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sunglasses/glacier glasses?

Original Post
Marek Sapkovski · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 65

What sunglasses glasses do people use? My old glasses have been "forcefully retired" - fell off my nose at the top of a pitch yesterday. I am hoping to find something that would be suitable for both everyday wear as well as mountain use. I'd want a pair that
(a) is CE certified for full UV protecton
(b) has interchangeable lenses with Class 4 and Class 5 shading
(c) is fully wrap-around and preferably has foam band on the top
(d) can easily be worn with a retention strap

So, the questions are
(1) How much should I expect to spend?
(2) Who are the manufacturers?
(3) Which real-life stores would have it so I can go and try them on?

Thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions.

alpinejason · · Minneapolis · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 176

Julbo. Camel or Zebra lenses. Never need interchangeable lenses again.

Joshua Reinig · · Lone Pine Ca. · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 18,210

JULBO for LIFE!!!

Marek Sapkovski · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 65
alpinejason wrote:Julbo. Camel or Zebra lenses. Never need interchangeable lenses again.
You mean these are photo-chromatic? I thought that it's not suitable for mountain use, but can't recall why.
alpinejason · · Minneapolis · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 176
Marek Sapkovski wrote: You mean these are photo-chromatic? I thought that it's not suitable for mountain use, but can't recall why.
Yes. Photochromatic. Love them. Put them on in the morning and wear them until it's dark in the evening. Don't have to worry about changes in the light intensity.
rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265
Joshua Reinig wrote:JULBO for LIFE!!!
man i wish i had better vision...their prescription glasses are outrageous! I have a set of wrap around prescription oakley's for half the cost, though the normal glasses are comparable in price

Lasik in my not too distant future hopefully.
Andy P. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 190

Category 5 lenses, are you planning on doing some welding on the mountain? :)

Seriously though, I cannot reccommend enough photochromic lenses. I have used both the Julbo Falcon lens and the Zebra lens. The Zebra is great because it gets up to >40% VLT, you can wear them even in heavy overcast or stormy conditions to protect your eyes.

On the other hand the polarization of the Falcon lenses is awesome. It feels like a category 4 lens even though it is "3+" because the polarization takes away some glare. Also, the world looks even more scenic with the polarized/warm colored lenses on and as we can all agree, admiring the scenery is one of the reasons we are all outdoorsy in the first place.

FYI the Falcon lenses although great have not been very scratch resistant and they also fog up, the Zebras are much better durability wise in my limited experience with them.

alpinejason · · Minneapolis · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 176
rock_fencer wrote: man i wish i had better vision...their prescription glasses are outrageous!
Man I wish I had better vision... their prescription glasses aren't even an option for me.
Marek Sapkovski · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 65
Andy P. wrote: Seriously though, I cannot reccommend enough photochromic lenses. I have used both the Julbo Falcon lens and the Zebra lens. The Zebra is great because it gets up to >40% VLT, you can wear them even in heavy overcast or stormy conditions to protect your eyes.
That does sound pretty awesome, I will give it a try.

Andy P. wrote:admiring the scenery is one of the reasons we are all outdoorsy in the first place
I am into it for the pain and suffering mostly
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

I haven't been happy with my glacier glasses for everyday wear. Too dark and they don't breath well. Good for glaciers though.

Julbo

PatCleary · · Boston, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 0

Another recommendation for Julbos. I bought a pair of Trek's with the photo chromatic lenses, and they're used for everything. Even have a removable foam sweat strip like you wanted.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"Lasik in my not too distant future hopefully."

Careful with that one! You don't always get the desired results.

...
Mike Hasse · · New York, NY · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 365

Another vote for Julbo w/ zebra lenses. I use Julbo Bivouac's for all mountain activities, and even have a pair of julbo ski goggles with zebra lenses. Nothing is better.

Tim Zander · · Breckenridge, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 30

Another Vote for Julbo's

I have two pairs of Explorer's both with prescription lenses done by Opticus.

Top notch. And not that outrageous price.

rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265
Tim Zander wrote:Another Vote for Julbo's I have two pairs of Explorer's both with prescription lenses done by Opticus. Top notch. And not that outrageous price.
Thanks for the Tip. I'll look into those
member · · Frankfurt, Germany · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

Julbo is the brand to choose!

I own a Julbo Dirt Zebra with the Cameleon lenses. They really fit nicely.
i once heard that the cat. 4 lenses are suitable for driving. is that really the case?

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35

Julbo Sherpa, $45 cheap and durable!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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