As you know, a few months back I was impressed with the JULBO Explorer glasses for altitude activities. What I have more recently come to grips with is their multi-sport stable mate the RACE.

While these glasses have a different look, feel and function to the alpine-centric EXPLORERs the same attention to detail and quality screams at you both from the case and in solid and regular use across a range of activities.

Let’s start with the crucial component; the lense. It’s a Zebra NXT Photochromic model that is encompassing enough in shape to satisfy peripheral sight and protection needs and more critically delivers absolutely amazing clarity of vision in varying light and environmental conditions; with minimal or zero fogging.

Whether you start out training or racing in a new dawn sunlight with a tough run then hop into your boat when it’s overcast and finish off on the MTB as the sun sets, your visual acuity and quality is not compromised wearing these JULBO. The RACE glasses transition smoothly in the varying light conditions. The anti-fog feature is ‘built-in’ derived from a treatment process of the lense during manufacture; it is not a vent-based air circulation aid; while not absolutely perfect it’s the best I’ve used to date and works very effectively.

Frame fit was OK considering I have a reasonably small head; there was good grip around the temples to prevent slip with an elastomer insert. There was no up and down movement when riding over bumpy trails or running over roots and rocks courtesy of the shock proof elastomer. The nose inserts were forgiving and the overall fit and feel of the glasses was very comfortable.

The RACE really does cater for the off road athlete with options including a broad, adjustable head-band and a neat clip to cater for prescription lenses.

Given the quality of the lense which is near peerless, the comfort of the frame and the utility of the options, the JULBO RACE are a sunglass model worthy of serious evaluation by the thinking off-road athlete. By the way I purchased and tested a very cool set of black JULBO RACE; there are other colour options. AND iRULE will likely stock these and the INSTINCT from November 2008.

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