BTB 900 Sunglasses Features

• HD lens technology
• Side vents for fog-free vision
• Optically de-centered lenses
• Hypo-allergenic rubber nose and ear pads
• 9 base lens curve
• MSRP: $34.95

BTB 900 Sunglasses Review

When it comes to sunglasses, I’ve become pretty particular in my personal preference. When I’m not testing something, I have my trusted pairs that I consistently reach for. When BTB Sunglasses reached out for my thoughts on their new product, I agreed to do so with an open mind and have put them through the same rigors that I would any pair of glasses.

The proving grounds for the BTB 900′s has included extensive road biking, mountain biking, trail running and hiking. Each of those activities brings its own set of challenges and a solid product design should excel at a variety of disciplines.

When the 900′s first arrived, I slipped them on and immediately felt connected to the frame. The wrap-around design offers excellent peripheral vision and coverage for high-speed activities, like road biking. While some wrap designs can be fog-prone, the 900′s remained fog-free. This fog aversion is likely due to the side vents and could possibly be due to having a fog-resistant lens treatment.

The polycarbonate lens on the 900′s is actually that — a single lens that extends across both eyes. At this price-point, I wasn’t expecting the most amazing optical quality and the quality of the lenses is about on par with what I’d expect. Truth be told, polycarbonate isn’t the most opically-clear lens material out there, but is used extensively in sunglasses due to its impact-resistance. For most activities, the trade-off is subtle and acceptable. The lens design does have some distortion near the edges of the lenses — something that is common in this price range and mostly unnoticeable.

I really appreciated the overall fit of the 900′s as they really stay put on your face — no matter the activity. Oftentimes, trail running can cause some glasses to bounce around on my face and some temple designs can interfere with helmets. The 900′s traditional temple pieces and rubbery nose and ear pads keep these glasses in place under use. I couldn’t get them to budge, no matter how hard I tried, so kudos to the frame design.

Overall craftsmanship is certainly good for the price and the unique design truly excels in hard-charging athletic endeavors.

Good BTB 900

• Lenses have not scratched at all
• Love the side vents for fog-free vision
• They stay put while hard charging
• Excellent range of vision with wraparound lenses
• Worth the price of admission

Bad BTB 900

• Optical clarity is not quite up to my high expectations
• Distortion along edges of lenses

Bottom Line: BTB 900 Sunglasses

At the low price of $34.95, the BTB 900′s are a great all-around pair of multi-purpose sunglasses. I’ve appreciated using them trail running, mountain biking and road biking. I do have a few gripes with the lenses, but at this price, they are an excellent value.

Buy Now: Visit BTBSunglasses.com

Kaenon Hard Kore Glasses Features:

• Lightweight design
• Straight-back temples for a snug fit
• SR-91 polarized optics – learn more
• Rx-able (for many prescription types)
• Includes cleaning bag and hard metal case
• Variflex™ rubber temple tips and nose pads
• Frame colors: White, Titanium, Black, Matte Black
• Lenses: Gray, Copper or Yellow (in a variety of VLT options)
• MSRP: $225

Kaenon Hard Kore Sunglasses Review

I’ve now been using the Hard Kore’s for a few months and they’ve been my eyewear of choice on every backcountry ski trip, trail run and road bike ride since. I’m sold on the SR-91 lens and this was my first time with the C-28 lens (I tested the C-12 and G-12 lenses previously). The 28 in C-28 represents the visual light transmission or VLT for those in the know. What that provides is a versatile lens that really works well from shadows to bright light conditions.

At the core of the lens is Kaenon’s polarization technology that knocks the socks off any other polarized optics I’ve tested. You don’t get any rainbow effect or blind spots at any speed or under any conditions or peripheral view. I can confidently rock the Hard Kore’s on the mountain bike, road bike, trail running or touring without any worry.

On trail runs, the glasses stay put on my face — no matter what. The straight temples do pose some problems with my running hats, but the Headsweats Supervisor provides a great fit. A few quick adjustments and no worries with either option. I just end up tucking the temples under my hat. I had some interference with my bike helmets as well, but some quick adjustments remedied that as well.

Optical clarity and versatility has been great with the Hard Kore’s and the C-28 lens. Not once did I feel that the frame ever inhibited my vision and the lenses remained crisp and clear.

Just one note… since I shave my head, my hair is typically pretty short and when it’s recently shaved, the temple pieces tend to be pushed away from my skin due to the stiff, bristly hair. Once my hair grows longer, the temples sit down a bit better. Keep that in mind if you keep your hair short.

Good Hard Kore

• Polarized optics without any of the polarized baggage that you can get from other lenses
• SR-91 lenses are lightweight and durable
• C-28 lens option is very versatile
• The glasses stay put under all conditions
• Great peripheral and overall vision

Bad Hard Kore

• Temples can interfere with hats and helmets
• Temples can sit funny with really short hair

Bottom Line: Kaenon Hard Kore C-28 Sunglasses

The Kaenon Hard Kore sunglasses are an edgy option for multi-sport uses. I’ve used them at altitude in the Tetons, on trail runs here in the Wasatch and road bike rides up American Fork Canyon and really appreciate the solid optics and overall quality of vision. For me, I still prefer the standard Kaenon Kore sunglasses, but it’s still hard to go wrong with these.

Buy Now: Search for Kaenon Hard Kore Sunglasses

Features

• 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection
• Shatterproof polycarbonate lenses
• Duraflex frames available in three colors
• Adjustable anti-slip nose pads and temple pads
• Three interchangeable lens colors: dark gray, orange, and clear
• Visible light transmission: 15% (gray), 47% (orange), 99% (clear)
• Lined hardshell zipper case
• MSRP $60

Ryders Eyewear VTX Sunglasses Review

British Columbia-based Ryders got its start in motorsport and winter sports eyewear, but they’ve made great strides in catering to runners as well, and the VTX is packed with attractive features that appeal to cyclists, trail and road runners alike.

Adjustable nose pads, non-slip coating at nose pads and temples

Low-profile, high-strength Duraflex frames have a great lightweight feel, and the anti-slip coatings at the temple and nose become slightly sticky as you sweat to help hold them in place.  I had very little bouncing or slipping with the VTX, either during long trail runs or 400-meter repeats at the track.  Fit is further dialed in with embedded memory wires in the nose and temple tips, giving you some customization if necessary, but I found them very comfortable right out of the box.

What's in the box: hard felt-lined zipper case, VTX sunglasses, two sets of replacement frames with separate fabric storage

The VTX comes with three lens types, all of which are shatterproof, optically correct, scratch-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection.  Switching lenses is a snap, and all three of them fit in to the zipper case, so it’s easy to make a last-second decision on lens type once you get to the trailhead.  While the gray lenses are ideal for track workouts with full sun exposure, the orange color, with improved contrast in lower-light conditions such as canyon trails or heavy tree cover, would probably be the better recommendation for trail runners.

No problems with slipping during speed workouts

Ryders doesn’t sacrifice fashion for performance’s sake either, as the black or white VTX frames would be stylish with your post-workout activewear.  The bright red color, maybe not so much.

Good VTX

• Great lightweight feel
• Minimal bouncing or slipping
• Easy to switch lenses rapidly
• Clear lenses for crossover to cycling/MTB
• Very affordable

Bad VTX

• On one multi-hour run, the coating on the temple started to grip my hair a bit, and caused slight discomfort over one ear.   It was an isolated problem that didn’t happen again.

Bottom Line: Ryders Eyewear VTX Sunglasses

Ryders VTX offer an impressive combination of quality construction, performance features, and comfort, at a price point that makes it hard to justify paying top dollar for anything else.

Buy Now: Search for Ryders Sunglasses

Native Eyewear Gonzo Sunglasses Features:

• Double Snap-Back™ Interchangeable Lens System
• Rhyno-Tuff™ Air Frames
• Venting
• Cushinol
• Cam Action Hinges
• Mastoid Temple Grip™
• Anti-Ocular Intrusion System™
• Colors: Maple Tort, Asphalt, Iron (tested)
• MSRP: $99/$119

Native Eyewear Gonzo Sunglasses Review

It took awhile for me to get the right pair of Native sunglasses. It appears that many of their glasses are made for wider noses. My narrow nose made for an uncomfortable fit which resulted in the glasses sitting way too low on my face. The Gonzo’s are borderline, but ended up working well overall.

During my typical activities of mountain biking and running, I was able to use the Gonzo’s with much success. While I don’t usually like full-frame sunglass designs for cycling and running, the large lens profile offered a wide field of vision with minimal frame interference. I will usually get annoyed by the lower frame, but not so with the Gonzo’s.

Nose pieces provided excellent grippage under all conditions. I wore these all day, multiple days on a cross-country drive and found them to be very comfortable. While out running and biking, they never interfered with visors or helmets and stayed put extremely well. Optics are solid with no notable distortions and a perceptible improvement around water due to the polarized lens technology. Speaking of polarization, I experienced no annoying rainbow artifacts that can plague other polarized lens designs.

The lens interchange system is simple and the way it’s built, you never feel like you’re going to break the frames in the process of swapping lenses (seems all-too-common with many sunglasses).

The Gonzo isn’t perfect, so here are some of my criticisms. The glossy Iron frame has a bit of a cheap feel and the hinges could be improved so as not to feel so difficult to close/open. As far as fit goes, keep in mind that these are better-suited for wider noses. Give them a try and see for yourself — my needle nose will fit differently than yours.

Good Gonzo

• Comfortable to wear
• Large lenses give you a wide field of vision for mountain biking, running, etc.
• Interchangeable lenses are easy to switch and don’t seem to compromise the frame
• Ultra-grippy nose rubber
• Polarized optics are great
• Excellent coverage all-around
• Styling is great

Bad Gonzo

• Frame feels a little cheap
• Nose width is pretty wide (glasses sit lower on my face than I’d like)
• Non-adjustable nose pieces

Bottom Line: Native Eyewear Gonzo Sunglasses

At $119, the Native Eyewear Gonzo is on the lower end of the polarized sunglasses price spectrum, but the overall package is great quality. I’ve been impressed by the polarized optics and the feel of these glasses and like the changeable lens system — kudos there.

Buy Now: Search for Native Eyewear

Built as a crossover style that can aptly handle the singletgrack while still being stylish enough for a day at the beach, the Instigator has one foot on the trail and another on street.

Giro Instigator Features:

• Injection molded Grilamid® lightweight frames
• Super Fit™ frame for helmet-compatibility
• Wind Tunnel™ temples for fog-free performance
• Vented rubber nose pads and ear pieces
• Rx ready lenses
• Zeiss lens tints
• 100% UVA, UVB and UVC filtering
• 8-base polycarbonate lens
• Available polarized lenses
• Frame Color/Lens: Striped Tort/Brown 16z, Bronze Fade/Brown 16z, Matte Olive Green/Grey Green 18z, Black/Clear Silver, Gloss Black/Grey 20z, Matte Black/Rose Silver 23z (tested), Bronze Fade/Brown Polarized 13z, Gloss Black/Grey Polarized 12z
• MSRP: $90-$140

Giro Instigator Sunglasses Review

As my first jump into Giro’s eyewear line, the Instigator has been a versatile pair for many activities. The styling is simple but still uniquely Giro with the Wind Tunnel design and wide, wraparound frame. I’ve been using these glasses road biking, trail running and around town with much success. I love how comfortable they are to wear — I don’t get any pressure-points whatsoever.

The vision is superb. without question, Giro didn’t cut any corners on lens quality and it shows. I’ve found these to be on par with the best glasses on the market. Adding to that clear vision, the overall design offers excellent field-of-vision and color quality with the Rose Silver lens — a very versatile tint. Though mine were standard lenses, you can opt for polarized lenses should you wish.

Have issues with glasses moving around during strenuous activity? Well, you won’t with these. The vented rubber nose and ear pieces are super-grippy and kept everything put during all my tests.

The only downside I’ve really experienced is due to the straight-back ear pieces where they interfere with larger-coverage helmets (Giro Xen, oddly enough), hats and visors. I couldn’t even wear them with my Giro Xen helmet because they wheelied off my nose and never sat properly. My Specialized road helmet didn’t suffer the same fate, so I wore them on the road instead. They are decent road glasses, but I prefer frameless lowers when I’m on the road.

Good Instigator

• Excellent width of coverage
• These things stay put, yet remain comfortable
• Optics are clear and crisp
• Wind coverage is great
• Haven’t fogged on me yet
• Grippy nose/earpieces

Bad Instigator

• Straight-back earpieces can interfere with larger-coverage helmets (Giro Xen, for example)
• Frames block vision when looking over your shoulder for cars (road biking)

Bottom Line: Giro Instigator Sunglasses

A great pair of lifestyle and active sunglasses for trail running or mountain biking (with the right helmet), the Giro Instigator sunglasses are light and comfortable.

Buy Now: Giro Instigator Sunglasses at Altrec.com

About the Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses

Introduced this Fall, the Pivlock V90 Max sports an entirely-new interchangeable lens system called, well, Pivlock. This system offers improved simplicity in the lens swapout process. The lens is built with TLT Optics and optically-improved lens curvature for distortion-free vision. Built extremely light, the V90′s are made to be worn comfortably all-day without fatigue.

More features of the V90 Max

• 7 Base Lens Curvature
• Carbonic TLT Lenses
• Grilamid TR90 Frame
• Small/Medium fit
• Sweat Seal Hydrocoating
• Colors: Black (Platinum Mirror, Ignitor, Clear Mirror), Brown Crystal (Bronze Mirror, Ignitor, Clear Mirror)-TESTED, Gun Metal (Ignitor) or Smoke (Platinum Mirror)
• MSRP $139.00 (3 Lenses) – $119 (1 Lens)

Smith Pivlock V90 Max Review

The new product machine at Smith is relentless. Without fail, every six months, I get the lowdown on the new sunglasses, goggles, helmets and accessories. Chopper at Smith was particularly stoked on this new model, so I was naturally intrigued.

“We had a handful of mountain bikers ride them for several days straight on the Umpqua River Trail in Oregon,” he said confidently. “They were all stoked on how lightweight they felt.”

Slipping them on, I could see why as these glasses offer some of the best field of vision while remaining super light at the same time. The frameless design really gives the V90 Max a stylish look, but more importantly provides killer field of vision and excellent water shedding qualities.

I’ve used the V90′s extensively on the bike and trail running and really appreciate the grippy rubber and clear optics. I actually have used all three lenses in differing light conditions and truly dig the new Pivlock lens system. Changing lenses couldn’t be easier with no need to ever touch the middle of the lens to do the swap. A quick rotation of the arms, a tug on the nose piece and you’re swapped out.

The only real gripe I have with these glasses is that the ear pieces don’t curve behind the ear enough and tend to interfere with my Giro Xen bike helmet. I found myself adjusting the glasses a little too much on the bike with that helmet.

I love how light they feel and how comfortable they are in all conditions. I settled in on the Ignitor lenses for all-around performance. My favorite feature of these is the amazing field of vision offered by a truly frameless design, which lends itself to excellent peformance while trail running, mountain biking or hiking where a wide field of vision is key.

Good V90

• Excellent coverage is much appreciated–especially during cold weather activity
• TLT optics provide great clarity in all conditions
• No frame to interfere with vision
• Flexible for any head shape
• Easy to swap out lenses without scratching
• Ultralight feel

Bad V90

• Ear pieces interfere with my bike helmet (Giro Xen)
• Still not sold on clear lenses (I know… I know… night riding)

Bottom Line: Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses

A solid new sunglass offering from Smith features new Pivlock interchangeable lens technology in an uber-light shield design.

Buy Now: Search for Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses

From Smith, we get the following about the Parallel Max sunglasses:

The Parallel Max employs the same performance-driven frame and fit as the Parallel. The lens profile is enlarged to provide more coverage while still maintaining a minimalist look and feel. This style is the perfect accessory to all of your outdoor endeavors and workouts.

Features of the Parallel Max:

• 9 Base Lens Curvature
• Carbonic TLT Lenses
• Frame Measurements 69-15-123
• Medium Fit/Large coverage
• Megol nose and temple pads
• TR90 Grilamid frame
• Frame/Lens Colors: Brown/Polar Brown, Black/Polar Grey, Matte Black Evolve/Polar Green, Matte Brown Evolve/Polar Brown, Smoke/Green Mirror (tested), Black/Ignitor, Aqua Blue/Polar Grey
• MSRP $99 – $129

Smith Parallel Max Sunglasses Review

While the Parallel Max does offer the same solid lens materials and optics, there’s something fishy about these sunglasses. As a “price point” model, the Parallel Max feels a bit cheapened in the frame materials and the NASCAR-inspired mirrored lenses I tested. I know people are keen on throwback 80′s styling, so the smoke frames and green mirrored lens keeps the Miami Vice theme going, but that’s about all it does for me.

On the trail, these glasses tend to wander a bit more than other Smith styles. Trail running and mountain biking found me adjusting nose placement on occasion–not something I’d prefer to have to worry about while flying through a rock garden.  The overall optical clarity is there, but the green mirror lens is extremely dark–so much so that when I entered tree cover, it was almost uncomfortably dark.

Despite being named Parallel Max, these lenses still offer relatively slim coverage, so keep that in mind. If you prefer minimal lens size, they should fit your face well.

Now I don’t want to sound entirely negative here, but there are other frame/lens combos in this same style that would be far superior to the smoke/green mirror combo. Actually, just about any other combo would blow these out of the water in both performance and looks.

If you spend lots of time in the water or on the snow (e.g. super bright conditions), the green lenses would work well. Check these glasses out for yourself… the frame may fit your face better than mine and you just might like the dark lenses. Still, my suggestion would be to go for the Ignitor lens for a more versatile option.

Good Parallel Max

• Lightweight feel
• Lower pricepoint
• Lots of lens/frame combinations (don’t go with green mirror lenses)
• Lenses are interchangeable (come with a single lens only)
• NASCAR-fan looks (if you like that sort of thing)

Bad Parallel Max

• Very basic sunglasses… not typical for Smith
• Didn’t stay put on my noggin while running
• Green lens tint is not very versatile… really dark
• NASCAR-fan looks (if you think that looks like you bought them at 7-11)

Bottom Line: Smith Parallel Max Sunglasses

I’m disappointed with this particular model and style, but if you dig the Parallel Max, I’d suggest opting for any other frame lens combo than the smoke with green mirror lenses. Having tried all the other lens options in other Smith styles, you’ll be much more pleased with their performance. They are sub-$100, but I’d suggest saving some coin and hopping into another style if it were up to me.

Buy Now: Search for Smith Parallel Max Sunglasses

About the Ryders Treviso Photochromic Sunglasses

Built as a versatile pair of athletic sunglasses with wraparound cycling styling, the Treviso photochromic adds on top of that the ability for “one lens to rule them all”. While many other manufacturers tout the interchangeable lens technology (face it, you typically choose one lens and stick the others in a closet somewhere), the Treviso’s photochromic lens can vary between 15 and 45% visual light transmission (VLT) without you even doing a thing. Add on top of that the flexible earpieces, lens vents and these glasses have a lot going for them.

• Frame: Metallic Silver/Black (tested) or Grey
• Features: Duraflex frame, vented lenses, adjustable nose and temple tips
• Lens: Photochromic Grey or Brown (15-45% VLT) or Orange (18-45% VLT)
• Photochromic Tint: 15-45%
• MSRP: $69.99

Ryders Treviso Photochromic Sunglasses Review

When I got my hands on the Treviso, I was immediately impressed with the features, styling and function. I think the thing that caught my attention the most is the adjustable fit. While many other sunglasses offer a “one fit” system that oftentimes doesn’t, these glasses feature rubberized adjustable temple tips and nose pieces to adjust to the differing needs of each individual face and usage.

Where this becomes particularly useful is when these glasses are used for a variety of athletic activities with or without helmets, hats or visors. Standard, rigid temple pieces can get in the way of bike helmets (my Giro Xen helmet interferes with many other sunglasses) or visors–thus limiting compatibility. But, with the adjustable temple tips (think Gumby), a quick adjustment can accommodate a variety of headwear options.

Not only was I impressed with these glasses for mountain biking and trail running, but they are a great option for road biking and any other athletic pursuits to boot. They stayed put and never interfered with helmet or visor comfort or fit.

The photochromic lenses are also a great feature of these glasses. As a test, I removed my glasses from the dark and into full sunlight. You can visibly watch them transform from 45% VLT to 15% VLT in a matter of 20-30 seconds. While you’re wearing them, they will never go from that extreme to the other, but just know that the lens tint is constantly adjusting on-the-fly to give you the best visibility. Because of that, I was able to wear these glasses in a variety of conditions without feeling like the lens was either too dark or too light.

The only real gripe I’ve got with these is that the paint is wearing thin on the arm pieces above the logo. Other than that, the styling is pretty solid and you’re getting a versatile pair of sunglasses for a great price.

Good Treviso

• Love the flexible arms
• Adjustable nose piece
• Photochromic lens adjusts quickly
• Comfortable for all-day
• Inexpensive
• Great optics

Bad Treviso

• Paint is rubbing off the frame
• Don’t have that brand-name zing

Bottom Line: Ryders Treviso Photochromic

The Ryders Treviso photochromic sunglasses are a great pair of sunglasses for cycling and running and would be an excellent choice for triathletes who need the adjustability that the flexible arm pieces provide. The fit is stellar and can be adjusted on-the-fly and the photochromic lenses are great for those of us who’d rather not swap out lenses all the time.

Buy Now: Search for Ryders Treviso Sunglasses

While they may not be as hard core as the Kore’s are, they still hold their own on the trail and around town–which is more than many glasses can say.

About the Kaenon Jetty Polarized Sunglasses

At the core of the Kaenon story is the stellar SR-91 polarized lens. This lens material is optically correct, nearly as hard as glass (for excellent scratch protection) and sports the highest-quality polarization of any polarized lenses I’ve used. In the words of Kaenon, here’s the skinny on the Jetty:

JETTY™ is an oversize, tall and boxy performance frame with plenty of street attitude which embodies the company’s Luxury Performance™ design and engineering mantra. A unisex frame that can be worn by men and women everyday, JETTY is also built to perform for the active lifestyle.

This style features tall temples and a rectangular face shape with clean and smooth surface design; plus functional details such as recessed Variflex™ rubber nose pads for secure fit and heavy duty, non-corrosive, five-barrel stainless steel hinges for added comfort and durability. JETTY is finished with the polished Kaenon jewel icon that marks the authenticity of a Kaenon Polarized original design. JETTY comes with a protective metal case.

Features of the Kaenon Jetty

• Polarized with full UV and UVB protection
• SR-91 lens technology – learn more
• Italian-made frame
• Rubber nose pads
• 5-barrel stainless steel hinges
• Frame Colors: Black, Tobacco, Almond, Seaweed, Matte Black
• Lens Options: C12 or G12 (12% vlt)
• MSRP: $211

Kaenon Jetty Sunglasses Review

While the Kore’s are built for athletic performance (cycling, skiing, running, etc.), the Jetty’s are built with both style and performance in mind. So, you do give up some of the pure performance features in favor of a little more street or beach style.

By no means do you give up anything when it comes to the lenses as the polarized SR-91 lenses offer crystal clear optics and durability not found on other non-glass lenses on the market. Another note about the polarization technology used by Kaenon… I’ve worn these side-by-side with other polarized lenses and the difference is dramatic. With some of the others I got rainbow artifacts while mountain biking–not so with these. I’ve been reluctant to wear other polarized sunglasses while mountain biking, but these provide excellent optics without any artifacts whatsoever.

While I really appreciate the clarity of the optics, the Jetty does have its limits when pushed hard, but they still performed surprisingly well. I wore them on several mountain bike rides and even on a few long-distance trail runs just to see how well they’d work. Surprisingly, they stayed put and were quite comfortable–even when I was sweating buckets.

For true athletic activity, I’d prefer the Kore, but these are amazingly-versatile while still being super-stylish. I always love to share my Kaenon’s with others when at the river or the lake to show them just how effective polarization is at cutting down glare. I’m a believer.

The only major downside of these glasses is that the arms are made to fit a wide head. While my head and face suits them well, when I slip them on top of my head while inside, they can easily slip off, so I’ve got to be careful–especially when flushing the toilet. Not something I want dropping into the drink if you know what I mean.

Model Tested: Black with G12 Lens

The Good

• Top-notch polarization
• Scratch-free performance
• Stylish design around town and on the trail
• Feels very comfortable
• Rubber nose pads keep them in place

The Bad

• Wide frame design doesn’t sit well on top of the head (flush carefully!)
• Lacks rubberized earpieces to keep them in place even better

The Bottom Line: Kaenon Jetty Polarized Sunglasses

These glasses perform very well in all conditions. I’ve appreciated them while driving, hanging out at the beach, at the lake, on the river, around town and on the trails. For their size and quality, they are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear all-day. Optics are top-notch… these glasses are built to last.

Buy Now: Search for Kaenon Sunglasses

With Julbo, that image has long been mountaineering-style glacier sunglasses, anything else just wasn’t Julbo in my mind. However, my eyes were opened to Julbo’s sportier side at Outdoor Retailer in August where I was able to see the new Julbo Run and Dirt sunglasses. After a few weeks of use, the Julbo Run sunglasses have a lot to offer. Here’s my take on them.

About the Julbo Run Sunglasses

Built specifically for trail running and mountain biking, the Julbo Run sunglasses are new in the line this Fall. With styling straight out of a Dragon or Spy sunglasses mold, the Run’s feature a stylish frame design with wide temple arms, rubberized nose and temple pieces and an advanced-technology Zebra photochromic lens.

The Zebra lens is the gem with a fast-changing tint from 40.7% VLT to 6.6% VLT that’s capable of going from dense treecover or clouds to ultra-bright sunlight without missing a beat. Also a feature of these lenses includes a fog-free coating on the inside of the lens.

More features:

• Zebra photochromic lens (40.7% to 6.6% VLT in 28 seconds)
• Fog-free lens coating
• Rubberized nose and temple pieces
• Fits mid-size to larger faces
• Includes hard case
• MSRP: $160

Julbo Run Sunglasses Review

Slipping them on, the Julbo Run sunglasses have a lot to offer. With a little different fit than Smith, Kaenon and Ryders sunglasses, the Run’s sit a little lower on my face and provide excellent eye coverage both side-to-side and up-and-down.  This is due to the wider nose piece, which unfortunately isn’t adjustable.  So, if you’ve got a narrow or a small nose, these glasses may not work so hot.

Lets talk about some of the great features of the Run’s. The lens is really tops on that list. It offers very crisp and clear vision with excellent lens tints from dark to light conditions. The great thing about the Zebra photochromic lens is that you don’t have to think about swapping lenses. I’ve worn these on early-morning mountain bike rides with minimal light and on super-bright sunny afternoons and have been very satisfied with the lens tint in all conditions.

I’m accustomed to swapping lenses out based on light conditions, but with these, I could just ride and go with the lenses adjusting on-the-fly. Just a couple of items to mention about the lenses. There is a small amount of distortion along the peripheral and the fog-free coating makes cleaning the inside of the lens a bit more of a chore. This coating makes the lens slightly “grabby” on the inside, so a lens chamois doesn’t slide across them very easily.

The frames themselves are stylish and, as mentioned above, coverage is outstanding. It took a little bit of getting used to because these glasses sit much lower on my face than other designs. But, in the end, it felt perfect with more overall coverage than most designs.

They stayed put under all conditions while trail running and mountain biking and didn’t cause any painpoints (e.g. brain squeezing) to speak of. A very good sunglass with only a few drawbacks.

Good Run

• Eye coverage is excellent since they sit a little lower than most
• Love the photochromatic technology
• Tint is perfect overall
• Nice, snug fit that stays put
• Great for varying light conditions

Bad Run

• Inside of lenses are difficult to keep clean (due to anti-fog coating)
• Lens has some distortion around the edges
• Zebra lens logo on left lens corner is visible when wearing and unnecessary
• No included soft case/lens cleaner

The Bottom Line on the Julbo Run Sunglasses

These new glasses sport some of the best lens technology I’ve used. I absolutely love the photochromic lens technology and have found them to perform well in both low light and bright light conditions. There are a few negatives as mentioned above, so keep those in mind. none are deal-breakers as these glasses are still a solid choice as a do-it-all pair of glasses.

Buy Now: Search for Julbo Run Sunglasses