Polarized sunglasses recommendation

Today, I received a pair of Smith PivLock V2 Max with 3 lenses including a photochromic lens. The glasses were ultralight, exceedingly comfortable and fit well once I adjusted the nose piece. The shield (versus lens) was large and covered all exposed areas. What was not to like?

Having had the opportunity wear and compare the photochromic lens of Oakley, Smith and Julbo there was no doubt that in my opinion the Julbo Zebra lens was head and shoulders above the two others. The V2 Max is a sweet pair of specs but the optics of the Julbo won out in the end.

Thanks for all the great advice.

Just saw this and I'm too late but…

Get Julbo!!
lol

The Zebra lens is THE stuff.

Jeffs Eleven-
Confessed Julbo Fanboi

Sherpa, Colorado, Run, Trek, Welcome (goggles)

I second smith. I've had multiple pairs of their glasses and love them all. I ran over one pair with my car and despite a crack in the lens, they actually still work well (my "loseable" pair for adventures now!). I have some of their aviators too. They're the only sunglasses I've ever had that didn't give me a head ache after prolonged use. I'm a big fan. Not as light as a pair of Natives I had, but far more durable feeling (Natives were stolen before I had a chance to test that aspect).

Another happy Julbo Bivouac user here, very nice but the case is a bit heavy, must get a lighter one.

Only issue is I have lost some of the Magnetic snow shields, but Julbo sent me a couple of replacement ones.

I will take a look at some Julbos with those nice lenses. I want good polarized for my boat but had previously been recommended photochromic lenses for hiking.

I dropped a pair of Arnette Robotos last weekend in a forest, the trail ended up having a lot more obstacles than advertised with lots of trees down, apparently it was a hard winter (13mi route, I doubled back for 2mi in search to where I had hit my head going under a tree). And I didn't put my sunglasses away properly, they were hanging from my shirt collar, idiotic move. I was on a "training trips" to help me not do stupid things like that when I'm much further from town than the overnighter. Basically, buying cheaper sunglasses is not the fix, not losing them/taking care of them will be the focus. I will consider cheaper options though.

Do you bring a sunglasses hard case for when you don't want them on? Or soft case/be careful? Switch clear lenses in?

My Arnette Robotos were my favorite sunglasses, good polarized lenses and tons of coverage around my face, but I don't own more expensive lenses to compare. They seemed a little better than my Maui Jim's. I've never owned Native Eyewear or Julbo. I bought Julbo (with stock lenses) for my daughter and their polarization is very good, similar to my Arnette.

I wish these were $30 sunglasses I was talking about, but it looks like I would need to spend similar amounts of money or nearly as much to try these other recommendations. I'd like to try some Julbo Bivouac or Native Eyewear, but not sure that I can try them on locally like I did with Arnette (I probably paid $120 at a store, steep, but I knew I liked the fit on my face and coverage).

Mark…I lost a pair of good sunglasses a few years ago. Retraced my steps for about a half mile then gave up. They had black frames and brownish tint to the lens and blended in perfectly with the surroundings.

The Julbo Venturi, which I just bought, came in both a black frame and a blue with lime green. I chose the blue frames will be much easier to find if they fall off my head or my shirt which I hang them on when taken off. Wasn't crazy about the color but decided to go with them for ease of retrieval should they fall off again.

That's a great idea about the bright color. I really hadn't thought about that until now, I hate that it makes them less flexible for me (some good trail sunglasses seem to look good enough for everyday wear at least for me).

My daughter's cheap Julbo sunglasses came in a plastic case that splits in half, I don't really like it but it's probably protective and lightweight kinda till it splits open accidentally. Do they include a hard case on your nicer Julbo sunglasses, or where else do you store them when not in use?

EDIT: I just ordered Julbo Bivouak Zebra Black/Black. So I'll be depending on using the neck strap and overall improved handling habits (carrying a case at all) as far as holding onto these sunglasses. That and the fact that they're going to change to be lighter so I don't need to take them off as often, including LCD screens possibly (compared to polarized). Might also consider adding a chosen color to frames using that sculpted plastic stuff later, it shouldn't mess the sunglasses up/removable I think.

The case is a black and moderately hard but if I were to push on it with some force it would collapse. It does provide an element of protection but it is not the hard type case you see with regular eyeglasses.

http://ymmvreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/Julbo-Trek-Sunglasses-Case.jpg

The case I linked to above is for the trek glasses but looks the same as mine.

When I take my glasses off usually I'm at camp and I stick my pole in the ground then hang my glasses from the strap. Ymmv

No case…

Only sucks when my glasses are covered n snow in the morning. Then I stick them between my hood and hat to melt it

Check out Sunclouds at REI (their seasonal sale starts tomorrow).
For $50 retail, they're really nice shades – great multi-condition tints, very comfy & stylish, too. Try the rose tint – very good contrast & detail. Made by Smith at a fraction of Smith pricing. Polarized, too.

Nick,

I logged in to post the same thing. I love the Momentum/Excursion – super lightweight and they stay put. I use em for tennis and never have a problem (also use them for hiking). Definitely the way to go for cheapish polarized sunglasses.

-Andrew

Costa Del Mar

I have the Fathoms and they are awesome. If I'm outside, then these things are on my face. I even wear them while driving in the rain during low light glare and it works great. I have the "lower grade" (standard) lenses and they rock, but I hear the "higher grade" lenses are noticeably better.