Dink Eyewear ColorBoost Violet Sunglasses Lens Review
- Sunglass Science
- Jun 17
- 6 min read
Dink Eyewear’s ColorBoost™ Violet lens is one of the boldest I’ve tested. With a 30% VLT and intense spectrum manipulation, this is not your average sunglasses lens—it’s built for people who want contrast cranked to the max.
Check out Dink lenses here. Use code "SUNGLASSSCIENCE10" for 10% off.
If you want to know more about how rose lenses work, click here.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Dink Eyewear ColorBoost™ Violet |
Technology | ColorBoost™ |
Lens Color | Violet |
Mirror Color | NA |
VLT | 30% |
ABBE | 30 |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Anti-scratch, and Hydrophobic |
Material | Polycarbonate |
Weight | Light |
Scratch Resistance | Moderate |
Prescription Available | Yes |
Dink didn't want to mess around with the lenses, so they get their pro versions from ColorBoost™, a lens maker that specializes in manipulating the light spectrum to boost color and contrast.
They come with all the main coatings, including anti-reflective.
The lens is not polarized, which is better for ball sports.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes, in single or progressive, from Dink's website. Use code "SUNGLASSSCIENCE10" for 10% off.
How does the lens look?
The front is a purple/violet hue. It is only a 30% VLT, so the eyes will be visible most of the time. The lens looks pretty cool to wear, in my opinion.
The tint is purple, not rose (meaning more blue and less red than a rose lens). This makes it a mix of red and blue with very little green, and we will see how that affects the view in the next section.
What does the view look like?
There are several important things to know about the violet lens.
First, the tint. It's violet, which by itself is already an interesting view. It is essentially a mix of red and blue, but unlike rose, which leans red, violet leans more blue. This means there is a dual hot/cool sensation, and a dual contrast/dulling effect. I include pictures in the next section, but it's hard to understand without trying yourself.
The view with this kind of violet lens takes a few minutes to adjust to. Don't rip these off after a few wacky seconds, let your eyes settle. The sky is a brilliant blue and reds are glowing, but it's everything else that our brains need the most adjusting to, because of the huge color shifts.
As if that wasn't enough, ColorBoost™ used proprietary dyes to amp up the contrast, essentially fine-tuning certain parts of the light spectrum (which were already significantly altered by the tint) even more. This sharpens colors further, like everything is glowing somewhat. It's a bit otherworldly.
If you like what Oakley did with Prizm, especially the more intense lens options, you will probably like what ColorBoost™ is doing, because they take it even further. The effects are so pronounced it's hard to forget you are wearing sunglasses, but it's hard to stop marvelling at the result. It's not for everyone, but a lot of people will enjoy this.
The last aspect to keep in mind is that this lens is a Category 2, 30% VLT lens, which is not a dark lens. You can still wear it in full sun, as it will be better than nothing, but it will be bright, and the color and contrast effect will be at their highest levels. Again, some people will love that, some won't (and might prefer Dink's other, less intense lenses). The VLT level of this lens is ideal for bright thin clouds, adding contrast and color and a better light balance.
It has that “HD Vision” feel you sometimes get from rose-copper lenses, but with a cooler tint and more purple-blue skew. It’s a noticeable change—some people will love it instantly, while others might need a few wears to adjust.
Sunny Conditions
These photos are what I have used to show the view. Keep in mind that photos will never look as good as the real view looking through the sunglasses with your own eyes.
Interested in experiencing the Dink Violet lens for yourself? Check out the lens here.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
A bright day with direct overhead sun, washing out all colors and reducing visibility.
The Violet lens makes everything glow with color. Reds are much redder, blues are prominent, but the whites are what stand out the most, not an easy thing to do with most lenses. The yellow/green pickleball is much brighter, though the darker green trees in the back are reddened and somewhat yellowed.
Constrast that with a darker grey lens and it feels like another world:
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
This is a functional lens, not a standard one. You won't want this as your only pair of sunglasses, and it won't be your daily workhorse, but you will want this if you want to add a punch to your view. On full-sun days or near water, it can feel a little thin, especially compared to darker options. That said, if you’re not light-sensitive and just want a more vivid world, it still works, even in full sun.
For 1-2 hours, playing pickleball or tennis in bright conditions? These are fine, a bit bright, but very functional and will make the court and ball much easier to see.
(I'm a tennis guy, but that's close enough to properly review pickleball lenses.)
These are better in bright haze or low and thin clouds. This is where the violet lens shines. On overcast days, late afternoons, or shady trails, it boosts contrast and brings the environment to life. It also works well in spring and fall light conditions, when the sun is lower and skies are variable.
I didn't like them as much in thicker clouds, because even with the higher visible light transmission, I prefer a redder, rosier lens, as the added blue of the violet lens didn't sit as well with me in those conditions. But that is subjective, and I imagine others might feel differently about that. Either way, it wasn't a bad view, and it stayed functional through all conditions.
It’s not your everyday sunglass lens, but it’s perfect for people looking for visual excitement and boosted contrast in soft light.
Comparison to the same brand - Dink Eyewear
For these comparisons, I will only be comparing other non-polarized options, though Dink has several polarized options to choose from, including a rose lens, which is in the same family as Violet.
Dink ColorBoost Outdoor Green
A dark green lens (14% VLT) with the ColorBoost effects added, this lens is more comfortable to wear in full sun than the Violet, but not as usable in overcast weather. If you like a dark green saturated and boosted lens, this might be the one for you, and it can be used as a daily pair as well, adding to its versatility.
Dink ColorBoost Outdoor / Indoor Green
With a VLT of 39%, but still green, this lens is an attempt to do it all, and it sort of ends up doing everything just fine. It's not too dark for indoors, but it's dark there, and it's not too bright for outdoors, but it's pretty bright. Green is generally better for sunny and colorful places. This lens thrives in bright early mornings or bright overcast.
Dink Standard Outdoor Green
This is Dink's entry-level, more budget-friendly lens option. It is not a ColorBoost lens. It is a fine, standard green lens that gets the job done on sunny days. They also make a lighter version for indoor use.
Comparison to Rose Lenses of Different Brands
Maui Jim MauiGreen
MauiGreen is the closest Maui Jim lens to the Dink Violet lens. It also has an interesting blue/red mix to it that some people love. The MauiGreen comes in glass, is polarized, and is a darker lens.
Oakley Prizm Road
Prism Road is Oakley's most violet lens; most of the Prizm Sport lenses are more rose. Even the Road lens is rosy compared to the Dink Violet. The Road lens is darker, has a red/blue mirror, and is a more natural view compared to the Violet, without as much color punch.
Conclusion - Dink Eyewear ColorBoost Violet Sunglasses Lens Review - Should you buy it?
The ColorBoost Violet lens from Dink Eyewear is not subtle—but that’s the point. If you're looking for a lens that transforms your view with saturated reds, glowing blues, and sharp contrast, it absolutely delivers. It’s not ideal for harsh full sun or gloomy overcast, but for bright haze, light clouds, or recreational sports, it's a fun and functional option. Some may find it too intense for everyday use, but for those chasing a unique visual experience, this is a lens worth trying.
Use code "SUNGLASSSCIENCE10" for 10% off.
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