Whether you’re picking your way along a high alpine ridge, pushing hard on a trail run, or squinting into glare bouncing off water or snow, Julbo sunglasses are built for places where light is anything but forgiving. The story starts back in 1888, when Jules Baud began designing protective eyewear in the Jura Mountains of France for crystal hunters and early mountain explorers who needed serious, no-compromise eye protection. That mountain-first mindset is still baked into every pair of Julbo sports sunglasses today.
More than 130 years on, Julbo remains independent and deeply rooted in performance eyewear. Based in Longchaumois, France, the brand designs and tests sunglasses, goggles, and prescription-ready eyewear for real-world outdoor use, whether that’s trail running, cycling, mountaineering, sailing, or snow sports. Many styles feature practical details like side shields for extra protection, and every design is shaped by collaboration with athletes and technical advisors who actually use the gear in demanding conditions. These aren’t lifestyle sunglasses pretending to be sporty, they’re sports sunglasses built to perform when conditions get tough.
At the heart of Julbo’s performance is their lens technology, designed specifically for high-glare, fast-changing outdoor light. Their signature Reactiv photochromatic lenses automatically adjust tint based on UV exposure, darkening in bright sun and lightening in shade, so your vision stays comfortable and clear as conditions change. Because the Reactiv chemistry is built into the lens material itself, the transition is fast, smooth, and reliable, whether you’re moving through forest cover or climbing into full alpine sun.
Julbo also operates its own RX laboratory in Longchaumois, allowing custom prescription lenses to be made and fitted in-house. That means you don’t have to choose between sharp vision and serious eye protection, you get both, in sunglasses designed for performance, precision, and the kind of environments that don’t give your eyes an easy day.
You can find the full range of Julbo sunglasses and Goggles right here and order online, or visit us in store at Matthews Sports Vision, 210 Hardy Street, Nelson to try them on, get expert advice, and find the perfect pair.
