Julbo Aerolite Reactiv 1-3 High Contrast Prescription Sunglasses Review

Article by Sam Winebaum

Julbo Aerolite Reactiv 1-3 High Contrast Prescription Sunglasses ($600, €615)

I have been a 60 year wearer of prescription glasses for strong -6.75 myopia and have worn prescription eyeglasses nearly as long a road and trail runner, hiker and nordic skier. 

Finding high performance sunglasses and especially photochromic ones with a wide range of visible light transmission and a red/rose high contrast tint, given the length of my eyes as gray tints don’t provide as much contrast. 

For many years Julio’s Reactiv lenses has been my go to worn “over” my regular glasses. Most recently I have liked the Julbo Density with the almost the same Reactiv lens as my new prescription shades and which is still a fine solution.

Julbo made me a pair of prescription Reactiv 1-3 High Contrast sunglasses with the prescription lens fully embedded in the outer Aerolite lens of the same material, a single lens no insert approach for this RoadTrailRun review. 

The Reactiv lens in a full prescription sunglass, in my case the Aerolite style frame, has been a “game changer” for me. The optical clarity is amazing with no visible “seams” between the prescription lens and outer lens as clip in can lead to or even with my Julbo Density “over”solution to a certain extent. 

The Reactiv prescription lens is quick reacting to changing light conditions with the widest range in the industry going from 15% to 87% Visible Light Transmission and is of exactly the same Trivex material as the main outer lens.  

Other lens types, insert types and frames are available but may depend on your prescription. See Julbo RX Lab for details HERE

II have also found that in low light conditions I am no longer as tempted to remove them, say to read, as was the case with the same Reactiv lens in my “over” solution.  At 31 g complete they are lighter than my other solutions including a clip in insert from another brand.

The only downside due to the thickness required for my prescription is the somewhat geeky / cyborg appearance in clear low light mode.

For a top performing  prescription sport sunglasses for the active athlete Julbo Reactiv are the ultimate in my opinion. They are worn by many pros in all kinds of sports from trail running, to cycling, to skiing and were the official sunglasses of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Julbo Reactiv Prescription Sunglasses available from select opticians 

 Julbo RX Lab HERE

Christophe, Manager of the Julbo RX Lab explains the tech and process

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