Julbo Sunglass Tech Guide

Photochromic lenses adjust to changing light conditions, getting lighter or darker depending on the amount of UV light present. The more UV light, the darker the lens becomes, and vice versa. Photochromic technology is often applied as a chemical laminate to a lens's exterior, but in the case of Julbo’s REACTIV lenses, it is sandwiched into the material, allowing these lenses have the widest photochromic range and fastest reaction time of any photochromic lenses. 

This refers to the percentage of light that filters through a lens—the higher the number, the more light passes through. A window in a home, for example, might have a VLT of around 70%, allowing most visible light to pass through while filtering enough to keep your sofa from getting bleached. A typical sunglass lens, like a home’s window, has a fixed VLT. The VLT of Julbo’s REACTIV lenses, on the other hand, changes as ambient light changes. Regardless of VLT, Julbo’s sunglasses lenses provide 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C light.

This exclusive magnetic attachment system, utilized on the Julbo Edge, features a magnet on the bridge of the sunglass frame and lens, allowing for quick and easy lens changes. 

Julbo’s proprietary Air Link Temples reduce bounce while increasing comfort. The arms of the sunglasses have a length of suspended rubber running along the bottom, which acts as a mini shock absorber during activity. 

This permanent coating is applied to the interior of Julbo’s REACTIV Photochromic lenses.It’s chemically bonded to the lens, working on a molecular level to prevent water molecules from bunching together and forming fog. The result is best-in-class fog prevention, no matter the conditions or your effort. When wiping with a microfiber cloth, you may notice the inside of the lens is slightly tacky—this is the anti-fog coating. It won’t rub off, meaning the best way to clean your lenses is with soap and water.

Unlike spherical lenses, which curve vertically and laterally, cylindrical lenses curve just laterally. Imagine if the lenses were cut from a cylinder, wrapping side to side. Julbo’s Fury and Density are examples of sunglasses with cylindrical lenses.

Julbo’s Glare Control lenses are about 80% polarized. This partial polarization eliminates glare off reflective surfaces (such as snow, ice, or water), while allowing for unobstructed viewing of electronics, like a phone screen or boat navigation system. 

This is the color of the lens material when it is initially molded. In general, a gray base color offers a neutral tone with no color enhancement, making it ideal for people who like a standard tint to their sunglasses. Brown, rose, and violet base colors all offer enhancement, which tends to make colors ‘pop,’ increase contrast, or reduce eye fatigue in bright conditions.

Lenses with the Light Amplifier name brighten your surroundings thanks to their yellow or light orange base. This helps enhance ambient light, making them especially good for use at sunrise/sunset or when traveling in and out of shadows.

Polarization reduces or eliminates glare, easing eye strain during long days outside and increasing visual contrast, comfort and clarity. It allows light necessary for vision to pass through and blocks reflections that interfere with vision. 

Polarization operates on the same principle as Venetian blinds, filtering light along a single axis. Direct light and reflected light hit your eye along different axes. In sunglasses, the polarization pattern filters light traveling along a horizontal axis, providing the most effective protection from surface glare off water, snow, and windshields.

Julbo’s polarizing treatment comes in two forms: a thin chemical laminate that’s applied to the surface of the lens and a unique chemical laminate that’s sandwiched within the lens. 

The first form—the laminate used with polycarbonate lenses (Polarized Spectron 3)—is lighter and more affordable but can become scratched off over time. The latter form—used in our REACTIV lenses—protects the polarizing film from scratching and, depending on the thickness of the laminate, can provide more glare protection and higher optical quality

Julbo’s proprietary 3D Nose is a fully adjustable nose bridge. The nosepiece features a metal core that can be bent and will retain its shape for a custom fit; it’s covered in Grip Tech rubber so it will stay put even in the presence of sweat and sunscreen.