Oakley Clifden Polarized Sunglasses
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Built for the Extremes
The Oakley Clifden is the ultimate mountaineering and high-exposure sport sunglass, engineered from the ground up for athletes who push into demanding conditions. A large round lens profile provides sweeping visual coverage, while the functional sport frame architecture layers in protection at every exposure point. Whether you are on open water, in the mountains, or under intense reflected glare, the Clifden is built to perform without compromise.
Prizm Lens Technology
Every Clifden ships with Oakley's Prizm lens technology, a best-in-class optical system engineered to enhance color, contrast, and fine detail. Prizm lenses are tuned for specific light environments -- Snow, Water, and Everyday variants each optimize the visual spectrum for their conditions -- so athletes can process the environment faster and react with greater precision. Prizm is not a tint; it is a spectrally engineered filter that makes the relevant details pop while suppressing visual noise.
Lens Category and UV Protection
The Clifden lens lineup spans two optical categories to match intensity of light exposure:
- Category 4 lenses (below 8% VLT) are the highest-protection option, blocking an exceptional amount of UVB rays and intense light. Category 4 is purpose-built for extreme glare environments such as high-altitude snowfields, open ocean, and glacier travel, where reflected light intensity can be severe enough to contribute to eye health disorders with prolonged exposure.
- Category 3 lenses deliver an effective balance of protection and visibility across a range of conditions, making them the right choice for partly cloudy, variable, or coastal environments where full light blocking would over-darken the scene.
Unobtainium Side Shields and Bridge Blocker
Peripheral glare and windblown debris are managed by the Clifden's defining structural feature: interchangeable and removable Unobtainium side shields that mount flush to the frame on both sides, blocking side-entry light and keeping faces protected. A matching bridge blocker seals the gap above the nose. Both components are removable when conditions ease, so the Clifden transitions from full protection mode to a cleaner everyday profile without requiring a frame change. Unobtainium is Oakley's proprietary high-grip material that becomes more adhesive with moisture -- the warmer and sweatier conditions get, the more securely it holds.
Unobtainium Nosepads
The same Unobtainium grip technology runs through the nosepads. As perspiration builds during extended activity, the nosepads grip harder rather than sliding, keeping the frame centered and the optical axis aligned. No mid-session repositioning, no distorted sight lines.
Integrated 20-Inch Leash
A 20-inch lightweight, highly flexible, coated woven steel leash integrates directly into the frame. The leash lets athletes move the Clifden between face and neck without removing it entirely, eliminating the risk of dropping the frame on terrain or in water. It is unobtrusive during wear but immediately available when you need to transition fast.
Oakley Heritage
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley holds more than 600 patents across lens, frame, and materials technology. The Clifden reflects that legacy: every design decision solves a performance problem, and the construction behind it is built to last through seasons of hard use. Shop the Oakley Clifden Polarized Sunglasses in store and online at Island Water Sports in South Florida.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Oakley
- Model
- Clifden
- Lens Technology
- Prizm (color, contrast, and detail enhancement tuned per light environment)
- Polarization
- Yes
- Lens Categories
- Category 4 (below 8% VLT, extreme light blocking) and Category 3 (balanced protection and visibility)
- Nosepads
- Unobtainium (grip increases with perspiration)
- Side Shields
- Interchangeable and removable Unobtainium side shields
- Bridge Blocker
- Removable integrated bridge blocker
- Leash
- 20-inch lightweight coated woven steel, integrated into frame
- Intended Use
- Mountaineering, high-exposure outdoor sport, water sport, snow sport
- MPN
- itemMatrix-26932
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the Oakley Clifden sunglasses polarized?
- Yes. All Oakley Clifden sunglasses sold here include polarized Prizm lens technology, which reduces glare and enhances color and contrast in high-exposure conditions.
- What makes the Oakley Clifden side shields different?
- The Clifden side shields are made from Unobtainium, Oakley's proprietary grip material that increases tackiness as it gets wet or warm. They mount flush to the frame to block peripheral light and windblown debris, and they are fully interchangeable and removable when full shielding is not needed.
- What is Prizm lens technology?
- Prizm is Oakley's spectrally engineered lens system that fine-tunes light transmission to enhance specific colors, contrast, and detail relevant to a given activity or environment. It is not a simple tint -- each Prizm variant is calibrated for a specific light condition such as water, snow, or everyday use.
- What is the difference between Category 3 and Category 4 Clifden lenses?
- Category 4 lenses transmit below 8% of visible light, making them the most protective option for extreme glare environments like high-altitude snowfields or open ocean. Category 3 lenses balance protection with broader visibility and are well suited for variable or partly cloudy conditions.
- Can you replace the Oakley Clifden lenses?
- The Clifden is designed for a range of Prizm lens options spanning Snow, Water, and Everyday tunings. Replacement lenses are available -- check with Island Water Sports in store or contact us for current lens compatibility for this frame.
- What is the integrated leash on the Oakley Clifden?
- The Clifden includes a 20-inch coated woven steel leash built directly into the frame. It is lightweight and highly flexible, allowing you to move the glasses between your face and your neck quickly without removing them entirely -- useful on the water, on rock, or in any environment where dropping the frame is a real risk.
- Is the Oakley Clifden good for sailing or water sports?
- Yes. The Clifden's polarized Prizm lens reduces water glare, the Unobtainium nosepads and side shields stay secure as conditions get wet and warm, and the integrated leash prevents loss if the frame moves off your face. It is a strong choice for open-water sailing and coastal activities.