Julbo Sherpa Glacier Goggles

These are the classic glacier sunglasses from Julbo, a French company that’s been making mountain eye protection for more than 125 years. The flexible hooks wrap around the ears for a secure, all-day hold, while the ventilated, removable leather side shields—a longtime staple of glacier goggles—protect from glare and help avoid snow blindness. The lightweight, matte black frame is fitted with Spectron 3+ shatterproof lenses: Category 3 lenses with a flash coating and 12-percent Visible Light Transmission (or VLT). Well suited for skiing and a range of other winter activities, the Sherpas weigh just one ounce.

Named for its founder, Jules Baud, Julbo has its roots in the Jura region of France, dating all the way back to 1888. Baud started out designing optical eyewear, and at the request of crystal hunters braving the mountains of Chamonix, began making protective sunglasses for the most extreme conditions. In the 1950s, the company revolutionized the market with the Vermont glacier sunglasses, built for mountaineers conquering the highest peaks in the world. And that’s exactly where Julbo tested its products—on 8,000ers like K2, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, and Nanga Parbat, among others. In the ‘90s and early aughts, Julbo expanded its line to include a wide range of sports and terrains, and today it even makes eyewear for children.