Julbo Explorer 2.0 Glacier Sunglasses

The most popular glacier sunglasses from Julbo, a French company that’s been making ‘em for more than 125 years, the Explorer 2.0 sunglasses take everything—and we mean everything—up a notch. They’re slimmer, more ergonomic, and more stylish than their predecessors, with a ventilating design, a large area of coverage, and removable side shields that protect against glare and help avoid snow blindness. Lined with gripping sections, the side arms flex in every direction, providing a secure hold when worn with a helmet, beanie, or alone. Finally, the glasses come fitted with your choice of lenses.

The Spectron 4 polycarbonate lens (category 4, VLT 3 – 8 percent) features a flash +AR coating and is suitable for any sport where you might encounter exceptionally bright sunlight. It’s not a photochromic lens, and makes an excellent choice for altitude climbing, for example, but is too dark to wear while driving. Meanwhile, the photochromic Zebra lens (category 2 – 4, VLT 40 – 70 percent) is designed to adapt to different lighting conditions. It has anti-fog and hydrophobic coatings, and is great for trail running, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and more. Then, there’s the Camel (also category 2 – 4), an anti-fog, photochromic, polarized lens. Made for use in mountain and desert environments, it adjusts to light regardless of the temperature and eliminates glare, ensuring purity of vision. For more detailed information, please visit Julbo's NXT site. 

Named for its founder, Jules Baud, Julbo has its roots in the Jura region of France, dating all the way back to 1888. Baud started out designing optical eyewear, and at the request of crystal hunters braving the mountains of Chamonix, began making protective sunglasses for the most extreme conditions. In the 1950s, the company revolutionized the market with the Vermont glacier sunglasses, built for mountaineers conquering the highest peaks in the world. And that’s exactly where Julbo tested its products—on 8,000ers like K2, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, and Nanga Parbat, among others. In the ‘90s and early aughts, Julbo expanded its line to include a wide range of sports and terrains, and today it even makes eyewear for children.