ProView – Julbo Tribute Review
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 Julbo glasses aside.
I put the Julbo Tribute glasses to work on multiple multi-day backpacking excursions, climbing outings, and general mountain travel, as well as something new and exciting: 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.
Julbo Tribute
Product Name: Julbo Tribute
Product Description: 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 mountains.
Offer price: MSRP: $194.95
Currency: USD
-
Quality
(5)
-
Features
(5)
-
Fit
(4)
-
Durability
(4)
-
Eco-friendly
(4)
Summary
I have found the Julbo Tribute glasses to be a true quiver killer for all summer objectives. For any summer activities, climbing, hiking, or going out on the town, these are my glasses of choice.
Overall
4.4Pros
- Extremely Versatile
- Can wear all day
- Great features
- Come with insulated bag and cleaner wipe
Cons
- Still need to test on glaciers
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 of days, I had realized that I had only taken my glasses off once it had gotten dark at night. Oftentimes I find myself taking my sunglasses off when cloud cover blocks out the sun, the light is lower at dusk and dawn, and even sometimes when walking from the sunny alpine to the darker under-canopy of the forest. This was the first time I’d experienced 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 REACTIV 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 glacierless 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 reservations 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.
Shop the Julbo on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!
Read other Julbo reviews