The Julbo Legacy sunglasses are a handsome pair of shades. They won’t tell you this on their website, but these shades are guaranteed to make you look more rad (not a money back guarantee). And, they’re not just a pretty face; they are comfortable and functional as well. The Legacy shades with their new Reactiv lenses are the sunglasses version of active insulation—you can put them on and leave them on.
Story
I love sunglasses. I can’t understand how some people don’t wear sunglasses. Maybe I’m just a wimp who squints like crazy whenever it’s too sunny outside, but I just have to have a pair of shades. But I can’t stand having to take my shades on and off—put them on a hat, hang them on my shirt, or put them down somewhere only to realize after the fact that you left them and now don’t have a pair of sunglasses (sorry if that hits too close to home).
Well, Julbo has all but solved that problem with their REACTIV lenses, which are available in the Legacy models. The lenses are Photochromic, so they alter their Visible Light Transmission (VLT) depending on how bright it is. Practically, what that means is, you can wear them outside in full sun, and when you go inside, step into the shade, or the weather changes, the lenses change too. I was pretty skeptical at first, and I also didn’t really want the grill-dad-transition-lens look either, but I am happy to report that the lenses are very functional, and look darn good while doing it.
This function has been perfect for me riding my new motorcycle that I bought off a friend of mine. I can wear these on my commute to work just before sunrise and wear the same pair on my commute home when the sun is glaring in my face. And the Legacy shades fit the look of my Ural Retro perfectly.
Performance
Fit/Comfort
The Legacy shades fit great. They are lightweight and don’t cause any hot spots or pressure points while wearing them. For me, they are a perfect fit for casual sunglasses. I can’t wear these on a run or doing anything too active because they won’t stay in place. Also, the leather side shields feel funny at first when they touch your face, but after a few wears they become very comfortable and familiar.
Look/Style
These things look fantastic. Maybe I’m just a sucker for the nostalgic vibe, but I think they look awesome. And if you don’t like the vintage/steam punk feel of the side shields they can easily be taken off and they are still a handsome pair of shades. I have gotten a lot of compliments while wearing them. Pro tip: if you drive a motorcycle with a side car they look even cooler.
Features
The REACTIV lenses really are a game changer. Mine vary from 7%-35% VLT, which I have found to be perfect in most situations. The transition happens so smoothly that I thought it wasn’t working at first, it’s just that smooth. The leather side shields are really quality as are the metal arms. The temple grips and nose pads are comfortable without being bulky or sticky like some cheaper shades.
Weight/Packability
These actually fold down very thin. They come with a fleeced slide in case that fits into most of my shirt front pockets, and make storage really simple.
Function/Performance
If I haven’t made it clear already, these are great. Like the rest of you, I have a few (read: a lot) pairs of shades, and unless I’m going for a run these have been my go to pair. All sunglasses work, these just work a little better.
Durability/Construction
I don’t see why these won’t last a while if taken care of. All the components are solid—lightweight where it counts and durable where it matters. They aren’t cheap, so there are times I have grabbed my Goodrs or Knockarounds to keep these from getting beat up, but I think they would be up to most tasks that they were subjected to.
What sets this product apart?
The biggest thing that sets the Legacy shades apart are their style and lenses, debatably the 2 most important things for a good pair of sunglasses. You are going to be hard-pressed, in my humble opinion, to find a more handsome pair of glasses. And the REACTIV Photochromic lenses keep you from having to take them on and off throughout the day.
Who is this product for?
I would recommend these shades to someone who is always wearing sunglasses. If you live in the mountains and the weather is always changing, if you hate finding a place to keep your sunglasses ready for when you need them, then these are for you.
The Final Word
This is a bold statement, but one I think a lot of readers will understand. These shades are like the R1 hoodie of sunglasses. You can put them on and keep them on. You won’t have to think about them after you put them on, and you probably won’t think about them until you receive a compliment for them.
Julbo Legacy Review Scorecard
Summary of your thoughts on product: Comfortable, handsome, classic
Pros: The REACTIV lenses, the versatility
Cons: Takes getting used to
Rate (out of 5 stars, 1 being awful, 5 being perfect) the following categories:
Quality: 5 | Features: 4 | Fit: 4 | Durability: 4 | Friendliness to the Earth: n/a
Pro Bio: Mountain guide turned offspring guide. I, Harry McSween, live in the tiny mountain town of Andrews, NC with my wife and 3 kids. We love it here and spend as much time in the rivers, mountains, and lakes as possible. I love running, climbing and camping and introducing people to life in the backcountry. I’m also a connoisseur of type II fun.