as driving or hiking around water. If you’ve never worn polarized lenses, it’s always a good idea to try a pair on in person to see if you like them.
Top Oakley Prizm Tungsten Sunglasses
Turbine
The Turbine (Product Link) features a full O Matter frame with clean lines and a big wrap. This is a lightweight and comfortable frame with modern but classic styling. Plus, the Turbine incorporates sport performance elements, which can work on and off the field.
Turbine Highlights
- Full frame O Matter design that reminds us of the popular Fuel Cell frame
- Unobtainium nose pads and earsocks for increased grip when wet or sweaty
- Available with Prizm and Prizm Tungsten Polarized lenses
Gascan
The Oakley Gascan (Product Link) is one of the most popular frames on the market today. Featuring a medium size rectangular lens, these sunglasses look great on round and oval face shapes. And because of their popularity, the Gascan is available in plenty of colorways.
You can read more in our complete Oakley Gascan Review.
Gascan Highlights
- Large wrap for extra peripheral coverage and protection in a medium-size frame
- Lightweight O Matter frame material that’s comfortable and durable for all-day wear
- Twin Toric Lens technology and High Definition Optics
Holbrook
Another of Oakley’s most popular frames, the Holbrook (Product Link), features a square lens shape that looks great on round faces. Plus, its lightweight frame makes this medium to large frame easy to wear all day. And the Holbrook is available in a variety of variations, including XS, and XL sizes, to provide a perfect fit.
Check out our full Oakley Holbrook Guide, including a review of every variation!
Holbrook Highlights
- Full-frame square design made of lightweight O Matter material for everyday wear
- Lenses feature High Definition Optics and are made of Plutonite material for excellent clarity and impact protection
- Available with Prizm Tungsten Polarized lenses
Square Wire
The Oakley Square Wire (Product Link) is a staple in the Oakley wireframes collection. Featuring a full-rimmed C-5 alloy frame, these sunglasses are durable, strong, and lightweight. Plus, the Square Wire is definitely a style that can go from your motorcycle to a wedding!
Square Wire Highlights
- Ultra-lightweight C-5 Alloy wire frame for all-day comfort and wear
- Full frame design with silicone nose pads that looks great at any event
- Unobtainium earsocks for added grip even when sweaty or wet
Frogskins
One of the most infamous frames, Oakley Frogskins (Product Link), dates back to the 1980s. The full O Matter frame has a classic look reminiscent of RayBan Wayfarers. Plus, the Frogskins feature their own retro logo on the earstems, spelling out Oakley for a 1980s look.
Frogskins Highlights
- Retro round lens design that looks great on all face shapes and sizes
- Lightweight O Matter frame for all day comfort
- Available with Prizm Tungsten lenses
Where to Buy Prizm Tungsten Sunglasses?
If you’re looking to buy sunglasses with Prizm Tungsten lenses, your first stop is likely Oakley. You can find all the product links for the frames mentioned here in the section above.
But unless there’s a sale or you have a discount, you’ll end up paying full retail prices. Though if you’re looking to save, you still have plenty of options with only a few seconds of work.
You can easily save 20-30% off new Oakleys with a little searching online. The best way to save on Oakleys is through aftermarket sites and retailers.
These options include sites like our Oakley Forum Exchange Areas, where you can buy, sell and trade with members. For your complete options, check out our guide to Never Pay Retail Again for Oakleys.
Looking for more?
Are you a fan of Prizm Tungsten Polarized Lenses? Join the largest online Oakley community and let us know in the thread below.
OakleyBoss
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...
- View all 280 articles
