Julbo Aero Zebra Light sunglasses

Glasses are an essential bit of kit for most of us on almost every ride, and the Julbo Aero sunnies are a quality performing pair, although there's just a single very lightly changeable photochromic lens included in the price.

To be honest, before these glasses arrived for test I had never heard of Julbo. A little internet research tells me it has been around since 1888, based in the Jura region of France, bordering Switzerland, making eyewear initially for the mountaineering sector then branching into other sports throughout the company's history – it knows its stuff that's for sure.

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The Aero glasses are a multi-sport design, for running and cycling. The frame is constructed from plastic, and our pair came with Julbo's in-house unbreakable polycarbonate Zebra Light lens, a very light photochromic lens with minimal change in the tint (other lenses are available).

Also notable are the rubber nose section wings and lower arm sections, both of which help to form-fit all nose shapes and grip the head without discomfort. Included in the package is a soft case with a hard plastic lens protector and a soft bag which can be used to clean the glasses. For prescription lens users, the glasses include an Optical Clip system that accepts the prescription lens inserts. All of Julbo's glasses are covered by a lifetime guarantee, too, which adds peace of mind.

First impressions on a local ride were good. They fitted well, were comfortable from the off, and the panoramic lens was perfectly clear and free of blemishes or distortion. The venting kept any misting at bay, too. Since then I have ridden in a variety of conditions – early morning, late afternoon into the evening, and on the Continent in the kind of super-bright sunshine we Brits (normally!) only dream of. In all those conditions they worked really well, although in the sunshine abroad I would have liked a little more tint as the glare could get a bit much.

Only having the one lens option – albeit lightly photochromic – does limit them a little, with no clear or heavily tinted extras included, as you might find with other manufacturers (though certainly not all). However, for average UK conditions they were absolutely fine.

Comfort is another area they perform well in, the rubber nose section forming to the shape of your nose without causing any pressure spots, and the likewise-equipped lower arm sections gripping the side of your head gently but firmly, again with no pressure issues. Julbo also claims some shock absorbing qualities here, but I can't say I noticed any difference (other than the grip) against my all-plastic-armed alternatives.

Although they don't seem to be anti-scratch or aqua-repellent, the lens stayed relatively clean for a long time – other glasses I have used seem to attract dust and show up sweat marks a lot but these didn't, another bonus. A friend was keen to try them while out on a ride and he was suitably impressed with them too, commenting on the clarity and comfort.

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While I never had an issue in choosing to wear them for any ride, I did have a slight issue with positioning and the height of the frame. When on the hoods or bar tops they were fine, but I did find that when riding on the drops or tucked down low for a more aero position the top of the frame was in my line of sight quite considerably, leading me to crane my neck uncomfortably further up, or look over the glasses and eventually suffer with runny eyes. I suspect it's because they were designed more with mountain bikers (and runners) in mind, who would generally stay in a more upright position.

Comparing them to other pairs of glasses it looks as though the lens and frame aren't much different in height, but that the nosepiece is deeper, so they sit slightly lower on your face. Not a major issue and it probably won't affect all people as I have a slim nose, but it's worth checking if you can try them on.

In terms of value, at £135 they aren't cheap, but the construction is top notch and the company does have a great reputation for its eyewear and lenses, particularly within running and mountaineering circles. Compare them with Oakley's top end Jawbreaker Prizm, with an RRP of £175, and they don't look quite so bad. If you'd like three lenses you can swap around, Salice's cheaper 016 RW are worth considering, as are Tifosi's Pro Escalate glasses, at £4.99 more than the Julbos.

To sum up, there are many, many options for sports glasses on the market and a wide variety of prices. The Julbo Aeros sit in the mid-range, but the quality of the lens is high-end stuff. My personal preference is for a photochromic lens with a bigger tint range, but saying that these did work well in most conditions, and are definitely worth considering.

Verdict

Quality glasses from a long-standing manufacturer, with useful features that work well in most conditions