Article by Sam Winebaum
Julbo Destiny Reactiv 0-3 High Contrast, Smith Shift Split MAG ChomaPop Photochromic, Rudy Project Rydon Photocrhomic with prescription Insert
In the article I test and review 3 performance photochromic (light adapting) sunglasses suitable for running, cycling, skiing, hiking and everyday wear.
All three feature photochromic lenses which means their Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage changes as light changes, letting through more or less light depending on conditions.
At their “darkest”, most sun in the mix, all three are quite close with 9% VLT for the Rydon, 12% for the Shift Split Mag and 15% for the Destiny. Their “low light” VLTs varies more with 67% for the Smith, 74% for the Rydon and a big 87% for the Julbo with higher numbers clearer in dimmer light.
I always choose photochromic lenses to maximize the utility of the sunglasses from full on sun to in and out of trees on trail runs, to dawn to dusk.
And there is a twist.. as I have always worn such glasses with typically big lens surfaces over my 25g Oakley carbon frame prescription eyeglasses (non sun) to be able to easily put them up on my head when need be and for just plain convenience.
The Destiny and Shift Split Mag are “over” the eyeglasses. And for the first time in many years of “over” my eyeglasses with sunglasses, the Rydon is equipped with a clip in prescription insert
My prescription eyeglass frame used for the comparisons is the Oakley Pitchman R Carbon, very light and the most solid frame I have ever had, and I have worn glasses since age 5! The Oakley frame and lenses weigh 25g.
Rudy Rydon Stealth: $270 plus prescription insert and lenses $240
VLT: 9% - 74%
18g+6g prescription insert Total 24g
Best for: Road Running, Cycling
Pros:
- lightest overall combination with prescription weight,
- most secure overall fit
- interchangeable lenses
Cons:
- not ideal for trail running due to the small size lens (and the thickest of the three) with the bottom edge “overlapping” in the ine of sight with insert when looking down.
- prefer a tint non gray lenses higher lens contrast.
The prescription insert snaps into 2 slots along the side of the nose piece. It is very easy to snap the insert in but you likely will smudge your lenses. To clean you need to remove the insert and clean each element separately which is a disadvantage over the other two options where each glasses can be cleaned separately.
While at my prescription specs, the lenses take a minute or two to adjust too each time I swap from my prescription eyeglasses which is not an issue with the other two. While the 9%-74% VLT is the 2nd widest range of the three.I find them quite dark in lower light conditions I think due to the gray lenses, overall thickness of the combination of insert and outer lens (thickest total of the three) and gray lens vs high contrast colored lens of the Julbo.
The Rydon has a far smaller outer sunglass than the others. The bottom edges are in my line of sight when looking down due the size and the thickness of both the outer glasses and the insert, thicker than the other options for both. I should have selected a larger outer sunglass. With my prescription I don't think the option of thinner Trivex lenses is available.
The Rydon would be my pick for road racing and cycling due to their more secure fit than the others and lower need to deal with terrain in low light conditions.
The entire process of providing my prescription to insert and outer glasses at my door took 7 business days.
Smith Shift Split MAG: $305
VLT: 12%-67%
22g + 25.5g Oakley: 45.5g
Best for: Trail running, cycling, skiing, hiking
Pros:
- biggest area lens,
- widest and clearest field of vision with no lens edges in view,
- interchangeable lenses,
Cons:
- heaviest combination,
- prefer non gray lenses for contrast,
- most expensive
The Smith features the largest outer sunglass lens which delivers the widest most unobstructed field of vision over my prescription glasses. This option is truly like looking through a giant windshield. The lenses are thinner than the Rydon and about the same as the Julbo contributing to the excellent optics.
As with the Rydon the ChromaPop photochromic lens here is a “clear to gray. I prefer a higher contrast red type lens which it appears Smith does not offer at this time. Nonetheless, the contrast was quite good although not quite what I experienced with the Julbo Reactiv lens.
The Shift Split features easily interchangeable lenses with an additional clear included.
Bend the temples in slightly and press on the rear part of the “Smith” logo at the hinge and pull.
The stems come out. Remove the nose piece and change the lens. The stems re-engage decisively and snap into place with magnets, thus the MAG in the Shift name here. Very easy.
They sit more easily and securely over my glasses than the lighter Julbo but not as securely as the all in one Rudy Project Rydon.
I really like the rubbery nose piece extension which allows the glasses to sit down without moving as the rubber has some give and flexible grip and is comfortable in a somewhat lower position than normal as I go “over”
Finally there are long ventilation slots along the top edge of the frame. While I have not run or hiked in lens fogging conditions these slots and the standoff from the face would indicate along with the lens coating that anti fogging should be good.
As with the Rdyon my only qualm, which is more a personal preference, are the gray lenses vs my preference for a reddish high contrast lens and yet more VLT range towards clear. These gigantic shades are more than looks with excellent optical qualities, high protection and the best fit over my glasses. They will look and fit even better without under glasses as I rock them!
Julbo Destiny Reactiv 0-3 High Contrast ($250)
LTV: 15%-87%
13g + 25.5 38.5g
Best for: trail running, hiking, winter uses including nordic skiing
Pros:
- lowest price,
- lightest combination,
- thinnest and lightest stand alone even with a larger lens than Rydon,
- most comfortable,
- best contrast,
- widest VLT range with strength in low light,
- best value
Cons:
- secure enough “over” but least secure without a neck cord in the mix.
I have for many years most often used Julbo Reactiv photochromic shades for their superb optics, contrast and light adapting characteristics. The official sunglasses of the just completed Paris Olympics this small company in the Jura mountains of France has for over a 100 years focused on high performance sports shades and have been the choice of many top skiers and trail runners.
The Density continues the excellence with their lightest big lens photochromic yet. I originally received the Frequency model for review with the same 0-3 lenses but they were a bit too small to go over my prescription eyeglasses so they will be reviewed separately by our Jeff Valliere.
At 13g they are almost half the weight of the Smith and are whisper light on the face. So light that I actually lost a pair propped up on my head in the woods and never noticed that I had lost them. So, for sure I use a wire type keeper with them. The wire keeper’s rubber tips also improves the grip on the head on the move as they are less planted than the Smith option but still fine. The Smith nose piece is clearly more effective in my uses over than the more conventional firmer nose piece here which slips and bounces a bit more.
The 0-3 Reactiv lens has the greatest range of the 3 here with VLT of 15%-87% with my focus that 87% which makes them practical even in near darkness unlike the others. The reddish contrast lens is more pleasing and sharper than the others although the Smith does have a yet wider field of vision.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
2 comments:
The quest to find the perfect "white/transparent" trail running glasses is hard and expensive.
I can't wear contact lenses, and I need a pair of glasses to run in lower lights conditions (such as in autumn/december or at night).
I've went to several shops and all I can say is that nobody is even aware of what trail running glasses needs to be.
I've bought a pair of demetz glasses that are exactly the same model as the rudy rydon, albeit with a different setup. The lenses are in an insert that clip directly in the frame.
But the result is the same, there's not enough vertical FOV especially in tecnical descent where you have to see whats in front of your feet and look at whats coming...
So this is 300€ badly invested and the search continues.
I used to wear the rydon, but since it's an old model it still used small lenses and doesn't have enough coverage when road cycling in aero position, I got another rudy project, the fotonyk. Bigger lens, removable bumper at the bottom, ventilation holes. Using red photochromic lens for those, enough VLT range to go cycling and running at 6am, 12 noon and 9pm. For more lens coverage try TH spinshield or cutline. But rudy prescription insert does fog up abit more if cycling in cold conditions. Need to use anti fog spray before ride
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