A couple months ago, I came home from the summer Outdoor Retailer show with a stash of gear to test and review. One of the many stand-out items was a pair of Julbo Elevate sunglasses. I wore them for about a week, and then they disappeared. I’m not usually prone to misplacing my sunglasses and was at a loss as to how I, well, lost them.

It turns out that my husband stole them. He decided that he needed them more than I did. There’s a good reason for that.

The frames are sporty, but are also a laid-back style, so you don’t have to switch them out when you’re done with your activity and want to chill out on the patio at the brewpub. While the curved temples and rounded lines in the frames fit my smaller face, they also work well on larger faces. Great soft grip spots on the temples and nose keep them secure when you’re out getting things done.

The key reason that my husband took this pair of sunglasses is the Reactiv photochromic lenses, which get darker or lighter to match changing light conditions. Because he’s constantly between shade and sun in his work, these are the dream sunglasses. They’re also ideal for trail running and mountain biking.

There are other lens choices for the Julbo Elevate model, as well. Spectron 3 polycarbonate lenses are great for use in moderate to full sun, or in all outdoor activities in good conditions. Polarized 3 polycarbonate lenses are optimal for water or mountain conditions, as they block glare on the surface of water and snow.

Julbo Elevate sunglasses come in a variety of frame and lens combinations: brown tortoiseshell/pink with Spectron 3, translucent black/burgundy with Spectron 3, translucent black/black with Reactiv Performance 1-3, black/black with Spectron Polarized 3, and brown/black with Spectron Polarized 3. Prices range from $129.95 to $209.95. Get them on the Julbo site.

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Travel Accessories