Walking Equipment and Accessories

Julbo Aerospeed Sunglasses | Review

Endurance athletes will love what these shades bring to their day-long sessions in the outdoors

Why We Chose The Julbo Aerospeed: Lightweight, highly ventilated, adaptable lenses

When it comes to specialists in performance eyewear, we’ve come to regard Julbo as one of the best brands out there.

The company itself was founded way back in 1888 by Jules Baud (Jules Baud = Julbo). Baud, a Frenchman by birth, designed the company’s first protective eyewear for men who were searching high and low for crystals in the French Alps.

“The Aerospeed performs well in keeping any dreaded fog at bay.”

While things might have changed a fair bit in the 132 years since that intriguing origin story played out, what remains as true as ever is that Julbo are still delivering the goods for mountain enthusiasts the world over. The Julbo Aerospeed, are a good example of that. They’re an excellent pair of sunglasses that are absolutely perfect for getting extreme in.

Who Are The Julbo Aerospeed Sunglasses For?

The Julbo Aerospeed sunglasses are for endurance athletes who like getting active from a day’s beginning right through to its end. They’re for the long-distance addicts, triathletes, and stamina-powered cyclists / trail runners who can’t get enough of that lactic acid feeling.

Materials

These things are primarily made from polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, if you weren’t aware of its properties, is good for sunglasses because it manages to be both lightweight and tough.

The Aerospeed also features Grip Tech, an exclusive soft comfort-enhancing material that’ll cling nicely to your skin but without sticking to hair.

The Reactiv lenses get darker or lighter to match changing light conditions. Photo: Mike Brindley

The Air Link Temple makes the glasses lighter, and generally more comfortable. Photo: Mike Brindley

Julbo was founded way back in 1888. Photo: Mike Brindley

Features

First things first, let’s talk about the 3D Nose Fit. The Aerospeed has these special nose-pads on it that adjust in every direction – meaning the glasses fit every type of nose shape, something that ensures unbeatable hold in all conditions and situations.

The Air Link Temple system is an elastomer shock absorber insert that’s fitted at the end of the temple. It makes the glasses lighter, and generally more comfortable.

When you’re getting active for hours on end, you’ll be grateful for the fact that the Aerospeed is well vented. The vents have been implemented here in a way that allows for full circulation of air. This design will, ultimately, stop the lenses fogging up.

The wide lens surface on the Aerospeed means you’ll have maximum field of vision. Great for seeing obstacles, as well as all those nice mountain vistas.

The Aerospeed in the sunny Lakes. Photo: Holly Burns

Reactiv Photochromic Lenses

Reactiv Photochromic Lenses are good because they intelligently adjust along with the changing conditions you’ll inevitably get in the world’s wild places – great if you’re taking part in an all-day endurance event then.

The Reactiv lenses get darker or lighter to match changing light conditions. Whatever the weather is doing, with these on your face Julbo guarantees optimum vision and long-lasting protection for your eyes.

Conclusion

These are slightly cheaper than the also excellent Oakley Radar EVs. That’s not to say you shouldn’t consider those ones, they’re very good and pack some clever tech, but that could be a useful saving here.

Tester’s Verdict

Jordan Tiernan, Outdoors Magic Staff Writer

“From the get go, I noticed the (lack of) weight of the Aerospeed. You barely feel these sunnies on your face. And thanks to Julbo’s efforts to keep them on your face, you barely have to worry about the sunglasses slipping, or even falling off once they’re on.

Testing the Julbo Aerospeed in the Lake District. Photo: Holly Burns

“I’ve used Julbo’s ‘Reactiv’ technology over the past few years (both in sunglasses and goggles) and have been left impressed with the consistent high standard of vision the adaptable lenses are able to provide – no matter if you’re in the shade, or exposed to strong sunlight when up high in the alpine.

“In terms of ventilation, the Aerospeed performs well in keeping any dreaded fog at bay; particularly if you’re consistently moving fast, generating high air flow. I only noticed a slight bit of fogging after a high-intensity run. Once I’d stopped (and sweat began to build up), these things began to show a slight bit of fogging on the corner of the lens. Other than that, I’ve been left extremely impressed with the Julbo Aerospeed as a pair of sunglasses for all kinds of endurance sports.”