Posts Tagged julbo
Julbo Multi-functional Bivouak Sunglasses
At the Outdoor Retailers show earlier this year, I spent a lot of time checking out sunglasses from different companies. I came away thinking that setting yourself apart with specific sunglasses is almost as hard as doing it with socks. Most of what makes one pair of sunglasses more expensive than another is pretty subtle until you put them on read the specifications. It’s hard to talk about “features” as much as technological innovations in the lenses and frame types.
So I was drawn to these Julbo Bivouak sunglasses because they do actually have some features to set them apart, plus there’s a bit of double-duty gear action with these. Sunglasses that aren’t wraparound generally don’t protect you from the sunlight coming in through the side. That can be bad for your eyes and your skin—especially since this area of the face is where crow’s feet wrinkles start as you age. If you’re climbing a snowy mountain or skiing, it’s even more of an issue because of the reflective rays.
So the Bivouak sunglasses have these little magnetic shields on the side to block off the area. When you need them, they shield the sides of your eyes from the harmful rays. When you don’t, like in the car, you can just pop off the shields and stow them.
There’s no need to attach Chums or some other kind of cord: there’s one built into the design. The included adjustable cord hooks into small holes at the end of the earpieces. As with the shields, this is removable when you don’t want or need it.
The model I’ve been testing came with a Zebra photchromic lens. I’m a big fan of photochromic lenses that get lighter or darker according to the conditions. I found I could keep these on all the time as I moved through sun and shade, car and parking garage, outside to inside. They fully change from a shade-worthy category 2 to darker category 4 in only 28 seconds. The Zebra lenses also have built-in anti-fog properties, which passed with flying colors when I tested them against some cheapo sunglasses. Going from crisp air conditioning to humid outdoors, plus biking on a foggy morning, these lenses stayed clear. There are small vents built into the top corner too, a feature I’ve always appreciated with Tifosi shades, as this seems to keep my eyes from getting teary when I’m biking downhill or skiing fast.
The Julbo Bivouak sunglasses come in seven colors and three different lenses, with the latter determining the price (list of $120-$190). This is at the high end of Julbo’s range—these are geared to serious climbers, skiers, and mountain bikers more than casual travelers. With the ability to adjust the shields and the cord as needed, however, they can be the only pair you need to carry for a wide range of activities.
See more styles at JulboUSA.com and see more of our Julbo reviews here.
Check Julbo Bivouak sunglasses prices at Campmor
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on June 16th, 2010
Julbo Travel Sunglasses
Eyewear manufacturer Julbo is known for its performance sunglasses, especially for mountaineering and other extreme sports. I know plenty of outdoor enthusiasts who love Julbo’s shades for kayaking, biking and skiing, as well. But the company has a softer side, with an entire line of “Travel” eyewear — many styles of which can move seamlessly from the hiking trail to a cocktail party. I found my dream pair of travel sunglasses in the Angel shades.
Angel sunglasses are a wrap-around style. They do fit snugly (wearers with ultra-long eyelashes, beware), but not too tight at the temples. I’ve worn a pair of black Angels nearly nonstop for the past month, and they feel just as new (no loosening at the temples) as when I received them in the mail. And I wear my sunglasses a lot — not only over my eyeballs for sports, driving and sightseeing, but also on top of my head to keep my hair out of my face when I’m sitting in the shade.
Typically, I pack two pairs of sunglasses when I travel — one for everyday activities and one for sportier adventures. Not so anymore with my Julbo Angels. This versatile style can truly do double duty. I’m not exactly sure I fully understand the ins and outs of their unbreakable “Category 3 Polarizing Lenses with anti-reflect coating,” but I do know the lenses are dark grey (just how I like them) and keep me from squinting in bright sunlight.
My colleague John is also a fan of Julbo eyewear, in particular, the Run shades designed for biking.
The Angel style sells for $100 and comes in shiny black or girly pink.
Posted by Kara in Travel Light on July 21st, 2009
I Can See Clearly Now: Julbo Sunglasses for Travel, Sports
Working outdoors a lot, I’m always in search of the ultimate sunglasses. And after trying out several models from Julbo, I’d have to say I was impressed.
First, and most importantly, these shades have great optics–stunningly clear and sharp.
They bring out vivid details that are lost with some other brands of sunglasses.
Of course, the Julbos provide 100 percent protection from ultraviolet rays. And they’re tough, with impact-resistant lenses.
Julbo is not a new kid on the block. The craftsmen in the Jura mountains of France started more than a century ago making corrective lenses and now they specialize in sunglasses and goggles for active pursuits–travel, driving, boating, fishing, skiing, mountain biking or mountain climbing.
Julbo also does an excellent job combining style with performance. There are more than 50 styles to choose from, including models for children.
The Run shades I tested are made for mountain biking. They are designed to fit under a helmet, the lenses are wide for good visibility and the temples and nose pads help absorb those bumps on the trail. They fit securely, but are comfortable even after hours of wear. You can quickly forget you have them on.
This model is available with Julbo’s Zebra photochromic lenses. They automatically (and very quickly) turn lighter or darker to adjust to changing conditions.
While made for mountain biking, they would be right at home in many outdoor pursuits. The Zebra lenses are not recommended, though, for normal driving because of their darkness, but standard polarized lenses are also available in this model.
Julbo’s Zulu line is a good example of blending sport and style. And the Boogie model (pictured above) would be a versatile choice for travel.
Prices are reasonable, with suggested retail ranging from $55 to $190 for the adult styles.
Overall, Julbo’s quality shows through in all their models. And they should last for years and many miles on the road. See the full line at the Julbo USA site.
Julbo sunglasses are also available at REI.com and Backcountry.com
Posted by JohnG in Adventure Gear, Business Gear on June 8th, 2009
