Julbo Tribute Review: A Modern Take on an Alpine Classic

The Julbo Tribute glasses stand out in a field of proven high performance sunglasses. They blend the lines of traditional glacier style, sunglasses, and modern technology. I will preface by...

The Julbo Tribute glasses stand out in a field of proven high performance sunglasses. They blend the lines of traditional glacier style, sunglasses, and modern technology.

I will preface by saying I am a true believer in Julbo sunglasses. They have always been reliable and seem to be exactly what I need for any task. But still, I went into this review with as much of a neutral perspective as possible, putting my past experience with jewel bow glasses aside.

I put the Julbo Tribute glasses to work on multiple multi day backpacking excursions Climbing, outings, and general mountain travel as well is something new and exciting was that I put them to the test going out and socializing really trying to get a good view on how they perform in all aspects of daily life whether it be in the outdoors or in the city.

By: Michael Pickner

Performance

The trip that made me a true believer in the Julbo Tribute sunglasses was a late summer in the San Juan mountains of Colorado. I was guiding a multi day, backpacking trip, and after a couple days, I had realized that I had only taken my glasses off once it had got dark at night. Oftentimes I find myself taking my sunglasses off when I could cover blocks out the sun, the light is lower at dusk and dawn and even sometimes walking from sunny alpine to the darker under canopy of the forest. This was the first time I’d experience putting a pair of sunglasses on in the morning and totally forgetting about them for the remainder of the day. This is thanks to the reactive lenses.

I have found the Julbo Tribute glasses to be a true quiver killer for all summer objectives.

Features

The lightweight metal-and-plastic frame features adjustable temples and removable leather side shields, providing a balance of comfort, durability, and protection.

The standout feature is Julbo’s REACTIV 2–4 photochromic lenses. They automatically adjust to changing light—darkening in bright sunlight and becoming lighter as conditions become overcast or shaded. With a 7–35% visible light transmission range, they are particularly well suited to mountain environments where light can change quickly.

And like all Julbo products they come with an exceptionally nice insulated bag with an integrated lens cleaner.

Room For Improvement

Unfortunately, being in the northern hemisphere summer and glacier less Colorado I was unable to test them in a snowy environment. But based on my experience on glaciers and in snow, I do have some reservation with these lenses. I truly believe they’re an amazing reactive lens that will protect your eyes well during warmer months, but for long periods of high sun exposure on snow and or ice I do not believe they get dark enough to be comfortable for the extreme light reflection off of snow.

This being said, as we move into fall here in Colorado, I am excited and eager to put these Julbo Tribute glasses to the test in a snowy environment. And as for any summer activities, Climbing, hiking or going out on the town, these will be my glasses of choice for the foreseeable future.

Quality:5⭐️
Features:5⭐️
Fit:4⭐️
Durability:4⭐️
Eco-friendly:4⭐️

A pair of industrial aviator-style sunglasses with bright blue mirrored lenses, a black metal frame, and a tan leather side shield, shown on a white background. #color_black-/-brown-with-spectron-3-hd-polarized-lens

A pair of wraparound sunglasses with dark lenses, a black metal and plastic frame, a tan leather side shield, and red nose grip accents, shown on a white background with callout text describing features. #color_black-/-red-/-brown-with-reactiv-2-4-polarized-lens

A product infographic for REACTIV/2 polarized sunglasses showing two views of the same eyewear on a white background with explanatory text and sun/cloud icons. The top pair has yellow-green lenses and warm amber/orange temple accents; the bottom pair has darker brown lenses. #color_black-/-red-/-brown-with-reactiv-2-4-polarized-lens

Black wrap-around sunglasses with blue mirrored lenses, shown on a white background with callout lines and text describing features such as the metal and plastic frame, removable leather side shields, nose grip, and adjustable slim temples. #color_black-/-white-with-reactiv-2-4-lens

Two pairs of black reactive transition sunglasses shown on a white background, with sun and cloud icons and text explaining VLT and photochromic lens changes. The top pair has yellow-to-blue mirrored lenses, and the bottom pair has blue mirrored lenses. #color_black-/-white-with-reactiv-2-4-lens

A pair of shield-style sunglasses with blue mirrored lenses, a black metal and plastic frame, and a tan leather side shield, shown on a white background with callout lines and text describing features. #color_black-/-brown-with-spectron-3-hd-polarized-lens

A pair of Spectron HD 3 polarized sunglasses with blue mirrored lenses and amber-tinted temples, shown on a white background with feature text and sun icons. #color_black-/-brown-with-spectron-3-hd-polarized-lens

Aviator-style sunglasses with dark tinted lenses, a clear frame, and a tan leather side shield, shown on a white background. #color_crystal-/-camel-/-havana-with-spectron-3-polarized-lens

A pair of aviator-style sunglasses with clear frames and dark lenses, shown on a white background with callout lines and text describing features such as metal and plastic frame, removable leather side shields, nose grip, and adjustable slim temples. #color_crystal-/-camel-/-havana-with-spectron-3-polarized-lens

A pair of aviator-style sunglasses with dark tinted lenses and a clear frame, shown on a white background with marketing text and sun icons. The text reads '12% VLT', 'SPECTRON HD 3 POLARIZED', and describes lens protection. #color_crystal-/-camel-/-havana-with-spectron-3-polarized-lens

Sunglasses with black lenses and gold frames on a white background. #color_army-green-/-black-with-spectron-3-lens

A pair of shield-style sunglasses with dark gray lenses and a translucent olive-green metal frame, shown on a white background with callout lines and text describing features such as removable leather side shields, nose grip, and adjustable slim temples. #color_army-green-/-black-with-spectron-3-lens

Spectron 3 sunglasses with a camouflage-patterned frame and dark gray lenses, shown on a white background with feature callouts including '13% VLT' and descriptive text about light blocking. #color_army-green-/-black-with-spectron-3-lens

Aviator-style sunglasses with dark gray translucent frames, dark lenses, and a beige fabric-covered temple arm with visible rivets, shown on a white background. #color_blue-/-beige-/-black-with-spectron-4-lens

A pair of shielded sunglasses with callout lines and text labels explaining features such as the metal and plastic frame, removable leather side shields, nose grip, and adjustable slim temples on a white background. #color_blue-/-beige-/-black-with-spectron-4-lens

Tribute

$194.95

Color: Black / Brown with Spectron 3 HD Polarized Lens

Crystal / Camel / Havana with Spectron 3 Polarized Lens

Blue / Beige / Black with Spectron 4 Lens

Black / Red / Brown with REACTIV 2-4 Polarized Lens

Rooted in Julbo’s mountaineering heritage and reimagined for today, the TRIBUTE blends iconic alpine style with modern performance. Its distinctive shape pairs a lightweight metal-and-plastic frame with double-bridge for a timeless look that feels just as at home in the city as it does in the mountain...

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