Montebianco 2 Review: Classic Alpine Style, Modern Performance

The Julbo Montebianco 2 is a versatile, well-rounded pair of sunglasses built for those who want one pair that can do it all. Offering a comfortable fit for larger faces,...

The Montebianco 2 with Reactiv lenses is a high-performance sunglass built for mountain athletes who want a single pair to handle everything from a casual urban bike ride to a spring ski mountaineering mission. While photochromatic lenses aren't exactly new, the technology behind them keeps improving, and the Montebianco 2 proves it.

As someone who skis and snowboards as long as there's snow on the ground, bikes on road, mountain, and gravel, and dabbles in climbing, I'm always drawn to gear that can cover multiple sports. I've been using photochromatic lenses for years. My 10-year-old Julbo Explorers with the Camel lens are still going, and I reviewed the Julbo Intensity a few years back. So when I got the chance to test the Montebianco 2 with the REACTIV cat 2-4 lenses, I was curious how they would compare. Between decades of skiing and snowboarding year-round, biking on road, mountain, and gravel, and a growing climbing habit, I've logged enough hours in variable mountain light to know when a lens is actually working and when it's just marketing. To fully test the range, I got out on a good amount of adventures at my home in the South Cascades of Washington and some of Seattle's finest urban bike routes. I personally love to take gear out of its comfort zone to see how it performs outside its intended purpose. I paired them with bike helmets, climbing helmets, bone conduction headphones, neck tubes, and headbands without issue. Only when in a "tuck" position on my road bike did I notice them slip slightly down my nose. While on a scramble in the Tatoosh range, I was super impressed with how well the Montebianco changed to meet varying light, so well that I didn't need to remove them once throughout the day.

Fit & Comfort

I have a fairly wide face with 135mm temples and a wide nose bridge. The Montebianco fit well over my face and stay in place once on. That said, sliding them on, I notice they grab my hair and pull it out if I'm not careful putting them on one-handed. This is especially noticeable while sweaty. They do not offer adjustability, so it's important to try some on. They fit great under cycling helmets (Smith Network, Leatt Enduro) as well as climbing helmets (Petzl Sirocco)

Look & Style

The Montebianco has the look of sunglasses that fit in just as naturally on a mountainside as they would slopeside. Once the side shields are removed, they blend into any situation without looking Gorpcore. They don't whisper "casual." They just look like they belong outside.

Features & Performance

The Montebianco 2’s removable side shields add versatility, making them a great option for everything from everyday adventures to exposed alpine terrain. The standout feature, however, is the impressive speed of the REACTIV photochromic lenses. In testing, they reached full darkness in just 30 seconds under direct UV light and returned to a lighter tint in approximately three minutes—two minutes faster than my previous Explorers.

The lenses also enhance color and contrast, making it easier to distinguish details in snow and see through glare. They performed exceptionally well in bright alpine conditions and adapted quickly enough to remain useful in shaded terrain. While the limited fit adjustability became noticeable on longer descents, the overall lens performance exceeded my expectations. The faster transitions alone made upgrading from my old Explorers worthwhile.

Weight & Durability

When compared directly with the Julbo Intensity, there is a noticeable weight difference, yet that's like comparing a single feather to four feathers. In practice, the weight is barely noticeable once they're on your face, even over long days. The case Julbo includes is the best in the business. It's very protective and packable, and I'm not concerned about them getting beat up when packed within the case.

The high quality of Julbo glasses can be felt. Everything feels strong where it should be, soft where it should be, and seamless in construction. I can't speak much to long-term durability despite dropping them a few times. That said, years ago I had an issue with an arm of a pair of Explorer glasses and Julbo sent me the replacement parts and instructions. They really stand behind their products.

What sets the product apart? And who is it for?

Julbo glasses are built different and you can feel the quality right away. The versatility of the Montebianco is what really sets it apart from other glasses out there. While very much a premium product, the Montebianco have great value. Mountain users who value a high-quality product that can be used for a wide variety of pursuits: mountain guides, backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers. Just maybe not for watersport use. Folks who don't want to bring along extra lenses in case conditions change. If having a quiver of sunglasses is not your thing, look no further.

The Final Word

The Montebianco 2 are the "one pair to rule them all" sunglasses I've been looking for. I'm just okay at everything, but these glasses are genuinely great at almost everything. The Reactiv lens handles varying conditions effortlessly, so you can just set it and forget it. Removable side shields mean I can go from food truck pod to alpine scramble without looking like I'm cosplaying at Burning Man. And Julbo's lifetime lens/frame warranty and spare parts mean I'm not contributing to the landfill just because of a defect. If you want a quiver of sunglasses for every condition, fine. But if you want a single pair that does it all and doesn't make you look like a Gorpcore influencer, these are it.

A well rounded and highly adaptable pair of sunglasses for folks that don’t want to own a quiver of sunglasses. Fits larger faces well but lacks some of the adjustable fit of other glacier glasses. They can be used just about anywhere but truly shine on glaciers on sunny days. Pros: Fast transitioning lenses. Great eye coverage with Side shields on. Durable. Great for sunnier conditions. Cons: Rubberized grips on the arms tend to pull hair when putting them on. Non adjustable arms. Do not float

Rate (out of 5 stars, 1 being awful, 5 being perfect) the following categories:

Quality: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fit: 3 ⭐⭐⭐

Durability: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eco-Friendly: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Montebianco 2

$234.95

Color:

Montebianco 2 is the perfect companion for venturing into stunning landscapes. The lines of this now-iconic style have been completely redesigned for a more contemporary look to showcase its dynamic utility better. Montebianco 2 has new Grip Tech temples and a non-slip bridge, making it a benchmark model for mountain comfort. Plus, you can still count on their protective design and removable side shields when safely exploring new horizons at altitude.

About the Author

Reid Pitman is an AMGA Apprentice Ski & Splitboard Guide based in the Pacific Northwest, co-founder of Cascadia Splitfest. Originally from almost-Canada (Nooksack, WA), he spent over a decade as an executive chef before trading the kitchen for the skin track. He's now pursuing a career in guiding and avalanche educator. He wears a lot of hats to live the dream — ski and bike tech, product guide,skimo racer, and housekeeper — and somehow still finds time to get out on the snow.