Sunglasses are an obvious need when the sun is out. But they’re equally important in overcast conditions because UV rays can still pass through clouds and cause eye damage. The Julbo Spark ($130) are made with REACTIVE All Around 2-3 Photochromic lenses that quickly adapt as light conditions change, providing full coverage and protection in all light conditions.
What I Liked
REACTIVE All Around 2-3 Photochromic Lenses
The Julbo Spark’s 2-3 lenses refers to category of sun protection strength. Essentially, the Julbo Spark offers two categories of sun protection in one lens—Category 2 and Category 3. Category 2 is typically the orange, blue, rose and red lenses, which are idea for shade or partially sunny conditions. Category 3 is an almost all brown or grey/smoke lens is for strong sunlight and most common category. When both the categories work together, they let in between 9% to 20% of visible light. Note: No matter the category, tint or color, UV protection is consistent because it’s applied to all lenses.
When I’m indoors, or outside when it’s cloudy, the Julbo Spark’s lenses transition to Category 2 (automagically!) and appear as normal tinted eye glasses. When I emerge outside into sun, the lenses rapidly transform into full-on, sun-protection sunglasses.
I found this adaptability to be ideal for non-high impact activities like canoeing, sea kayaking, camping and hiking when the sun goes behind a cloud, it’s overcast or hiking trails that took me through shaded forest and exposed ridges without removing them or pushing them up onto my head. Julbo’s website states that these lenses allow you to “read any type of screen”. They are correct, as I had no issues with clarity when reading from my Kindle Paper White, trail map or smartphone screen.
Non-sliding, Outstanding and Comfortable fit
You know when you were a pimply, pubescent adolescent with oily skin? Well, I still have that despite several decades beyond those pimply, pubescent, adolescent years. My principal conundrum with sunglasses is that the second my nose gets oily or sweaty, they slide down my nose. This means I’m constantly repositioning them and having to take my hand off a kayak or canoe paddle, hiking pole, what have you. Except that I haven’t done that yet with the Julbo Sparks for three reasons.
First, the nose grip technology. I have no idea what it is made from because all I could find on Julbo’s website was that the Spark’s nose grip was a “Flexible, shock-absorbing grip insert on the bridge.” Still, whatever the secret ingredient, it grips to an oily, sweaty nose like superglue (but comes off considerably easier).
Second, the weight. The Julbo Spark weighs in at feathery-light 26 grams so there is hardly any gravity working against them or your nose. Third, the ear piece. They’re not adjustable but they’re ergonomically spot-on and comfortably secure around my ears. When wearing a hat or visor whose brims sit on top of ear pieces, I never felt any discomfort or pain in my temple area.
What Could be Better
The case. The Julbo Spark comes in a soft zippered case with a microfiber bag that doubles as their cleaning cloth. The cleaning-cloth bag is great, and wipes them clean without scratching the lenses. But the soft case doesn’t offer much protection against impact, such as accidentally sitting on them or stuffing something heavy on top of them in a backpack.
Final Thoughts
For low-impact activity like hiking, paddling, camping or even wearing about town, the Julbo Spark is an impressive pair of sunglasses. I don’t recommend them for cycling or running because they aren’t designed for it. Aside from being attractive, they are lightweight and comfortable. But the big stand-out for me, and for the variety of activities for which I’ve been using them, is the REACTIVE Photochromic lenses and their outstanding clarity and adaptability to changing light conditions when outside.
