Persol Brown Polarized Sunglasses Lens Review
- Sunglass Science
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Persol frames have their own decades-old tradition of iconic style and craftsmanship, and the lenses were not an oversight. Barberini, one of the premier lens makers worldwide, makes Persol's lenses, which are crafted to match the heritage Persol embodies. This review is for the Persol Brown Polarized lens.
Check out the Persol Brown lens from Persol's website.
If you want to know more about how brown lenses work, click here.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Persol Brown Polarized |
Lens Color | Brown |
Mirror Color | N/A |
VLT | ~12% |
ABBE | 58 |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Oleophobic, Hydrophobic, UV |
Material | Glass |
Weight | Moderate |
Scratch Resistance | High |
Prescription Available | Yes |
3 |
Persol's lenses are made by Barberini, the premier glass maker in the world, who makes the lenses for other top brands like Serengeti and Maui Jim (with their proprietary tech, and at least for now). The lenses have the highest level of clarity.
Persol doesn't publish information about the lens coatings, but the premium anti-reflective coating is visible on the backside of the lens, and water beads and rolls off the lens in the exact way it would if there were hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings on it.
This lens comes in polarized or non-polarized, but we will focus on the polarized version, which I recommend in most cases.
The visible light transmission is not published, but I estimate it to be around 12%, a fairly dark lens. This is the polarized version; the non-polarized version is lighter, around 15-16% VLT.
Persol lenses and frames are typically more hefty and solid, which is why it is important for the frame to fit well for it to be comfortable to wear over long periods.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes, it is. In glass, through the Persol website. One of the only brands to do glass lenses for prescription. If your prescription is too high for glass, LensCrafters can do it in polycarbonate.
How does the lens look?
The front has a rich and warm brown tint, with no mirror.
The back has a blue shine from the anti-reflective coating. The tint is a reddish-brown, even though the picture appears to be a yellow-brown.
What does the view look like?
It’s often beneficial to introduce warmth to sunglass lenses, as it enhances the vibrancy and richness of the world around us. Blue light, which has a cooler hue and higher energy, tends to overpower other colors, making them less distinct. Brown lenses, in particular, filter out more blue light compared to green or red lenses, offering a warmer, more colorful view. This added warmth not only improves visual clarity but also promotes a sense of alertness, energy, and happiness in the wearer.
The Persol Brown lens is a very red-brown, which boosts reds the most, but still keeps greens bright and pleasant. It is more saturated than some other brown lenses, and colors are more impacted.
Blues are the most impacted, and you will notice the biggest changes in them. The sky and water, especially, will take on a darker and redder look.
Sunny Conditions
These photos are what I've 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 lens for yourself? Check out the Persol Brown lens from Persol's website.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
Cloudy Conditions
The Persol Brown polarized lens performs well in overcast and mixed-light conditions, particularly in bright haze, where its ability to enhance brightness and color stands out. It adds warmth and vibrancy, making it more pleasant than grey or green lenses, which can feel too dim in these settings.
However, as a darker lens, it’s not the best choice for cooler, dimly lit environments. While effective in cloudy conditions, its reddish tint and darker tone can feel less suitable than lighter brown lenses designed for low-light scenarios.
This lens works better with more light. As the light levels go down, the ability of the red-brown lens to enhance colors diminishes, though it still works well. This is not the most versatile lens out there, but it is the most versatile lens Persol has.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
I like to wear the Persol Brown in full sun, where the color-enhancing Prizm tech has full effect. It feels "hot" and energetic, and I often want to feel that way. They may not be the absolute best lens to wear in bright conditions, as a grey or green may be more comfortable for long durations, but they work well, and this lens is fairly versatile.
They work well in overcast as well, adding warmth and color to lifeless days. They can be a bit darker, though, so they work better on brighter overcast days.
I find the Brown lens to be underwhelming in the winter. It makes everything look dirty when there is no green to boost. Very red environments, like desert conditions, are also too "hot" looking to be comfortable with this lens.
Sports
Realistically, this tint works well for sports, but glass lenses and fragile, hefty frames are not recommended for sports.
If you have a pair of Persols and you want to play sports, please get another pair for that.
Comparison to the same brand - Persol
As of December 2025, Persol has 162 styles on its website. Of those, 121 have green lenses, 108 have blue lenses, 91 have black or grey lenses, and 66 have brown lenses. The other lens colors are in 10 or fewer styles.
Persol Green Polarized
Green is Persol's main workhorse lens. It is dark, more neutral than most other green lenses, and is very easy to wear on bright sunny days. Its usage is identical to a grey lens. It will be more comfortable to wear on sunny days than the Brown, but it is much less versatile and colder feeling in any other conditions.
Persol Blue Polarized
This is Persol's main fashion tint. Blue lenses do not help add color and contrast in most settings; in fact, quite the opposite, but they look so classy. To me, the blue lens is in a separate category from the green, brown, and grey lenses. It is a style lens, whereas the others can also be worn for function as well. I sold it a few years ago, so I do not have it for comparison photos.
Comparison to Brown Lenses of Different Brands
I think this lens is very similar to lenses like the Randolph Tan, Vuarnet Brown Polar, and Costa Copper. All are dark red-brown lenses. The comparisons below are for brown lenses that differ in more noticeable ways.
Ray-Ban B15 Polarized
Both lenses are made by Barberini and look similar in the photos below, but they are not the same. The Persol Brown is noticeably redder, the Ray-Ban much more neutral (for a brown lens). I am not sure, but I do not think the Ray-Ban has hydrophobic/oleophobic coatings, whereas I believe the Persol does. However, the difference is not that great between them and to me, they are in a similar category of brown lenses.
See here for the full Ray-Ban B15 review. Click here to buy from Ray-Ban
Maui Jim HCL Bronze
The Maui Jim HCL Bronze is a yellow-brown vs the red-brown of the Persol. Blues are much more natural and pleasant, greens are less highlighted, and the viewing experience is overall more comfortable. The HCL Bronze is more versatile, feels less "hot" in full sun and less saturated in overcast. It does come with a subtle bi-gradient gold mirror on the front, so the aesthetic is different.
See here for the full Maui Jim HCL Bronze Review. Click here to see on Maui Jim.
Serengeti Drivers
The Serengeti Drivers lens is more of a rose-brown than a red-brown. This means that blues are kept natural, reds are highlighted, and greens are kept as is. It is arguably the best lens to look through and the most versatile (together with the HCL Bronze and Dita Lancier Land). It has every coating, mineral glass, is mildly photochromic, and has the option of no mirror or a gold mirror.
See here for the full Serengeti Drivers review. Click here to see on Serengeti. Use code SUNSCIENCE30 for 30% off.
Dita Lancier Land
The Dita Lancier Land lens is a phenomenal lens geared towards driving, all conditions, and great views. It is a rose lens with a bit of brown to it, a relatively dark 13.4% VLT, and is polarized. The lens material is lightweight nylon. Unlike other rose or brown lenses that can throw the normal color balance off, the Land lens brightens and enhances all colors while keeping the colors feeling normal, especially the sky (which is rare for a rose or brown lens). This is the best all-around lens in the Lancier collection, and arguably any other collection.
Conclusion - Persol Brown Polarized Lens Review -Â Should you buy it?
The Persol Brown Polarized lens is a warm, energetic lens that suits people who want richer color and a bit of personality in what they see. It has that classic Barberini clarity, a strong reddish-brown tint, and real visual punch in bright light. In full sun and bright overcast, it feels alive and colorful, and it’s easily one of Persol’s most engaging lenses to look through. It isn’t the most neutral or relaxing option, and it loses some appeal in dull winter landscapes or environments with very little green. But for everyday outdoor wear with decent light, it delivers a vivid and enjoyable view.
If you like warm tones, enhanced colors, and the classic feel of mineral glass, this is a lens worth owning. It’s not the most versatile brown lens on the market, but it is the most versatile option in Persol’s lineup, and it brings a unique character that’s different from many competing browns. If that style of contrast appeals to you, and you have a frame that fits comfortably, this lens is easy to recommend.
