Let's discuss the Maui Jim Neutral Grey lens, which is arguably the most advanced and impressive lens in the world for one reason: To take a grey lens and add color-enhancing properties to it without changing the tint towards another color and causing the lens to no longer have a "neutral" look is the most difficult feat in sunglass lens manufacturing.
Maui Jim has perfected that in a way no other company has.
If you would like to know more about how grey lenses work in general, click here.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Maui Jim Neutral Grey |
Technology | PolarizedPlus2 Color Boosting |
Lens Color | Grey |
Mirror Color | Bi-gradient silver/no mirror on gradient lenses |
VLT | SuperThin Glass ~10%, MauiBrilliant ~11%, MauiPure ~11%, Category 3 |
ABBE | 58 in glass, 56 MauiBrilliant, 52 MauiPure |
Coatings | Anti-reflective, Scratch-resistant, Oleophobic, Hydrophobic, UV, Infrared and Blue-light blocking |
Material | Glass, unspecified |
Weight | Moderate for glass, Light for others |
Scratch Resistance | High |
Prescription Available | Yes, in MauiBrilliant only |
1 in glass, 2 in Pure or Brilliant |
The clarity of Maui Jim's glass lenses is off the charts. The non-glass MauiBrilliant and MauiPure are both great.
Sometimes with Maui Jim, the different lens materials will render the same color lens differently. For example, the Blue Hawaii lens is very different in tint and color between the three options. For the Neutral Grey lens, I find the colors are close to the same for all of them, but the clarity is noticeably more pronounced in the SuperThin glass.
They are all around the same VLT. The MauiPure is slightly lighter if I had to pick one that was different, but all are comfortable in full sun. Using VLT with Maui Jim can be misleading. VLT is a bit outdated when it comes to color-enhancing lenses because they reduce annoying light more than normal lenses but let more good light in. So to some degree, they are supposed to be brighter while still feeling comfortable to most people. The "10% VLT" is much brighter feeling than, for example, Oakley Black Iridium Polarized which is around the same listed VLT.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes, in MauiBrilliant material
How does the lens look?
The front has a subtle bi-gradient silver mirror on the top and bottom of the lens, which Maui Jim advertises as acting as if the lens is “squinting” for the wearer. While I’m not sure that is the best way to describe it, the effect of the mirrors are very easy to get used to and it is not noticeable when wearing.
The gradient versions of the lens do not have any mirrors.
The back has a blue shine from the anti-reflective coating. The color of the tint is grey, which when put next to other brands can seem a bit green but compared to a green lens it is very much grey. The mirror effect of a silver mirror is to darken the areas but not change the tint.
What does the view look like?
These photos are what Maui Jim and other sources 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.
Sunny Conditions
This view is somewhat accurate but it doesn’t give a good impression of what the lens really does.
Here we start to get a better idea about the lens. The greens, blues, and reds are boosted, creating a lot of contrast and color. The polarization allows you to see right through the water.
This is a better representation of what it looks like:
The colors are bright, the view feels alive, and the lens does not over-darken the light and colors we want to see while it blocks the light we do not want to see.
The view is already bright, warm, and colorful, there is no need to add any color or warmth, only allow the view to be the best it can be.
The Maui Jim Neutral Grey lens is arguably the most advanced and impressive lens in the world for one reason: To take a grey lens and add color-enhancing properties to it without changing the tint towards another color and causing the lens to no longer have a "neutral" look is the most difficult feat in sunglass lens manufacturing.
Maui Jim has perfected that in a way no other company has.
Cloudy Conditions
The Neutral Grey lenses are not good for overcast or even mixed conditions. When the amount of available light is already reduced, turning it down even further without enhancing colors can make the world cold and dreary. Though the Neutral Grey enhances color more than any other grey lens, it still does not enhance color or provide added warmth to the same degree as even a basic brown or rose lens.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
Grey lenses are more visually comfortable in bright sun than other lenses over long periods because our color memory doesn’t have to adjust as much as it would for other tints and get tired.
Color memory means we remember how objects are supposed to look and adjust subconsciously so they appear correct.
Grey lenses will never feel weird after long exposure because they match our color memory. Other tints can eventually feel odd in some way, like the sky being a different shade of blue during a certain time of day than we would normally expect. The Neutral Grey lens is the best grey lens available for this.
It is fairly simple with the Neutral Grey lens. Amazing for full sun, but keep away from clouds.
Grey lenses will be a good choice to drive with in full sun, but often we drive in overcast or mixed conditions, depending on our environment. In those instances, grey lenses will not be ideal. We generally want warmer, more alert colors when we drive, so similar to sports, a brown or boosted grey (using a mirror) will be a better choice for driving. The exception is if you live in a place that is very hot and sunny most of the year, then this can easily be your go-to lens for driving.
This lens is amazing at the beach and bright vacation spots. Easy to wear all day with no fatigue for anyone who isn't light sensitive and needs a more intense lens.
Sports
In full sun, grey lenses will be fine to use for sports, but not ideal. Since grey lenses are neutral, they are neither calming nor vibrant. When we play sports we want the view to elicit feelings of energy, vibrant, and warmth. For that, a brown or rose lens will be a better choice.
Maui Jim may be an exception here because their grey lens enhances colors and clarity more than many brown lenses do.
Grey lenses are great for water sports and fishing.
It is best to not wear glass lenses for sports, as they are not as impact-resistant as other materials.
Adding a Mirror to the Neutral Grey Lens
The color of any mirror, with some exceptions, will block the same color as the mirror and create an opposite effect. A blue mirror will block blue light and make a grey lens more orange or amber. This is explained in more detail here.
Here is Maui Jim SuperThin Glass with different mirrors on the grey lens.
Depending on the mirror color, the lens will get a warmer or cooler effect.
Grey with a small touch of warmth, like a blue mirror, makes us feel like the world is natural but everything is slightly boosted, which to some degree makes it feel more boosted than others. With a rose or brown lens, it can be hard to forget you are wearing sunglasses because the view, though beautiful, is far from what you would normally see. A gray lens will feel "natural", and a small touch of warmth will not be noticeable to our brains but it will still enhance the same colors a brown lens would, green and red.
The same is true of a grey lens with a mirror that has a cooling effect, like a red mirror. The view will be slightly calmer but not to the degree that the world feels unnatural.
Some of the best lenses you can buy are mirrored grey lenses. See more about the Blue Hawaii lens here.
Comparison to the same brand - Maui Jim
Maui Jim HCL Bronze
Compared to the HCL Bronze, the Neutral Grey lens is much more neutral and cool, and may be easier to wear in full sun for long periods because it does not feel as "hot". The grey lens performs very poorly in overcast conditions compared to the HCL Bronze, and as such, is not as versatile. The HCL Bronze lens may be the most versatile premium lens, as it excels in bright and mixed conditions.
Maui Jim Blue Hawaii
The Blue Hawaii lens has a blue mirror that adds a level of warmth and amber color to the Neutral Grey lens. This brings it closer to the HCL Bonze, but still nearer to the grey lens. A better overall lens for full sun, in my opinion, as the slightly added warmth is perfect without being too "hot", it does perform better than the grey in overcast, but still a far cry from the HCL Bronze. The blue mirror is a lot flashier than the mirrors on the Neutral Grey, which can be a consideration.
Maui Jim MauiRose
As Maui Jim's other color and contrast boosting lens tint, the rose lens feels even "hotter" than the HCL Bronze, which can be amazing in bright hazy conditions but overwhelming in full sun. This lens has certain situations where it thrives, like sports such as golf.
Comparison to Grey Lenses of different brands
Costa Del Mar 580G Grey
A darker lens that is more suited to comfort than to color enhancement, but it is a good option for light-sensitive people who still want some color enhancement. Comes without a mirror and has a silver mirror option as well. Heavier lens. Clarity on par with Maui Jim
Oakley Prizm Black Polarized
A pleasant grey lens with a black mirror, the tint has a faint rose hue to it that does create a bit of color boosing. As a non-glass option, this is a great lens if you want a grey lens for sports. No coatings added, except on prescription lenses.
Smith Chromapop Glass Grey
The colors do not pop as much as the Maui Jim lens, and the glass is heavier. The tint is a bit darker. There is no mirror. The clarity is on par with the Maui Jim. Similar to the Costa.
Randolph Engineering American Gray
The American Grey is almost as pure a grey lens as you can find. It is slightly brighter than at 15% VLT and no colors are boosted. All coatings included and a medium heavy glass lens.
Conclusion - Maui Jim Neutral Grey Review: Should you buy it?
In conclusion, the Maui Jim Neutral Grey lens stands out for its superior color-enhancing capabilities while maintaining a neutral tint.
Perfect for bright, sunny conditions, these lenses provide unmatched clarity and comfort without distorting natural colors.
I maintain this is the best overall grey lens you can buy.
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