I just received my first Oakley ever, a brown chrome Square Wire with the VR28 Black Iridium lens. All I can say is wow. While I can't fully review the frame, I can truly say that the lens made all the difference for me. Being a huge fan of the gray/green color, I was weary when I ordered these lenses. The store didn't have the polarized version for me to demo so I tried the non polarized ones. I thought they were a little to light for my taste but they looked so good with the brown chrome frame. After I was convinced that the polarized version is darker, I finalized my order. The two week wait for my prescription sunglasses was a torture for me. When they finally arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see a darker tint and an even better match to the frame. It didn't take me long to adjust to the lens color which actually helped me during my drive home on an overcast day. Everything looked sharp and the contrast was amazing. Haven't tried the lenses under a very bright sunny day but I can already tell, they will be more than just fine. Now I can focus my worries on the frame. I read a couple of reviews where the spring hinges failed.

The VR28 base of this lensis nice for contrast. I like how dark the base makes it when looking through, adding a brownish tint, but still addng clariy for contrast. The black iridium coating on the outside could be more heavily applied I think. The polarization is nice also but I don't think polarized is necessary for daily conditions, at least not for me. Possibly the best lens that Oakley makes!

A great lens - no doubt - but IMHO a little bit overhyped.

Performance:
One can consider VR28 Black Iridium Polarized to be close to the perfect all-around lens, good from very bright to overcast weather conditions. I can wear these all day long without eye-fatigue.

However for me e.g. the OO Black Iridium Polarized and Tungsten Iridium Polarized offer more contrast, sharpness and better depth perception.


At the beginning it was a bit difficult to get used the rose VR28 tint, but now I appreciate the eye-soothing capabilities of this colour.
The VR28 B.I.P. are my favourite lenses for driving.

I would rate these 4-5 skulls!

Recently bought these for my Flak Jackets. It's my first pair of polarized lenses and first hydrophobic lens as well.

The appearance is stellar. I've always liked the VR28 for overcast conditions but thought that they just looked ugly. These are a totally different animal. They are not completely mirrored as other reviewers have said. While some might not like this, I find that it adds a depth to the lens with the black iridium blending with the base VR28 to make a rich brown color that is really stunning.

The view from the inside is equally gorgeous. This is the most versatile lense I have worn with previous ones being Grey, Black Iridium, and VR28. It works well in slightly overcast, shadows, and bright light even though it doesn't appear to be as dark as the Black Iridium. I assume that its performance in bright light is enhanced by the polarization. While working well in reducing light, the contrast still manages to brighten things up especially in winter conditions.

One complaint I do have about the lens is the amount of reflection on the inside. While not terrible most of the time, it can be distracting at times. I'm not sure why I have more reflection with this lens than with my other Oakleys. For a lens that sells for almost $100, it might be a good idea for Oakley to work on a more anti-reflective interior.

As for the polarization, this is a mixed bag. For every day use, I just don't see that much of an improvement over a non polarized lens such as the Black Iridium. Also, you have the slight rainbow effect when looking at certain surfaces such as LCD screens. Considering the ubiquity of handheld devices these days, that can be an issue. All things considered, unless you spend a lot of time on the water, I would save the $30 and buy a regular iridium lens.

I got these lenses recently in a pair of Plaintiffs. This is the 5th pair of Oakleys I've owned in the last 11 years since my 1st purchase. I have worn Black Iridium Polarized, Bronze Polarized, and Fire Iridium. These new VR28 Black Iridium Polarized are hands down the best yet. My favourite before would have been the Bronze polarized as I prefer a coloured hue opposed to the somewhat drabness of grey based lenses. The VR28 have a much more copper tone than the bronze which I prefer as it is far more effective in bright sun. The other thing I found quite surprising was the much higher level of contrast these lenses provide under low light conditions. I put them on the other morning in light overcast and found they almost brightened things up - some other drivers even had their head lights on! The other thing I love is the fact you can walk inside and still have excellent contrast even though they are on the lowest end of the light transmission scale at 10%. So the best yet in bright conditions, and the best yet in low light conditions, not to mention they are nice to look at from the outside too. You can just barely see the eyes of the wearer which I like as it doesnt distract people during a conversation as they know you are paying attention (i guess this could be bad for those who dont pay attention or have a "wandering eye" lol). I highly recommend these lenses, excellent for overcast and driving directly into the sun.

Finally it has arrived! After a long wait,I figured this is just a some sort of marketing strategy. Browsing on your reviews and looking on the Oakley's website I said ok I'll get these VR28 Black Iridium Polarized. I have mine in flak jacket frame and I had it for four years and it came with 3 lenses, gold iridium, persimmon and the G30. But this time I would go for polarized. It's expensive but this baby ROCK's! It's worth the wait specially on this lovely part of the world called Manila Philippines.... Just to tell you this, after a day used all the good things described on this product is absolutely true. Thus by far is my favorite and looking forward using my Oakley for years to come and will never go back to an ordinary lense. VR28 Black Iridium Polarized rules! Hats off!!!

Love em! I have a matte black batwolf frame that just adds to the ensemble. Perfect for most conditions and I love the color. Great product.

I was pleasantly surprised by this lens. Up until this version, I saw no need for a VR28, as it fills the same niche as bronze, just with a different hue. Adding an iridium coating and polarization, the lens came into its own, and is now a staple of my collection, and is a go-to lens for uncertain conditions. It's dark enough for bright sun, but has enough contrast to brighten up a cloudy, or even rainy day. It's much less harsh than a bronze or amber base lens, and therefore much more valuable to me overall. I'm very much looking forward to trying this in snowy conditions. It may not be for everyone, but I'd recommend trying it at some point.

That's a very nice lens.Although I expected some more contrast,and a tint harder to the eye,the vr28 black iridium polarized is still nice.Brings up the red color a lot,although it is not as intense as I expected.It's got a mild red tint,very soothing to the eye,and it's a lens you can wear all day long,although the transmission seems to me that's more that 10% that oakley says.That not bad however,since even when I have the sun against me,I feel no inconvenience.and the polarization is fine and efficient as always.Just great.

I bought a set of VR28 Black Iridium Polarized for my white Gascans to try them out. I figured it was better to spend $70 on them to try them out rather than $135 for a 1-piece for my Oil Rigs. I'm a fan of contrast lenses and the Bronze Polarized lenses have always been my favorite because they offer good contrast without screwing with the colors too much. Well, I must say I love these new VR28 Black Iridium Polarized lenses. As far as the view through them goes, I can't say I like them more than the Bronze simply because the Bronze are more neutral. But the VR28's are fun and they hide the eyes pretty well when compared to the non-iridium coated Bronze Polarized lenses. In all, I'm very happy with them and having spent $135 on them for my Oil Rigs would've been just fine.

Love these lenses...I got them in a pair of Custom Hijinx, not really knowing too much about them. They turned out to be my most favorite sunglasses. The contrast and glare reduction is awesome. They are dark, but if you are looking for something on the lower transmission end of the spectrum, I would not hesitate going this route.

I have this lens in a custom pair of Fuel Cells and absolutely love it. Though they're not the flashiest from the outside, the view through them is absolutely amazing. They have a rose tint to them that is great for contrast and brings everything else to a pleasant shade. I particularly like these on overcast days as it makes everything "pop" more but I also have no problem wearing them on sunny days. The polarization does a great job of cutting down glare, as you would expect. I've had probably 8 pairs of Oakleys in my life, and this is probably my favorite lens.

i remember looking through the lenses for the first time and thinking why would any one wear these? After giving the non polarized version a chance on a pair of straight jackets I thought I get myself a pair of polarized for my flak jackets. I was pleasantly surprised as these get more use than the pair that originally came on the flak jackets. Contrast is top notch, especially in FL where there is a lot of greens and yellows. This might end up being my favorite iridium lens. I recommend any one to give this lens a try and not be drawn away from the rose base on it. I push this lens a lot at work and usually get a positive feedback from return customers.

These are simply amazing. They are not that dark, as others have said, and I find them soothing. They really bring out the color in a lot of different areas. I find them also suitable for indoor wear; but that's just me. Grab a pair!

Have this lens on some rust colored hijinx.
My first pair of Oakleys and even though I have had polarized lenses with other brands these take it to another level.
Driving, hiking, chilling these lenses are superb and a pleasure to see through.

This lens really is the buisness! Just like others have said, the world looks better and more beautiful through this lens. The only negative thing I can point out that would worry a lot of people...
If you're paranoid about people seeing your eyes, then CONSIDER not buying this lens. The iridium coating is not heavy, and in direct sunlight (or any kind of bright light) a hint of your eyes can be seen from a few feet away, but any more than that distance people would see absolutely nothing. Personally I couldn't care what anyone thinks.
I don't find the lens too dark as a few people said. You can look straight at the sun without straining your eyes, but at the same time, everything else is bright and fantastic looking. The lens is not black (technically), but it appears black when worn because of the closeness to your eyes.
Overall, this is a great lens. The mirroring is enough that my friends can't see my eyes, and it is anything but dark to look through in my opinion. As I am a pilot, it would be no use if the inside of the aircraft was dark. The lens makes a perfect job of preserving the colours and brightness, while eliminating the glare from the sun.
This lens would be THE perfect lens for most people. That's why it, like anything else, comes at a price.

Purchased my Pit Boss with the VR28 polarized lenses, love the built, the fit...the look is absolutely impressive, I still love to look at them, unfortunately the lenses a little dark for me, which I don't wear them very often,so they stay in their box most of the time since I got them, wish the light transition is 15%, that would be perfect for my eyes.

litte bit of an oakley connoisseur myself, i custom ordered the matte black oil rig frame, with the vr28 black iridium polarized lens, and the gunmetal "O": ... beautiful pair or eyewear btw.. a week before a cincinnati bengals game... jus had to have them b4 then.so actually got em customized from authorized oaskley O store in cinci, the kenwood towne center mall .... wearing deisels, canteens, gascans, flaks and few others i seemed to always go with a dull or wam grey colored lens. Untill i purchased the canteens. i stepped up to a polarized lens. WOW.!!!!!!!!! i will NEVER... let me say it again NEVER buy another pair of sunglasses again besides well oakleys of course but poarized lenses. haha And have been hearing ppl talk so much about these new lenses oakley just came out with them a little while back the ever so amazing vr28 black iridium polarized lens .... thank you whoever rested at night with the thought of an evolution changing product that could make me actually greatful to go outdoors in these things... there amazing .. color definition is tremendous .... contrast of colors seem to pop out atcha.. man these are amazing for all year round conditions.... crazy sunny, hellaciously snowy, raining like a f'n female watching lifetime, or even my favprite beautiful fall leaves changing colors ....i could sit here all night an try to tell you how amazingly perfect these lenses are but u wouldnt believe me unless you had em now would ya.? go buy some oakleys!!!!!!!!! peace

I also wanted to add...colors seem to stay very true with this lens...again I don't have other contrast lenses to compare to but was expecting some kind of color distortion.

I just got the vr28 black iridium polarized for my flak jackets, they are my first contrast lenses so i can't really compare them to other contrast lenses but these are very impressive. They are not as dark as I was expecting, at full sun, they seem to brighten things up but still keep your eyes very relaxed. Looking through these lenses is almost like seeing the world in high definition.
They are also great for lower light like overcast and hazy conditions. I will never go back to the plain black iridium lens.

I bought these lenses because everybody was raving about them as the hi-def lenses. People tell me (and I agree) that the world is a prettier place thru these lenses. My only problem was that I purchased them on a square wire frame with spring hinge. They are heavy for me since I'm used to whiskers which are pretty light. They make nasty indentations on my nose-they weigh almost 30 grams! The spring hinge has gotten bad reviews and is prone to breakage. This review is on the lens, however. VR28 blk irid plz is GREAT. It looks super elegant from the outside and when you walk indoors or when it gets slightly overcast you don't find yourself taking them off quite as frequently as with blk irid plz. And that's surprising since they are 10% transmission as opposed to the 9% transmission of the blk irid plz. you would think that the difference is negligible but to the oakley-trained eye, there is a difference! My advice to any first time buyer: buy 'em light, durable, breathable, and for the specific intended purpose. Oh and nothing other than polarized!

Just got a set of these VR28 polarized in a pair of X Squared, and it is by far the best Oakley lens I have ever had the privilege of using. I used to go with neutral lenses until a friend of mine got a pair of Juliets with this same lens. I had a quick look through and loved the subtle tint and the fact that everything just seemed to "pop".

One thing I do find strange is people commenting (moaning?) about these taking the vividness out of the colour blue. If you had done your research you would know that one of the key features of this lens is that it filters out some blue light to give you that enhanced contrast.

I just wanted to re-add something...Maybe it's just how the Nanowire's are, but these lenses don't seem to smudge up or scratch at all. I was wearing these while wind surfing and they fell off and hit the board pretty hard. Luckily I got them before they started sinking. There wasn't a single scratch on them though, and they hit that pole pretty hard. I was pretty amazed.

I've had gray based lenses up until now. I never bothered going with VR28's or Bronze based lenses due to the fact that they looked kinda goofy when you look through them. I realized much later after I bought them, that it was because I looked through them all inside. Outside, these lenses shine. I have them on a set of Flak Jackets and Nanowire 2.0's. Besides my Polarized ice iridium lenses, I think these are my new favorites. The other reason I never bothered looking at them was because of the Fire Iridium lens. I had a bad experience with that one...stay away from it. These are simply amazing and sooth your eyes. I wear them from dusk til dawn and they don't disappoint.

This is the best lens Oakley makes to look through. Period. Others are flashier, others have better mirroring/heavier iridium coatings (the only true weakness to this the VR28 Pol) but NONE make the world look as good or soothe your eyes as well.

I have had this on several models in the past and, while all were great, I currently have it on the Pit Boss and Oakley has evolved the optics and the I polarization formula to make it better. First of all, the polarization is just as effective and strong, but no longer do windows on cars break into little squares (which actually negatively impacted your ability to see) and everything is crisp and defined. I'm not sure if this is just Oakley further mastering the formula or something they did specially for the Pit Boss, but using ANY lens polarized or otherwise after wearing these is like looking at the world through a fog.

The lens does bias towards bright colors; I drive an orange car and it (and other cars that are red, yellow, orange, etc) look SUPER orange as the lens wipes out the glare of the sun and emphasizes the color. Its not nearly as noticeable on darker colors. The first day I had these I drove 400 miles from the city through farmland, hills and to a large lake; it was intermittently bright and sunny, partly cloudy and overcast and the lens performed brilliantly in all conditions, something no other lens can do. Greens are bright and sharp; you can see birds pecking in the shadows under trees....the whole world looks like a better place.

If I could improve anything I would wish for slightly more mirror, but its not like anyone can see your eyes in 98% of wearing situations so its not a big deal. These are the epitome of Oakley's vaunted "High Definition Optics"...I can't say enough about them.

This is a great driving lens. It is very soothing to the eye, but is still able to increase contrast rather well. The only strange thing about the lens is that it seems to take the vividness out of the color blue.

Love these lens so much i wear them in any light , sun, clouds, rain , snow, it improves any situation! Love the tint (red/brownish) and you can actually see more details than with the naked eye. I wear them till it gets dark. If i could change one thing i would put a little more mirror on them, in direct sun you can see a hint of your eyes, but not enough to give yourself away. I bought them with the intenstion of buying more lenses to swap out for different conditions, but for sure this lens covers everything and more!

I've had mine 2 weeks now and the fit and finish are second to none ,its the first time i have gone polarized and i have to say they are amazing !i dont know about you but to me the juliets are now looking a little dated....

All I can say is WOW. If I could give these lenses a 6 I would.

I have always been a fan of contrast enhancing lenses. I rock the bronze polarized, gold iridium polarized, and tungsten iridium polarized in various frames. I am also a fan of Maui Jims rose lens. If you are familiar with the MJ lenses these are slightly redder and less brown when looking through them.

I just got a set of these 2 days ago for my flaks, popped them in, and drove about 500 miles. On this trip I encountered driving snow, full sun over wet pavement, and overcast conditions. The lenses handled each situation flawlessly.

For starters, when I pulled out of the driveway it was snowing. I wore my shades for about a minute and took them off, because I thought I didn't need them. I immediately noticed that some cars and other details I saw in the distance disappeared. I put my flaks back on and noticed that I could see better than without. The lens was not too dark, but the enhancement of contrast helped me see in the distance through the falling snow. I began to ask my wife if she saw certain objects and there were things that I saw clearly that she could not see at all through the snow.

Before long the sun came out. The lenses kept my eyes relaxed in full afternoon sun until sunset and the polarization eliminated all glare off of the pavement. The contrast enhancement was great while driving home in overcast conditions. This lens is awesome. I prefer it to all other lenses that I mentioned above. It does better enhancing contrast and blocking the sun's blinding rays.

They look great with any copper or neutral frame such as a silver, black, or gray. I have mine in a dark gray flak jacket. I would like to see this paired with a pewter wire.

What can I say, Oakley's done it again!

i recently sold my jawbone with black iridium lens, and purchased another pair with VR28 black irid. polarized, all i can say, this is the best lens i have worn, the contrast is really cool, it added life to a dull environment, VR28 is much of my liking especially here in the tropical country Philippines, lots of beaches, the sun shine almost everyday, the VR28 black iridium polarized is my weapon on this scenario..

Easily the best lens ever crafted. I own the VR28 version of the Pit Boss, and it is far superior to the matte version which has just a Black Iridium Polarized lens (basically without the VR28). Not only is it more versatile because it increases contrast and can be used in a variety of environmental settings, but the rose/brownish tint makes the world look better than anything else I've found so far. High contrast lenses are in my opinion a staple of performance eyewear and these lenses are leading their category right now. Well done.

Same as RP930, just too dark for me, useful for the snow on a bright day or the beach but not much in between. I'm in my 40's now so a life in the sun may not have helped the sensitivity of my eyes so I gave them to my 18 daughter and she said the same. Contrast and polarizing effect are excellent so might be great for very high light or people with very sensitive vision. Bought a pair of Hijinx with grey polarized (18%) lens and love them.

If the non-polarized VR-28 Black Iridium (18%) is too bright for you but you're a fan of the rose colored tint, this is the answer. I custom ordered a pair of Fives Squared with these lenses and they are absolutely amazing! It was raining the day I got them so I thought it would be a terrible day to test them out, but it was actually a perfect opportunity. I could see right through the glare and rain drops like I had super powers. I can see into oncoming cars' windshields like I have X-ray vision. You haven't seen polarized until you've seen Oakley polarized! They're not too dark either. It was dark and cloudy but they seemed to brighten the sky and add a lot of contrast. They're great on sunny days too. The rose colored VR-28 base is really nice, because it has the ability to make you stop squinting without actually making things that much darker. The black iridium coating offers just enough mirroring to hide your eyes.

Just out of curiosity, I put on a pair of Emerald Iridium Monster Pups right after wearing these and it was like someone turned down the contrast. There was a big difference. They almost seemed hazy compared to the VR-28. Then I put on a pair of fake Lacoste's and it was like looking through wax paper! I can't believe I once wore those before discovering the quality of Oakleys.

I've had three different Oakley lenses: black iridium polarized, gold iridium, and vr28 black iridium polarized, which I recently purchased. The vr28 is easily my favorite and I much prefer it to the basic black iridium. The rose base color provides more contrast and overall is much nicer to look through on a wider range of conditions compared to the black iridium. I bought the gold iridium for overcast days but I think I'll end up using the vr28 more than the gold.

Provides very well in its contrast despite its 10% light transmission.. very exellent as a titanium iridium alternative.

Very good sunlenses in my Half Jacket XLJs. Warm colours and a natural feeling overall. Bravo!

So far one of my favorites! Nice rosey-brown base, though wish it were a little more rose colored. Nice boost in contrast, while keeping colors a little more true than a lot of the other high-contrast lenses.

The Black Iridium coating isn't over the top and it compliments this base tint nicely. This lens is very versatile, and could easily be used at a formal engagement, if paired with a subtle frame color. The coating is about average, which makes the lens somewhat transparent in very sunny conditions.

Polarization is definitely a plus, making this lens useful in practically any situation.

Very classy, versatile, and attractive lens.

This may very well be my facorite lens color from Oakley. I love the Ti irid polarized but the additional contrast of these are so sharp. Everything seems brighter and crisp. These are great driving lenses which is what I have designated these as. The mirror on these is nice because they are not as prominent as some of the darker lenses. Light transmission is adequate for most situations from blazing sun to overcast and even in a thunderstorm. I was quite impressed on my last roadtrip. I recommend these strongly and I have used a wide variety of lens colors.

This is an awesome lens.
I'm not a big fan of the VR28 Black because the mirror is flimsy and the base is too red for me - but the polarized version has a much better mirror and the base tint is more like a dark brown. I prefer these over the Titanium Ir. Polarized because their darker and have a nice base teint.

Too dark for me. Got the VR28 Polarized instead. Just right.I'm in Colorado where the sun is bright but they were just too dark for my liking.