Open main menu

Julbo Colorado

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Julbo Colorado glacier glass

Great bang-for-your-buck glacier glasses.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Good sun protection
  • Good optical quality

Cons

  • Poor retention strap
  • Durability

JulboColorado.jpg

I used these glacier glasses daily for 45 days on an icefield expedition.

Fit: They are comfortable under a helmet, beanie, or hat. These glasses run wide, so if you have a narrow face, consider trying them on before purchasing.

The piece that goes behind your ears has a bendable wire in it that you can mold to whatever shape you like to make the glasses stay on better. The retention strap slides off easily as soon as your sunscreen lubes up the frame, so I would recommend using a different retention strap.

Ventilation: They have side protectors which are removable, but I never had to remove them to prevent fogging up of the lenses since there was already adequate ventilation. Wind did not seem to bother my eyes much with the glasses on, but in very high wind, you probably want ski goggles anyway. If you're wearing them around town and don't like the look of the side protectors you could take them off.

Durability: The Julbo Colorado glasses are not very durable. The lenses and frame are plastic, and the reflective coating is easily scratched if you're not careful. When I wasn't wearing them, I put them in the case they came in for protection and they only got one small scratch. If cared for, these glasses will last a long time. With moderate to heavy abuse, these glasses will have a very short lifespan.

Optics: For the price, these glasses have great optical quality. I would classify the lens color to be yellow/brown. I never felt like I needed to take the glasses off to see something better while outside on the snow, even when in relatively heavy fog and rain.

At less than half the cost of many other glacier glasses, I would recommend the Julbo Colorado to anyone needing to save some money and someone who can take care of their gear.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $44

I recently bought these glasses at a closeout price. To be completely honest these are the best pair of sunglasses I have ever owned. the last few pairs of sunglasses I bought were Dragons and before that I had a couple pair of Oakleys. As far as for the money these glasses beat both of the brands that I had owned.

I am a heavy biker and because these glasses have large lenses and guards on the sides they make them ideal for keeping the wind and bugs out of your eyes. Also the visual quality of the glasses is great. Although sometimes I get sick of seeing everything with a faint yellow tint.

The only gripe I have about these glasses is the guards are kind of made cheaply the thing holding them in are small plastic pegs that you have to forcibly insert in the holes on the rims of the glasses. I can see over time the pegs wearing out and/or breaking from removing and reinserting them. I have had them for almost 6 months and that is the only downside to them. So as far as I am concerned great buy even for the regular retail price!

Price Paid: $25

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted a pair of Julbo glasses.

Pros

  • Good adjustable fit
  • Relatively good eye protection

Cons

  • Large folded size

For several decades I've wanted to own a pair of Julbo glasses. Not because they work so well, but because they look so good and so like "professional mountaineer" equipment. They were on special at one of the camping outlets, so I picked them up.

The first thing I noted was these glasses are verrrrry big when folded — I did not have a glasses case that would fit them. The case they came in could carry a medium-sized camera (I know — that's what I'm using the original case for now)! Even the big cases for the Yuppie large shades wouldn't fit. Just by happenstance I came across a glasses case clearance sale at a dollar store, and they actually had a case that fit the Colorado exactly without wasting any pack space.

On to the glasses themselves. The actual fit is quite good, especially considering I have a large face and needed a wide frame with long temple pieces. These glasses fit without squishing the side of my head in, and the flexible and bendable temple pieces let me adjust them for the best fit around my ears without putting pressure on my ears.

The lenses have good eye coverage, even with the side guards on, and they are plenty dark for use on summer glacier ice. They fit loosely enough to keep enough ventilation to avoid excessive fogging (a serious problem I've had with most other glasses). I don't know yet if I'll leave the side guards on, I've removed the guards on most of my previous glasses.  Even if I remove them, the Colorado wrap enough around my eyes to keep most of the side glare out.

On the whole, I recommend these glasses.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: ~ $40

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price MSRP: $60.00
Historic Range: $16.49-$65.00
Reviewers Paid: $25.00-$44.00
Product Details from Julbo »

Recently on Trailspace

Osprey Duro 6 Review

Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review

Ciele Athletics GOCap Review

Tizip Zipper Lube Review